Table of Contents
The resources that helped me pass CompTIA A+ in 2026 were a combination of Professor Messer's free video course, Mike Meyers' All-in-One book, Anki flashcard decks, and consistent practice with virtual machines. No single resource works for every learner, so this article breaks down what I actually used, why each one helped, and how you can adapt the same stack to your own study style for the new v15 exam series (220-1201 / 220-1202).
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| Resources That I Used To Pass CompTIA A+ Certification. |
Why Do Your Study Resources Determine Whether You Pass or Fail?
The CompTIA A+ exam is not a memorization test. Both the Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) exams include performance-based questions that ask you to drag-and-drop components, diagnose simulated hardware failures, and configure operating systems in a virtual environment. A resource that teaches you to recite definitions will fail you on those question types. A resource that makes you apply concepts in realistic scenarios will not.
The second reason resources matter is time efficiency. Studying with the wrong materials means re-reading the same confused paragraph three times, watching a YouTube video that covers a discontinued exam objective, or taking a brain dump practice test that teaches you to cheat rather than understand. Every wasted hour is an hour you could have spent on a weak topic.
Why I started with video before books:
Most people absorb new technical concepts faster through demonstration than through text. I watched a full video walkthrough of each domain first, then reinforced it with a book chapter. This two-pass method cut my total study time significantly compared to my previous approach of reading first.
What Does the CompTIA A+ v15 Exam Actually Cover in 2026?
CompTIA A+ v15 consists of two separate exams, each with its own domain weighting. You must pass both to earn the certification. Here is what each exam covers:
| Exam | Code | Key Domains | Passing Score | Questions / Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core 1 | 220-1201 | Mobile Devices, Networking, Hardware, Virtualization and Cloud Computing, Hardware and Network Troubleshooting | 675 / 900 | Up to 90 questions / 90 minutes |
| Core 2 | 220-1202 | Operating Systems, Security, Software Troubleshooting, Operational Procedures | 700 / 900 | Up to 90 questions / 90 minutes |
What changed from v14 to v15?
CompTIA A+ v15 added greater emphasis on cloud computing, AI-assisted troubleshooting tools, and zero-trust security concepts. If you are using any resource that still references 220-1101 or 220-1102 exclusively, verify that its content aligns with the updated v15 objectives before committing to it.
For a full breakdown of what CompTIA A+ is, who it is for, and how it compares to other entry-level certifications, read our CompTIA A+ complete beginners guide.
Which Video Courses Are Worth Your Time for CompTIA A+ in 2026?
Video courses are the best starting point for CompTIA A+ because they show you how things work, not just what they are. Watching a demonstration of RAM installation sticks in memory better than reading three paragraphs about it. Below are the three courses I used, in order of how much I relied on them.
Professor Messer's Free CompTIA A+ Training
Professor Messer's course is the strongest free resource for CompTIA A+ that exists. He releases full video courses mapped directly to the official exam objectives after every major revision, and the v15 course for 220-1201 and 220-1202 is already available at professormesser.com. The videos are concise, objective-focused, and free to watch without an account.
- Download the companion course notes PDF (available as a paid add-on but worth it). Having the PDF open while watching lets you annotate exactly what he highlights as testable.
- Watch each video at 1.25x speed on your first pass, then return to any section you did not fully grasp at normal speed.
- Use his practice exam questions (also a paid add-on) after completing each domain. Do not wait until you finish the whole course. Testing as you go identifies weak areas before they compound.
Free vs. paid on Professor Messer:
The video course itself is free. The study guide PDF and practice exams are paid extras. For most people, the free videos plus a separate book is more cost-effective than buying everything from one source.
Udemy CompTIA A+ Courses
Udemy hosts several CompTIA A+ courses, with Jason Dion's and Mike Meyers' courses consistently rated highest. Udemy runs sales almost constantly, bringing course prices from their listed rate down to between $10 and $20. The main advantages are lifetime access and frequent content updates.
