If you’re serious about starting a career in IT, obtaining your CompTIA A+ certification is a vital step. Still, you must distinguish between the Core 1 and Core 2 exams because they cover different but complementary areas of expertise: Core 1 mainly focuses on hardware and device networking, while Core 2 delves into operating systems and security.
In this article, we’ll explore CompTIA A+ Core 1 vs Core 2 exams, the exam formats, your eligibility, their domains, and uncover their similarities and differences. Understanding these nuances will help inform your study approach and exam strategy.
Read on to learn more about these differences in A+ Core 1 vs Core 2.
Core 1 and Core 2 Explained
While other CompTIA certifications consist of only one examination, CompTIA A+ is an exception. It comprises two certification exams covering different topics, both of which you must pass to obtain the A+ certification:
- Core 1 focuses on hardware, cloud computing, mobile devices, and networking technology, and
- Core 2 is about software, operating systems, operational procedures, and cyber security basics.
As of writing, the latest CompTIA A+ certification exam codes are 220-1201 for Core 1 and 220-1202 for Core 2. CompTIA also refers to the 220-120X duo internally as V15 (version 15).
Exam Formats
Each Core examination has at most 90 questions, and you must complete each exam in 90 minutes. You can take the A+ exams at separate times. On a scale of 100-900, the passing scores for Core 1 and Core 2 are 675 and 700, respectively.
The CompTIA A+ exams include two types of questions:
- Multiple-choice questions, which may admit single or multiple answers, and
- Performance-based questions (PBQs), including drag-and-drop items: They’re crucial for testing your ability to solve problems in a simulated environment, making CompTIA A+ such a valuable certification for demonstrating one’s excellence in practical IT skills. Anywhere from one to 10 PBQs appear at the start of the A+ exam.
Managing your exam time is important. A+ exam questions carry different weights, unknown to the candidate. Typically, PBQs have heavier weights than multiple-choice questions, and some multiple-choice questions are worth more than others. (Check out our "Best CompTIA A+ Practice Questions to Prepare for the Exam" article to aid your preparation.)
You enroll in A+ exams through Pearson VUE - either in the comfort of your home using Pearson VUE’s online testing service or in person at a testing center.
If you take an A+ exam from home, a proctor monitors you through a webcam and microphone. In the on-site exam, which is preferable for various reasons, a closed-circuit television with a proctor on site will watch you. A+ exams are closed-book.
Pearson VUE will provide you with available exam time slots. Feel free to reschedule your exam within 24 hours of your original time slot if you need more time; you won’t be charged anything for rescheduling.
Eligibility for Core 1 and Core 2
Although A+ has no hard-and-fast prerequisites, CompTIA recommends that A+ candidates have 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist job role, which helps reduce study time for both Core 1 and Core 2. Three to four months is the average time for someone new to IT to prepare for both A+ exams.
A+ study materials will give you technical knowledge of hardware, software, and networking. If you’re new to IT, you can get hands-on experience with various hardware components by joining a local hackerspace. Such participation will help you gain a practical understanding of how the nitty-gritty of the hardware works and aid you in questions on technical troubleshooting.
You don’t have to do Core 1 and Core 2 in order. However, if you feel more confident in either Core 1 or Core 2 material, you may opt to take the exam you find easier first.
Here’s the detailed breakdown of the latest Core 1 and Core 2 domains:
CompTIA A+ Core 1 Domains
Core 1 tests your hardware, networking, virtualization, and cloud computing knowledge. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile devices comprise a significant fraction of the Core 1 syllabus, with updates to each domain highlighted in our article here.
Specifically, the Core 1 domains with their corresponding exam weightings are:
- Mobile devices, 13%: configuring them, peripherals, software, and network connectivity;
- Hardware setup: know how to install components like batteries, cameras, and Wi-Fi antennas.
- Accessory options: configure USB, Bluetooth, NFC, and docking stations.
- Network setup: configure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular data, and synchronization settings.
- Troubleshooting: learn how to identify and fix hardware and connectivity issues;
- Networking, 23%: fundamental knowledge of computer networks, plus port numbers and protocols;
- Protocols and ports: learning about networking protocols, ports, and wireless technologies.
