Searching for a CompTIA practice test usually means one of two things: you want a quick check of where you stand, or you want a bank big enough to prepare with. This hub serves both. It helps you pick the right exam, lists the official format of each one, shows what a useful practice test looks like and lets you answer eight explained sample questions across the four exams CertSharp covers. If you already know your exam, jump to the Network+ practice exam, the A+ Core 1 practice exam, the A+ Core 2 practice exam or the Tech+ practice exam.
Which CompTIA certification should I take?
Take Tech+ (FC0-U71) if you are new to IT, A+ if you want a help desk or desktop support job, and Network+ (N10-009) if you are moving toward networking. Tech+ is CompTIA's entry-level concepts exam: a maximum of 70 questions in 60 minutes with a passing score of 650 out of 900. A+ is CompTIA's standard support credential and needs two exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), each with a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes and passing scores of 675 and 700. Network+ is a single exam with a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes and a passing score of 720. All scores are scaled on CompTIA's published scales, so they are not percentages. Choose by the job you want in the next year, not by the exam that looks easiest. The table gives the usual match.
| Certification | Best for | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Tech+ (FC0-U71) | Complete beginners, career changers, students | IT concepts, infrastructure, software, databases, security basics |
| A+ Core 1 (220-1201) | Help desk, desktop support, field technicians | Hardware, mobile devices, networking, virtualization, hardware and network troubleshooting |
| A+ Core 2 (220-1202) | Help desk, desktop support | Operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, operational procedures |
| Network+ (N10-009) | Junior network admins, NOC technicians, people who already have A+-level skills | Networking concepts, implementation, operations, security, troubleshooting |
A+ is the broadest entry credential for support roles and requires both Core 1 and Core 2. Network+ is a separate, single exam. If networking is your direction, the Network+ exam cost breakdown and N10-009 exam guide show what the commitment involves, and the A+ practice test guide goes deeper on Core 1, Core 2 and performance-based questions. This page stays vendor-wide: use it to pick an exam, then move to the exam-specific guide.
How many questions and what passing score does each CompTIA exam have?
Each CompTIA exam is scored on a scaled range, and the passing score differs by exam. A scaled score converts your raw result onto a fixed range, so it is not a percentage of questions correct. According to CompTIA, A+ Core 1 (220-1201) passes at 675 and Core 2 (220-1202) at 700, both on a scale of 100 to 900. Network+ N10-009 passes at 720 on a scale of 100 to 900, and Tech+ FC0-U71 passes at 650 on a scale of 900. A+ and Network+ allow a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, while Tech+ allows a maximum of 70 questions in 60 minutes. The table also lists the domain weights, which show where to spend study time.
These figures are taken from CompTIA's own certification pages as of October 2026. CompTIA can change exam formats, so confirm on the official page before you book. CompTIA lists fees in its store and they differ by region, so price is not shown here.
| Exam | Questions | Time | Passing score | Domains (weights) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ Core 1 220-1201 | Maximum of 90 | 90 min | 675 (scale to 900) | Mobile devices 13%, Networking 23%, Hardware 25%, Virtualization and cloud 11%, Hardware and network troubleshooting 28% |
| A+ Core 2 220-1202 | Maximum of 90 | 90 min | 700 (scale to 900) | Operating systems 28%, Security 28%, Software troubleshooting 23%, Operational procedures 21% |
| Network+ N10-009 | Maximum of 90 | 90 min | 720 (scale 100-900) | Concepts 23%, Implementation 20%, Operations 19%, Security 14%, Troubleshooting 24% |
| Tech+ FC0-U71 | Maximum of 70 | 60 min | 650 (scale to 900) | Tech concepts 13%, Infrastructure 24%, Applications and software 18%, Software development 13%, Data and databases 13%, Security 19% |
A+ and Network+ mix multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs); Tech+ (FC0-U71) is multiple-choice only. Scores are scaled, so you cannot convert a raw count of correct answers into a pass mark. For the objective lists themselves, use the exam objectives that CompTIA publishes from the official pages linked in the Sources section.
What makes a good CompTIA practice test?
