CompTIA dropped a new version of the A+ this year and if you are currently studying for it you need to know what actually changed before you sit for the exam.
What Changed in the CompTIA A+ Refresh?
The two-exam structure stays intact, with the exams now named Core 1 and Core 2, but the content has been meaningfully updated to reflect where the industry actually is in 2019. The biggest shifts are around cloud computing and virtualization getting more dedicated coverage, mobile device management expanding to reflect how central mobile is to enterprise environments now, and hardware coverage getting trimmed in areas where the technology has become stable enough that troubleshooting it is less of a daily reality for most support technicians.
What Are the New A+ Exam Numbers?
The exam numbers have changed. You are now looking at 220-1001 for Core 1 and 220-1002 for Core 2. If you purchased study materials for the previous version, check what version they are written for before you spend another twenty hours reading the wrong objectives. This is not a minor update. CompTIA revisions tend to be meaningful enough that studying for an older version and sitting for the new one is a real risk.
Networking coverage has been updated to reflect the current state of wireless standards and troubleshooting scenarios that actually come up in support work today. The operational procedures domain in Core 2 has expanded coverage of safety and environmental controls along with documentation and change management practices that increasingly show up in real help desk environments.
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Is the CompTIA A+ Still Worth It for Beginners?
For people who are new to IT and pursuing the A+ as their entry credential, none of this changes the fundamental value of the certification. The A+ is still the most widely recognized entry-level IT credential and it still shows up widely in job postings for support and technician roles. The CompTIA A+ page has the current exam objectives as a free download and reading through them before buying any study materials is always the right first step.
If you were mid-study on the previous version, my honest advice is to check your exam deadline. The older exam versions typically have a retirement window after a new version launches. Get your exam booked before that window closes if you are closer to ready on the old objectives than you are on the new ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current CompTIA A+ exam codes?
As of 2026, the current A+ exams are 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2), the V15 series that launched on March 25, 2025. The 220-1001 and 220-1002 exams described in this article have since been replaced twice.
Do you have to pass both Core 1 and Core 2 for A+?
Yes. CompTIA A+ requires passing both exams: Core 1 covers hardware and networking, and Core 2 covers operating systems and security. You can take them in either order.
What is the passing score for the A+ exams?
Core 1 (220-1201) requires 675 and Core 2 (220-1202) requires 700, both on a 100-900 scale. Each exam has up to 90 questions and a 90-minute limit.
What does A+ Core 1 cover?
The V15 Core 1 exam covers Mobile Devices (13%), Networking (23%), Hardware (25%), Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%), and Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%). Troubleshooting is the largest single domain.
How long is CompTIA A+ valid?
A+ is valid for three years from the date you earn it. You renew through CompTIA’s continuing education program, which requires 20 continuing education units for A+, or by passing the latest version of the exam.
Related reading
- CompTIA Security+: Still the Best Entry Point Into Cybersecurity in 2020
- I Tried Five Different Study Apps So You Don't Have To
Cody Davis is the Program Director for the certification courses on this site, where he oversees curriculum design and the overall learning experience. He holds several IT certifications and brings a practitioner's mindset to everything he builds. When he's not helping IT pros level up their careers, he's wrangling three kids and adding to a GI Joe collection that his family pretends not to notice.
