How to Use This Free CompTIA A+ Practice Test
Don't just run through these 20 questions and check the answers. That's the wrong way to use a practice test. The right way is to treat it like a real exam — close your notes, set a timer, and pick an answer for every question before you look at anything. What you score right now is useful information. What you score after you've reviewed the explanations is what actually matters.
The current CompTIA A+ exam is scenario-based — CompTIA drops you into a real support situation and asks what a good technician would do next. It's not just definitions; it's judgment and troubleshooting. Every question in this CompTIA A+ practice exam is written to that same standard. If you're scoring 55% right now, that's not a bad sign — it just shows you where to focus.
Once you submit, 20 more free questions unlock automatically in the CompTIA A+ Exam Simulator, giving you 40 free questions total. Review every explanation — even the ones you got right by elimination. That's where the patterns click. Then use your domain scores to figure out where to spend the rest of your prep time.
What the 2026 CompTIA A+ Core 2 Exam Tests
CompTIA A+ is made up of two exams — Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) — and you need to pass both. Each exam weights its domains differently, so spend your study time where the points are, not evenly across the board.
Here's what most candidates underestimate: Operating Systems and Security carry the most weight, at 28% each on Core 2, with Software Troubleshooting close behind at 23%. Make sure your CompTIA A+ Core 2 practice questions include heavy OS, security, and troubleshooting coverage — that's where most of your points live and where the exam is won or lost.
How to Actually Pass CompTIA A+ Exam Questions
Most people study the CompTIA A+ like it's the CompTIA Security+. That's the wrong approach. The CompTIA Security+ tests your judgment — what would a good project manager do here? The CompTIA A+ tests whether you know the material. Specific documents. Specific formulas. Specific definitions straight from the CompTIA exam objectives. Once you understand that difference, a lot of questions that felt confusing start to make sense.
Identify What the Question Is Actually Asking Before You Look at the Options
Before you touch A, B, C, D — read the question and ask yourself: is this asking me which document to use, which formula to apply, which role owns this, or what to do next in the process? Those four question types need four different approaches.
A+ spans two exams. Core 2 (220-1202) covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization, and troubleshooting. Core 2 (220-1202) covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. A question about a failing drive is hardware; a question about removing malware is Core 2 security. Spot the domain first and your brain goes straight to the right knowledge.
The Core 2 Concepts You Need to Know Cold
CompTIA A+ rewards people who know the details — the exact port, the right connector, the correct troubleshooting step, the proper command. The wrong answers are written to look right if you're fuzzy. Here's where candidates lose points they didn't have to:
Five A+ Rules That Apply Across Almost Every Scenario
A+ is heavy on troubleshooting and procedure. Once these are second nature, a lot of "what should the technician do next" questions answer themselves:
The One Thing to Remember When You're Stuck
When two answers both look right, ask yourself: "Which one follows the CompTIA process — document first, get it approved, then act?" CompTIA's framework has a clear order of operations. The right answer almost always respects that order. The wrong one skips a step.
Get the full CompTIA A+ Study Guide with all strategies →CompTIA A+ vs CompTIA Security+: Which CompTIA Certification is Right for You?
The most common question from entry-level candidates is whether to start with CompTIA A+ or go straight for CompTIA Security+. Honestly, it comes down to where you are now: A+ builds the hardware-and-OS foundation, while Security+ is the cybersecurity standard most employers ask for.
| Feature | CompTIA A+ | CompTIA Security+ |
|---|---|---|
| Experience Required | ✓ None (12 months recommended) | ✓ None (Network+ & 2 yrs IT recommended) |
| Prerequisites | None | None |
| Exam Format | Two exams, up to 90 questions each / 90 min each | Up to 90 questions / 90 minutes |
| Exam Fee (approx, U.S.) | ~$253 per exam (two exams) | ~$404 |
| Difficulty | Beginner to moderate | Intermediate |
| Main Focus | Hardware, OS, networking, support | Threats, architecture, security operations |
| Performance-Based Questions | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Entry-level, career changers, students | IT pros moving into cybersecurity roles |
If you're new to IT or just getting started, CompTIA A+ is the right call. You build a globally recognized foundation, prove you can support real hardware and software, and set yourself up to move on to CompTIA Network+ and Security+ next. It's not a consolation prize — it's the smart first step.