A good CompTIA practice test is a bank of original, scenario-based questions mapped to the current exam objectives, with an explanation for every answer. The current objectives are 220-1201 and 220-1202 for A+, N10-009 for Network+ and FC0-U71 for Tech+, so questions written for retired versions such as 220-1101 or N10-008 can mislead you. CompTIA phrases many items as a situation that asks for the best or first action, which tests judgment rather than recall. The test should also report results per domain, because the weights differ by exam and a single overall score hides weak areas. Use this checklist to judge any provider.
- Explanations for every answer. A score alone teaches nothing. You need to know why the right option is right and why each distractor is wrong.
- Mapped to current objectives. The test must target the current version (220-1201/1202, N10-009, FC0-U71), not retired exams such as 220-1101 or N10-008.
- Scenario wording. CompTIA questions describe a situation and ask for the best or first action, so recall-only flashcards are not enough.
- Domain-level feedback. You should see which domain you are weak in, since the weights differ by exam.
- Original questions. Avoid brain dumps. They violate CompTIA's candidate agreement and teach memorization instead of skill.
How should I use a CompTIA practice test?
Use practice tests as a diagnostic first and a rehearsal last: baseline, study, review, retest, then one timed full-length run. A baseline session shows which domains are weak, so study time goes where the weights and your gaps overlap. Reviewing every miss, and every lucky guess, is what turns a score into learning, and retesting the same domain a few days later with different questions checks that the knowledge stuck. The five steps below are the method CertSharp recommends. It is a study approach, not an official CompTIA procedure.
- Baseline first. Take one untimed session cold to find weak domains.
- Study the weak domains from the official objectives, a video course or book, and hands-on labs.
- Review every miss and every lucky guess. Write one sentence on why the right answer is right.
- Retest the same domain a few days later with different questions.
- Simulate the exam with a timed full-length run at the end, with no notes.
As a rule of thumb, book the real exam when you score consistently around 80 percent or higher on questions you have not seen before. That is a guideline, not a CompTIA figure: passing standards are scaled, and bank difficulty varies. For the exam-specific plan, see the Network+ cheat sheet for fast review and the N10-009 practice questions for more worked examples.
Free practice
Done with the samples? Run a full 30-question practice session for your exam, with every answer explained.
What do CompTIA Network+ N10-009 practice questions look like?
Network+ N10-009 questions describe a network symptom or design need and ask you to pick the cause, the protocol or the configuration. They reward understanding over memorization. Click a question to reveal the answer and explanation. Think it through first.
1. A workstation on a wired network shows the address 169.254.37.12 and cannot reach any server. What is the most likely cause?
- The DHCP server could not be reached, so the client assigned itself an APIPA address
- The DNS server address is wrong
- The default gateway is on a different VLAN
- The switch port has a duplicate MAC address
Answer: A. The 169.254.0.0/16 range is link-local (APIPA, automatic private IP addressing). A client falls back to it only when it gets no DHCP reply. A wrong DNS server or gateway would not change the client address, and a duplicate MAC address does not produce a 169.254 address.
2. Two switches must carry traffic for VLANs 10, 20 and 30 over a single link. Which configuration is required on the link?
- Configure both ports as access ports in VLAN 10
- Configure both ports as 802.1Q trunk ports
- Enable port mirroring on both ports
- Bond the ports into a single access VLAN with STP disabled
Answer: B. An 802.1Q trunk tags frames with a VLAN ID so one link can carry many VLANs. An access port carries exactly one VLAN, so A would drop VLANs 20 and 30. Port mirroring copies traffic for analysis and does not carry VLANs between switches. Disabling spanning tree risks loops and does not add VLANs.
What do CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 practice questions look like?
A+ questions are practical: Core 1 (220-1201) asks about hardware, mobile devices and networking, and Core 2 (220-1202) asks about operating systems, security and procedures.Core 1 samples come first, then Core 2. For the full A+ breakdown see the A+ practice test guide.
3. A technician is upgrading the memory in a laptop. Which memory module form factor should be ordered?
- DIMM
- SODIMM
- ECC registered DIMM
- SATA M.2
Answer: B. SODIMM (small outline DIMM) is the compact module used in most laptops and small form factor PCs. Full-size DIMMs are for desktops and servers, and registered ECC modules are server memory. M.2 is a storage and expansion slot format, not RAM.
