By the end of this guide, you’ll have a week-by-week study plan for passing both CompTIA A+ exams. No vague “study for a few months” advice. Specific resources. Concrete milestones. A timeline you can actually follow.

The CompTIA A+ certification requires passing two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Most people underestimate how much ground these exams cover. The current objectives span hardware troubleshooting, mobile devices, networking fundamentals, Windows and Linux operating systems, security concepts, and operational procedures. That’s a lot.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: about 30% of test-takers fail on their first attempt. At $265 per exam voucher, failing both exams costs you over $1,000 before you even pass. This study plan exists to keep you out of that category.

Why Most A+ Study Plans Fail

The typical approach looks something like this: buy a 1,000-page book, promise yourself you’ll read two chapters a day, make it through the first week, then slowly abandon the whole thing because life happens.

Three specific problems derail most candidates:

Problem 1: No structure for two separate exams. The A+ is actually two certifications worth of content crammed into one credential. Core 1 focuses on hardware and networking. Core 2 covers operating systems and security. You need distinct study phases for each, not one blob of “A+ prep.”

Problem 2: Too much passive learning. Reading about hardware components isn’t the same as identifying them. Watching videos about troubleshooting doesn’t build the pattern recognition you need for performance-based questions. The exam tests application, not recall.

Problem 3: No milestone checkpoints. Without scheduled practice tests, you don’t know if you’re actually learning or just feeling productive. Many candidates study for weeks only to score 55% on their first practice exam.

This plan addresses all three. You’ll study each exam separately, balance reading with hands-on practice, and take strategic practice tests to measure progress.

How Long You’ll Actually Need

Let’s be realistic about time commitments. Your study duration depends entirely on your starting point.

Complete beginner (no IT experience): 10-12 weeks, studying 10-15 hours per week. That’s 100-180 total hours split across both exams.

Some IT exposure (built PCs, troubleshot your own systems): 8-10 weeks at 8-12 hours per week.

Working in IT (help desk, desktop support): 4-8 weeks at 6-10 hours per week. You already know much of the Core 1 material from daily work.

These aren’t arbitrary numbers. Survey data from certified professionals shows 50% of candidates finish in under 6 weeks, while another 25% take 6 weeks to 3 months. Only 10% need longer than 5 months.

If you’re wondering whether the certification is worth this investment, check out our is CompTIA A+ worth it analysis for honest ROI data.

What You’re Studying: Exam Breakdown

Before diving into the schedule, understand what each exam actually covers.

Core 1 (220-1201) - Hardware and Networking

DomainWeightTopics
Mobile Devices15%Laptop hardware, mobile device connectivity, accessories
Networking20%Ports, protocols, network types, wireless standards
Hardware25%Motherboards, RAM, storage, power supplies, peripherals
Virtualization & Cloud11%Cloud concepts, client-side virtualization
Troubleshooting29%Hardware, networking, and storage troubleshooting

Core 1 is the more hands-on exam. If you’ve built computers or managed physical hardware, this content will feel more familiar. The networking section trips up people who haven’t touched routers and switches.

Core 2 (220-1202) - Operating Systems and Security

DomainWeightTopics
Operating Systems31%Windows, Linux, macOS management and features
Security25%Malware, authentication, encryption, physical security
Software Troubleshooting22%OS problems, malware removal, application issues
Operational Procedures22%Documentation, change management, disaster recovery

Core 2 has a higher passing score (700 vs. 675 on a 100-900 scale). The operating systems section dominates, and the security content overlaps with CompTIA Security+ if you plan to continue that path.

Your Resource Stack

You don’t need to buy everything. Here’s what actually helps, organized by budget.

Free Resources (Essentials)

Professor Messer’s CompTIA A+ Course - The best free A+ resource by a wide margin. Professor Messer covers every exam objective in clear, organized videos. If you’re on a tight budget, start here and add paid resources only if needed.

CompTIA’s Official Exam Objectives PDF - Download this from CompTIA’s website. Print it out. Use it as a checklist to track your progress through each topic.

