🛡️ Updated for the 2026 CompTIA Network+ Exam

Free CompTIA Network+ Practice Test 2026 (N10-009)

Take this free CompTIA Network+ practice test below — 20 scenario-based questions at real exam difficulty. Submit and unlock 20 more in our free CompTIA Network+ exam simulator.

This free CompTIA Network+ practice test gives you 20 realistic scenario-based questions aligned with the current CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam objectives, covering all five domains: Networking Concepts, Implementation, Operations, Security, and Troubleshooting. The questions reflect the real exam's format — not textbook recall, but genuine configuration and troubleshooting decisions from the field. Once you submit, our free CompTIA Network+ exam simulator unlocks another 20 questions. Ready to go deeper? Upgrade anytime to our premium vault of 240+ CompTIA Network+ practice questions.

240+
Realistic CompTIA Network+ Questions
4.8/5
Average User Rating
24 min
Average Completion Time
500+
Students Passed

Question 1

A host has IP 192.168.1.10/24. How many usable host addresses does that subnet provide?

A  

256

B  

254

C  

510

D  

126

Question 2

Which device operates at Layer 2 and forwards frames based on MAC addresses?

A  

A router

B  

A switch

C  

A hub

D  

A modem

Question 3

Which protocol resolves a domain name to an IP address?

A  

DHCP

B  

DNS

C  

ARP

D  

NTP

Question 4

A user cannot reach any website by name but can ping 8.8.8.8 successfully. What is the MOST likely cause?

A  

A bad network cable

B  

A DNS resolution problem

C  

A failed default gateway

D  

A duplex mismatch

Question 5

Which tool BEST tests end-to-end reachability and measures round-trip latency to a host?

A  

nslookup

B  

ping

C  

ipconfig

D  

netstat

★★★★★

"Passed my CompTIA Network+ on the first attempt. The questions here are the closest thing to the real exam I found — especially the subnetting and troubleshooting scenarios."

— Marcus Okonkwo, CompTIA Network+ Certified
Read Success Stories →

How to Use This Free CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

Don't just click through these 20 questions and see what sticks. That's not how you build the networking judgment CompTIA is actually testing. Set a timer, commit to every question without looking anything up, and treat it like you're sitting in the testing center right now. Your score today is your baseline — the score after you've read every explanation is what you'll actually remember when the real exam starts.

Every question in this free CompTIA Network+ practice test was written by CompTIA Network+ certified engineers who've built and troubleshot real networks and sat through the real exam. They understand what CompTIA is testing because they've lived it on the job. That's why these questions feel different from the generic quiz content you find online.

Once you submit, 20 more questions unlock automatically in our CompTIA Network+ Exam Simulator. Read every explanation — especially the ones you got right by elimination. Knowing why the right answer is right is what builds the pattern recognition you need when the real exam throws something you've never seen before.

What the 2026 CompTIA Network+ Exam Tests: The N10-009 Domains

The current CompTIA Network+ exam (N10-009) is built around five domains. Here's the honest breakdown of what each one means and how heavily it shows up on your exam.

23%
Networking Concepts
The OSI model, ports and protocols, IP addressing and subnetting, network topologies and types, cloud concepts, and the fundamentals everything else builds on.
20%
Network Implementation
Configuring routing and switching, VLANs, wireless standards and security, and deploying network devices and physical installations correctly.
33%
Operations & Security
Network Operations (19%) and Network Security (14%) combined: monitoring, documentation, high availability and disaster recovery, plus hardening, physical security, and common attacks and defenses.
24%
Network Troubleshooting
Applying a structured troubleshooting methodology to diagnose cabling, connectivity, performance, and configuration problems using the right tools and commands. The largest single domain.

The most common trap candidates fall into: they memorize port numbers and skip subnetting practice. Subnetting and troubleshooting are where the exam is won or lost. You need to work problems by hand, fast, and apply a structured troubleshooting method under time pressure. Our CompTIA Network+ practice questions are built to expose exactly that gap before you find out the hard way.

