Overview
CompTIA A+ is a CompTIA credential. Build foundational hardware, software, troubleshooting, and support skills for entry-level IT roles and the CompTIA A+ exams. This PathKey™ guide summarizes the domains, format, cost signals, eligibility, and renewal pattern so you can decide before you book. Accumentum is a CompTIA Authorized Training Partner and an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor. CompTIA sets exam content, fees, and policies.
Accumentum is a CompTIA Authorized Training Partner and an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor. CompTIA sets exam content, fees, and policies.
Who it is for
- Aspiring IT professionals seeking a practical entry point into help desk, desktop support, field support, IT operations, or technical support roles through expert-led CompTIA A+ Certification.
- Career changers moving into technology from customer service, administration, logistics, retail, education, military service, operations, or other nontechnical backgrounds who need a structured technical foundation.
- Current help desk technicians, junior IT staff, technical support representatives, and desktop support specialists who want to validate their skills with a globally recognized vendor-neutral certification.
Exam domains
Weights follow the official outline.
- 01
IT Support Foundations and Troubleshooting Methodology
Build a strong IT support foundation by learning how help desk, desktop support, field support, and IT operations teams diagnose, prioritize, document, and resolve user-facing technology issues, Master a repeatable troubleshooting methodology that includes identifying the problem, establishing a theory, testing the theory, creating an action plan, implementing the solution, verifying functionality, and documenting the resolution, and Understand how CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 concepts translate into real workplace tasks, including user intake, ticket triage, escalation, asset support, knowledge-base usage, and professional communication.
- 02
Mobile Devices and Modern User Support
Learn to support laptops, tablets, smartphones, docking stations, displays, input devices, batteries, cameras, wireless adapters, and accessories used in mobile and hybrid work environments, Practice configuring wireless connections, Bluetooth, cellular settings, synchronization options, device pairing, authentication methods, and common mobile productivity features, and Understand how to identify and resolve mobile hardware, connectivity, display, charging, application, performance, and user access issues using a structured support approach.
- 03
Hardware Components, Peripherals, and Endpoint Maintenance
Master the function, installation, configuration, and support of motherboards, CPUs, RAM, storage devices, power supplies, cooling systems, display components, expansion cards, printers, scanners, cables, and connectors, Learn how to evaluate system requirements, perform upgrades, identify compatibility issues, support peripheral devices, and maintain endpoint hardware safely and efficiently, and Understand common hardware failure indicators, diagnostic steps, preventive maintenance practices, and support expectations for workstations, laptops, shared devices, and business peripherals.
- 04
Networking Fundamentals and SOHO Connectivity
Develop foundational networking knowledge, including IP addressing, wireless standards, ports, protocols, network devices, cabling, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, firewalls, and small office/home office connectivity, Learn how to support basic wired and wireless network configurations, connect endpoints securely, identify connectivity issues, and use common tools such as cable testers, Wi-Fi analyzers, and command-line diagnostics, and Understand the difference between local network problems, endpoint problems, service interruptions, misconfigurations, and security-related connectivity failures.
- 05
Virtualization, Cloud Computing, and Modern IT Environments
Understand virtualization concepts, virtual machines, hypervisors, resource allocation, virtual desktops, sandboxing, and the role of virtualization in support, testing, training, and business continuity, Learn cloud computing fundamentals, including SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, shared resources, measured service, elasticity, and common cloud support considerations, and Explore how cloud applications, identity services, hosted desktops, online storage, and web-based productivity tools affect the work of entry-level IT support professionals.
- 06
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
Learn to diagnose and resolve common hardware, printer, display, storage, power, performance, wired network, wireless network, and connectivity problems using a structured technical process, Practice interpreting symptoms, selecting appropriate tools, isolating root causes, testing fixes, communicating impact, and documenting results for both exam and workplace readiness, and Understand how to use diagnostic utilities, hardware indicators, logs, command-line tools, spare parts, loopback plugs, cable testers, and network observations to accelerate support resolution.
- 07
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, and Mobile OS
Develop practical operating system support skills across Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS concepts, and mobile operating systems used in professional and hybrid work environments, Learn installation, configuration, updates, drivers, file systems, user profiles, command-line tools, system utilities, permissions, application management, and baseline OS maintenance, and Practice using Windows tools such as Task Manager, Disk Management, Device Manager, Event Viewer, command-line utilities, service management, and settings interfaces to resolve support requests.
- 08
Security Fundamentals and Endpoint Protection
Learn essential cybersecurity concepts for IT support, including authentication, authorization, least privilege, encryption, wireless security, malware prevention, social engineering awareness, secure configuration, and data protection, Understand how support technicians help reduce risk by securing endpoints, configuring basic access controls, recognizing threats, escalating suspicious activity, and following organizational security policies, and Practice responding to common security issues such as malware symptoms, unauthorized access concerns, phishing reports, suspicious browser behavior, lost devices, and insecure wireless configurations.
