CompTIA A+ Exam Cost in 2026: Two Vouchers, Retakes, and Bundle Options
CompTIA A+ exam cost in 2026 is about 265 dollars per voucher, so roughly 530 dollars for both cores, per CompTIA. Here is why there are 2, plus retakes.
The CompTIA A+ costs about 265 dollars per exam voucher in the US, and because the certification is two separate exams (Core 1 and Core 2), you need two vouchers, so roughly 530 dollars total, per CompTIA. That two-voucher structure is what confuses most people who expect a single price. If you have a .edu email, academic vouchers run about 109 dollars each, which cuts the total significantly. CompTIA also sells voucher-plus-retake bundles that hedge against a failed attempt.
If you are budgeting for the A+, the number that actually stings is not the first attempt. It is a failed retake, because a second voucher is real money on top of the first. That is where preparation, not just the sticker price, decides your total cost.
Two vouchers, about 265 dollars each, roughly 530 dollars total
Quick takeaways
- The A+ is two exams (Core 1 and Core 2), so it takes two vouchers, per CompTIA.
- Retail is about 265 dollars per exam voucher in the US, so roughly 530 dollars for both cores.
- Academic or student vouchers run about 109 dollars each with a .edu email, a large saving.
- CompTIA sells voucher-plus-retake bundles that hedge against a failed first attempt.
- A failed retake is a real added cost, since you need another voucher to sit again.
- PrepClubs' Pass Guarantee is retake insurance: prepare with us, and if you do not pass, access is extended free.
- PrepClubs is independent prep material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
Why the A+ costs two vouchers
The single most common budgeting mistake is treating the A+ as one exam with one price. It is not. To earn the certification you must pass two separate exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), and each one needs its own voucher. Passing one core alone earns you nothing; you hold the A+ only after both are passed.
So when a page says "the A+ costs about 265 dollars," that is the price of one core. The real cost to certify is two vouchers, roughly 530 dollars at US retail, per CompTIA. Build your budget around two exams from the start.
The cost breakdown
Here is the picture in one place, using CompTIA's retail figures. Prices vary by region and over time, so treat these as US retail estimates and confirm current pricing with CompTIA before you buy.
| Item | Approximate US cost |
|---|---|
| Core 1 (220-1201) voucher | ~265 dollars |
| Core 2 (220-1202) voucher | ~265 dollars |
| Total retail, both cores | ~530 dollars |
| Academic voucher (each, .edu email) | ~109 dollars |
| Retake | Another full voucher per core you retake |
The academic discount is the biggest lever here. If you qualify with a .edu email, two academic vouchers can bring the total far below the retail 530 dollars. The retake line is the one people forget: there is no discount for failing, so each retake is another full voucher.
The student and academic discount
If you have a valid .edu email address, CompTIA offers academic vouchers at roughly 109 dollars each. Across two cores, that is a large saving versus the roughly 530 dollars retail. Eligibility rules apply, so verify with CompTIA that your institution and email qualify. For students and career changers enrolled somewhere, this is often the single most effective way to lower the A+ cost.
Voucher-plus-retake bundles
CompTIA sells bundles that pair an exam voucher with a retake, so if you fail the first attempt you already have the second sitting covered. These bundles cost more upfront than a single voucher but less than buying a full second voucher after a failure. Exact bundle prices change and vary by region, so check CompTIA's current offer rather than trusting a fixed number. The idea is simple: a bundle is a hedge you pay for in advance against the risk of not passing.
The real cost is a failed retake
Here is the part the sticker price hides. The A+ does not become expensive because a voucher is 265 dollars. It becomes expensive when you fail and have to buy another voucher to sit again. Two cores means two chances to fail, and each retake is another full voucher on top of what you already spent. A candidate who fails both cores once has effectively paid for the A+ twice.
That is why the smartest money on the A+ is not spent on the voucher. It is spent on being genuinely ready before you book, so the first attempt is the only attempt.
The cheapest A+ is the one you pass on the first try
Where the Pass Guarantee fits
A failed retake is a real, avoidable cost, and that is exactly the risk PrepClubs' Pass Guarantee is built to cover. You prepare with full-length timed practice on both cores, and if you do not pass your real test, we extend your access at no extra cost so you can keep preparing without paying again. It works like retake insurance sitting behind your prep. It does not pay for your CompTIA voucher, but it protects the time and money you put into getting ready, so a near-miss does not send you back to square one.
FAQ
How much does the CompTIA A+ exam cost?
About 265 dollars per exam voucher at US retail, and since the A+ is two exams, roughly 530 dollars for both Core 1 and Core 2, per CompTIA. Prices vary by region and over time.
Why do I need two vouchers for the A+?
The A+ is two separate exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), and each needs its own voucher. You earn the certification only after passing both cores, so budget for two exams.
Is there a student discount for the A+?
Yes. With a valid .edu email, academic vouchers run about 109 dollars each, a large saving versus retail. Eligibility rules apply, so confirm with CompTIA that your institution qualifies.
How much does a retake cost?
A retake requires another full voucher for the core you are retaking, since there is no discount for failing. That is why a failed attempt is the cost people underestimate most.
What is a voucher-plus-retake bundle?
It is a CompTIA bundle that pairs an exam voucher with a retake, so a second attempt is covered in advance. It costs more upfront than a single voucher but less than buying a second voucher after a failure. Exact prices vary, so check CompTIA's current offer.
How can I lower the total A+ cost?
The two biggest levers are the academic voucher (about 109 dollars each with a .edu email) and passing on the first try so you never buy a retake. Being genuinely ready before you book is the cheapest path overall.
Can I get the CompTIA A+ for free?
The certification itself is never free, since each exam requires a paid CompTIA voucher. What can be free or subsidized is the path to it: some employers, workforce programs, community colleges, and veterans benefits cover voucher costs, and plenty of study material (including free practice diagnostics) costs nothing. So you can lower or offload the cost, but the exam voucher is always a real fee.
Is the CompTIA A+ hard to get?
It is achievable for beginners, but it is not a formality. You must pass two separate exams, each up to 90 questions in 90 minutes with performance-based questions, at scaled bars of 675 (Core 1) and 700 (Core 2). Most people who fail are under-prepared on pacing or one weak domain, not incapable. Full-length timed practice on both cores is what turns "hard to get" into a first-attempt pass.
Related on PrepClubs
- Is the CompTIA A+ Worth It in 2026?
- How Hard Is the CompTIA A+, Really?
- CompTIA A+ Practice Test: Drill Both Cores
Two vouchers at roughly 265 dollars each is the visible cost of the A+. The hidden one is a retake you did not plan for. The way to keep the total low is to walk into both cores ready, and that is what PrepClubs' A+ track is built for: a free diagnostic to see your real level, then full-length timed practice tests for Core 1 and Core 2 with a written rationale on every answer. It is a one-time purchase with 30 days of access, not a renewing subscription. If you prepare with PrepClubs and do not pass your real test, we extend your access at no extra cost. No fine print. PrepClubs has helped more than 1,600 students prepare for cognitive and certification assessments. Start with the free A+ diagnostic.
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