How to Master CompTIA Network+ Exam Questions: The 3-Step Strategy

These questions were written by CompTIA Network+ certified engineers with years in the field — people who know what the real exam looks like because they took it, and who know what trips candidates up because they've coached hundreds of them. This framework works on every scenario-based question on the exam.

Step 1

Read the Scenario, Find the Core Problem

Read the question twice. Before you look at a single answer choice, stop and identify: "What is actually being tested here?" Is this a subnetting question? A routing/switching question? A troubleshooting question? Most wrong answers happen because candidates solve the wrong problem — they answer a vaguely related question instead of the specific one being asked.

Figure out the context before you read the options: which OSI layer is in play, is this a configuration or a troubleshooting scenario, and what does the question actually want you to fix? The context changes the right answer completely.

Step 2

Cut the Wrong Answers — The 3 CompTIA Network+ Answer Traps

Start by cutting, not choosing. In almost every CompTIA Network+ question, two options are clearly wrong the moment you see them. Here's what to cut immediately:

✕ The Wrong-Layer Answer
Any answer that fixes the wrong OSI layer — replacing hardware when it's a config issue, or vice versa. Identify the layer first, and cut answers that don't match it.
✕ The Skip-a-Step Answer
Any answer that jumps to replacing or rebooting before verifying the actual cause. CompTIA rewards the structured troubleshooting method — establish a theory and test it before you act.
✕ The Insecure Answer
Any answer that opens a port, disables a control, or weakens the configuration to make a problem "go away." Favor the secure-by-default option that still solves the issue.
Step 3

Apply the 5 Network+ Fundamentals to Break the Tie

Once you're down to two options, the right answer is the one that best reflects these five core networking fundamentals:

✓ Work the OSI Layers
Pinpoint the layer before you act. Most connectivity problems resolve faster when you isolate whether it's physical, data link, network, or application — and answer accordingly.
✓ Verify Before You Change
The right answer gathers information first — checks the cable, pings the gateway, reads the logs — before swapping hardware or rewriting config. Test the theory, then act.
✓ Master Subnetting
Be able to calculate subnets, hosts, and ranges by hand and fast. A surprising number of questions hinge on correct addressing — if your math is solid, those points are free.
✓ Secure by Default
Prefer the answer that hardens the network — least privilege, strong authentication, segmentation — without breaking the requirement. Security-aware choices usually win close calls.
✓ Follow the Methodology
CompTIA's troubleshooting steps in order: identify the problem, establish a theory, test it, create a plan, implement, verify, and document. When asked for the next step, the order is the answer.
💡
The One Question That Breaks Every Tie

When you're genuinely stuck between two options, ask: "Which answer follows the fundamentals — correct OSI layer, verified cause, secure configuration?" That's your answer. CompTIA Network+ rewards the technician who works methodically and verifies before changing. Every time.

Get 240+ CompTIA Network+ practice questions with full explanations →

How Our CompTIA Network+ Practice Exam Compares to the Real Exam

The most common complaint from people who don't pass the CompTIA Network+: "The questions I practiced with felt nothing like the real exam." That's exactly the gap we built against. Here's how our practice exam stacks up:

FeatureReal CompTIA Network+ ExamExamGrit Practice Exam
Question FormatScenario-based situational✓ Scenario-based situational
Domain CoverageConcepts, Implementation, Operations, Security, Troubleshooting✓ All 5 domains covered
Question TypesMCQ, multi-select, drag & drop, hotspot✓ All types included
Performance-Based QuestionsYes (subnetting, config, troubleshooting)✓ Included
Difficulty LevelIntermediate to Advanced✓ Calibrated to real exam difficulty
ExplanationsNot provided✓ Detailed CompTIA-referenced explanations
N10-009 Objectives AlignedYes✓ Yes, fully updated
🚀 Unlock 240+ CompTIA Network+ Practice Questions — the closest thing to the real exam you'll find. Upgrade Now →

More CompTIA Network+ Resources from ExamGrit:

The Ultimate CompTIA Network+ Exam Simulator

240+ questions written by CompTIA Network+ certified practitioners. Domain-level analytics, full mock exams, and the closest thing to the real test you'll find anywhere.

