How Long Does It Take to Get CompTIA A+ Certified?

If you’re mapping out your path into IT, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: how long does it take to get CompTIA A+ certified? The honest answer depends on your starting point, your study schedule, and how well you prepare — but most candidates complete both exams within 3 to 6 months of dedicated study. Let’s break this down so you can build a realistic timeline and walk into the testing center confident on exam day.

What You’re Actually Signing Up For

Before estimating your timeline, it helps to understand the scope of the certification. CompTIA A+ requires passing two separate exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Each exam allows up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and includes multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions (PBQs). Passing scores are 675/900 for Core 1 and 700/900 for Core 2. These aren’t trivial benchmarks — they reward candidates who genuinely understand the material, not just those who memorized a list of facts the night before.

There are no official prerequisites, though CompTIA recommends 9 to 12 months of hands-on experience before sitting the exams. That doesn’t mean you need a year before you start studying — it means practical exposure to hardware, operating systems, and troubleshooting will make the content click much faster.

Realistic Study Timelines by Experience Level

Everyone comes to this certification from a different starting point. Here’s how long you can realistically expect to prepare based on your background:

Complete Beginner (No IT Background)

If you’re new to IT — no prior experience with hardware, networking, or operating systems — plan for 4 to 6 months of consistent study. That typically means 1 to 2 hours per day covering both Core 1 and Core 2 domains. You’ll want to build foundational knowledge in areas like TCP/IP networking, CPU and RAM concepts, and Windows operating system features before diving into troubleshooting scenarios.

Some IT Exposure (Helpdesk, Self-Taught)

If you’ve spent time in a helpdesk role, built your own PC, or have dabbled in networking, you’re already ahead. Most candidates in this category pass both exams within 2 to 4 months, studying around an hour a day. Your hands-on experience will especially help with Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (29% of Core 1) and Software Troubleshooting (22% of Core 2) — the two heaviest practical domains.

IT Professional Refreshing Knowledge

Experienced technicians who want the credential for career advancement or employer requirements can often be exam-ready in 4 to 8 weeks, focusing primarily on the domains and question types they’re less familiar with, such as cloud computing concepts or operational procedures like change management and disaster recovery documentation.

Breaking Down What You Need to Study

One reason candidates underestimate their prep time is that A+ covers a genuinely wide range of topics. Core 1 alone spans mobile devices (15%), networking (20%), hardware (25%), virtualization and cloud computing (11%), and hardware and network troubleshooting (29%). Core 2 covers operating systems (22%), security (26%), software troubleshooting (22%), and operational procedures (30%).

That security domain in Core 2 deserves special attention. It covers malware types, social engineering tactics, encryption concepts, and authentication methods — topics that trip up candidates who focus exclusively on hardware. Don’t skip it.

For networking, the exam expects you to know specific port numbers cold. SSH runs on port 22, HTTP on port 80, HTTPS on port 443, RDP on port 3389, and DNS on port 53, among others. These details appear in both multiple-choice and performance-based scenarios, so understanding why each protocol uses its port is more useful than brute-force memorization.

Test Your Knowledge

Here’s a question styled after what you’ll see on the actual exam:

A technician needs to securely access a remote Linux server from the command line. Which port must be open on the firewall to allow this connection?

1. Port 23
2. Port 22
3. Port 3389
4. Port 443

Answer: B — Port 22. SSH (Secure Shell) uses port 22 for encrypted remote command-line access. Port 23 is Telnet, which sends data in plaintext and should never be used for secure connections. Port 3389 is RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) for Windows GUI remote access. Port 443 is HTTPS for secure web traffic.

Want more practice? Certcy has 110+ questions like these — download free.

How to Structure Your Study Plan

A structured approach will get you to the exam faster than studying randomly. Here’s a framework that works:

• Weeks 1–4: Cover Core 1 domains in order of weight — start with Hardware & Network Troubleshooting, then Hardware, then Networking. Build your foundational knowledge here.
• Weeks 5–6: Study Virtualization & Cloud Computing and Mobile Devices. These are smaller domains but still appear on the exam.
• Week 7: Take a full Core 1 practice exam under timed conditions (90 questions, 90 minutes). Identify weak domains and review them before scheduling your exam.
• Weeks 8–11: Move into Core 2. Lead with Operational Procedures (30%) and Security (26%) since they carry the most weight.
• Week 12: Practice exam for Core 2, targeted review, then schedule your test date.

Spacing your exams 3 to 4 weeks apart gives you time to reset mentally and focus your energy on the second exam rather than cramming both simultaneously.

Key Study Tips to Stay on Track

• Use performance-based question practice early. PBQs simulate real tasks like configuring network settings or diagnosing boot failures. They take longer and require applied thinking — not the kind of skill you build the week before the exam.
• Study on your phone during dead time. Commutes, lunch breaks, and waiting rooms add up. Mobile-first tools let you squeeze in consistent practice without carving out extra hours.
• Track your weak domains, not just your overall score. A 75% practice score that hides a 45% in Networking is a problem. Drill the gaps, not your strengths.
• Set a test date before you feel fully ready. Having a deadline on the calendar prevents indefinite prep cycles. Most candidates who keep pushing back their exam date are ready — they just need the commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take both A+ exams on the same day?

Technically, yes — some testing centers allow back-to-back scheduling. However, most candidates perform better by spacing the exams at least 2 to 4 weeks apart. Each exam is 90 minutes of concentrated focus, and the domains are distinct enough that dedicated preparation for each one improves your score. If you’re in a time crunch, taking them on the same day is possible, but it’s not the approach we’d recommend.

How many hours of study does CompTIA A+ require?

Most candidates report between 100 and 200 total study hours across both exams. Beginners tend toward the higher end; those with hands-on IT experience often fall in the 60 to 100 hour range. What matters more than total hours is consistency — 45 minutes every day outperforms a six-hour cramming session once a week when it comes to long-term retention and applying knowledge under exam pressure.

What happens if I fail one of the exams?

You can retake a CompTIA exam. After a first failure, you can retake immediately. If you fail a second time, you must wait 14 days before each subsequent attempt. There’s no limit on total attempts, but each retake costs money — which is a strong reason to go in prepared rather than testing your luck. Use your failed attempt results to identify which domains need more work before retaking.

Is CompTIA A+ worth it in 2025?

Absolutely. CompTIA A+ remains one of the most recognized entry-level IT certifications globally, required or preferred by employers like Dell, HP, Intel, and countless managed service providers. It validates that you can support hardware, software, networking, and security at the technician level — exactly what helpdesk and IT support roles require. The certification is valid for 3 years and renewable through CompTIA’s continuing education program, so it stays on your resume long-term.

Ready to stop guessing at your timeline and start building real exam confidence? Download Certcy free and access 110+ expert-written CompTIA A+ practice questions across all 8 domains. With AI-personalized study plans that adapt to your weak areas, gamified progress tracking, and offline mode for studying anywhere, Certcy is built for candidates who are serious about passing — not just skimming. You’ve got this. Let’s get started.