The CompTIA A+ is a great certification and a popular entry point into the IT industry. To jumpstart or transition into an IT career, such as a field service technician or desk support analyst, the A+ will equip you with the fundamental knowledge of what it takes to be a good IT professional.
In this article, we’ll give you an overview answering the question, “What is CompTIA A+?” By getting A+ certified, you demonstrate your skill and proficiency in IT support because the exam questions revolve around real-life scenarios in which you must think on your feet.
Without further ado, let’s discover what CompTIA A+ is.
What Is CompTIA A+ Certification?
Let’s talk about CompTIA and the focus of this in-demand certification.
Who Is CompTIA?
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is an internationally-recognized organization for certifying, educating, and connecting people in IT. It helps people to navigate tech careers and organizations to train and hire IT professionals.
Primary Focus
CompTIA A+ is an entry-level IT certification focusing primarily on the latest core technologies, from cloud infrastructure and IoT device security to data management and command-line scripting with applications like automation.
The latest CompTIA A+ emphasizes software troubleshooting, network troubleshooting, and the remote diagnosis and resolution of network and hardware issues.
As A+ is vendor-neutral, A+ certified individuals can apply their expertise in various technical situations and across multiple platforms.
Experience Level
Although A+ has no hard-and-fast prerequisites, CompTIA recommends that A+ candidates have nine to 12 months of hands-on experience in technical roles in academia or industry, which helps reduce study time. Still, a solid preparation course can compensate for the recommended experience; see our suggestions in the conclusion.
Primary Audience
The CompTIA A+ certification is aimed at individuals beginning their IT careers, validating the essential skills needed for entry-level technical support and IT operational roles.
As seen in our IT career roadmap, A+ sits at the very foundation of technical skill development, before specialized certifications like Network+, Security+, or cloud-focused credentials, and acts as the launchpad for numerous IT career paths.
A+ is ideal for:
- Career starters with little to no professional IT experience who want a recognized credential to enter the field
- Career changers transitioning from non-technical backgrounds into IT support or related roles
- Technical support staff who want formal validation of their skills in troubleshooting, hardware, operating systems, and basic networking
- Students or recent graduates seeking to build credibility and demonstrate practical IT knowledge to potential employers
The certification prepares you for real-world, entry-level IT positions such as:
- Help Desk Technician (Tier 1 or Tier 2)
- Desktop Support Technician
- IT Support Specialist
- Field Service Technician
- Computer Repair Technician
CompTIA A+ is an excellent fit for anyone familiar with basic computer and device usage who wants to build a foundation in supporting and troubleshooting systems across desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and common operating systems in both on-premises and cloud-enabled environments.
Why Should I Pursue CompTIA A+?
Before diving into the benefits, it’s worth understanding why A+ continues to be such a sought-after credential in the IT industry. As the recognized starting point for many technical careers, it not only validates essential troubleshooting and support skills but also demonstrates your commitment to professional growth, making it a valuable asset for anyone aiming to break into tech.
Professional Benefits
Being CompTIA A+ certified means you grasp the most up-to-date basic computer hardware and software knowledge and can troubleshoot computers, smartphones, and other IT devices in use today. Hence CompTIA says the A+ certification “is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT.”
Moreover, CompTIA A+ is a popular requirement for entry-level IT positions, such as technical support specialist, field service technician, help desk technician, service desk analyst, data support technician, or desktop support administrator.
Hence, A+ gives you an advantage over non-certification holders in job interviews, increasing the odds of landing your first IT position. Once you’ve got your foot in the door, it’s easier to follow your passions and specialize in cyber security and other IT fields.
Personal Benefits
A+ can open doors to better pay: the Dice 2022 report lists CompTIA A+ as the most popular IT certification among US technologists surveyed: “Of those tech professionals with a technical certification, CompTIA A+ topped the list with 22%.”
From the same report: “Highly specialized certifications can help job candidates prove their skill sets to hiring managers and recruiters. Certifications also provide additional leverage in negotiations for salary, benefits, and increased responsibility.” Hence, your A+ certification can make you eligible for remote work opportunities and promotions.
How Much Can You Earn with CompTIA A+?
Earning your CompTIA A+ certification can significantly boost your starting salary and long-term earning potential in IT. While actual figures vary by role, experience, and location, A+ holders consistently earn more than their uncertified peers.
In the US, entry-level positions such as help desk technician, technical support specialist, and IT support administrator often start in the $40,000-$60,000 range, with opportunities to grow beyond $60,000 as you gain experience and additional certifications.
Thousands of job opportunities across the United States reference or require the CompTIA A+ certification. At the time of writing, a Glassdoor search for US-based positions mentioning “CompTIA A+” returns over 2,500 results.
Likewise, Indeed lists more than 2,000 postings that include the certification in their job descriptions.
Roles associated with CompTIA A+ cover a broad range of entry-level IT positions, offering competitive salaries for those starting in tech. For example:
- IT Support Technicians earn between $46K-$63K
- Desktop Support Specialists can make around $40K-$55K
- IT Support Specialists see salaries from $55K-$60K
- Field Service Technicians earn $50K-$60K
- Help Desk Technicians typically start at $40K-$55K
These positions represent just a portion of the opportunities available to professionals with the A+ certification, making it a smart first step for breaking into IT.