ITProTV (now ACI Learning) CompTIA A+ Training
ITProTV rebranded to ACI Learning in 2023. Their A+ content is stronger for learners who absorb material through conversation rather than lecture. The format features two hosts discussing each topic, which reduces the cognitive load of processing dense technical content alone. Their platform also includes practice labs that run in the browser without requiring any local software installation.
For a full comparison of free, paid, and hybrid study options, including cost breakdowns and time-per-dollar analysis, read our article on the best CompTIA A+ study courses for every budget.
How to Get the Most Out of Any Video Course
- Never watch passively. Keep a notebook or Notion page open and write one sentence summarizing what each lesson covers. This forces active processing instead of passive absorption.
- Pause on every diagram and configuration screen. These are the elements most likely to appear as performance-based questions. Spend 30 seconds on each one before moving on.
- Revisit tricky sections the same day, not a week later. The longer you wait to review a confusing concept, the more context you lose. If subnetting or RAID configurations confused you on Tuesday, re-watch that segment on Tuesday evening.
- Build a "second watch" playlist. As you go through the course, bookmark any video that covered more than one new concept at once. Return to these after you finish the full course and have more context.
What Are the Best Books for Passing CompTIA A+ in 2026?
Books give you something video courses cannot: depth. When a video covers subnetting in eight minutes, the book version covers it across twelve pages with worked examples, diagrams, and practice problems. For topics where you need to understand the reasoning behind a concept rather than just recognize it, books are irreplaceable.
CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide by Mike Meyers (McGraw-Hill)
This is the book I used as my primary reference, and it remains the most comprehensive single-volume study guide for CompTIA A+ available. Mike Meyers covers both Core 1 and Core 2 in one book. His writing is conversational rather than textbook-dry, which makes it easier to sustain reading sessions longer than 30 minutes. Each chapter ends with practice questions and key term reviews.
Exam Cram: CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2
Exam Cram is not a replacement for Mike Meyers. It is a focused revision tool. I used it in the two weeks before each exam to quickly cycle through every domain and identify any remaining gaps. The format is deliberately concise, trading depth for speed. Each chapter fits in under an hour, which makes it practical for the final stretch of preparation when time is short.
CompTIA A+ Practice Questions Exam Cram (1,300+ Questions)
This companion volume to the Exam Cram series provides over 1,300 practice questions across both exams. I treated it as a benchmark tool rather than a study resource. Every two weeks, I would work through 90 questions from each exam section under timed conditions and track my score. A consistent score of 80% or above on these questions is a reliable indicator that you are ready to sit the real exam.
For a full breakdown of every book worth considering, including options for different budgets and study styles, read our guide to the best books for CompTIA A+ certification.
How I Used Books Without Burning Out
- Read one chapter, then teach it back to yourself out loud. Say the key concepts from that chapter as if you were explaining them to a friend who has never heard of CompTIA. Anything you cannot explain clearly is something you do not fully understand yet.
- Highlight with a system, not randomly. I used yellow for definitions, blue for processes and steps, and orange for anything I did not immediately understand. Orange highlights became my review list at the end of each week.
- Pair each chapter with a hands-on task. After reading the chapter on storage devices, I opened VirtualBox and attached, detached, and reformatted virtual hard disks. Theory without application fades within days.
How Should You Create Study Notes That Actually Help You Pass?
Pre-made notes are a shortcut that usually backfires. When you read someone else's notes, your brain treats them as new information to absorb rather than a consolidation of what you already learned. The act of creating your own notes forces retrieval, which is the mechanism that actually transfers information into long-term memory. Creating notes is not a preparatory activity before real studying. It is the studying.
My Note-Taking System for CompTIA A+
- Organize by exam objective, not by video or chapter. CompTIA publishes the official exam objectives document for free at comptia.org. Use it as your note structure. Every section of your notes should map to a specific objective code.
- Use the Cornell method for technical content. Draw a vertical line leaving a 2.5-inch column on the left. Write main notes on the right. In the left column, write questions your notes answer. During revision, cover the right side and try to answer the left-side questions from memory.
