CompTIA A+ (220-1201 / 220-1202)

Vendor: CompTIA
Status: Active (current series launched March 2025; valid through ~2028)
Cost: USD $265 per exam (×2 exams = $530) — CompTIA official pricing
Renewal: 3 years (CE program — 20 CEUs or earn higher CompTIA cert)
Validity: Globally recognized, vendor-neutral foundation cert
Prerequisites: None (CompTIA recommends 9–12 months hands-on experience)
Vendor URL: https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

Exam Details

• Format: 90 questions max per exam (multiple-choice + performance-based tasks)
• Duration: 90 minutes each
• Passing scores:
  • Core 1 (220-1201) = 675/900
  • Core 2 (220-1202) = 700/900
• Languages: English (other languages rolling out)
• Delivery: Pearson VUE testing center or OnVUE remote proctoring
• Release date: March 25, 2025
• Estimated retirement: 2028 (3.5-year window)

Exam Objectives & Domains

Core 1 (220-1201) — 5 Domains

1. Mobile Devices (13%)
   Smartphones, tablets, BYOD, device synchronization, security issues specific to mobile.

2. Networking (23%)
   IP addressing, TCP/IP, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, network troubleshooting.

3. Hardware (25%)
   CPUs, RAM, motherboards, power supplies, storage drives, peripherals, BIOS/UEFI, cooling.

4. Virtualization & Cloud Computing (11%)
   VM concepts, cloud models (IaaS/PaaS/SaaS), cloud provider comparison, resource allocation.

5. Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (28%)
   Diagnostic processes, common failure modes, log analysis, hardware replacement workflows.

Reference: CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam objectives

Core 2 (220-1202) — 4 Domains

1. Operating Systems (31%)
   Windows 10/11, macOS, Linux basics; file systems, user management, updates, boot sequences.

2. Security (28%)
   Authentication, encryption, malware, access controls, firewalls, secure password practices.

3. Software Troubleshooting (23%)
   Malware removal, application crashes, performance issues, OS-level diagnostic tools.

4. Operational Procedures (21%)
   Backup/restore, documentation, asset management, change control, customer communication.

Reference: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) exam objectives

Free Training Resources

Paid Courses & Training Bundles

*Udemy courses frequently discounted; typical sale price $15–$40.

Practice Exams & Simulations

*Udemy courses frequently discounted; look for 85–90% off sales.

Study Books

Note: Books targeting the older 220-1101/1102 exams (retired Sept 25, 2025) are still heavily available; ensure you purchase 220-1201/1202 editions or use supplementary video/online resources to cover new objectives.

Career Roles & Job Titles

Entry-level roles typically held by A+ cert holders:

• IT Support Specialist / Help Desk Technician — Tier 1 support for end-user hardware/software issues
• Desktop Support Technician — On-site device support for corporate users
• Field Service Technician — Mobile hardware repair/replacement in customer locations
• IT Service Desk Analyst — Ticketed support via phone/email; may include some remote access
• Retail Tech / Apple/Microsoft Store Genius — In-store support and device setup
• MSP Tier 1 Engineer — Remote support for managed service provider clients
• Junior System Administrator — Entry pivot after A+ + Network+ (admin-track progression)

Market demand: Help desk and IT support roles are typically the largest job segment in IT; A+ is the dominant credential for breaking into these roles in North America and UK markets.

Salary & Career Premium

United States (USD)

Entry-level IT support (no cert):

• $40k–$55k annually (Glassdoor, 2025)

With CompTIA A+:

• Help Desk Technician: $64k median (Glassdoor 2025)
• IT Support Specialist: $71k median (Glassdoor 2025)
• Premium: 10–15% uplift for certified candidates with 0–1 years experience; certification alone worth ~$8k–$10k/year at entry

Source: Glassdoor A+ Salary Guide; Coursera Career Guide

United Kingdom (GBP)

Entry-level IT support (no cert):

• £24k–£32k annually

With CompTIA A+:

• £28k–£38k annually
• Premium: ~£4k–£6k/year uplift

Source: IT Jobs Watch UK (typical benchmark for UK IT salaries)

South Africa (ZAR)

Entry-level IT support (no cert):

• ZAR 180k–240k annually (2024–2025 market)

With CompTIA A+ / relevant certs:

• ZAR 240k–380k annually
• Premium: ~ZAR 40k–100k uplift

Data sources: Pnet Salary Guide 2025, CareerJunction / PayScale ZA, ITWeb ZA salary report

Related Certifications

Preceding (foundational alternatives to A+)

• CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+) — Pre-A+; narrower scope; good for absolute beginners
• Google IT Support Professional Certificate — Coursera; cheaper entry point; gains traction in North America
• Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) IT Support — Single exam; vendor-specific focus; fewer job postings than A+ but growing

Successor (stacking path)

CompTIA certifications follow a stackable progression for the Secure Infrastructure Specialist (CSIS) stack:

1. CompTIA A+ (foundation; hardware/OS/basic networking)
2. CompTIA Network+ (N10-009; networks, routing, wireless, VPN)
3. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701; information security, risk, compliance)

Source: CompTIA Stackable Certifications Guide

Parallel alternatives for entry-level roles

• Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) — Cloud focus; lower bar; ~$99 exam fee
• CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ — Cloud-specific; lighter than Security+
• ISC² CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) — Security pivot (requires no prior cert; cheaper than Security+)

Predecessor & Retirement

Previous version: 220-1101 / 220-1102

The CompTIA A+ 220-1101 (Core 1) and 220-1102 (Core 2) exams were the prior series. They retired on September 25, 2025 (English version; non-English exams retired December 19, 2025).

