How Hard Is the CompTIA A+? (220-1201 & 220-1202)
Here’s the straight answer: the CompTIA A+ is an entry-level certification, and a motivated beginner can absolutely pass it — people go from zero IT background to A+ certified every day. But entry-level doesn’t mean easy. The A+ is two separate exams covering nine domains between them, and the people who fail it almost always make the same mistake: they underestimate the breadth, not the depth.
I’ll walk you through what’s actually on both exams, the three things that genuinely make them hard, the several things that make them very passable, and — most useful of all — how to know you’re ready before you spend money on a test date.
First thing to know: the A+ is two exams, not one
Getting A+ certified means passing two exams, and you register and pay for each one separately:
- Core 1 (220-1201) — the hardware side: devices, networking, virtualization and cloud, and troubleshooting hardware problems.
- Core 2 (220-1202) — the software side: operating systems, security, troubleshooting software issues, and the operational procedures of working IT.
You can take them in either order, and almost nobody takes both on the same day. One rule to respect: you can’t mix exam versions — both passes have to come from the same series, so if you’re starting now, that’s 220-1201 and 220-1202.
The mechanics are the same for both exams:
| Core 1 (220-1201) & Core 2 (220-1202) | |
|---|---|
| Questions | Up to 90 per exam |
| Time | 90 minutes per exam |
| Question types | Multiple choice + performance-based questions |
| Scoring scale | 100–900 |
| Passing score | 675 |
| Where | Pearson VUE testing center, or online proctored from home |
What’s on Core 1 (220-1201)
Core 1 is five domains, and CompTIA publishes exactly how much of the exam each one carries:
| Domain | Share of exam | Roughly |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | 25% | ~23 questions |
| Hardware & network troubleshooting | 28% | ~25 questions |
| Networking | 23% | ~20 questions |
| Mobile devices | 13% | ~12 questions |
| Virtualization & cloud computing | 11% | ~10 questions |
Look at that table for a second, because it tells you something most study plans miss: more than half of Core 1 is hardware plus troubleshooting hardware. RAM types, storage and RAID, motherboards, CPUs, power supplies, cables and connectors, printers — and then diagnosing what’s wrong when any of it misbehaves. If you’ve ever built or fixed a PC, you’re further along than you think. If you haven’t, that’s where your study hours go.
What’s on Core 2 (220-1202)
Core 2 is four domains: operating systems and security are the big two at 28% each — about 25 questions apiece — with software troubleshooting and operational procedures splitting the rest. Notice what that means about security: it isn’t a token chapter on this exam, it’s over a quarter of the questions.
Core 2 is where career changers usually feel the friction, because “I use Windows every day” and “I administer Windows” are different skills. The good news: it’s all learnable, and the objectives tell you exactly what’s fair game.
The three things that actually make the A+ hard
1. The breadth. Think of the A+ like a driver’s license for IT. The test isn’t about parallel parking one street perfectly — it’s proving you can handle whatever the road throws at you: a laptop that won’t charge, a printer that jams, a Windows update that broke something, a phone that won’t join the Wi-Fi. Nine domains across two exams is a lot of ground, and breadth is exactly what trips up people who studied only the parts they liked.
2. Performance-based questions. Both exams include PBQs — questions where you do something, like putting troubleshooting steps in the right order or matching cable types to their connectors, instead of picking A, B, C, or D. And here’s a detail worth knowing from the exam itself: PBQ selection is adaptive. Do well on an early one and the next one you see will be a higher difficulty level. If exam day is the first time you’ve ever worked a PBQ, that’s a rough way to spend your first ten minutes.
3. The clock. Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes is a minute a question — and a PBQ can eat five. The math only works if the multiple-choice questions are fast for you, and they’re only fast if you’ve practiced. When you’re under the pressure of the real thing, the time can fly by.
What makes it very passable
Now the other side of the ledger, because the A+ is designed to be earned, not to gatekeep:
- You don’t need a perfect score — not close. Passing is 675 on a 100–900 scale. As Mike puts it in the video course: the best way to pass is to answer every question correctly — “Gee, Mr. Obvious” — but actually, you can get a few questions wrong and still pass. Nobody’s perfect, and CompTIA allows for that.
