CompTIA A+
A+ is the starting point for a career in IT. The performance-based exams certify foundational IT skills across a variety of devices and operating systems.
Learn more Example questions
Click a career path and your experience level, and we'll show you the CompTIA certifications you need to get there!
Network Specialists analyze, troubleshoot and evaluate computer network problems. More advanced IT pros may be responsible for building and designing communication networks as well. They play an important role in maintaining an organization’s network and keeping them safe and secure through both hardware configuration and end-user training. Network specialists and administrators are responsible for day-to-day operations and network architects and engineers design and build local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets. Depending on the size of the company, these roles may be combined.
| Experience Level | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual salary range* | $49,560 – $80,600 | $62,970 – $102,720 | $80,600 – $130,830 |
| Job Postings* | 21160 | 48110 | 26010 |
| Number of certificates available at each level | 5 CompTIA A+ CompTIA Network+ CompTIA Security+ Microsoft Cisco | 11 CompTIA Server+ CompTIA Linux+ CompTIA Project+ CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ Microsoft Cisco Redhat VMWare AWS IBM | 8 CompTIA Cloud+ Microsoft Cisco Redhat VMWare AWS IBM |
| Experience Level | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced |
|---|
*CompTIA | Lightcast | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Note: Many employers don't specify any years of experience in job postings.
Certifications like CompTIA Network+ are recommended to succeed as a Network Professional. Adding CompTIA Linux+ and Server+ will also help you begin your career in this field.
A+ is the starting point for a career in IT. The performance-based exams certify foundational IT skills across a variety of devices and operating systems.
Learn more Example questionsThe table below lists the domains measured by the full examination and the extent to which they are represented.
Domain and percentage of examination
Core 1 (220-1001)
| 1.0 Mobile Devices | 14% |
| 2.0 Networking | 20% |
| 3.0 Hardware | 27% |
| 4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing | 12% |
| 5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting | 27% |
| Total | 100% |
Core 2 (220-1002)
| 1.0 Operating Systems | 27% |
| 2.0 Security | 24% |
| 3.0 Software Troubleshooting | 26% |
| 4.0 Operational Procedures | 23% |
| Total | 100% |
Example Questions
You have been frequenting a local coffee shop with your Android tablet. While you are there, you use the free WiFi connection. With concern over the security of your browsing, you decide to take action. Which technology would address your concern the best?
A. VPN B. Antivirus C. Private IP D. WPA2You need to configure a SOHO (Small Office Home Office) network to be easily discovered by guest users. Which feature should be configured?
A. DNS (Domain Name System) B. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) C. SSID (Service Set Identifier) D. MAC (Media Access Control) FilteringAn ordinary office environment needs computers that have multiple user account settings where each user is allocated private data storage. What type of workstations would you build for this environment?
A. Build a virtualization workstation. B. Build a thin client. C. Build a thick client. D. Build a CAM workstation.A support ticket has been assigned to you stating that the Engineers are complaining that their Computer Aided Design (CAD) application is displaying poorly. What do you do to upgrade these PCs and solve this problem?
A. Install more RAM. B. Install higher-end video cards. C. Install faster CPUs. D. Install Solid State Drives (SSDs).You need to setup a few virtual workstations for a network test lab. You have a computer to use as the host machine, however, it does not have an operating system installed. What is the easiest and quickest solution to configure the host system?
A. Install a type-2 hypervisor on the host machine and then install the guest operating systems. B. Install one of the guest operating systems to act as both the host and a guest operating system. C. Install a type-1 hypervisor on the host machine and then install the guest operating systems. D. Install Microsoft Virtual PC as it is free, and then install the guest operating systems.How can you fix a touchpad that is too sensitive, causing a ghost cursor and jumping about when typing?
A. Turn NumLock off on the external keyboard. B. Configure the input options. C. Replace the touchpad. D. Revert to an older driver version.
Network+ certifies the essential skills needed to confidently design, configure, manage and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks.
Learn more Example questionsThe table below lists the domains measured by the full examination and the extent to which they are represented.
