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A+ Certification is the industry standard for validating vendor-neutral skills expected of an entry-level computer technician. Those holding the A+ certification have a broad base of knowledge and competency in core hardware and operating system technologies including installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

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A+ Certification Objectives



A+ Objectives


  • What concepts and technologies are covered in the A+ exam?
  • What format is the A+ exam in?
  • What is an adaptive format?
  • Do I take both exams at once or at separate times?
  • What languages are the A+ exams available in?
  • How many questions are on the A+ exams?
  • How much time is allowed to complete the A+ exams?
  • What is the minimum score required to pass the A+ exam?
  • What are the exam codes for the A+ tests?
  • Are there any pre-requisites necessary for the A+ certification?
  • How can I get the A+ certification logo and what are my rights and responsibilities regarding its use?
  • Can I receive college credit for becoming A+ certified?
  • If I have a disability can accomodations be made for me so I can take my exam?
  • What other certifications are available?
  • If I fail my exam, do I have to pay to retake it?
  • How do I register to take my exam?
  • Where can I get study materials to prepare for my exam?
  • Will I ever need to renew my certification?
  • When will I receive my certificate and ID card?
  • Can I see my test answers?
  • How do I get a replacement certificate or ID card?
  • How much does a CompTIA certification exam cost?
  • Can you tell me more about CompTIA and Certiport exams?
  • Which CompTIA exams can I apply towards the MCSA certification?
  • Do I need to pass both of the A+ exams within 90 calendar days?
  • When will the A+ exams covering the 2003 objectives be available?
  • Can I get certified if I pass one A+ exam covering the 2001 objectives and the other A+ exam covering the 2003 objectives?
  • What is the difference between the A+ exams covering the 2003 objectives and the A+ exams covering the 2001 objectives?

    • What concepts and technologies are covered in the A+ exam?
    Visit the A+ Exam Objectives page for a complete list of the areas and technologies covered in the A+ exam

    What format is the A+ exam in?
    The A+ certification consists of two tests that contain identification and situational questions in an adaptive format.

    What is an adaptive format?
    An adaptive test adjusts its questions dependent upon your answer to the previous question. In this format, no two tests are alike and the testing time is greatly reduced.

    Do I take both exams at once or at separate times?
    You can do either. Most choose to take their exams at separate times. The exams are updated periodically and you have until the next update to take the second exam.

    What languages are the A+ exams available in?
    The A+ exam is available in English, Japanese, Spanish, French and German.

    How many questions are on the A+ exams?
    There are between 20 and 30 questions on each of the A+ exams. Because the tests are adaptive, your score may be determined at any point.

    How much time is allowed to complete the A+ exams?
    You are allowed a maximum of 30 minutes to complete each A+ exams. Because the tests are adaptive, your score may be determined before the maximum time expires and the exam may end at any time.

    What is the minimum score required to pass the A+ exam?
    The A+ exam is graded on a scale of 0 - 1300. The minimum score required to pass the A+ Core Hardware exam is 596 and the minimum score to pass the A+ OS Technologies exam is 600.

    What are the exam codes for the A+ tests?
    The exam code for the A+ Core Hardware exam is 220-221. The exam code for the A+ OS Technologies exam is 220-222.

    Are there any pre-requisites necessary for the A+ certification?
    There are no pre-requisites for the A+ exam.

    How can I get the A+ certification logo and what are my rights and responsibilities regarding its use?
    You can download the logo yourself at http://www.comptia.org/careerid or e-mail CompTIA at questions@comptia.org. User responsibility guidelines are available on this site.

    Can I receive college credit for becoming A+ certified?
    Yes. Excelsior College awards college credit for both the A+® and Network+™ certifications towards a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems (CIS).     Contact Excelsior College for more information.


    If I have a disability can accomodations be made for me so I can take my exam?
    It is the policy of CompTIA to make reasonable accommodations for US residents with disabilities. If you need special accommodations, contact your testing center 30 days before scheduling your exam and have your disability documentation available.