ExamCompass Practice Questions - Free practice questions organized by topic. Quality varies, but useful for basic concept reinforcement.

For readers: Mike Meyers’ All-in-One A+ Certification Guide (around $40) remains the most comprehensive book. It’s dense but thorough. The best A+ study guides comparison breaks down all your book options.

For video learners: Total Seminars on Udemy (Mike Meyers’ video course, usually $15-20 on sale) or CBT Nuggets (subscription, more expensive but higher production quality).

For practice tests: Jason Dion’s practice exams on Udemy are consistently recommended. They include PBQ simulations and detailed explanations. Budget $15-20 for the full set during a Udemy sale.

For hands-on labs: CompTIA CertMaster Labs provides virtual environments for hardware and software exercises. Expensive, but useful if you don’t have access to physical hardware.

The Hands-On Problem

Here’s where most study plans fail you. The A+ tests practical skills. Performance-based questions (PBQs) require you to configure settings, troubleshoot scenarios, and apply commands—not just recognize correct answers.

If you have access to old hardware, use it. Build a PC from spare parts. Disassemble a laptop. Configure a home router from scratch. Install Windows and Linux on the same machine.

No hardware? Use virtual machines. VirtualBox is free and lets you practice operating system installation, partition management, and command-line operations without risking your main system.

For command-line practice, Shell Samurai offers interactive terminal challenges that build the exact muscle memory you need for Linux and Windows command-line questions.

The 10-Week Study Plan

This plan assumes you’re starting from minimal IT experience and studying 12-15 hours per week. Adjust timelines if you have more background knowledge.

Phase 1: Core 1 Foundations (Weeks 1-4)

Week 1: Hardware Fundamentals

  • Hours 1-6: Motherboard components, CPU types, RAM specifications
  • Hours 7-12: Storage technologies (HDD, SSD, NVMe, RAID basics)
  • Practice: Identify components on a real or virtual motherboard
  • Checkpoint: Score 70%+ on hardware topic quiz

The hardware section forms the foundation for everything else. Don’t rush past RAM types and storage interfaces—these appear throughout both exams.

Week 2: Mobile Devices and Networking Intro

  • Hours 1-4: Laptop hardware, mobile device features, accessories
  • Hours 5-10: Network types, TCP/IP basics, common ports
  • Hours 11-15: Wireless standards, network devices (routers, switches, APs)
  • Practice: Configure your home router’s wireless settings from scratch
  • Checkpoint: Memorize the top 20 ports and their protocols

Networking trips up hardware-focused people. Spend extra time on ports and protocols if they don’t click immediately.

Week 3: Cloud, Virtualization, and Peripherals

  • Hours 1-5: Cloud computing concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
  • Hours 6-10: Client-side virtualization setup and configuration
  • Hours 11-15: Peripherals, display technologies, cables and connectors
  • Practice: Set up a virtual machine in VirtualBox or VMware
  • Checkpoint: Create and configure a VM from scratch

Week 4: Hardware Troubleshooting and Core 1 Review

  • Hours 1-8: Troubleshooting methodology, hardware failures, network issues
  • Hours 9-12: Review weak areas from weeks 1-3
  • Hours 13-15: First full Core 1 practice exam
  • Target: Score 70%+ on practice exam

If you score below 70%, extend this phase by a week. Rushing to Core 2 while shaky on Core 1 material only compounds problems.

Phase 2: Core 1 Exam Push (Weeks 5-6)

Week 5: Intensive Practice

  • Hours 1-8: Take two more practice exams (different providers)
  • Hours 9-15: Deep review of every wrong answer
  • Focus: Target your three weakest domains based on practice test results

This week is about diagnosis, not new material. Practice tests reveal gaps you didn’t know existed. Many candidates discover they’ve been misunderstanding a concept rather than not knowing it.

If your scores plateau, try the approach from our 90-day exam strategy which breaks down PBQ-specific preparation.

