Setting Up an A+ Fair (2024)

FAQs

What is the hardest part of A+ exam? ›

Performance Based Questions (PBQs)

Ask anyone who has taken any CompTIA exam, and they'll tell you the hardest part was answering the performance-based questions. These questions simulate a task you might perform as an entry-level IT professional. PBQs will most likely center around troubleshooting basic IT issues.

CompTIA A+ Passing Score

The A+ certification has two exams: CompTIA A+ 220-1001 (Core 1): Minimum of 675 out of 900 to pass. CompTIA A+ 220-1002 (Core 2): Minimum of 700 out of 900 to pass.

Although the A+ exam is moderately challenging, many candidates clear it on their first attempt. In addition to consulting an experienced CompTIA training provider such as ONLC, here are a few tips to help you achieve the same: Don't panic: Test anxiety is the top reason people fail exams. You can always retake it.

Most students report that by devoting two hours each day to their exam preparations, they could pass both exams in around a month if they had some prior knowledge, and in between six and eight weeks if they were relatively new.

The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) exam is often cited as the most challenging CompTIA certification. It's targeted at IT professionals with at least five years of experience and covers advanced security concepts and practices.

Enhanced Employability: Holding a CompTIA A+ certification can improve your job prospects, especially for entry-level IT positions. Employers often recognize and value the certification when hiring. Career Advancement: CompTIA A+ can serve as a stepping stone for higher-level IT roles and specializations.

Both exams are comparable in difficulty. If you're strong in hardware and networking, you might find Core 1 easier; Core 2 might be a breeze in software and operating systems. Can I take CompTIA A+ Core 2 before Core 1? Yes, you may schedule the Core 2 exam before Core 1.

No matter how many attempts to pass the CompTIA Security Plus exam you need, you can take the test as many times as necessary. That said, you will need to pay to take the exam each time and may have to wait up to fourteen days to retake it if you've tried more than twice.

CompTIA A+ certification salary expectations can range from $30,000 to as high as $100,000 depending on experience, location, job sector, etc.

How hard are CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security+ certification exams? Considering the needed knowledge level to achieve a passing score, the Security+ exam would be more difficult than the A+. For some, since the A+ certification includes two exams to pass, it would seem more difficult than the single exam of Security+.

How much is a CompTIA A+ certification worth? ›

The Dice report lists CompTIA A+ as one of the highest-paying IT certifications in the United States – with A+ holders earning $78,629. Keep in mind that this salary represents IT pros at all levels – both those who are just starting out and those who earned CompTIA A+ years ago and have advanced their careers.

Preparing for the CompTIA A+ Exam

Ordinarily, your A+ certification training will take about five to six months to complete, but you can shorten this duration if you take the time to learn useful tips for preparing for this exam. To get this certificate, you have to pass a set of two exams: Core 1 and Core 2 exams.

Some classroom training covers all of the CompTIA A+ material in one week, and others stretch it out over several months. If you choose to learn on your own, you may be able to acquire the necessary knowledge within a few days, weeks or months – depending on how much knowledge and IT experience you already have.

CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and is the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operational roles.

Both exams are comparable in difficulty. If you're strong in hardware and networking, you might find Core 1 easier; Core 2 might be a breeze in software and operating systems. Can I take CompTIA A+ Core 2 before Core 1? Yes, you may schedule the Core 2 exam before Core 1.

Exam Details

Those who wish to earn the A+ certification must complete two exams: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102). Both are computer-based tests with a combination of 90 multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions. Test takers have a time limit of 90 minutes to complete each exam.

It may seem odd that Security+ is the easier of the two exams. While it may be easier to pass than either individual A+ Core exams, A+ requires you to take two exams, unlike Security+. Not only this, but we're assuming if you're taking A+, you have little to no experience in IT.

And, again, you could get a maximum of 90 questions. The scoring range is the same as the Core 1 exam, between 100 and 900. But to pass your 220-1002 exam, you'll need to make a score of 700. You can take the 220-1001 and the 220-1002 in any order you'd like.