What Is CompTIA A+? A Beginner's Guide
A plain-English explanation of what CompTIA A+ is, what it covers, who it's for, and what it can do for your career.
Short answer: CompTIA A+ is an entry-level, vendor-neutral IT certification that proves you can support and troubleshoot computers, mobile devices, operating systems, and basic networks. It’s the standard starting credential for IT support careers — and unlike many certs, it assumes no prior experience. Here’s the full picture.
”Vendor-neutral” and “entry-level” — what those mean
- Vendor-neutral means it isn’t tied to one company’s products (unlike, say, a Microsoft or Cisco cert). It teaches the universal fundamentals that apply everywhere, which is why so many employers trust it as a baseline.
- Entry-level means it’s designed for beginners. You don’t need a degree or experience to take it — it’s often the first thing people earn when breaking into tech.
What CompTIA A+ actually covers
A+ is unusually broad — a little of everything an IT support pro touches:
- Hardware — components, RAM, storage, printers, and how to fix them
- Operating systems — Windows (heavily), plus macOS and Linux basics
- Networking — ports, protocols, wireless, and IP addressing fundamentals
- Security — malware, social engineering, and best practices
- Troubleshooting — a methodical, repeatable way to diagnose problems
- Operational procedures — safety, documentation, and professionalism
The unifying theme is troubleshooting: A+ is really about teaching you to reason through a problem, not just memorize parts.
It’s actually two exams
This catches people off guard: CompTIA A+ is made of two separate exams — Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) — and you must pass both to earn the certification. Each is up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, mixing multiple choice with interactive “performance-based questions.” You can take them on separate days, and most people do Core 1 first.
Who it’s for
A+ is built for career changers, students, and anyone without IT experience who wants a credible, recognized way into the field. If that’s you, it’s one of the best first moves you can make — but it’s worth confirming for your situation; I cover that honestly in Is CompTIA A+ Worth It?
What it qualifies you for
Earning A+ opens the door to real, hireable entry roles: help desk technician, desktop support, field service technician, and IT support specialist. It’s listed by name on countless job postings. From there, most people advance to higher-paying roles within a few years — and stacking Network+ and Security+ raises your ceiling further.
How to actually earn it
Once you decide to go for it, the path is well-trodden:
- Study the objectives with a core resource like Professor Messer’s free videos.
- Drill active recall and get hands-on in a home lab.
- Take practice exams until you consistently score 90%+, then book.
Most people get there in 8–12 weeks of part-time study. For a full walkthrough — including how to turn the cert into a job — see The Complete Guide to Passing CompTIA A+, and grab a free, printable A+ study plan and schedule to map it out.
The bottom line
CompTIA A+ is the IT industry’s standard “I know the fundamentals” credential. It won’t make you a specialist, but it proves you can do real support work — and for a beginner, that’s exactly the door that needs opening first.