CompTIA A+ Practice Test: How to Drill Core 1 and Core 2 to a Pass
A CompTIA A+ practice test has to cover two exams. Here is how to drill Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) to their passing scores without wasting time.
A CompTIA A+ practice test is really two practice problems, because the A+ is two exams. You cannot pass with one score. You pass Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) separately, each 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. Practicing as if it is one blended exam is the fastest way to walk into Core 2 under-prepared after passing Core 1.
So the useful question is not "where do I find A+ questions." It is "how do I drill two different exams efficiently so I pass both." Here is that method.
Quick takeaways
- The A+ is two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). You must pass both, and you pay for two separate vouchers.
- Each core is a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, multiple-choice plus performance-based questions (PBQs), per CompTIA.
- Passing is 675 for Core 1 and 700 for Core 2, both on a 100-to-900 scale. The two thresholds are different on purpose.
- Core 1 and Core 2 test different domains, so a practice test that mixes them is less useful than one that drills each core on its own.
- Drill by domain weight within each core, and practice the PBQs specifically, because that is where beginners lose the most time.
- PrepClubs is independent prep material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
Two exams, two different targets
The most common A+ mistake is treating it as one certification with one study pile. Structurally it is two exams with two separate passing scores, and they cover different material.
| 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) |
| Broad focus | Hardware, networking, mobile, virtualization, troubleshooting | Operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, operational procedures |
| Requirement | Must pass | Must pass (both required) |
Practically, this means you run the whole drill-and-diagnose loop twice, once per core, and you do not book the second exam until your practice scores on that core are comfortably clear. Passing Core 1 tells you nothing about your Core 2 readiness, because Core 2 is where the operating-system, security, and procedures material lives that Core 1 barely touches.
Core 1 (220-1201): what to drill
Core 1 is the hands-on hardware and networking exam. CompTIA publishes domain weights in the 220-1201 objectives; drill in proportion to them.
| Core 1 domain | Approx. weight |
|---|---|
| Mobile Devices | 13% |
| Networking | 23% |
| Hardware | 25% |
| Virtualization and Cloud Computing | 11% |
| Hardware and Network Troubleshooting | 28% |
Read that as a time budget. Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%) plus Hardware (25%) plus Networking (23%) are roughly three-quarters of Core 1, so most of your Core 1 practice belongs there. Troubleshooting in particular is where the PBQs cluster, so drill the interactive tasks, not just the multiple-choice.
Core 2 (220-1202): what to drill
Core 2 shifts to software, operating systems, and the human-facing side of IT. Different objectives, different weights, per CompTIA's 220-1202 blueprint.
| Core 2 domain | Approx. 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. Security here is the beginner-friendly foundation that Security+ later builds on, so questions on malware, authentication, and basic hardening are common. Operational Procedures (documentation, safety, communication) feels soft but is a real 21 percent of the exam, and it is the domain test-takers most often under-study because it is not technical.
The two-core drill loop
Run this loop once for each core. Do not blend them.
- Take a full-length timed test for that core. Ninety questions, real clock, PBQs included. Get your honest starting score on that specific core.
- Tag misses by domain. For Core 1, expect gaps in troubleshooting; for Core 2, in operating systems or operational procedures. Weight your study toward your weak, high-percentage domains.
- Drill PBQs on their own. Both cores include performance-based tasks that eat time. Practicing them specifically is the single best way to protect your pace on exam day.
- Re-test with fresh questions, confirm the core is comfortably passing, then book that core's exam.
- Repeat for the other core. Because Core 2 covers material Core 1 barely touches, treat it as a fresh prep cycle, not a victory lap.
Which core to take first
CompTIA does not require an order, and either works, but the common recommendation is Core 1 first. It is the more concrete, hardware-and-networking exam that builds the mental model Core 2's software and security material sits on top of. If your background is already software-heavy, Core 2 first is defensible. Whichever you choose, finish one fully (study, pass) before shifting focus, so you are not half-prepared on both.
FAQ
How many questions are on the CompTIA A+ exam?
Each core is a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, per CompTIA, and the A+ is two cores. So across both exams you face up to 180 questions total, taken in two separate sittings.
What score do you need to pass the A+?
675 for Core 1 (220-1101) and 700 for Core 2 (220-1102), 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.
Can one practice test cover both A+ cores?
It can, but it is less useful than drilling each core separately, because Core 1 and Core 2 test different domains. Diagnose and drill Core 1 on its own, then do a fresh cycle for Core 2.
Do I have to take Core 1 before Core 2?
No, CompTIA does not require an order. Most people take Core 1 first because its hardware and networking foundation supports Core 2's software and security material, but either order is allowed. You pay for and pass two separate vouchers regardless.
Are the A+ performance-based questions on practice tests?
Good practice banks include PBQ-style tasks; many free sets do not. Since both cores include PBQs and they consume the most time, practicing them specifically is important. Do not let the real exam be your first PBQ.
How long does it take to study for the A+?
For a true beginner, often one to three months across both cores. Someone with hands-on IT experience may need far less. Use a full-length diagnostic on each core to see your real starting point, then plan from there.
Related on PrepClubs
- CompTIA Network+ practice test: the recommended next cert after A+.
- Security+ practice test: the security cert that builds on Core 2's foundation.
- The CompTIA Trifecta: how A+, Network+, and Security+ stack into a career path.
- Free Security+ practice test: how to use a free diagnostic before you pay.
Drill both cores to a clean pass
The A+ is won twice, once on Core 1 and once on Core 2, and the fastest path is to diagnose and drill each core on its own until your practice scores are comfortably above 675 and 700. PrepClubs' A+ track is built for exactly that two-exam structure: full-length practice tests for Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), each 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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