- Build a glossary page per domain. CompTIA A+ has heavy vocabulary requirements across networking, hardware, and security. A running glossary lets you review terms without re-reading entire sections.
- Add a "traps" section. After every practice test, add a note about any question you got wrong due to misreading the scenario rather than not knowing the content. These are test-taking errors, not knowledge gaps, and they require a different fix.
Best Tools for Creating Digital Study Notes in 2026
| Tool | Best For | CompTIA A+ Use Case | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notion | Structured wikis with databases | Building an exam objectives tracker with checkboxes per domain | Free tier sufficient |
| Obsidian | Linked thinking and concept maps | Connecting related concepts (e.g., linking RAID types to storage domain) | Free |
| Microsoft OneNote | Handwriting and audio recording | Annotating PDF study guides with tablet pen input | Free with Microsoft account |
| Google Docs | Sharing and collaboration | Creating shared glossaries and practice questions with a study partner | Free |
| Evernote | Web clipping and cross-device sync | Saving Professor Messer transcript pages and CompTIA blog articles | Free tier limited; paid from $14.99/month |
| Roam Research | Bidirectional linking for complex topics | Building a knowledge graph of networking protocols and their relationships | $15/month |
How Do Practice Exams Actually Improve Your Score?
Practice exams are the single highest-leverage activity in CompTIA A+ preparation, but only when used correctly. The wrong approach is to take a practice exam, check your score, and move on. The right approach is to treat every wrong answer as a research task. Find the objective it belongs to, re-read that section in your book, re-watch the corresponding video segment, and then write a flashcard for it before moving on.
Professor Messer's Practice Exams
Professor Messer's paid practice exams are the closest publicly available material to the actual CompTIA exam format. They include performance-based question simulations alongside standard multiple choice, which is the mix you will encounter on exam day. I used these as my weekly benchmark test, tracking scores in a spreadsheet to identify whether any domain was trending downward across consecutive attempts.
Anki Flashcards: The 1,100-Question Practice Deck
Anki uses spaced repetition: it shows you cards at the exact interval when your brain is about to forget them, which is far more efficient than reviewing everything at equal intervals. For CompTIA A+, this is particularly valuable for port numbers, cable specifications, wireless standards, and acronyms, which are high-volume recall items that do not benefit much from re-reading.
How to install an Anki .apkg file:
Download and install Anki from apps.ankiweb.net (free). Open Anki and go to File → Import. Select the downloaded .apkg file. The deck will import automatically and appear in your Anki library. Start a study session and Anki handles the scheduling from there.
Other Reliable Practice Exam Sources
| Platform | Question Count | Performance-Based Qs | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Messer | ~300 per exam | Yes | Paid (bundle available) | Most realistic format match |
| CompTIA CertMaster Practice | Adaptive | Yes | Paid ($99 per exam) | Official adaptive learning path |
| Dion Training (Udemy) | 5 full practice exams | Limited | Udemy pricing (~$10 on sale) | Budget option with solid MCQ coverage |
| ExamCompass | Variable (free sets) | No | Free | Quick topic-specific drills |
| Anki (custom deck above) | 1,100+ | No | Free | Spaced repetition for recall items |
Why does CompTIA not publish actual exam questions?
CompTIA withholds exam questions to preserve exam integrity, prevent memorization-only passing, and ensure the certification retains its value for employers. The exam content is updated periodically, and publishing questions would immediately make those updates visible to candidates gaming the system. Focus on understanding concepts rather than hunting for actual exam questions.
What Hands-On Tools Do You Actually Need to Pass CompTIA A+?
CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 both include performance-based questions. These are not multiple-choice questions. They require you to interact with a simulated environment, configure settings, or identify faults in a diagram. You cannot prepare for these with flashcards alone. Hands-on practice in a virtual environment is not optional.
VirtualBox and VMware Workstation Player
Both are free for personal use. VirtualBox is fully open-source. VMware Workstation Player has a free personal use license. Either lets you install Windows 10, Windows 11, Ubuntu, and other operating systems as virtual machines on your existing computer, giving you a safe environment to practice OS installation, file system management, user account configuration, and troubleshooting without affecting your main system.