Domain and percentage of examination
| 1.0 Networking Concepts | 23% |
| 2.0 Infrastructure | 18% |
| 3.0 Network Operations | 17% |
| 4.0 Network Security | 20% |
| 5.0 Network Troubleshooting and Tools | 22% |
| Total | 100% |
Example Questions
An office workstation receives an Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. The IP lease includes the default gateway address which is the address of the office's layer 3 switch. A network administrator confirmed network connectivity by pinging the gateway. At what layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) are these two devices communicating with each other when using the ping command?
A. Layer 3 - Network B. Layer 2 - Data Link C. Layer 6 - Presentation D. Layer 7 - ApplicationA manager informs a support technician that users spend too much time using company computers for personal reasons. Which of the following can the technician implement to address the issue?
A. UTM appliance B. Layer 7 firewall C. Content filter D. Smart jackA network consultant is doing IT contingency planning and is trying to identify likely points of failure for the network. Which of the following would the consultant identify as Single Points of Failure in need of upgrades for added redundancy? (Select all that apply)
A. There is a lack of a load balancing device. B. A backup power generator is available on-site. C. There is a single power supply for a critical server. D. The main server is set up for full backup operations.An employee uses a key fob that contains a chip with a digital certificate and authenticates a person through a reader. Which of the following types of authentication factors does this describe?
A. Something you know B. Something you have C. Something you are D. Something you doA network administrator purchased new network switches from a vendor. Upon receiving and installing them, what should the admin do to harden the device to ensure secure device configuration of the switches? (Select all that apply)
A. Change default usernames and passwords. B. Remove vendor-installed backdoors. C. Disable or close unused ports and services. D. Implement a common prevalent password.A user installs a financial software package that requires cloud access. For some reason, the application fails to connect to the cloud server. What caused this issue?
A. Duplicate IP (Internet Protocol) address B. Incorrect host-based firewall settings C. Incorrect time D. Unresponsive service
Security+ provides a global benchmark for best practices in IT network and operational security, one of the fastest-growing fields in IT.
Learn more Example questionsThe table below lists the domains measured by the full examination and the extent to which they are represented.
Domain and percentage of examination
| 1.0 Threats, Attacks and Vulnerabilities | 21% |
| 2.0 Technologies and Tools | 22% |
| 3.0 Architecture and Design | 15% |
| 4.0 Identity and Access Management | 16% |
| 5.0 Risk Management | 14% |
| 6.0 Cryptography and PKI | 12% |
| Total | 100% |
Example Questions
An attacker impersonates a member of the cleaning crew for a company's building, and requests an employee to hold the door open while the impersonator brings in a cleaning cart. The employee fell victim to what type of attack?
A. A lunchtime attack B. Shoulder surfing C. Piggy backing D. Dumpster divingThe DMZ (demilitarized zone) has a new virtual firewall server. A user reported that Internet websites are viewable, but no longer has a connection to an FTP (file transfer protocol) site. Which of the following is most likely the cause of the disconnection?
A. The user does not have access to the FTP site. B. A network cable disconnected from the server. C. The Firewall implicitly denied access to the FTP site. D. The ACL still requires setting up.A user has multiple documents to review, regarding a device from an authorized government vendor, with approval to use the documents. While attempting to send the documents to a personal email, to review later at home, the email returned with a message saying it failed to send. What is most likely the cause of this? (Select two)
A. Based on policy, the employee cannot use personal email. B. The DLP system flagged an incident. C. The antivirus software flagged the documents. D. The attachment file size is too large.After exploiting a vulnerability during testing, an administrator released a Security Update as a patch for Microsoft Internet Explorer. How should the administrator proceed in applying the patch?
A. Apply the patch directly to production. B. Apply the Security Update to the staging environment and test the system functionality. C. Wait for the quarterly update before patching the vulnerability. D. Apply the patch to the sandbox environment and test functionality.Fingerprint scanning is one of the most straightforward methods of biometric identification. Which of these concerns are most pertinent to the use of this technology?(Select two)
A. Ease of spoofing B. Surfaces must be clean and dry C. Revocability of credentials D. High expense of installationKey strength is based on length and randomness. One way to strengthen a key is to add a nonce or an Initialization Vector (IV). The same is true for passwords, which can be strengthened by adding a salt to a hashed password value. Evaluate the following to identify the statements that are true about nonces, IVs, and salts.(Select two)
A. The value of a nonce is hidden. B. A salt could be a counter value. C. Use of a salt ensures identical plaintexts produce different ciphertexts. D. Use of an initialization vector ensures identical plaintexts produce different ciphertexts.CompTIA certifications establish a baseline foundation of skills that you can build upon with other vendor or technology-specific certifications.
