How Hard Is CompTIA A+? What Makes Core 1 and Core 2 Trip People Up
How hard is CompTIA A+? An honest look at what makes Core 1 and Core 2 tough, the scores you need, and how to know when you are actually ready to book.
How hard is CompTIA A+? It is moderately difficult, and most of the difficulty is not the concepts themselves but the shape of the exam: it is two separate tests, each with its own passing score, and both mix in performance-based questions (PBQs) that eat time. The individual topics are entry-level. Passing both cores under a 90-minute clock, twice, is what makes it a real challenge for beginners.
The good news is that the difficulty is predictable, which means it is manageable. Once you know exactly where Core 1 and Core 2 trip people up, you can prepare against those specific failure points instead of studying everything evenly. Here is that map.
Quick takeaways
- The A+ is moderately hard, mostly because it is two exams (Core 1 220-1201 and Core 2 220-1202), each with a separate passing score.
- You need 675 out of 900 on Core 1 and 700 out of 900 on Core 2, both scaled scores. Core 2's higher bar surprises people.
- Performance-based questions (PBQs) are the biggest difficulty spike, because they take longer and cannot be guessed the way multiple-choice can.
- CompTIA does not publish an official pass rate, so ignore any exact percentage you see quoted as fact.
- The concepts are beginner-level. The difficulty is in coverage breadth, time pressure, and doing it all twice.
- PrepClubs is independent prep material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
Why the A+ feels hard: it is two exams
The single biggest reason people underestimate the A+ is that they think of it as one certification. Structurally it is two exams with two different passing scores, and passing one tells you almost nothing about your readiness for the other.
| Difficulty factor | Core 1 (220-1201) | Core 2 (220-1202) |
|---|---|---|
| Passing score | 675 (of 900) | 700 (of 900) |
| Main focus | Hardware, networking, troubleshooting | Operating systems, security, procedures |
| Hardest domain | Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%) | Operating Systems and Security (28% each) |
| Where PBQs cluster | Troubleshooting tasks | Software troubleshooting, OS tasks |
| Common trap | Under-drilling PBQs | Assuming it is easier than Core 1 |
Core 2's higher 700 threshold is the detail that catches people. They pass Core 1, assume the momentum carries, and walk into Core 2 under-prepared on material Core 1 barely touched. Treating the two cores as two full prep cycles is the mindset that makes the A+ feel manageable instead of brutal.
The three things that actually make it hard
Strip away the exam-two-exams framing and three concrete factors drive A+ difficulty.
First, breadth. The A+ covers a wide, shallow range: mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization, operating systems, security, and procedures. No single topic is deep, but there is a lot of it, and the exam can ask about any corner. That rewards broad coverage over deep specialization.
Second, performance-based questions. PBQs put you in a simulated environment and ask you to actually do something, configure a setting, sequence a troubleshooting process, match items. They take longer than multiple-choice, you cannot eliminate your way to an answer, and if you have never practiced them, they are where your pace collapses. Most people who run out of time do so because PBQs ate their clock early.
Third, time pressure. Ninety questions in 90 minutes averages a minute per question, but PBQs break that average, so you need pace discipline. Candidates who are strong on the content still fail when they linger too long on early PBQs and rush the back half.
Is there an A+ pass rate?
You will see confident-sounding pass-rate numbers online, often "around 70 to 75 percent." Treat those as unofficial. CompTIA does not publish an official A+ pass rate, so any exact figure is an estimate at best. What you can control is your own readiness, and the honest signal there is not a rumored pass rate but your own scores on realistic, full-length, timed practice for each core.
How to tell when you are actually ready
The difficulty becomes measurable once you stop guessing at readiness and start testing for it. A short, free diagnostic is the fastest way to convert "how hard is it" into "how ready am I."
- Take a free A+ diagnostic for a real baseline. A 25-question free diagnostic will not certify your readiness, but it tells you honestly where you stand and which core needs more work. That reframes the whole difficulty question from anxiety into a number.
- Move to full-length, timed practice per core. Because the real thing is 90 questions under a clock, your practice has to match that or your score is not trustworthy.
- Drill PBQs on their own. Since PBQs are the difficulty spike, practicing them separately is the highest-leverage thing you can do.
- Book when your practice score clears the real threshold with margin. Comfortably above 675 for Core 1 and above 700 for Core 2 on realistic material, not a single borderline pass.
FAQ
Is the CompTIA A+ hard for beginners?
It is moderately hard for true beginners, mostly because of its breadth, the performance-based questions, and the fact that it is two separate exams. The individual concepts are entry-level, so with structured, exam-format practice it is very passable.
Which is harder, A+ Core 1 or Core 2?
Many people find Core 2 harder to pass, partly because its passing score is higher (700 vs 675) and partly because its material (security, operating systems, procedures) is more conceptual than Core 1's hands-on hardware focus. Treat each core as its own prep cycle.
What score do you need to pass the A+?
675 on Core 1 (220-1201) and 700 on Core 2 (220-1202), both on a 100-to-900 scale, per CompTIA. Both are scaled scores, not raw percentages, and you must pass both cores to earn the certification.
What is the hardest part of the A+ exam?
For most people it is the performance-based questions. They take longer, cannot be guessed, and are where candidates most often lose time. Practicing PBQs specifically is the single best way to lower the exam's real difficulty.
What is the CompTIA A+ pass rate?
CompTIA does not publish an official pass rate. Estimates online commonly land around 70 to 75 percent, but treat those as unofficial. Your own scores on realistic full-length practice are a far more useful readiness signal.
How long does it take to study for the A+?
For a true beginner, often one to three months across both cores, less with hands-on IT experience. Start with a free diagnostic on each core to see your real baseline, then plan your weeks around your weakest, highest-weight domains.
Related on PrepClubs
- CompTIA A+ practice test: how to drill both cores to a pass.
- CompTIA A+ exam objectives: the full Core 1 and Core 2 domain breakdown.
- Is CompTIA A+ worth it?: the honest entry-level ROI read.
- The CompTIA Trifecta: how A+, Network+, and Security+ stack into a career path.
Turn "how hard is it" into a number
The A+ is hard in predictable ways: two exams, a higher Core 2 bar, PBQs, and time pressure. All four are things you can prepare against directly, and the fastest way to start is to replace the worry with a real score. PrepClubs gives you a free A+ diagnostic to place you on each core, then full-length Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) practice tests with PBQ-style tasks and written rationales that explain the reasoning behind each answer. 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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