- Download VirtualBox from virtualbox.org and install it on your host machine. VirtualBox runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Download a Windows 11 ISO from microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11. You do not need a product key to install and use Windows in a VM for practice purposes.
- Create a new VM in VirtualBox with at least 4GB of RAM and 50GB of dynamically allocated storage. Walk through the Windows installation from scratch.
- Take a snapshot immediately after a clean installation. This gives you a restore point to reset to a clean state whenever you want to practice a troubleshooting scenario from scratch.
- Practice core tasks: disk management, user account control, command prompt operations (ipconfig, ping, tracert, netstat), and device driver installation.
Cisco Packet Tracer
Packet Tracer is a free network simulation tool from Cisco. While it is designed primarily for Cisco's own certifications, it directly supports CompTIA A+ Core 1 networking objectives. You can build simulated networks with routers, switches, access points, and end devices, and test connectivity, subnetting, and protocol behavior. Register at a Cisco Networking Academy account (free) to download it.
CompTIA CertMaster Labs
CertMaster Labs provides browser-based virtual lab environments specifically mapped to CompTIA exam objectives. Unlike VirtualBox, no local installation is required. The labs include guided exercises and free-form sandbox environments. The cost is higher than free alternatives, but for learners who cannot run virtualization software on their computer (due to hardware limitations or shared devices), it is a practical workaround.
Are Podcasts and Webinars Worth Using for CompTIA A+ Prep?
Supplementary audio resources are genuinely useful for one specific scenario: commute time and exercise time when a screen is not practical. They should not replace video courses or books, but they can turn 30 minutes of otherwise passive time into a productive review session.
| Resource | Format | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Messer's Study Groups | Live webinar (recorded) | Q&A on exam objectives with other candidates; watch recordings between study sessions |
| Cybrary IT Security Podcast | Audio podcast | Background listening for security domain concepts; broadens context beyond the exam |
| CBT Nuggets Study Notes Podcast | Audio podcast | Short episodes for last-week review of specific objectives during commutes |
| CompTIA Official Webinars | Live webinar | Exam update announcements and preparation tips directly from CompTIA; check comptia.org/events |
How Do You Build a Study Plan That Uses All These Resources Together?
The most common mistake is treating each resource as a separate study phase: watch all the videos, then read all the books, then take practice tests. This linear approach means you take your first practice test six weeks into studying and discover gaps you could have identified in week two. A better approach interleaves resources from the start.
My Recommended 10-Week Study Structure
| Week | Primary Activity | Secondary Activity | Weekly Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watch Core 1 Domain 1 (Mobile Devices) on Professor Messer | Read corresponding Mike Meyers chapter; create Anki cards for new terms | 10-question domain quiz from ExamCompass |
| 2 | Watch Core 1 Domain 2 (Networking) + hands-on Packet Tracer lab | Mike Meyers networking chapter; expand Anki deck with port numbers and protocols | 15-question networking drill; practice subnetting manually |
| 3 | Watch Core 1 Domains 3 and 4 (Hardware and Virtualization/Cloud) | VirtualBox: install a VM and practice hardware management tasks | First 50-question timed practice exam |
| 4 | Watch Core 1 Domain 5 (Troubleshooting) + review any Domain 1-4 weak areas | Anki review session on all Core 1 cards to date | Full 90-question Core 1 practice exam under timed conditions |
| 5 | Watch Core 2 Domain 1 (Operating Systems) | VirtualBox: Windows 11 installation, user accounts, and Group Policy basics | 20-question OS domain drill |
| 6 | Watch Core 2 Domains 2 and 3 (Security and Software Troubleshooting) | Mike Meyers security chapter; review malware types and mitigation techniques | Full 90-question Core 2 practice exam (first attempt) |
| 7 | Watch Core 2 Domain 4 (Operational Procedures) | Exam Cram rapid review of Core 2 domains | Score review: identify all domains below 75% |
| 8 | Targeted re-study of weak domains from benchmark tests (both exams) | Re-watch specific Professor Messer videos for weak objective areas | Re-test weak domains; aim for 80%+ across all |
| 9 | Full timed practice exam for Core 1 (Professor Messer exam set) | Full timed practice exam for Core 2 (Professor Messer exam set) | Both scores should be at or above 80% before booking |
| 10 | Exam Cram final rapid review of both exams | Anki session on any cards still marked "hard"; read through traps notes | Sit Core 1 exam; book Core 2 exam for 1 week after |
How to Track Your Progress
- Use a spreadsheet to log every practice test. Record the date, exam (Core 1 or Core 2), score, and which domains had the most wrong answers. Trends across 4-5 tests tell you more than any single result.
