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Why A+ has two exams
CompTIA A+ is one certification earned by passing two exams. CompTIA's A+ page says you need to pass two exams and that you can take Core 1 and Core 2 in any order. Beginners often wonder how the two differ and which to tackle first. This page compares them and offers a suggested way to choose. The choice is yours, and nothing here is a rule.
The two exams side by side
| Detail | Core 1 | Core 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Exam code | 220-1201 | 220-1202 |
| Broad theme | Hardware and networking | Operating systems and security |
| Questions | Maximum of 90 | Maximum of 90 |
| Time | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 675 on a scale of 900 | 700 on a scale of 900 |
| Price | Check the vendor's site for current pricing | Check the vendor's site for current pricing |
Both exams launched on March 25, 2025, per CompTIA's Core 1 and Core 2 pages, and CompTIA requires the two cores to come from the same version. Each mixes multiple-choice, drag-and-drop and performance-based questions.
What Core 1 (220-1201) covers
Core 1 is about the physical and connected side of IT support. Its domains and weights are:
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Mobile devices | 13% |
| Networking | 23% |
| Hardware | 25% |
| Virtualization and cloud computing | 11% |
| Hardware and network troubleshooting | 28% |
Expect to think about laptops and phones, ports and connectors, memory and storage, printers, wired and wireless networking, and how to work out why a device or connection is failing. The biggest slice is troubleshooting, so a method matters more than memorized lists. Our A+ study guide covers both cores in more detail.
What Core 2 (220-1202) covers
Core 2 is about the software, security and professional side of support. Its domains and weights are:
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Operating systems | 28% |
| Security | 28% |
| Software troubleshooting | 23% |
| Operational procedures | 21% |
Expect operating-system installation and configuration, user and device security, malware and software problems, and the habits of professional support work such as documentation, safety and communication with users.
Which one should you study first?
CompTIA allows either order, so use your background to decide. Here are three suggestions.
Start with Core 1 if you have never opened a computer, built a small network or handled cables and components. Core 1 gives you a mental map of the physical machine, which can make operating-system topics easier to place later.
Start with Core 2 if you already use Windows, macOS or Linux confidently, enjoy settings and software, or are curious about security. Familiarity may give you momentum early.
Pick by schedule if you are unsure. If you can only book one exam soon, take the one that matches the topics you feel closest to. Early progress can keep you motivated for the second.
Whichever you choose, treat the other core as a planned second phase rather than an afterthought. A certification that needs both is not complete after one.
Study them separately, or together?
Studying both at once can blur topics that sound similar, for example networking tools in Core 1 and system tools in Core 2. One approach is to finish one core's study and exam, then shift fully to the other. If you prefer to overlap, keep separate notes for each so you can review them independently. This is our suggested approach, not a requirement.
For timing, a thirty-day cycle for each core is a reasonable first draft for a beginner, extended where your practice results show gaps. Revise it as you go.
Where the overlap is
The two cores are separate exams, but a few ideas show up in both. Troubleshooting is the clearest example: Core 1 asks you to investigate hardware and network symptoms, and Core 2 asks you to investigate software and operating-system symptoms. In both, the habit of identifying the problem, testing a likely cause, applying a fix and confirming the result serves you well. Security also touches both, since a wireless setting in Core 1 and an account policy in Core 2 are protecting the same user. Noticing these links while you study can make the second core feel less like starting over.
Check the version before you buy materials
Both exam pages carry a version label. Before you buy a course or book, confirm on CompTIA's A+ page that it matches the current exam codes, and check the vendor's site for current pricing before you plan a booking.
Free practice questions
Sample questions from both cores help show which one feels closer to your knowledge today. Try free practice questions and see where you land. Practice results show your current knowledge, not a prediction of how an exam will go.
FAQ
Do I have to pass both A+ cores?
Yes. CompTIA's A+ page says you need to pass two exams. The cores must come from the same version of the exam series.
Can I take Core 2 before Core 1?
Yes. CompTIA says you can take them in any order. Choose by your background and schedule.
Which core is harder?
It depends on you. Hardware-focused learners may find Core 2's security and software material less familiar, while software-focused learners may find Core 1's hardware detail less familiar. The passing scores differ (675 and 700 on a scale of 900), but a score is not a direct measure of difficulty.
Is the A+ useful before Network+ or Security+?
CompTIA's Network+ page recommends A+, so it can be a natural step if you are new to IT. See our comparison of Security+ or Network+ first for what comes next.
How long between the two exams?
CompTIA's pages we reviewed do not require a gap. Plan your own gap based on how you study and on the vendor's current booking and retake policies.