Week 6: Final Review and Exam

  • Days 1-3: Review all flagged weak areas
  • Days 4-5: Light review, no new material
  • Day 6: Take Core 1 exam
  • Day 7: Rest (whether you pass or need to retake)

Schedule your exam for the end of week 6. Having a firm deadline prevents endless “I’ll study one more week” delays. According to CompTIA’s retake policy, if you fail, you can immediately retake without waiting—though you’ll pay another $265.

Phase 3: Core 2 Foundations (Weeks 7-9)

Week 7: Operating Systems

  • Hours 1-6: Windows 10/11 editions, features, and settings
  • Hours 7-12: Linux basics, command-line navigation
  • Hours 13-15: macOS features and preferences
  • Practice: Navigate Windows settings without using search. Practice Linux commands in Shell Samurai
  • Checkpoint: Complete Windows and Linux command-line exercises

Operating systems dominate Core 2 (31% of questions). You need hands-on familiarity, not just conceptual knowledge. Install both Windows and a Linux distribution in VMs if you haven’t already.

For structured Linux learning, our Linux basics guide covers the essential commands that appear on the exam.

Week 8: Security Concepts

  • Hours 1-5: Malware types, attack vectors, social engineering
  • Hours 6-10: Authentication methods, access control
  • Hours 11-15: Encryption basics, wireless security, physical security
  • Practice: Configure firewall rules, set up user permissions
  • Checkpoint: Score 75%+ on security topic quiz

The security section overlaps with Security+. If you’re planning to continue the IT certification path, you’ll reuse much of this material.

Week 9: Troubleshooting and Operational Procedures

  • Hours 1-6: Software troubleshooting, malware removal procedures
  • Hours 7-12: Documentation, change management, disaster recovery
  • Hours 13-15: First full Core 2 practice exam
  • Target: Score 70%+ on practice exam

Operational procedures feel like common sense, but the exam tests specific terminology and process steps. Don’t skip this section assuming you’ll “figure it out.”

Phase 4: Core 2 Exam Push (Week 10)

Week 10: Practice and Final Prep

  • Days 1-3: Two more practice exams, deep review of wrong answers
  • Days 4-5: Focus on three weakest domains
  • Day 6: Light review, rest
  • Day 7: Take Core 2 exam

Same process as Core 1. Practice exams reveal gaps. Wrong answer review builds understanding. Light review the day before prevents burnout.

Study Tactics That Work

Beyond the weekly schedule, these tactics improve retention and exam performance.

Active Recall Over Passive Review

Don’t just reread notes. Test yourself constantly. After watching a video on RAM types, close your eyes and list everything you remember. After reading about ports, quiz yourself: “What runs on port 443?” This retrieval practice strengthens memory far more than passive review.

Use flashcards (physical or Anki) for ports, protocols, command syntax, and acronyms. The A+ loves acronyms.

Performance-Based Question Strategy

PBQs appear at the beginning of both exams, but here’s a tactic most guides don’t mention: skip them initially. Mark them for review and tackle multiple-choice questions first. This builds confidence and ensures you don’t burn 20 minutes on a single PBQ while easier points wait.

PBQs test process, not just answers. Practice step-by-step procedures:

  • Partitioning a drive
  • Configuring wireless security
  • Troubleshooting network connectivity
  • Setting up user accounts and permissions

Time Management

You have 90 minutes for up to 90 questions. That’s one minute per question, but PBQs take longer. Target 45 seconds per multiple-choice question to bank time for complex scenarios.

Flag difficult questions and move on. A question you’ve spent two minutes on probably won’t suddenly become clear. Return to flagged questions after completing the easy ones.

Day-Before Checklist

The night before each exam:

  • Review exam objectives one final time (check, not study)
  • Confirm your testing center location or online proctoring requirements
  • Prepare two forms of ID
  • Get 7-8 hours of sleep
  • Light physical activity (walk, stretch) reduces test anxiety

Adapting the Plan to Your Situation

Not everyone fits the “12 hours per week for 10 weeks” mold. Here’s how to adjust.

