CompTIA A+ Exam Objectives (220-1201 and 220-1202): The Full V15 Domain Breakdown
The current A+ is 220-1201 and 220-1202. Here is the full V15 domain breakdown, the weight of each domain, and the passing score for both cores, per CompTIA.
The current CompTIA A+ is two exams, 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2), the V15 series that replaced the retired 220-1101 and 220-1102 in 2025. If a study guide still says 1101 and 1102, it is out of date. You must pass both cores separately: each is a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, and you need 675 on Core 1 and 700 on Core 2, both on a 100-to-900 scale, per CompTIA.
This is the full domain breakdown for both cores, with the official V15 weights, so you know exactly what each exam tests and how much of your study time each domain deserves. Read the weights as a time budget, not trivia.
Quick takeaways
- The current A+ codes are 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2). The old 220-1101 and 220-1102 retired in 2025.
- Each core is a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, multiple-choice plus performance-based questions (PBQs), per CompTIA.
- Passing scores are 675 for Core 1 and 700 for Core 2, both on a 100-to-900 scale. You must pass both.
- Core 1 (220-1201) covers Mobile Devices 13%, Networking 23%, Hardware 25%, Virtualization and Cloud 11%, and Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 28%.
- Core 2 (220-1202) covers Operating Systems 28%, Security 28%, Software Troubleshooting 23%, and Operational Procedures 21%.
- PrepClubs is independent prep material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
What "V15" means and why the codes matter
CompTIA refreshes the A+ every few years and gives each refresh a new exam-code pair. The 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams are the V15 revision, available since March 2025. The previous version, 220-1101 and 220-1102, retired in September 2025. Any current candidate registers for the 1201 and 1202 exams.
This matters for practice. A drill written against the retired 1101 and 1102 objectives will over-weight material that shifted and can miss content that V15 added, especially in virtualization, cloud, and security. Confirm any practice set you use is built to the 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives, not the old codes.
The two-exam structure at a glance
| Attribute | Core 1 (220-1201) | Core 2 (220-1202) |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | Max 90 | Max 90 |
| Time | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Question types | Multiple-choice + PBQs | Multiple-choice + PBQs |
| Passing score | 675 (100 to 900) | 700 (100 to 900) |
| Number of domains | 5 | 4 |
| Requirement | Must pass | Must pass (both required) |
The two passing thresholds are different on purpose, and each core covers material the other barely touches. Passing Core 1 tells you nothing about your Core 2 readiness. Treat them as two separate prep cycles.
Core 1 (220-1201) domains and weights
Core 1 is the hands-on hardware, networking, and mobile exam. These are the official V15 domain weights, per CompTIA's 220-1201 objectives.
| Core 1 domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Mobile Devices | 13% |
| Networking | 23% |
| Hardware | 25% |
| Virtualization and Cloud Computing | 11% |
| Hardware and Network Troubleshooting | 28% |
Read as a time budget: Troubleshooting (28%), Hardware (25%), and Networking (23%) together are roughly three-quarters of Core 1. Most of your Core 1 study belongs in those three. Troubleshooting is also where the performance-based questions cluster, so drill the interactive tasks, not only the multiple-choice.
Core 2 (220-1202) domains and weights
Core 2 shifts to operating systems, security, and the human-facing side of IT support. Four domains, per CompTIA's 220-1202 objectives.
| Core 2 domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | 28% |
| Security | 28% |
| Software Troubleshooting | 23% |
| Operational Procedures | 21% |
Core 2 is more evenly spread, with Operating Systems and Security tied at the top. The Security domain here is the foundation Security+ later builds on, so expect questions on malware, authentication, and basic hardening. Operational Procedures (documentation, safety, communication, change management) feels soft but is a real 21 percent, and it is the domain candidates most often under-study precisely because it is not technical.
How much material is that, really
The domain weights are the map, but each domain contains many sub-objectives, and V15 added depth in cloud, security, and modern Windows. In practice that means both cores demand real coverage, not a weekend of flashcards. The honest way to size the job is a full-length diagnostic on each core: take 90 timed questions on Core 1, then 90 on Core 2, and let the score gaps tell you where the weeks of study should go.
This is where depth of practice matters more than a wide reading list. A good A+ track covers both cores objective by objective, with enough questions per domain that your weak areas actually get drilled, plus PBQ-style tasks so exam day is not the first time you meet an interactive question.
Which core to take first
CompTIA does not require an order. The common recommendation is Core 1 first, because its hardware and networking foundation supports Core 2's software and security material. If your background is already software-heavy, Core 2 first is defensible. Either way, finish one core fully (study, then pass) before you shift focus, so you are not half-ready on both at once.
FAQ
What are the current CompTIA A+ exam codes?
The current codes are 220-1201 for Core 1 and 220-1202 for Core 2, the V15 series available since March 2025. They replaced 220-1101 and 220-1102, which retired in September 2025. Any candidate testing now registers for 1201 and 1202.
What domains are on the A+ Core 1 (220-1201)?
Five: Mobile Devices (13%), Networking (23%), Hardware (25%), Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%), and Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%), per CompTIA. Troubleshooting is the heaviest single domain.
What domains are on the A+ Core 2 (220-1202)?
Four: Operating Systems (28%), Security (28%), Software Troubleshooting (23%), and Operational Procedures (21%), per CompTIA. Operating Systems and Security are tied as the largest.
What score do you need to pass the A+?
675 for Core 1 (220-1201) and 700 for Core 2 (220-1202), both on a 100-to-900 scaled range, per CompTIA. You must pass both cores to earn the certification, and the two thresholds are genuinely different.
How many questions are on each A+ exam?
Each core is a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, per CompTIA, including multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Across both cores that is up to 180 questions total, taken in two separate sittings.
Do the domain weights change between exam versions?
Yes. Each version revision can re-weight or restructure the domains, which is why using material built for the current 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives matters. Practicing against the retired 1101 and 1102 weights can leave gaps.
Related on PrepClubs
- CompTIA A+ practice test: how to drill Core 1 and Core 2: turning these objectives into a study plan.
- CompTIA A+ test track: full-length practice for both cores.
- CompTIA Security+ track: the security cert that builds on Core 2's foundation.
Study both cores against the current objectives
The A+ is two exams with two different passing scores, and the fastest path is to study each core against its own V15 objectives rather than as one blended pile. PrepClubs' A+ track is built for the 220-1201 and 220-1202 structure: full-length practice tests for each core, weighted to the official domains, with PBQ-style tasks and written rationales, plus a free diagnostic to place you on each core first. It is a one-time purchase with 30 days of access, not a 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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