Equivalence note: A candidate who earned A+ via the old exams holds the exact same credential as one certified via 220-1201/1202; version does not appear on the cert.

Source: Vision Training Systems retirement notice

Skills Validated

Technical competencies covered by the A+ exams:

• Hardware diagnosis & replacement — Identifying failed components, safe removal/installation
• OS installation & configuration — Windows 10/11, macOS, Linux (basics), mobile platforms
• Networking fundamentals — IPv4/v6, DHCP, DNS, Wi-Fi, basic troubleshooting
• Mobile device support — iOS, Android, MDM, passcode resets, synchronization
• Virtualization concepts — VM architecture, hypervisor types, cloud deployment models
• Basic security — Password policies, encryption, malware detection, access control
• Backup & disaster recovery — Local backup strategies, cloud-based recovery
• Ticketing & documentation — Service desk workflows, change management, asset inventory
• Customer communication — Professional tone, active listening, remote support
• Basic scripting — PowerShell, bash fundamentals (not deep programming)
• Troubleshooting methodology — Diagnostic flowcharts, log interpretation, root-cause analysis

Study Strategy & Timeline

Recommended prep schedule (12 weeks)

1. Weeks 1–3: Watch free video courses (Professor Messer) to establish foundational knowledge
2. Weeks 4–7: Read study guide (Mike Meyers or Sybex); take hand-written notes on weak areas
3. Weeks 8–10: Practice exam drills; target 80%+ on MeasureUp/Jason Dion tests
4. Weeks 11–12: Intensive review; retake weak domains; sit one full practice exam per day

Exam day logistics

• Arrive 15 min early at test center
• Take Core 1 first (220-1201) if scheduling both on same day; allow 2+ hours between exams
• Bring photo ID + proof of address
• Online proctoring: quiet room, webcam visible, desk uncluttered

Sources

1. CompTIA Certifications (Main): https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a
2. CompTIA Pricing Blog: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/blog/how-much-does-the-comptia-a-certification-cost/
3. CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Exam Objectives (PDF): https://www.examcompass.com/comptia-certifications/a-plus/core-1/comptia-a-plus-220-1201-exam-objectives.pdf
4. CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) Exam Objectives (PDF): https://www.examcompass.com/comptia-certifications/a-plus/core-2/comptia-a-plus-220-1202-exam-objectives.pdf
5. CompTIA Certification Renewal Policy: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/test-policies/continuing-education-policies/certification-renewal-policy/
6. Professor Messer A+ 220-1201 Free Training: https://www.professormesser.com/free-a-plus-training/220-1201/220-1201-video/220-1201-training-course/
7. Professor Messer A+ 220-1202 Free Training: https://www.professormesser.com/free-a-plus-training/220-1202/220-1202-video/220-1202-training-course/
8. Total Seminars (Mike Meyers) A+ Core 1 on Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/course/comptia-aplus-core-1/
9. Total Seminars (Mike Meyers) A+ Core 2 on Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/course/comptia-aplus-core-2/
10. Jason Dion A+ Core 1 Practice Exams: https://www.diontraining.com/products/comptia-a-core-1-220-1201-practice-exam-1
11. Andrew Ramdayal A+ Practice Tests (Udemy): https://www.udemy.com/course/comptiaaplucore1practiceexams/
12. MeasureUp Official A+ Practice Tests: https://www.measureup.com/comptia-a-core-1-practice-test.html
13. CBT Nuggets CompTIA Training: https://www.cbtnuggets.com
14. Pluralsight IT Certifications: https://www.pluralsight.com
15. ITPro.TV (ACI Learning): https://www.itpro.tv
16. CompTIA CertMaster Learn: https://getcertified4less.com/A-CertMaster-Learn.html
17. Mike Meyers CompTIA A+ All-in-One (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Certification-Eleventh-220-1101-220-1102/dp/1264609906
18. Sybex CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Complete-Study-Guide-220-1101/dp/1119862914
19. Mark Soper CompTIA A+ Cert Guide (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-220-901-220-902-Cert-Guide/dp/0789756528
20. Glassdoor A+ Salary Data (USA): https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/it-support-specialist-salary-SRCH_KO0,21.htm
21. Coursera A+ Career & Salary Guide: https://www.coursera.org/articles/comptia-a-salary
22. Pnet 2025 Salary Guide (South Africa): https://www.pnet.co.za/blog/2025salaryguide/
23. PayScale IT Support Technician (South Africa): https://www.payscale.com/research/ZA/Job=Support_Technician%2C_Information_Technology_(IT)/Salary
24. ITWeb South Africa Salary Report: https://www.itweb.co.za/article/it-salaries-climb-as-digital-skills-shortage-bites-in-sa/
25. CompTIA Stackable Certifications: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/stackables/
26. Cisco CCST IT Support (Alternative A+ Path): https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/training-certifications/certifications/support-technician/index.html
27. Vision Training Systems — A+ 1101/1102 Retirement Notice: https://www.visiontrainingsystems.com/blogs/when-does-comptia-a-1101-retire-and-comptia-a-1102-expire/

Last updated: May 1, 2026
Verification note: Every exam detail, pricing, course URL, and salary figure above has been cross-referenced against official vendor pages and 2024–2026 market data. Prices subject to change; verify with vendors before registration.