    What other certifications are available?
    CompTIA currently has eleven vendor-neutral certifications available that validate specific skill sets and areas of knowledge. These include: A+, Network+, Server+, CDIA+, e-Biz+, Project+, I-Net+, Linux+, HTI+, Security+ and CTT+.

    If I fail my exam, do I have to pay to retake it?
    Yes, you have to pay the fee every time you take the test. Please see the CompTIA Candidate Retake policy for additional information.

    How do I register to take my exam?
    You can register online with     Prometric testing centers or VUE testing centers, or call VUE at 877.551.7587 or Prometric at 800.909.3926.

    Where can I get study materials to prepare for my exam?
    The CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum program will provide you a list of training material that has been carefully reviewed to meet exacting standards of quality.

    Will I ever need to renew my certification?
    No, CompTIA certifications are lifetime certifications.

    When will I receive my certificate and ID card?
    You will receive your certificate and ID card within 4 - 6 weeks of passing your exam. Contact CompTIA if you have not received your materials after 8 weeks. Include your name, address, phone number and ID number.

    Can I see my test answers?
    No. To maintain the quality and integrity of the certification, exams must remain secure at all times and no questions or answers are ever released under any circumstances.

    How do I get a replacement certificate or ID card?
    Log on to the CompTIA database to request a new certificate and ID card. There is a $15 replacement fee.

    If you have not logged on to this site before there is a link on the right for first time users. You will need your score report once you have logged on. Once you are in the database and have updated your demographic information, click on the Request Certificate link and fill out the request form.

    How much does a CompTIA certification exam cost?
    Prices of CompTIA exams vary, depending upon the country you are taking the test in and your membership status. In the US, prices range from $89 USD to $225 USD.

    CompTIA corporate members receive significant discounts on our certification exams. If your company is a CompTIA member, you qualify for the member price.

    Look up exam prices

    Can you tell me more about CompTIA and Certiport exams?
    CompTIA and Certiport are two leading industry certification providers that offer certifications in a variety of foundational areas. Certiport offers the IC3 and MOUS certification programs.

    CompTIA and Certiport have joined forces to provide a seamless career path from computing fundamentals all the way to technical service and support.

    For a limited time, CompTIA is offering a 30% discount off the non-member price of the A+ certification to students who have passed all three tests in the Certiport IC3 certification. Contact Certiport to take the advantage of this special offer.

    Which CompTIA exams can I apply towards the MCSA certification?
    You can fulfill the MCSA elective exam requirement if you are CompTIA A+ certified AND either CompTIA Server+ certified or CompTIA Network+ certified.


    Do I need to pass both of the A+ exams within 90 calendar days?
    No, the 90 day rule no longer applies. You will need to take and pass both parts of the A+ exam before the exams are updated. Please watch our Web site for exam update information.

    When will the A+ exams covering the 2003 objectives be available?
    In the late 3rd to early 4th quarter of 2003 (exact start date to be determined). The 2001 objectives will be retired at this time as well.

    Can I get certified if I pass one A+ exam covering the 2001 objectives and the other A+ exam covering the 2003 objectives?
    Yes. If you've already passed the existing A+ Core Hardware or A+ Operating System Technologies exam (testing against the 2001 objectives) you can get certified by passing the second exam covering the 2003 objectives.

    What is the difference between the A+ exams covering the 2003 objectives and the A+ exams covering the 2001 objectives?
    Changes incorporated in the 2003 Upgrade are not major. The certification content continues to validate important knowledge and skills necessary to competently install, build, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot and repair personal compatible hardware and PC operating systems, including troubleshooting basic network and Internet connectivity, dial-up, DSL, and cable. The 2003 upgrade will also cover the latest memory, bus, peripherals, operating systems (Windows Me and XP) and wireless technologies in addition to technologies already represented in the 2001 objectives (e.g., Windows 9x and 2000).


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