How to Pass CompTIA A+ 2026: A Plan for Both Cores

Should I take A+ Core 1 or Core 2 first?

Either works. Most people start with Core 1, because hardware and networking make Core 2's troubleshooting easier to follow, but if you work with Windows every day, Core 2 may be the quicker win.

Take them a few weeks apart rather than on the same day, so each gets your full attention. Both must be from the same series, so do not leave a long gap if a new series is announced. The CompTIA A+ exam guide lists both exams' domains.

Which A+ facts should I memorize?

Five lists cover a large share of the questions: ports and protocols, Windows commands, RAID levels, the six troubleshooting steps and the seven malware removal steps.

The fact lists worth drilling daily
List	Where it is tested	Our page
Ports and protocols	Core 1 Networking and troubleshooting	Networking
Windows commands	Core 2 Operating Systems and troubleshooting	Core 2
RAID levels and capacity	Core 1 Hardware	Core 1
Six troubleshooting steps	Core 1 troubleshooting, and Core 2 scenarios	Troubleshooting
Seven malware removal steps	Core 2 Security and Software Troubleshooting	Security

The networking, Core 2, Core 1, troubleshooting and security pages have each list in full, with a free drill.

What is a good A+ study plan?

For each core: one week to diagnose and learn the fact lists, two to five weeks working through the domains by weight and weakness, and one week of timed mocks.

Week 1: take a full timed mock of the core on the [free A+ practice test](/comptia-a-plus-practice-test). List the domains below 70%. Start drilling the fact lists daily.
Weeks 2 to 3: the two heaviest domains for that core, with a drill at the end of each study session and hands-on practice for each topic.
Weeks 4 to 5: the remaining domains, again with drills and hands-on work.
Week 6: two full timed mocks of new questions. If both are at 80% or more, book the exam; if not, drill the weakest domain for a week and repeat.
Exam week: light review of the fact lists, a final drill on your weakest domain, and rest.

Follow the plan with the right questions

Eight full A+-style mocks and four drills for each of the nine domains, every answer explained.

The CompTIA A+ Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 36 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.

Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The CompTIA A+ Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.

See the A+ Pass Pack How our questions are built and checked

8
timed mocks: 36
topic drills: 1
score predictor

How do I prepare for performance-based questions?

Do the tasks for real: build or open a PC, configure a router, set up a virtual machine, and use the Windows and Linux command lines and settings tools.

Install Windows and a Linux distribution in virtual machines on your own computer.
Run every Windows command from the Core 2 list and read its help (command /?).
Configure a home router: change the Wi-Fi security to WPA3, set a DHCP range, reserve an address.
Open a desktop PC and identify the RAM, drives, power supply connectors and expansion cards.
Practise the troubleshooting method on a real problem and write up the six steps.

Can I try some A+ questions now?

Yes. Each of these three has a trap that the fact lists or the method avoid. Try them before you open the working.

CompTIA A+-style question 1 · Subnetting
How many usable host addresses does a /27 IPv4 subnet provide?
1. A30
2. B32
3. C62
4. D14
Worked answer
A: 30. A /27 leaves 32 − 27 = 5 host bits, which give 2⁵ = 32 addresses. Two are reserved (network and broadcast), so 30 hosts.
1. Host bits: 32 − 27 = 5.
2. Addresses: 2⁵ = 32.
3. Usable: 32 − 2 = 30.
The trap: Answering 32 and forgetting that the network and broadcast addresses cannot be given to hosts.
CompTIA A+-style question 2 · Troubleshooting method
A technician has questioned the user and established a theory of probable cause. What is the next step in CompTIA's troubleshooting method?
1. ADocument the findings
2. BTest the theory to determine the cause
3. CImplement the solution
4. DVerify full system functionality
Show the worked answer
B: Test the theory to determine the cause. The order is: identify the problem, establish a theory, test the theory, establish a plan and implement it, verify full functionality, then document.
1. Step 1, identify the problem: done.
2. Step 2, establish a theory: done.
3. Step 3: test the theory.
The trap: Jumping to the fix. If the test does not confirm the theory, you go back and form a new one.
CompTIA A+-style question 3 · Social engineering
A user receives an email that appears to come from the CEO, asking them to buy gift cards urgently and send the codes. What is this, and what should the user do first?
1. ASpam; delete it and do nothing else
2. BPhishing; report it to the security team and do not reply
3. CA virus; unplug the computer
4. DA legitimate request; buy the cards quickly
Show the worked answer
B: Phishing; report it to the security team and do not reply. An urgent request for money that impersonates an executive is phishing (often called whaling or business email compromise). Report it so others are warned, and do not reply or act on it.
1. Spot the signs: urgency, an unusual request, money.
2. It impersonates a trusted person: phishing.
3. Report it and do not engage.
The trap: Deleting it quietly. Reporting it lets the security team warn others who got the same email.

More worked examples are on CompTIA A+ sample questions.

What mistakes make people fail A+?

Studying by reading only, ignoring the domain weights, skipping hands-on practice, and booking the exam before practice scores are consistently high.

Reading a book or watching a course feels like progress, but recall is what the exam tests. Every study session should end with questions. Spending a week on an 11% domain you enjoy while a 28% domain goes untouched is the second most common mistake: follow the weights.

Finally, a single good practice score can be luck. Wait for two timed mocks of unseen questions at 80% or more on our questions before you book, because a retake means buying another voucher.

What should I do on A+ exam day?

Arrive early (or set up your room early for an online exam), flag long performance-based questions and come back to them, answer every question, and use the 90 minutes fully.

Read each question twice: words like "first", "best" and "most likely" decide the answer.
In a scenario, the right answer usually follows the process: back up first, test before fixing, the least drastic step.
Flag a question you are unsure of and keep moving; come back with the time that is left.
There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave one blank.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pass A+ without experience?

Yes, many people do with study and hands-on practice at home. Experience makes it quicker.

How long should I study for A+?

Four to eight weeks per core is typical. With IT support experience, it can be less.

What is the hardest part of A+?

Many people find the performance-based questions and the sheer number of facts hardest. Hands-on practice and daily fact drills help with both.

Are practice tests enough to pass A+?

They are a strong part of preparation when every answer is explained, but combine them with hands-on practice.

Should I study both cores at the same time?

Most people do better one core at a time, taking each exam when its practice scores are ready.

Pass both cores on the first attempt

Eight full A+-style mocks, four drills per domain and every answer explained, for one payment.