- SOHO networks: setting up small office/home office networks, including IP addressing and VPNs.
- Networking tools: troubleshooting with crimpers, cable testers, and Wi-Fi analyzers.
- Hardware, 25%: installation and configuration of PC hardware components;
- Component installation: setting up RAM, CPUs, and storage devices.
- Cables and connectors: working with HDMI, Ethernet, and USB cables.
- Peripheral devices: installing and maintaining printers, scanners, and other peripherals.
- Motherboards and power: configuring motherboards, power supplies, and cooling solutions.
- Virtualization and cloud computing, 11%: Learn to summarize cloud computing concepts and aspects of client-side virtualization.
- Virtualization concepts: understanding virtual machines, hypervisors, and desktop virtualization.
- Cloud models: learning about IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS.
- Hardware and network troubleshooting, 28%: The best practice methodology below used to be an integral part of the A+ syllabus, but the exam now tests how well you use it in various troubleshooting situations as opposed to regurgitating the procedure in past exams.
- Diagnosing issues: identifying and fixing hardware, network, and connectivity problems.
- Troubleshooting tools: using multimeters, cable testers, and loopback plugs.
Anything related to hardware is likely on the A+ Core 1 exam.
CompTIA A+ Core 2 Domains
Core 2 assesses your knowledge of operating systems, (cyber) security, software, and operational procedures. Such knowledge is essential for a competent technician to help protect their company’s or client’s data, which has inestimable worth.
Specifically, the Core 2 domains with their corresponding exam weightings are:
- Operating systems, 28%: mainly Windows installation and configuration, but touches upon macOS and Linux computer systems;
- OS installation: working with Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile operating systems.
- Windows tools: managing systems with Task Manager, Command Prompt, and Disk Management.
- File systems: handling file systems, updates, and OS upgrades.
- Security, 28%: various physical and digital security measures;
- Security measures: using encryption, access controls, and wireless security protocols.
- Malware prevention: detecting, removing, and preventing malware threats.
- Software troubleshooting, 23%: common problems in software technologies of computers and mobile devices;
- OS issues: diagnosing and resolving problems with operating systems and applications.
- Mobile troubleshooting: addressing connectivity, app, and performance issues.
- Security concerns: fixing unauthorized access and malware issues.
- Operational procedures, 21%: best practices in documentation, data management, change management, backup and recovery, safety, environmental and legal considerations, and professionalism.
- Documentation: using best practices for system changes and documentation.
- Safety and communication: following safety protocols and communicating effectively.
- Backup and recovery: setting up workstation backups and recovery processes.
You may view Core 2 as the A+ “everything soft” exam, as it exclusively covers software technologies and soft skills you must possess to thrive as an up-and-coming IT professional.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 vs Core 2: Similarities and Differences
Here’s a table illustrating the high-level similarities and differences of A+ Core 1 vs Core 2:
The most important topics that span Core 1 and Core 2 is networking, which involves hardware cabling (Core 1) and mastering networking applications to perform necessary functions and beef up cyber security (Core 2), and troubleshooting, which is the primary responsibility of IT support specialists, the entry-level IT job that A+ certification makes you eligible for.
Since A+ only covers basic networking knowledge, it’s a good idea to take up Network+, which goes deeper into networking, after you’ve earned your A+; gaining Network+ also renews your A+ automatically, since your A+ certification expires three years after you pass it.
Except for the overlapping element mentioned above, the contents of the Core 1 and Core 2 exams are mostly separate.
The difficulty of both exams is comparable, and the preparation required for both is similar: adequate study, as much hands-on experience as you can get, and practice tests to master the multiple-choice questions and the PBQs.
Conclusion
We hope this CompTIA A+ Core 1 vs Core 2 comparison article helps you in your learning or career journey. Check out our other articles on IT Fundamentals and learn how long A+ studies take with this handy guide.
To maximize your knowledge and exam preparation, take a look at our complete CompTIA Certification Path Foundation Course Bundle. For a one-time purchase, get access to 38+ hours of video training, 11 full practice exams, 60+ quizzes, flashcards, and more. Click the banner below.
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