How Many Questions Are on the CompTIA A+ Exam?

How many questions are on the CompTIA A+ exam? The exact number can vary slightly per exam form, but there are usually 90 questions on each test (Core 1 and Core 2). It’s an important detail that impacts how you study, manage time, and approach the exam with confidence. Whether you’re a first-time test taker or renewing your CompTIA A+ certification, understanding the structure of the A+ exam is essential. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how many questions you can expect, what types of questions are included, and how many correct answers you need to pass.

How many questions are on the CompTIA A+ exam?

How many questions are on the CompTIA A+ exam?

Theoretically, each CompTIA A+ core exam includes up to 90 questions, making it a total of up to 180 questions for both exams (Core 1 and Core 2). However, in reality, most candidates often encounter between 82 and 90 questions per core exam.

Number of questions

Each CompTIA A+ exam consists of up to 90 questions, but the actual number you receive may vary slightly depending on the test form. Most candidates encounter between 82 and 90 questions per exam.

This variation occurs because CompTIA uses multiple versions of the exam (known as test forms), each with a slightly different set of questions. Additionally, some questions may be beta items – unscored questions included for research and development purposes. These are indistinguishable from scored items, so you should approach every question seriously.

Tip: Don’t panic if you see fewer than 90 questions. The exam is scored on a scaled basis, and each question is weighted differently.

Types of questions

CompTIA A+ exams are designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical skills. Thus, exam questions include two main formats:

• Multiple-choice (single and multiple response): You may choose one correct answer or select multiple correct options depending on the question.

• Performance-based questions (PBQs): You’ll interact with virtual environments, drag and drop items, configure settings, or enter short answers. PBQs are typically more complex and appear early in the exam.

Among a maximum of 90 questions in each exam, it typically includes 3 to 5 PBQs and is often placed near the beginning of the test. To understand more, read more in the PBQ question CompTIA A+.

Content of questions

While each CompTIA A+ exam includes up to 90 questions, those questions aren’t random; they’re carefully mapped to specific domains.

Core 1 (220-1101)

In core 1 of the CompTIA A+, questions cover 5 main domains:

• Mobile devices: Installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of laptops, smartphones, tablets, and mobile accessories
• Networking: Network types, IP addressing, protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP), ports, cabling, and Wi-Fi standards
• Hardware: PC components, printers, connectors, storage devices, BIOS/UEFI, and peripherals
• Virtualization and cloud computing: Basic cloud concepts, hosted services, virtual machines (VMs), and client-side virtualization
• Hardware and network troubleshooting: Diagnosing and resolving common hardware and connectivity issues using step-by-step troubleshooting models

Core 2 (220-1102)

Meanwhile, up to 90 questions in core 2 of the CompTIA A+ focus on 4 main domains:

• Operating systems: Installing and managing Windows, Linux, macOS, and mobile OS; command-line tools; system utilities
• Security: Threat detection, social engineering, device hardening, authentication, permission controls, and malware removal
• Software troubleshooting: Diagnosing system crashes, app errors, boot failures, and compatibility issues
• Operational procedures: IT best practices, documentation, incident response, safety procedures, change management, and backup strategies

For a detailed breakdown of every topic you’ll encounter on the exam, check out our complete guide to CompTIA A+ Objectives – a must-read before you start studying.

FAQs

1. How many questions do I need to get right to pass CompTIA A+?

CompTIA doesn’t publicly state the exact number of correct answers needed to pass because scoring is based on a scaled model, not a raw percentage. However, here’s what is officially published:

• Core 1 passing score: 675 (on a scale of 100–900)
• Core 2 passing score: 700 (on a scale of 100–900)

This typically translates to 70–75% accuracy, though performance-based questions may carry more weight. You can find out more in our post on CompTIA A+ passing score!

2. What type of questions are on CompTIA A+?

CompTIA A+ exams feature two main types of questions:

• Multiple-choice questions: These include both single-answer and multiple-answer formats to test conceptual understanding and scenario-based reasoning.
• Performance-based questions (PBQs): Interactive questions that simulate real IT tasks such as configuring devices, troubleshooting networks, or applying security settings.

Final thoughts

In summary, how many questions are on the CompTIA A+ exam? The answer is up to 90 questions per exam, across two exams, Core 1 and Core 2. You’ll encounter a mix of traditional and hands-on simulations designed to assess your readiness for entry-level IT roles. As you prepare, focus on understanding the exam structure, practicing with realistic questions, and reviewing the official exam objectives. With the right preparation, you’ll be well on your way to passing the A+ and starting your IT career with confidence.