Assess skills in using Microsoft technologies, including Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365 and Power Platform. Within each technology or role-based grouping, certifications are awarded across four levels:
Fundamental
Associate
Expert
Specialty
Validate networking and other skills using Cisco equipment and technologies. Cisco organizes their certifications across five levels:
Entry (CCT)
Associate (CCNA)
Professional (CCNP)
Expert (CCIE)
Specialist (CCS)
*CompTIA | Lightcast | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Note: Many employers don't specify any years of experience in job postings.
In addition to the recommended CompTIA Network+ and Security+, earning CompTIA Linux+ and Server+ can help you advance your career as a Network Professional.
Project+ gives technical and non-technical professionals the basic concepts to successfully manage small- to medium-sized projects.
Learn more Example questionsThe table below lists the domains measured by the full examination and the extent to which they are represented.
Domain and percentage of examination
Core 1 (220-1001)
| 1.0 Project Basics | 36% |
| 2.0 Project Constraints | 17% |
| 3.0 Communication and Change Management | 26% |
| 4.0 Project Tools and Documentation | 21% |
| Total | 100% |
Example Questions
You began a project on May 1 and the target completion date is December 15. On November 1 the client instructed you to stop work on the project immediately because they no longer need the project’s deliverables. You are to permanently archive everything you have done to this point. Should you now move to the close phase activities of the project management process?
A. No because the original scope of work was not completed. B. Yes because the project is considered complete. C. Yes because it is after November 1. D. No because the client may change their mind and re-open the project at a later date.You have taken over a project from another project manager and are concerned that the consultant working on the project may leave before the project is completed. Which risk response strategy should you employ?
A .Exploit the risk B. Mitigate the risk C. Accept the risk but have a contingency D. Accept the risk without a contingencyYou are working on a new purchasing system project and you are having difficulty finalizing the requirements with the purchasing department. You send a meeting notice to the purchasing manager and two purchasing clerks for a 15-minute meeting tomorrow in your online meeting software with an agenda of finalizing the requirements. What type of meeting is this?
A. In-person impromptu B. Virtual impromptu C. In-person scheduled D. Virtual scheduledWhat is the difference between a merger and an acquisition? In a merger the companies are equals but in an acquisition the acquiring company is in control.
A. In a merger two companies become one but in an acquisition they stay separate companies. B. In an acquisition the companies are equals but in a merger one company is in control. C. In an acquisition two companies become one but in a merger they stay separate companies.You are working on a project to upgrade the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system which includes a purchasing system and a new sales system. The project will take nearly a year and two months prior to implementation management approves the hiring of consultants to help complete the project. This is an example of what type of change?
A. Requirements change B. Risk event C. Quality change D. Resource changeThe bridge over the Troubled Waters stream project will involve Public Works Dept. staff and several vendors. The project manager needs the communication plan to be complete and to be understandable by all. Which of the following should be included in a communication plan?
A. A list of stakeholders B. The stakeholder management strategy C. Definitions of communication terms D. An issue log
Cloud Essentials+ certifies the knowledge and skills need to make sound decisions about cloud technologies and their business impact.
Learn more Example questionsThe table below lists the domains measured by the full examination and the extent to which they are represented.
Domain and percentage of examination
| 1.0 Server Architecture | 12% |
| 2.0 Server Administration | 24% |
| 3.0 Storage | 12% |
| 4.0 Security | 13% |
| 5.0 Networking | 10% |
| 6.0 Disaster Recovery | 9% |
| 7.0 Troubleshooting | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Example Questions
A database administrator needs to add more storage to a server that continuously displays memory errors at peak hours of the day. The current setup allows the DBA to increase this manually. Which of the following characteristics of cloud computing does this represent?