- There are no prerequisites. CompTIA recommends the equivalent of about a year of hands-on experience as an IT technician — recommends, not requires. Plenty of people pass with zero professional experience by substituting structured practice for on-the-job years.
- There are no trick topics. CompTIA publishes the exam objectives for both exams, free, on their website. Every question traces to that list. The exam is beatable precisely because it’s mapped.
One thing you’ll see on forums that deserves a straight answer: CompTIA doesn’t publish pass rates. Anyone quoting “the A+ pass rate is X%” is guessing. Ignore the number and use a readiness signal you can actually measure — which brings us to the part that matters most.
How to know you’re ready: the 85% rule
Mike’s advice after 30 years of teaching this material — it’s the same advice in his McGraw-Hill All-in-One guides and the video course — comes down to three moves:
- Download the exam objectives first. Both booklets, free from CompTIA. They list every domain, every objective, and the specifics under each one. Work from one booklet at a time, since you’ll take one exam at a time.
- Take practice exams. Then take more. You can’t take too many practice tests. Make sure some of them include performance-based questions, and always practice against the 90-minute clock so pacing becomes automatic.
- Schedule when you’re consistently scoring 85% or higher. That’s the line. Below it, more practice is cheaper than a retake — CompTIA doesn’t do free retakes, so a failed attempt means buying another voucher. Above it, book the exam and stop second-guessing.
How long that takes depends on where you’re starting from — your experience from courses, reading, and hands-on work determines what you need to study and how much. The 85% rule is the honest answer to “how long should I study”: you’re done when your scores say so, not when a calendar does.
The smart way to prep (and what it costs)
Everything you need for the A+ lives on our CompTIA A+ study page — but here’s the menu, tech to tech:
- TotalTester practice exams ($69) — the readiness meter. Real-exam-style questions for both Core 1 and Core 2, so the 85% rule has something to measure.
- TotalSims ($69) — hands-on simulations, which is exactly the practice PBQs demand. Don’t meet performance-based questions for the first time on exam day.
- Mike’s TotalVideo course ($329) — the full walkthrough of every domain on both exams, taught the way Mike has taught A+ for 30 years.
- Exam vouchers — each exam needs its own voucher. Ours are $245.99 per exam versus $274 retail from CompTIA (their June 2026 pricing), so buying both through a partner saves about $56 across the pair. If first-time test jitters are real for you, a $72 retake option (purchased with your voucher) is a lot cheaper than a second full-price attempt.
For the complete line-by-line cost picture — retakes, bundles, and how the June 2026 CompTIA price increase shook out — see our full A+ cost breakdown.
FAQ
Is the CompTIA A+ hard for beginners with no IT experience?
It’s challenging but realistic. CompTIA recommends about a year of hands-on IT experience, but it’s a recommendation, not a requirement. Beginners pass by replacing job experience with structured practice — video walkthroughs, hands-on simulations, and practice exams until they consistently score 85% or higher.
What is the CompTIA A+ pass rate?
CompTIA doesn’t publish pass rates, so any specific percentage you read is invented. What’s published: each exam is scored 100–900, and passing is 675 — which means you can miss a number of questions and still pass.
How many questions are on the A+ exams?
Up to 90 questions per exam, with 90 minutes on the clock — a mix of multiple choice and performance-based questions. Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) are separate exams, so you’ll do this twice.
Do I have to take both A+ exams at the same time?
No — you register, pay for, and schedule each exam separately, and you can take them in either order; it’s very unlikely you’d sit both on the same day. Just don’t mix versions: both passes must come from the same exam series.
What happens if I fail one of the A+ exams?
Your other pass still counts — you only retake the exam you failed. There are no free retakes, so a second attempt normally means a second voucher. A retake option purchased up front with your voucher covers that for $72 instead of full price.
How long should I study for the A+?
It depends on your starting point — someone who’s been fixing PCs needs a fraction of the prep a complete newcomer does. Skip the calendar math and use the readiness signal: when you’re consistently scoring 85%+ on timed practice exams for an exam, you’re ready to schedule it.