CompTIA A+ Exam Day — What to Expect & Tips to Pass
Exactly what happens on A+ exam day, plus the time-management and question strategies that help you pass when it counts.
Short answer: on A+ exam day, expect up to 90 questions in 90 minutes with performance-based questions first — so flag-and-move when one stalls you, manage your time to about a minute per question, use elimination on “best answer” questions, and lean on the six-step troubleshooting methodology. You’ll get your pass/fail result immediately. Here’s exactly what to expect and how to handle it.
What the exam looks like
Each A+ exam (Core 1 and Core 2) is:
- Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes — roughly a minute each.
- A mix of multiple choice (single and multiple answer) and performance-based questions (PBQs) — interactive simulations where you configure a setting, sort items, or work a scenario.
- Scored 100–900; you need 675 to pass Core 1 and 700 to pass Core 2.
- Delivered at a Pearson VUE test center or online with a proctor from home.
You find out immediately whether you passed.
Before exam day (handle logistics early)
- Register through CompTIA and pick your delivery method in advance.
- If testing online, run the system check ahead of time: a clean desk, a working webcam, a quiet room, and a valid photo ID. A messy room or a second monitor can get you flagged — read the requirements before the day.
- Don’t cram the night before. A rested brain outperforms a crammed one. Do a light review and sleep.
During the exam: the strategies that matter
1. Triage the PBQs. They come first and weigh the most, but they’re also where people burn time. If a PBQ stalls you, flag it and move on. Bank the fast multiple-choice points first, then circle back with the time you saved. Don’t let one simulation eat 20 minutes up front.
2. Watch the clock. About a minute per question. Flag anything you’re unsure of and keep moving — you can review flagged items at the end.
3. Use elimination on “BEST answer” questions. CompTIA loves questions where two answers look plausible. Rule out the clearly wrong ones, then pick the answer that follows correct procedure — usually the methodical, safety-first choice.
4. Lean on the troubleshooting methodology. Many scenarios test the six steps (identify → theory → test → plan & fix → verify → document). When a question shows a tech skipping a step — jumping to a fix without identifying the problem, or not backing up data first — the right answer is almost always the step they skipped.
Common traps to avoid
- Over-thinking PBQs at the start and running out of time for easy points.
- Reading too fast and missing words like “BEST,” “FIRST,” or “MOST likely.”
- Changing answers on a hunch — your first instinct is usually right unless you misread.
After the exam
You’ll see your result on the spot. Pass, and that exam is done — if it was Core 1, you move on to Core 2; pass both and you’re A+ certified. Didn’t pass? You can retake (a 14-day wait kicks in before a third attempt), and your score report shows which domains to shore up.
Walk in prepared, not just hopeful
Exam-day tactics only help if the studying is done. If you’re earlier in the journey, start with how to study for A+ and a free, printable study plan and schedule, and see the full path in The Complete Guide to Passing CompTIA A+. Do the prep, use these tactics, and exam day becomes a formality.