A. Pay-as-you-go B. Resource pooling C. Self-service D. ScalabilityThe IT team is having a disagreement on whether to use block storage or file storage for a network attached storage implementation. What negatives of block storage might the team mention in favor of file storage?
A. Cost B. Performance C. Availability D. AccessibilityA large company plans a migration to the cloud. In order to accommodate all interested parties during the planning phase, what does the company establish?
A. Key stakeholders B. Point of contact C. Documentation and diagrams D. Current and future requirementsThe cloud Service Level Agreement (SLA) authorizes the processing of data in the US-West region. Management wants to ensure a disaster recovery plan is in place per the company's security plan so the customers have 99.999% accessibility to products and services from the website. What are the best options to consider? (Select all that apply)
A. Run load balanced servers in two different zones. B. Replicate data to another zone. C. Replicate data to a multi-regional location. D. Store data in a mult-regional storage solution.A new business startup is looking to rapidly provide easy access to construction services online, to reach a large number of customers in the shortest amount of time. All current employees are experts in the field of construction, but none of them are IT-savvy. Why would this company choose a Cloud Managed Service Provider (MSP), rather than a basic Cloud Service Provider (CSP), when starting up services for the first time?
A. CSP does not include trained employees. B. MSP does not bill on a per-user basis. C. CSP does not include migration tools. D. MSP includes cloud infrastructure.Which option relates to a catalog of virtual machine configurations?
A. Data ownership B. Risk register C. Data portability D. Asset inventory
Linux+ is an internationally recognized credential validating baseline competencies required for Linux administrators.
Learn more Example questionsThe table below lists the domains measured by the full examination and the extent to which they are represented.
Domain and percentage of examination
| 1.0 Hardware and System Configuration | 21% |
| 2.0 Systems Operation and Maintenance | 26% |
| 3.0 Security | 19% |
| 4.0 Linux Troubleshooting and Diagnostics | 20% |
| 5.0 Automation and Scripting | 14% |
| Total | 100% |
Example Questions
You wish to view currently loaded kernel modules and their usage details. Which command will help you view this information?
A. modinfo B. rmmod C. lsmod D. insmodYou are implementing print management in a Linux environment. Which of the following would you use as a print server?
A. lpr B. lsusb C. CUPS D. udevadmVim is a modal editor and its different modes decide its functionality. Which one of the below is NOT one of the four Vim modes?
A. insert B. gedit C. execute D. visualYou deploy a public key infrastructure (PKI) in your organization. Which of the following components must be kept in a highly secure system where the risk of it being stolen is low?
A. Public key B. Private key C. Digital signature D. Self-signed certificateYou have just used the lprm 4 command. What type of problem are you trying to remedy?
A. Printing B. Memory C. Storage D. KeyboardYou are writing a Bash script and would like to connect multiple values together for evaluation. What type of operator should you use in this script?
A. Arithmetic B. String C. Comparison D. Logical
Server+ confirms the technical knowledge and skills required to support and secure server hardware and software.
Learn more Example questionsThe table below lists the domains measured by the full examination and the extent to which they are represented.
Domain and percentage of examination
| 1.0 Server Architecture | 12% |
| 2.0 Server Administration | 24% |
| 3.0 Storage | 12% |
| 4.0 Security | 13% |
| 5.0 Networking | 10% |
| 6.0 Disaster Recover | 9% |
| 7.0 Troubleshooting | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Example Questions
Which form factor is measured in increments such as 1U, 2U and 4U?
A. Tower B. Rack mount C. Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) D. BladeWhich management method uses a dedicated channel to manage servers and network devices typically using a network connection that is physically separated from the production network?
A. Server management plan B. In-band management C. Out-of-band (OOB) management D. Secure Shell (SSH)Which statement is true regarding solid state drives (SSDs)?
A. Solid state devices contain moving parts and tend to be less reliable than magnetic drives. B. Solid state devices contain no moving parts and tend to be more reliable than magnetic drives. C. Solid state drives are extremely fast because these devices store information on a magnetic coated media that is rotated under a read/write head. D. Solid state drives are fine for end users but should never be used in servers.How can you prevent attackers from connecting universal serial bus (USB) drives to the server?
