How to Pass CompTIA A+ on Your First Try (2026 Guide)

If you’re serious about launching an IT career, passing CompTIA A+ on your first try is one of the best moves you can make. The CompTIA A+ certification — made up of two exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) — is the industry’s most recognized entry-level IT credential. But “entry-level” doesn’t mean easy. Each exam gives you 90 minutes to answer up to 90 questions, including performance-based questions (PBQs) that simulate real troubleshooting scenarios. The good news? With the right study plan, you can walk out of that testing center confident. Let’s break down exactly what it takes.

Understanding the Two-Exam Structure

Most candidates underestimate the scope of CompTIA A+ because they treat it as one exam instead of two distinct challenges. Here’s what you’re actually signing up for:

• Core 1 (220-1201): Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes, passing score of 675 out of 900
• Core 2 (220-1202): Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes, passing score of 700 out of 900

Notice that Core 2 has a slightly higher passing threshold. That matters when you’re allocating study time. You need both exams to earn the certification, so plan for both from day one rather than treating Core 1 as a warm-up.

Core 1 Domain Breakdown: Where the Points Are

The exam tells you exactly what to study — the domain weights. Stop guessing and start targeting. Here’s how Core 1 (220-1201) is structured:

• Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (29%): The single biggest domain. Expect questions on troubleshooting methodology, POST codes, cable types, and network connectivity issues. This is where systematic thinking wins.
• Hardware (25%): Motherboards, CPUs, RAM, storage devices, and peripherals. Know your form factors, connector types, and the difference between DDR4 and DDR5.
• Networking (20%): TCP/IP fundamentals, port numbers, wireless standards, and network hardware. The exam expects you to know specific ports — for example, SSH runs on port 22, RDP on port 3389, and HTTPS on port 443.
• Mobile Devices (15%): Laptop hardware, mobile connectivity options, and synchronization methods.
• Virtualization & Cloud Computing (11%): Cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), deployment models, and basic virtualization concepts.

The takeaway: over half your Core 1 score comes from Hardware and Troubleshooting combined. Don’t neglect Networking either — 20% is a significant chunk, and port numbers are frequently tested.

Core 2 Domain Breakdown: Security Is the Big One

Core 2 (220-1202) shifts toward software and security. Here’s how to weight your prep:

• Operational Procedures (30%): The largest domain on Core 2. Documentation, change management, disaster recovery, and environmental best practices. Don’t overlook this — it trips up many candidates who focus purely on technical content.
• Security (26%): Malware types, social engineering attacks, encryption standards, multi-factor authentication, and physical security. This domain rewards those who understand the why behind security practices, not just definitions.
• Operating Systems (22%): Windows installation and features, command-line tools, Linux basics, and macOS essentials.
• Software Troubleshooting (22%): OS issues, malware removal steps, and mobile device troubleshooting.

Security and Operational Procedures together represent 56% of Core 2. If you can master these two domains, you’re most of the way to passing.

The Study Strategy That Actually Works

1. Start with Domain Weights, Not Page 1 of a Textbook

Most candidates open a study guide and read it front to back. Instead, map your study hours to the domain percentages. If you have 60 hours to study for Core 1, roughly 17 of those hours should go to Hardware & Network Troubleshooting, 15 to Hardware, and 12 to Networking. This isn’t guessing — it’s math.

2. Learn Port Numbers Like Your Name

The exam tests port numbers repeatedly and in different contexts. Create a reference sheet and revisit it daily:

• FTP: 20/21
• SSH/SFTP: 22
• Telnet: 23
• SMTP: 25
• DNS: 53
• DHCP: 67/68
• HTTP: 80
• HTTPS: 443
• SMB: 445
• RDP: 3389

Don’t just memorize these — understand what service each port supports and why it matters for troubleshooting. When you see a firewall blocking port 3389, you should immediately know that’s a Remote Desktop problem.

3. Master the Troubleshooting Methodology

CompTIA uses a specific six-step troubleshooting methodology that appears across both exams. The exam expects you to apply these steps in order, especially in performance-based questions:

1. Identify the problem
2. Establish a theory of probable cause
3. Test the theory
4. Establish a plan of action and implement the solution
5. Verify full system functionality
6. Document findings, actions, and outcomes

PBQs will put you in scenarios where skipping steps costs you points. Practice applying this methodology to real-world scenarios, not just reciting it.

4. Practice Under Exam Conditions

Sitting with a book is not the same as sitting in a testing center. At 90 minutes for up to 90 questions, you have approximately one minute per question — less when you account for PBQs that take longer. Timed practice tests train your brain to recall under pressure.

Test Your Knowledge

Let’s see where you stand. Try this exam-style question:

A technician receives a report that users can browse websites but cannot send or receive email. The technician confirms that the email client settings are correct. Which port should the technician verify is open on the firewall for outbound email traffic?

• A. Port 80
• B. Port 25
• C. Port 443
• D. Port 110

Answer: B — Port 25. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) uses port 25 for outbound email delivery. Port 80 is HTTP, port 443 is HTTPS, and port 110 is POP3 (used to receive email, not send it). This question tests whether you can map a real-world symptom to the correct protocol and port — exactly what the exam does.

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