- 09
Software Troubleshooting and User Support
Learn how to identify and resolve operating system, application, browser, mobile app, performance, security, update, driver, and user profile problems using systematic troubleshooting methods, Practice diagnosing symptoms such as crashes, slow performance, failed updates, application errors, abnormal pop-ups, login problems, missing resources, synchronization failures, and unexpected behavior, and Understand how to use logs, safe mode, recovery tools, uninstall/reinstall workflows, configuration checks, malware scans, and rollback approaches to restore user productivity safely.
- 10
Operational Procedures, Documentation, Safety, and Professionalism
Master the operational practices that make entry-level IT professionals effective, including documentation, ticketing, asset handling, change management, safety, environmental considerations, privacy, professionalism, and communication, Learn how to document changes, follow standard operating procedures, preserve evidence when needed, handle sensitive information, apply proper disposal practices, and support backup and recovery expectations, and Understand workplace behaviors expected from trusted technical support personnel, including active listening, empathy, clear explanations, escalation discipline, remote support etiquette, and customer-focused resolution.
Exam format and cost
- Questions
- 90
- Duration
- Confirm on the vendor site
- Format
- Multiple choice and related item types (confirm on the vendor outline)
- Passing score
- 675
- Cost
- Confirm the current U.S. voucher price on CompTIA's store before you buy (often listed in the mid-$300s to low-$400s USD in 2026)
- Delivery
- Confirm delivery options on the vendor site
- Languages
- Confirm available languages on the vendor site
Experience and eligibility
No strict prerequisites are required to enroll in CompTIA A+. The course is designed to support motivated beginners as well as professionals with some technical exposure. Basic comfort using computers, navigating operating systems, connecting devices, working with internet applications, and following step-by-step technical instructions is helpful but not required.
Renewal
Renewal rules for CompTIA A+ are set by CompTIA. Many credentials use a multi-year cycle with continuing education, a renewal fee, or a newer exam. Confirm the current cycle on the vendor site.
Roles this credential fits
- Endpoint support, mobile devices, hardware, networking, virtualization, cloud concepts, operating systems, cybersecurity fundamentals, software troubleshooting, operational procedures, and preparation for CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2.
- Core IT
- Teams standardizing on this credential for hiring or compliance
CompTIA A+ questions
Is CompTIA A+ worth it?
CompTIA A+ is worth it when employers or contracts in your market ask for CompTIA proof, or when the domains match work you already do or want next. Common roles include Endpoint support, mobile devices, hardware, networking, virtualization, cloud concepts, operating systems, cybersecurity fundamentals, software troubleshooting, operational procedures, and preparation for CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2., Core IT, and Teams standardizing on this credential for hiring or compliance. Read the roles and domains on this page, then decide against your timeline and budget.
How hard is CompTIA A+?
You get 90 questions in Confirm on the vendor site. Format: Multiple choice and related item types (confirm on the vendor outline). Passing score: 675. Delivery: Confirm delivery options on the vendor site. No strict prerequisites are required to enroll in CompTIA A+. People who pass usually mix domain study with timed practice, not reading alone.
Does CompTIA A+ expire?
Renewal rules for CompTIA A+ are set by CompTIA. Many credentials use a multi-year cycle with continuing education, a renewal fee, or a newer exam. Confirm the current cycle on the vendor site.
How does Accumentum help with CompTIA A+?
We offer Expert-led training mapped to the CompTIA A+ domains, PathPay® payment options, PathPass™ practice where the exam is in our catalog, a free ReadyScore™ so you can see where you stand before class, and military funding support where you qualify. We are an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor. Our pass rate across Accumentum certification attempts since August 2022 is 98.8% (2,412 certified of about 2,441 attempts).
How much does the CompTIA A+ exam cost?
Published pricing for CompTIA A+: Confirm the current U.S. voucher price on CompTIA's store before you buy (often listed in the mid-$300s to low-$400s USD in 2026). Vendors change voucher prices without notice, so confirm on the official store before you buy. PathPay® can spread Accumentum course tuition when you train with us.
What are the CompTIA A+ prerequisites?
No strict prerequisites are required to enroll in CompTIA A+. The course is designed to support motivated beginners as well as professionals with some technical exposure. Basic comfort using computers, navigating operating systems, connecting devices, working with internet applications, and following step-by-step technical instructions is helpful but not required.
What should I take after CompTIA A+?
After CompTIA A+, pick the next credential that matches the job you want, not a generic ladder. Use the roles on this page and neighboring PathKey™ guides from the same vendor to plan the sequence. If you need a readiness check first, start with ReadyScore™ when we offer one for this exam.
Official sources
Always confirm fees, dates, and eligibility on the vendor site before you register. Vendors change outlines and prices without notice.