How Many Questions Are on the Network+ Exam, and What Is the Passing Score?
How many questions on the Network+ exam? The N10-009 has a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, passing at 720 on the 100-to-900 scale, per CompTIA.
The current CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) exam has a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, and you pass at 720 on a 100-to-900 scale, per CompTIA. Unlike the A+, this is a single exam, so there is no second core to sit. That is the short answer to "how many questions on the Network+ exam." The longer answer, which most pages skip, is why you may see fewer than 90 questions, and why 720 is not the same as "80 percent correct."
If you are prepping for N10-009, those details change how you practice. A scaled 720 has no published miss-count, and the performance-based questions at the start decide how the rest of your 90 minutes feel.
Maximum 90 questions, 90 minutes, one exam
Quick takeaways
- N10-009 has a maximum of 90 questions and a 90-minute time limit, per CompTIA. You may see fewer than 90; 90 is the ceiling.
- The passing score is 720 on a 100-to-900 scale. It is a scaled score, not a raw percentage.
- Network+ is a single exam. There is no Core 1 and Core 2 split like the A+.
- Questions are a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs), which tend to appear first.
- Candidates commonly report seeing anywhere from roughly 75 to 90 questions in a delivery.
- N10-008 is the retired previous version. Prep against the current N10-009 objectives.
- PrepClubs is independent prep material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
The exact format, per CompTIA
Here is what CompTIA publishes for the current Network+ exam.
| Attribute | Network+ (N10-009) |
|---|---|
| Maximum questions | 90 |
| Time limit | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 720 (on a 100-to-900 scale) |
| Question types | Multiple-choice and performance-based (PBQs) |
| Number of exams | 1 |
That is the entire official format. The nuance is in how each row behaves on the day.
One exam, not two
The most common surprise for people coming from the A+ is that Network+ is a single exam. There is no Core 1 and Core 2. You book one N10-009 sitting, pass it once at 720, and you hold the certification. That means one voucher and one exam day, not two.
CompTIA's recommended path is to earn the A+ first, then get 9 to 12 months of hands-on networking experience, then sit Network+. That recommendation is not a hard prerequisite, but it reflects how much the exam assumes you have already touched real network gear.
How the 720 passing score really works
Most explanations see 720 out of 900 and translate it to "about 80 percent," then tell you to aim for 80 percent on practice tests. That is not how it works.
The 100-to-900 range is a scaled score. CompTIA converts your raw performance into that scale using a model that accounts for the relative difficulty of the items you saw. Two candidates who answer the same number of questions correctly can end up with different scaled scores if their items differed in difficulty. Because CompTIA does not publish the per-item weighting or a question-by-question key, there is no honest way to say "you need exactly 65 of 90 correct."
Practice to a margin above 720, not to an exact percentage
So what do you aim for? On full-length practice tests scored as a straight percentage, treat a consistent 85 percent or higher as your green light. That builds a cushion above the passing standard that survives the scaling and a few unlucky items.
Why you might see fewer than 90 questions
Candidates often finish with 75, 80, or 85 questions rather than a full 90, then worry the exam broke. It did not. The "maximum of 90" wording is deliberate. CompTIA can include unscored trial items and vary the delivered count, so not every sitting serves the full 90. The number you see does not tell you how you are doing. Do not try to read your result from the question count.
The practical takeaway: prepare for the full 90 in 90 minutes. If you build the stamina and pacing for the maximum, a shorter exam is a bonus.
The question types, and why the mix matters
Two formats share the exam.
- Multiple-choice questions are the familiar pick-one or pick-the-best items. Most of the exam is these.
- Performance-based questions (PBQs) are interactive tasks: match connectors to standards, configure a simulated device, place items into a network topology, or order troubleshooting steps. There are usually a handful, and they tend to appear at the start.
The PBQs matter out of proportion to their count because they eat time. Under-prepared candidates sink 15 minutes into the first PBQ and then race the multiple-choice items. A sane play is to skim the PBQs first, do the quick ones, flag the rest, clear the multiple-choice questions to bank time, then return to the flagged PBQs. You can only run that play if you have practiced the real format.
FAQ
How many questions are on the Network+ exam?
A maximum of 90, delivered in 90 minutes, per CompTIA. You may see fewer than 90 in a given delivery; 90 is the ceiling, not a guarantee.
What is the passing score for Network+?
720 on a 100-to-900 scale, per CompTIA. It is a scaled score, not a raw percentage, so there is no published number of questions you must get right.
Is 720 out of 900 the same as 80 percent?
No. The 100-to-900 range is a scaled score that accounts for item difficulty, not a straight percentage of questions correct. Aim for a comfortable margin above passing on full-length practice tests, ideally 85 percent or higher scored as a percentage.
Is Network+ one exam or two?
One. Unlike the A+, which splits into Core 1 and Core 2, Network+ is a single N10-009 exam with one voucher and one exam day.
How long is the Network+ exam?
90 minutes for a maximum of 90 questions, per CompTIA. The performance-based questions at the start are the most likely to eat that time, so pace them deliberately.
Why did I get fewer than 90 questions?
CompTIA delivers up to 90 and can include unscored items and vary the count. A shorter exam is normal and tells you nothing about your score. Prepare for the full 90 so a shorter one is only ever easier.
Do I need the A+ before Network+?
It is not a hard prerequisite. CompTIA recommends earning the A+ first, then 9 to 12 months of hands-on networking experience, before sitting Network+. The exam assumes real exposure to network gear.
What is the fail rate for Network+?
CompTIA does not publish an official pass or fail rate for Network+, so any specific percentage you see is an estimate, not a vendor figure. What you can act on is the format: 90 questions in 90 minutes at a 720 scaled pass bar, with performance-based questions that decide a lot of outcomes. Candidates who fail most often run out of time on the PBQs or walk in weak on subnetting. Full-length timed practice removes both risks.
Related on PrepClubs
- CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives: The Five N10-009 Domains
- How Hard Is the CompTIA Network+?
- CompTIA Network+ Practice Test
Knowing it is up to 90 questions and 720 to pass is the easy part. Building the pacing to clear 90 items in 90 minutes, PBQs and all, is what actually gets you certified, and you only get it from full-length practice under the clock. That is how PrepClubs' Network+ track is built: a free diagnostic to see your real level, then full-length timed practice tests on N10-009, each answer with a written rationale. 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 Network+ diagnostic.
FAQ