A. Setting a basic input/output system (BIOS) password B. Disable unneeded hardware and physical ports and devices C. Disabling Wake on LAN D. Setting up the boot orderWhich is a feature of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)?
A. Addresses are formatted with dotted decimal notation. B. It uses broadcast addresses. C. An address is 32 bits long. D. An address is 128 bits long.What type of analysis will help you determine the effect of a disruption to the business?
A. Disaster recovery plan B. Business continuity plan (BCP) C. Continuity of Operations (COOP) D. Business impactCompTIA certifications establish a baseline foundation of skills that you can build upon with other vendor or technology-specific certifications.
Assess skills in using Microsoft technologies, including Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365 and Power Platform. Within each technology or role-based grouping, certifications are awarded across four levels:
Fundamental
Associate
Expert
Specialty
Validate networking and other skills using Cisco equipment and technologies. Cisco organizes their certifications across five levels:
Entry (CCT)
Associate (CCNA)
Professional (CCNP)
Expert (CCIE)
Specialist (CCS)
Cover the entire Red Hat technology portfolio, validating skills needed to take on projects utilizing Red Hat technology. Red Hat certifies skills across multiple roles, including:
Administrator (RHCSA)
Engineer (RHCE)
Architect (RHCA)
Developers
Validate the critical skills required to integrate and manage VMware virtualization technologies used in the data center, at the network level, and in the cloud. VMware certifies across four levels:
Technical Associate (VCTA)
Professional (VCP)
Advanced Professional (VCAP)
Design Expert (VCDX)
Validate expertise needed to deliver on cloud initiatives using AWS. Options are available based on role or technical area and by level:
Foundational
Associate
Professional
Specialty
Validate entry-level skills for digital marketers, IT specialists, data analysts, project managers, and UX designers through Google Career Certificates. Select advanced level and industry specializations are also available.
Prove proficiency in the latest IBM technology and solutions. They validate skills needed to perform role-related tasks and activities at a specified level of competence.
*CompTIA | Lightcast | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Note: Many employers don't specify any years of experience in job postings.
In addition to the recommended CompTIA Network+, Linux+ and Server+, earning CompTIA Cloud+ and Project+ can help you advance your career as a Network Professional.
Cloud+ gives technical and non-technical professionals the basic concepts to successfully manage small- to medium-sized projects.
Learn moreCompTIA certifications establish a baseline foundation of skills that you can build upon with other vendor or technology-specific certifications.
Assess skills in using Microsoft technologies, including Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365 and Power Platform. Within each technology or role-based grouping, certifications are awarded across four levels:
Fundamental
Associate
Expert
Specialty
Validate networking and other skills using Cisco equipment and technologies. Cisco organizes their certifications across five levels:
Entry (CCT)
Associate (CCNA)
Professional (CCNP)
Expert (CCIE)
Specialist (CCS)
Cover the entire Red Hat technology portfolio, validating skills needed to take on projects utilizing Red Hat technology. Red Hat certifies skills across multiple roles, including:
Administrator (RHCSA)
Engineer (RHCE)
Architect (RHCA)
Developers
Validate the critical skills required to integrate and manage VMware virtualization technologies used in the data center, at the network level, and in the cloud. VMware certifies across four levels:
Technical Associate (VCTA)
Professional (VCP)
Advanced Professional (VCAP)
Design Expert (VCDX)
Validate expertise needed to deliver on cloud initiatives using AWS. Options are available based on role or technical area and by level:
Foundational
Associate
Professional
Specialty
Validate entry-level skills for digital marketers, IT specialists, data analysts, project managers, and UX designers through Google Career Certificates. Select advanced level and industry specializations are also available.
Prove proficiency in the latest IBM technology and solutions. They validate skills needed to perform role-related tasks and activities at a specified level of competence.
CompTIA offers everything you need to prepare for your certification exam. Explore training developed by CompTIA with options that fit various learning styles and timelines. Whether you prefer self-study or classroom training, CompTIA has you covered.