If You’re Already Working IT

You have an advantage: Core 1 hardware troubleshooting and Core 2 operational procedures come from experience, not study. Compress weeks 1-4 into 2 weeks by focusing on gaps rather than comprehensive coverage. Spend saved time on areas you don’t encounter at work—virtualization, cloud concepts, Linux if you’re Windows-focused.

Our guide on help desk to sysadmin transitions explains how A+ fits into broader career progression.

If You’re Working Full-Time in a Non-IT Role

Reduce weekly hours but extend the timeline. 8 hours per week over 14-16 weeks reaches the same destination. Consistency matters more than intensity. Three focused hours beat six distracted ones.

Consider study resources for career changers which address the “starting from zero” challenge directly.

If You Have Extensive Experience

You might not need all 10 weeks. Take a full practice exam for each test before studying anything. Score above 80%? Schedule the real exam within two weeks. Below 70%? Follow the standard plan. Between 70-80%? Compress to 4-6 weeks total.

If You’ve Already Failed

First: you’re not alone. A 30% first-time failure rate means thousands of people retake these exams successfully. Identify whether you failed due to content gaps (need more study) or test-taking issues (need practice exam work). Review our exam strategy guide which addresses common failure patterns.

After You Pass

Certification in hand, what’s next? The A+ opens doors to entry-level IT positions like help desk, desktop support, and field technician roles. Average starting salaries range from $45,000 to $55,000, higher in major metro areas.

For career progression, consider these paths:

Hardware/Support Focus: Desktop support → Sysadmin → Infrastructure engineer. The help desk to sysadmin guide maps this journey.

Networking Focus: Network+ → CCNA → Network engineer. Builds on the networking foundation from Core 1.

Security Focus: Security+ → CySA+ → Cybersecurity analyst. The cybersecurity career path explains this progression.

Cloud Focus: Cloud+ or AWS/Azure fundamentals → Cloud engineer. Our AWS certification path shows the route.

The A+ isn’t a destination. It’s proof you can learn technical material systematically, which matters more than any single certification on your resume.

Look, I know what you’re thinking: another certification guide telling you to “just study harder.” But the difference between passing and failing usually comes down to structure, not effort. People fail the A+ while studying 80 hours because they spent those hours wrong. This plan keeps you from making those mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I study each day?

Quality beats quantity. Two focused hours with active recall outperform four hours of passive video watching. Most successful candidates study 1.5-2 hours daily on weekdays with longer sessions on weekends. Build a consistent routine you can maintain for 8-12 weeks.

Should I take both exams back-to-back?

Not recommended for most people. Passing Core 1 first builds confidence and proves your study approach works. Take at least one week between exams to shift focus and recover from test fatigue. If you’re highly experienced and score 85%+ on practice tests for both exams, same-week scheduling works.

What’s the minimum score to pass?

Core 1 requires 675/900 (75%). Core 2 requires 700/900 (78%). These aren’t percentages of questions correct—CompTIA uses scaled scoring. Aim for 80%+ on practice tests to build a safety margin.

Are the new 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams harder?

CompTIA updated the A+ in early 2025. The new version emphasizes cloud concepts and remote work scenarios more than the previous 220-1101/1102 exams. It’s not “harder”—it’s different. Ensure your study materials specifically cover the 1201/1202 objectives, not outdated versions.

Can I use practice tests as my only study resource?

No. Practice tests identify gaps but don’t fill them. You need content (videos, books, or courses) to learn material, then practice tests to verify understanding. The candidates who rely solely on practice tests often fail because they’ve memorized specific questions rather than learning underlying concepts.

Start This Week

You now have a complete roadmap. The difference between certified and still-studying comes down to starting and maintaining consistency.

Print out the exam objectives. Choose your primary study resource. Block out study time in your calendar for week 1. Take the first step today.

The A+ certification typically pays for itself within months through higher starting salaries. The harder question isn’t whether to pursue it—it’s whether you’ll follow through on the plan you just read.

Schedule your Core 1 exam for six weeks from today. That deadline makes everything else fall into place.