If you’re planning to start or advance your career in information technology, the newly released CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 certifications offer the most up-to-date path to building a strong technical foundation. These two updated core exams reflect the latest demands of IT environments, preparing professionals for today’s hybrid workforces, evolving cybersecurity challenges, and multi-device support needs.
Designed for early-career IT professionals, the CompTIA A+ remains the industry’s leading vendor-neutral certification for foundational IT skills. It proves that you can identify, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, and connectivity issues across a range of devices and platforms—skills that are critical in modern support and technician roles.
The CompTIA A+ certification is renewed every few years to ensure it stays aligned with the needs of employers and industry trends. The 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams, launched in 2025, include key updates that reflect how the IT landscape is evolving.
The 220-1201 exam emphasizes the hardware side of IT, with objectives covering:
You’ll also find updated coverage of USB-C connectors, expanded wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, and current mobile device configurations. There’s a sharper focus on managing devices in remote or hybrid setups, which has become critical in today’s workforce.
On the other hand, the 220-1202 exam focuses on software and security. This includes:
In this updated exam, cybersecurity takes on greater importance. Topics like social engineering, secure credential management, and endpoint hardening are presented in more depth. There’s also new attention to scripting basics and automation—skills that are increasingly necessary for IT professionals in support and administration roles.
The A+ certification is ideal for anyone looking to get started in IT or change careers into the tech industry. It’s designed for roles such as:
If you’re seeking a credential that confirms you can confidently handle a wide variety of IT support tasks—whether that’s setting up a workstation, troubleshooting network connectivity, or securing a user’s device—the CompTIA A+ is a strong first step.
This certification is also highly valued by employers. It helps demonstrate that you’re ready to work in environments that require both in-person support and remote diagnostics, which are now standard in many organizations.
To become CompTIA A+ certified, you’ll need to pass both the Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) exams. Each exam consists of up to 90 questions and lasts 90 minutes. Questions include multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based items designed to test your problem-solving ability in real-world scenarios.
The Core 1 exam focuses on identifying and troubleshooting hardware, networking, and mobile devices, while the Core 2 exam focuses on software installation, operating system management, and security practices. Together, they ensure you’re equipped to handle both the physical and logical aspects of today’s IT systems.
The passing score is 675 for the 220-1201 and 700 for the 220-1202, on a scale of 100–900. Once you pass both, your certification is valid for three years, and you can renew it through continuing education or by passing the latest version of the exam in the future.
Today’s IT professionals must support a growing number of devices, platforms, and users. They’re also expected to understand the basics of cybersecurity and cloud services—even in entry-level roles. The new A+ certification addresses all these areas, helping candidates build a skill set that’s versatile, scalable, and employer-ready.
Whether you’re supporting a user’s tablet in the field, setting up a virtual desktop, or managing software patches across dozens of endpoints, the A+ certification ensures you’re prepared to act efficiently and securely.
In addition, the certification lays the groundwork for more advanced credentials. Many professionals use the A+ as a launchpad to pursue certifications in networking, security, cloud computing, or cybersecurity. It gives you the confidence and credibility to pursue more specialized roles as your career grows.
If you’re ready to begin your IT journey, now is the perfect time to prepare for the new 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams. With the latest technologies and security practices woven into the exam objectives, you’ll be learning what truly matters in today’s support-driven tech world.
Studying for these exams helps you not just pass a test—it helps you build a mindset for solving problems, supporting users, and understanding how all the pieces of modern IT infrastructure work together.
Introduction In today’s fast-paced digital world, having a deep understanding of Information Technology (IT) is no longer optional but necessary,
I. Introduction In the modern world where digitalization has taken center stage, cybersecurity has become an integral part of the
I. Introduction In today’s fast-paced digital era, modern IT environments are becoming increasingly complex and dynamic. They are characterized by
I. Introduction As our world becomes increasingly digital, it’s essential to understand the environmental impact of our ever-growing reliance on
AI-Powered Threat Detection and Response in 2025: Smarter, Faster Cyber Defense In 2025, cybersecurity is no longer just a defensive
Gain unlimited access to our comprehensive IT training library featuring top certifications like CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, and more. Explore expert-led courses in cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, project management, and soft skills development—all designed to help you build real-world, job-ready skills. With the 365 Training Pass, you can start learning today and accelerate your path to a successful IT career.