As a widely recognized requirement for many technical support and IT operations roles, A+ gives you a competitive edge in interviews, increases your chances of landing your first tech position, and strengthens your case for higher pay, better benefits, and added responsibilities. Once you’re in the field, it becomes easier to specialize in areas like networking, cybersecurity, or cloud computing.
What Does CompTIA A+ Exam Cover?
CompTIA A+ comprises two certification exams. The latest exam codes are 220-1201 for Core 1 and 220-1202 for Core 2, and you must pass both to obtain the CompTIA A+ certification. On a scale of 100-900, the passing scores for Core 1 and Core 2 are 675 and 700, respectively.
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.
Here’s the detailed breakdown of the latest Core 1 and Core 2 domains:
Core 1 Domains (220-1201)
Core 1 focuses on the technical foundation of IT support and infrastructure:
Mobile Devices (13%) - Covers configuring, managing, and troubleshooting smartphones, tablets, and laptops, including app installation, network setup, and hardware replacement.
Networking (23%) - Focuses on setting up, managing, and diagnosing wired and wireless networks, including TCP/IP, Wi-Fi standards, subnetting, cabling, and basic cloud connections.
Hardware (25%) - Teaches identification, installation, and upgrading of PC and laptop components, such as CPUs, RAM, storage drives, displays, and peripherals.
Virtualization & Cloud Computing (11%) - Involves deploying and configuring virtual machines, understanding hypervisors, and working with IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models.
Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (28%) - Emphasizes diagnosing and resolving hardware and connectivity issues using tools, interpreting error codes, testing cables, and following systematic processes.
Core 2 Domains (220-1202)
Core 2 builds on operational and security competencies:
Operating Systems (28%) - Covers installing, configuring, and maintaining operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile OS. Includes command-line utilities, OS architecture, system settings, and administrative tools.
Security (28%) - Focuses on implementing and managing device and network security. Covers authentication methods, permissions, malware prevention, physical security, and best practices for securing endpoints.
Software Troubleshooting (23%) - Teaches you to diagnose and resolve application and OS issues. Includes crash recovery, malware removal, application repair, and troubleshooting boot failures.
Operational Procedures (21%) - Covers professional and safety standards in IT. Includes documentation, change management, environmental impact, incident response, and communication best practices.
How CompTIA A+ Questions Are Structured
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 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.
What Skills Will I Learn?
While the CompTIA A+ exam objectives outline the topics you’ll study, truly preparing for the exam (and for a job in IT support) means going hands-on with real hardware, software, and troubleshooting scenarios.
As you work through the content and labs, you’ll develop practical, resume-ready skills that employers look for in entry-level roles, such as:
- Installing, configuring, and upgrading operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Assembling, upgrading, and repairing desktop and laptop computers
- Troubleshooting hardware components like RAM, hard drives, and power supplies
- Setting up and securing home and office networks, including Wi-Fi routers and switches
- Configuring mobile devices, printers, and peripheral hardware
- Applying best practices in safety, environmental procedures, and documentation
- Managing users, permissions, and basic security settings in OS environments
- Backing up and restoring data, and applying basic disaster recovery measures
Through hands-on practice like opening up systems, swapping components, and configuring networks, you’ll gain not only the knowledge to pass the A+ exam but also the practical skills and confidence to troubleshoot real IT challenges.
How Do I Become CompTIA A+ Certified?
This examination is taken 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 taken 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.
To register for CompTIA A+, you can purchase an exam voucher via the CompTIA website. If you’re in a pinch, CompTIA offers voucher discounts.
When you register for the exam at Pearson VUE, you may pay by credit card or voucher. Select “voucher” and type in the voucher number you purchased. The listed price of this exam is $253 USD each (two exams required to pass).
Remember that you can buy your CompTIA A+ Voucher Core 1 (220-1201) or Core 2 (220-1202) from us at up to 30% off the official price. It’s an ideal choice for budget-conscious learners who want to cut certification costs while maintaining full exam eligibility.
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.
Once you’ve passed your A+ exam, congratulations! However, the certification is only valid for three years. Your next step is to keep up with the changing trends in the IT industry to remain an in-demand IT expert. You have two ways to renew your certification:
- With multiple activities: Collect at least 20 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through CompTIA-approved activities, including gaining more advanced certifications, work experience, publishing, and participating in industry events. To renew A+, you should upload sufficient proof of participation to your certification account and pay a renewal fee.
- With a single activity: Some certifications will completely renew A+, including more advanced CompTIA certifications such as Network+ and Security+. You can also complete CompTIA’s online, self-paced continuing education course CertMaster CE; as of writing, this method only applies to A+, Network+, and Security+.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you a clear understanding of what CompTIA A+ is and helped you feel confident in preparing for this essential IT certification.
To help you take the next step toward success, we offer several great options to support your CompTIA A+ certification journey.
For only $65, you can get lifetime access to the CompTIA Certification Path: Foundation Course Bundle, featuring on-demand video, practice exams, over 60 quizzes, flashcards, mobile learning access, and a certificate of completion.
If you want to fast-track your IT or cyber security career, the StationX Master’s Program offers access to 30,000+ courses and labs, full certification exam prep, 1:1 mentorship, and a community of peers. You’ll gain hands-on, real-world training along with exclusive networking opportunities to accelerate your progress.
Lastly, you can save on your certification costs with our discounted Core 1 and Core 2 exam vouchers, a smart way to make your investment go further.
Whichever route you choose, we’re here to support you and wish you the very best on your certification journey.
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