How Long Does It Take to Get CompTIA A+ Certification?

CompTIA A+ certification is helpful if you want to succeed in the IT industry. The credential verifies a candidate’s familiarity with security concepts, risk management, and network security practices. 

It shows potential employers that applicants have the foundational knowledge and skills to perform a comprehensive range of entry-level IT support services. With this certification, you can pursue various job roles such as IT support specialist, help desk technician, and system administrator. 

A+ certification is also a prerequisite for several other higher-level CompTIA certifications.

What does the A+ certification cover? How long does it take to prepare and get certified? Let’s break it down.

What Does the CompTIA A+ Certification Cover?

The A+ certification consists of two separate exams, the 220-1101 exam, and the 220-1102 exam. Each exam covers a range of topics essential for IT professionals.

The 220-1101 exam covers:

• Hardware: Understanding and identifying different hardware components, installing and configuring hardware devices, and performing maintenance and upgrades.
• Hardware and Network Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and resolving hardware and network issues, using troubleshooting tools and techniques to ensure systems run smoothly.
• Mobile Devices: Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, and understanding mobile operating systems and security.
• Virtualization and Cloud Computing: Learning the fundamentals of virtualization technologies and cloud computing, understanding how to set up and manage virtual machines and cloud services.
• Networking: Basic networking concepts, including network types, devices, and configurations. Setting up and managing wired and wireless networks, and understanding networking protocols and standards.

The 220-1102 exam covers:

• Security: Identifying and mitigating security threats and vulnerabilities, implementing security measures to protect data and systems, and understanding best practices for cybersecurity.
• Software Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and resolving software issues on PCs and mobile devices, understanding software installation, configuration, and maintenance.
• Operational Procedures: Best practices for IT professionals, including safety, communication, and environmental concerns. Understanding documentation, change management, and disaster recovery procedures.
• Operating Systems: Installing, configuring, and managing various operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile OS. Understanding system files, utilities, and system recovery options.

How Long Does It Take to Study and Prepare?

Studying for ten to fifteen hours each week should prepare you for the examinations in three to five months. However, if you are new to the field and don’t have experience, it may take you longer. If you work or attend school full-time, you should spend at least one year working toward CompTIA’s A+ certification.

You don’t need to attend any special courses or training sessions to be eligible to take the exams. But attending classes can be beneficial to help you prepare for the test.

ONLC offers courses and review materials developed by industry experts. Our courses correspond with exam objectives, ensuring you are confident in all relevant topics. Our instructors present accurate, up-to-date information and applicable real-world scenarios based on their own experience in the field.

You can supplement your studies with textbooks, videos, and practice tests. We recommend using multiple resources to strengthen your knowledge and gain exposure to new perspectives. 

The “CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide” by Mike Meyers and the “CompTIA A+ Comprehensive Study Guide” by Quentin Docter, Jon Buhagiar, and Emmett Dulaney are just a few of our most highly-rated resources.

By dedicating time to studying and using a variety of resources, you can prepare effectively and increase your chances of passing the CompTIA A+ certification exams.

How Long is the CompTIA A+ Certification Exam?

Each CompTIA A+ certification exam takes ninety minutes. Depending on the availability of your local testing facility or online testing platform, you can schedule the exams on the same day or close together in the same week. 

You can take the exam in person or online. Candidates who take the exam in person at a Pearson Virtual University Enterprises (VUE) testing center must bring two forms of identification. Taking the test online can be convenient; You need a quiet, private space with a stable internet connection.

Go through all the questions carefully, and if you need help knowing the answer, make an educated guess because there is no penalty for incorrect answers. Any unanswered question results in a loss of points, but a guess has a chance of being correct. 

You’ll need a passing score of 675 on the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 (Core 1) exam and 700 on the CompTIA A+ 220-1102 (Core 2) exam, on a scale of 100 to 900.

How Do You Receive the A+ Certification?

A provisional result reflecting whether you passed or failed each exam will be sent immediately after completion. This is a preliminary result that is still pending CompTIA’s final evaluation.

You can expect to receive your official score report from CompTIA or the testing center (Pearson VUE) via email within a few days after taking the examinations. The score report will detail how you fared on each test section.

After you have passed both exams and CompTIA has finished reviewing your application, they will email you that you have obtained the A+ certification. In addition, your digital certification badge and certificate will be emailed to you.

You can access your digital certificate and certification badge under the“Certifications” section of your CompTIA account. These resources are yours to download and for your online portfolio, CV, and LinkedIn profile. Depending on your location, you may be able to request a hard copy of your certificate.

How Long Does the CompTIA A+ Certification Last?

Your CompTIA A+ certification is valid for 3 years. To renew your certification, you must undergo twenty hours of CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program and earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). This can be accomplished through various activities, such as:

• Completing approved training courses
• Attending conferences
• Obtaining other IT certifications
• Participating in relevant work experience

You can also go through CompTIA’s CertMaster CE. This is a specialized solution designed to streamline the certification renewal process. With CertMaster CE, you can take technical courses about the latest developments in the IT sector relevant to your certification.

Tips to Prepare for the CompTIA A+ Certification Exam

You’ll need to build a solid study plan and utilize the right resources if you want to pass the exam on your first attempt. 

Here are some effective ways to study and prepare for the exam:

• Create a Study Schedule: Allocate specific times each week dedicated to studying and stick to your plan. Effective time management is crucial to cover all topics thoroughly.
• Take Practice Exams: Regularly take practice exams to familiarize yourself with the format and identify areas needing improvement. Practice with performance-based questions to prepare for real-world scenarios.
• Enroll in Online Courses: Consider taking online courses or training classes from providers like ONLC, which provide expert-led instructions and real-world scenarios.
• Join Study Groups: Collaborate with others who are also preparing for the exam to share knowledge and resources.
• Review Exam Objectives: Make sure you understand all the exam objectives and focus your studies accordingly.

Sign up for ONLC’s expert-led CompTIA A+ training today to boost your IT team’s skills and productivity!