- Mark Anki cards by category. Tag each card with its domain and sub-objective. This lets you filter to weak domains during targeted review sessions.
- Keep a "wrong answer journal." After every practice test, write one sentence explaining why you got each wrong answer wrong. This forces you to distinguish between knowledge gaps (need more study) and misread questions (need more careful reading technique).
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Preparing for CompTIA A+?
After speaking with people who failed their first attempt and then passed on the retry, three patterns show up consistently. Avoiding these is worth more than any single additional resource.
Using a Single Resource for Everything
No one resource covers every exam objective at the depth the exam tests it. Professor Messer is excellent for breadth, but his course moves quickly through complex topics that deserve more time. Mike Meyers goes deep but can be slow for topics you already understand. Practice exams identify gaps but do not teach you how to fill them. The resources complement each other by design.
Fix: Use at least two primary resources (one video, one book) plus practice exams. Cross-reference any topic where you feel uncertain after one source.
Skipping Hands-On Practice
Performance-based questions appear in both exams and are graded on a pass/fail basis with no partial credit. You cannot answer a question about configuring RAID in Disk Management if you have never opened Disk Management. Virtual machines cost nothing and eliminate this risk entirely.
Fix: Spend at least 30 minutes per week in a virtual lab environment performing tasks from the objectives list, not just reading about them.
Treating the Exam Date as Optional
Indefinite preparation is not preparation. Most people who spend more than four months studying CompTIA A+ without booking an exam are not studying more deeply. They are avoiding the commitment. The exam is a fixed pass/fail event. Delaying it indefinitely means the cost of that anxiety is paid every single day instead of once on exam day.
Fix: Book the exam when your average practice score reaches 78-80%. That score indicates readiness. The additional confidence from further delay is marginal compared to the focus that a firm date creates.
How Much Does Preparing for CompTIA A+ Actually Cost in 2026?
| Item | Budget Option | Standard Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Course | $0 (Professor Messer free videos) | $10-20 (Udemy on sale) | Free option is excellent quality |
| Book | $25-35 (used Mike Meyers on Amazon) | $45-55 (new edition) | Confirm edition covers 220-1201/1202 |
| Practice Exams | $0 (Anki deck above + ExamCompass) | $30-40 (Professor Messer practice set) | At least one paid set recommended |
| Labs / Simulation | $0 (VirtualBox + Packet Tracer) | $0 (same) | No reason to pay for labs at this level |
| Core 1 Exam Voucher | ~$253 USD (2026 pricing; check comptia.org for current rate) | CompTIA bundles often available | |
| Core 2 Exam Voucher | ~$253 USD | Buy both together for potential bundle discount | |
| Total (budget path) | ~$530-560 USD | Study materials at minimum cost plus both exam vouchers | |
How to get exam voucher discounts:
CompTIA Academic (bundles for students), CertNexus, and certain Udemy course bundles include discounted vouchers. If you are a student at an institution that participates in CompTIA's Academic Marketplace, you may qualify for significantly reduced exam pricing.
For the full list of jobs, salaries, and career paths that open after passing CompTIA A+, read our guide to jobs after CompTIA A+ certification.
What Final Tips Made the Biggest Difference on Exam Day?
- Read every question twice before looking at the answers. CompTIA exam questions are often longer than they need to be, and the actual question is sometimes buried in the second or third sentence. Find what is being asked before evaluating options.