CompTIA A+ Practice Exam

New to IT? The CompTIA A+ is the recommended foundation before pursuing CompTIA Network+. Try our free questions to see where you stand.

CompTIA Security+ Practice Exam

Ready for the next step? CompTIA Network+ and Security+ together are a powerful combination — 1,700+ Security+ practice questions to keep building.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

Expert answers from ExamGrit's Certified Instructors — contact our team if your question isn't answered below.

Right here. This free CompTIA Network+ practice test gives you 20 realistic scenario-based questions at real exam difficulty — written by CompTIA Network+ certified practitioners with 20+ years in the field. Submit and another 20 questions unlock automatically in our free CompTIA Network+ exam simulator. No credit card, no catch. Upgrade anytime to 240+ questions with full domain analytics.
No — CompTIA A+ is recommended, not required. There are no formal prerequisites for Network+; anyone can register and sit the exam. That said, CompTIA suggests the A+ certification plus 9 to 12 months of hands-on networking experience, because the exam assumes you're comfortable with addressing, devices, and basic configuration. If you're new to IT, start with A+ first.
A single CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) voucher runs about $369 in the U.S. as of 2026. CompTIA doesn't use a member or non-member rate, but bundles that pair your voucher with retake insurance or an official study guide can bring the total down — and authorized training partners sometimes run discounts. Buy your voucher before you schedule, and only book the exam date once you're clearing full-length practice tests with room to spare.
There are no formal prerequisites for CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) — anyone can register and sit the exam. CompTIA recommends the CompTIA A+ certification plus 9 to 12 months of hands-on networking experience, but that is guidance, not a requirement. If you can work subnetting problems and you're comfortable with the practice questions, you're ready to register.
It's a solid intermediate-level exam. CompTIA doesn't test rote memorization alone — it tests applied judgment. You'll get real-world scenarios and performance-based questions on subnetting, configuration, and troubleshooting. Often multiple options look reasonable, and the distinction comes down to fundamentals: the right OSI layer, verified cause, and secure configuration. Consistent practice with realistic, explanation-backed questions is the most reliable way to build that intuition.
Yes. You can take it from home using Pearson VUE's OnVUE remote proctoring system, or in person at a Pearson VUE test center worldwide. The online option is available 24/7. If you go remote, run the system check at least 48 hours before your exam — tech issues on exam day are not a situation you want. The exam is offered in several languages including English, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.
A maximum of 90 questions. You have 90 minutes to complete the exam. Question types include multiple-choice and performance-based items (simulations and drag-and-drop). The passing score is 720 on a scale of 100–900. Our simulator includes these formats so the interface itself isn't a surprise on test day.
The CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) passing score is 720 on a scale of 100–900 — roughly 80%. We set our practice threshold high on purpose, because if you're consistently clearing it here, you have a real buffer on test day. That buffer matters when the pressure is on.
For most IT professionals, yes. CompTIA Network+ is one of the most widely recognized networking certifications and a proven foundation for roles in infrastructure, support, and cybersecurity. It's vendor-neutral, so the skills transfer across Cisco, Juniper, and cloud environments, and it pairs naturally with CompTIA A+ and Security+. It's recognized by enterprise employers worldwide and often opens the door to higher-paying network roles.

CompTIA Network+ Success Stories

★★★★★

"Passed my CompTIA Network+ on the first attempt. The questions here are the closest thing to the real exam I found — especially the subnetting and troubleshooting scenarios."

— Marcus Okonkwo, CompTIA Network+ Certified

Read Success Stories

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💡 Quick Study Tip

The #1 reason people fail the CompTIA Network+: weak subnetting and troubleshooting. Make sure a big chunk of your practice is hands-on subnetting math and structured troubleshooting — those domains show up heavily on the real exam.

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