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers first. Most A+ questions have at least one answer that is clearly incorrect. Removing it from consideration reduces the cognitive load of evaluating the remaining options.
- Flag and skip performance-based questions on your first pass. They take longer to complete and can disrupt your timing. Answer all standard multiple-choice questions first, then return to performance-based items with the remaining time.
- Do not change an answer unless you have a specific reason. Your first instinct is statistically more accurate than a revised answer made under time pressure. Only change an answer if you recall a specific fact that contradicts your first choice.
- Join the r/CompTIA community on Reddit for exam feedback, study partner pairing, and real pass/fail stories from other candidates. It is one of the most active and genuinely helpful certification communities online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CompTIA A+ exam codes are current in 2026?
The current CompTIA A+ v15 exams use codes 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2). These replaced the v14 codes 220-1101 and 220-1102. When purchasing any study resource, confirm it covers the v15 objectives, which include expanded content on cloud computing, AI-assisted diagnostics, and zero-trust security concepts.
What is the passing score for CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2?
The passing score for Core 1 (220-1201) is 675 out of 900. The passing score for Core 2 (220-1202) is 700 out of 900. Scores are scaled, meaning the raw number of correct answers is converted to a scaled score before it is compared to the passing threshold.
Is Professor Messer's free course enough to pass CompTIA A+?
Professor Messer's free video course covers the exam objectives thoroughly and many people pass using it as their primary resource. However, combining it with a book (for depth on complex topics) and practice exams (for performance-based question exposure) significantly increases your probability of passing on the first attempt.
How many hours does it take to prepare for CompTIA A+?
Most candidates with minimal prior IT experience need between 100 and 150 total study hours spread across 8 to 12 weeks. Candidates with hands-on IT work experience may need 60 to 80 hours. Studying 2 hours per day on weekdays and 3 to 4 hours on one weekend day covers the range for most people without burnout.
Can I pass CompTIA A+ without hands-on practice?
Passing is possible without hands-on experience, but it is significantly harder. Both Core 1 and Core 2 include performance-based questions that simulate real environments. Candidates who have never physically or virtually performed the tasks described in those questions consistently report them as the most difficult part of the exam. VirtualBox is free and eliminates this disadvantage.
What happens if I fail CompTIA A+ on my first attempt?
There is no mandatory waiting period after a first failure. If you fail a second time, CompTIA requires a 14-day waiting period before each subsequent attempt. CompTIA's score report identifies the domains where you scored below the passing threshold, which gives you a specific re-study target rather than requiring you to review everything from scratch.
Are brain dumps safe to use for CompTIA A+?
Using brain dumps violates CompTIA's candidate agreement and can result in permanent certification revocation. More practically, brain dumps teach you to recognize specific question-and-answer combinations, not underlying concepts. Since CompTIA randomizes question pools and uses adaptive testing, brain dumps provide very limited predictive value for the actual exam and carry a significant integrity risk.
What jobs can I get after passing CompTIA A+?
CompTIA A+ qualifies you for entry-level IT roles including help desk technician, IT support specialist, desktop support analyst, field service technician, and junior systems administrator. These positions typically pay between $40,000 and $55,000 USD annually in North America depending on location, with significantly different ranges in South Asian markets. The certification is also a prerequisite or co-requisite for several employer apprenticeship programs at major tech companies.
How much does CompTIA A+ cost in 2026?
Each CompTIA A+ exam voucher costs approximately $253 USD as of 2026, making the total cost for both Core 1 and Core 2 around $506 USD before any discounts. Prices vary by region and currency. CompTIA Academic pricing and bundle packages can reduce this cost. Check comptia.org directly for current pricing before purchasing.
How long is CompTIA A+ certification valid?
CompTIA A+ is valid for three years. You can renew it through the CompTIA Continuing Education (CE) program by earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs), passing a higher-level CompTIA exam (such as Network+ or Security+), or completing specific training activities listed on the CE portal. Renewal costs $50 per year and is processed through the CompTIA CE program at ce.comptia.org.