4. A company wants a wireless standard that can use the 6 GHz band on the same newer access points that serve 2.4 and 5 GHz. Which standard fits?
- 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)
- 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)
- 802.11ax with 6 GHz support (Wi-Fi 6E)
- 802.11g
Answer: C. Wi-Fi 6E extends 802.11ax into the 6 GHz band. 802.11n supports 2.4 and 5 GHz only, 802.11ac is 5 GHz only, and 802.11g is 2.4 GHz only.
5. Windows crashes show signs of corrupted system files. Which command, run from an elevated prompt, scans and repairs protected system files?
- chkdsk /r
- sfc /scannow
- gpupdate /force
- diskpart
Answer: B. System File Checker (sfc /scannow) verifies protected Windows files and replaces damaged ones. chkdsk checks the file system and disk surface, gpupdate refreshes Group Policy, and diskpart manages partitions.
6. An employee reports a company smartphone containing customer data was lost at an airport. Which action best protects the data on the device?
- Ask the employee to change their email password next week
- Perform a remote wipe through mobile device management
- Wait to see whether the phone is returned
- Disable Bluetooth on the phone
Answer: B. A remote wipe through MDM removes the data even though the device is out of reach, and it is the standard response for a lost managed device. In practice, policy may call for attempting to locate or lock the phone first, but of the options offered only the wipe actually protects the data. Waiting leaves data exposed, and a delayed password change is too slow. Bluetooth settings cannot be changed on a device you do not hold and do nothing for stored data.
What do CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 practice questions look like?
Tech+ (FC0-U71) is a multiple-choice concepts exam, so questions test vocabulary and judgment rather than command syntax.
7. In a relational database table of customers, which element uniquely identifies each row?
- Foreign key
- Primary key
- Index scan
- Query
Answer: B. A primary key is a column (or set of columns) whose values are unique for each record. A foreign key references a primary key in another table. A query retrieves data, and an index scan is how a database searches, not an identifier.
8. Which login method is an example of multifactor authentication?
- A password followed by a security question
- Two different passwords
- A password plus a code from an authenticator app
- A PIN plus a longer PIN
Answer: C. Multifactor authentication combines different factor types: something you know (password) plus something you have (the device generating the code). A password and security question are both knowledge factors, so they count as one factor type, and two passwords or PINs are the same factor repeated.
What do I get free versus paid on CertSharp?
CertSharp's free tier gives 30 questions per practice session with explanations, and paid plans unlock the full 500-question bank per certification plus exam mode. CertSharp is a practice-exam provider, so it earns money from the paid plans described here. The table lists each plan.
| Plan | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 30 questions per session, practice mode only, explanations included | $0 |
| Individual certification | Lifetime access to that certification's 500 questions, practice and exam mode | $11.99 one-time |
| Pro | All certifications plus micro quizzes | $9.99/month or $99/year |
A+ needs two exams, so you would use the Core 1 and Core 2 banks separately. See the pricing page for current details.
What about Security+?
Security+ is a popular next step after Network+, but CertSharp does not offer Security+ practice tests yet, and this page does not prepare you for it. The security domains inside A+ Core 2, Network+ and Tech+ are covered.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free CompTIA practice test?
Yes. CertSharp offers free practice sessions of 30 questions in practice mode for CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201), A+ Core 2 (220-1202), Network+ (N10-009) and Tech+ (FC0-U71), with an explanation for every answer and no credit card. The free tier is a sample, so it is best used to find your weak domains before you decide whether the full 500-question bank per certification is worth it.
Which CompTIA certification should I take first?
With no IT background, Tech+ (FC0-U71) is the gentlest introduction. For help desk and desktop support jobs, A+ is the standard first certification and requires passing two exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Network+ (N10-009) suits people moving toward networking and is easier with A+-level knowledge. Choose by the job you want, not by which exam looks shortest.
How many practice tests should I take before the real CompTIA exam?
There is no official number. A common approach is to study each domain, take domain-level quizzes, then sit two or three full timed practice exams spaced a few days apart, reviewing every missed question each time. Aim to score consistently around 80 percent or higher on unseen questions before booking. That 80 percent figure is CertSharp's own rule of thumb, not a CompTIA requirement, and practice banks differ in difficulty from the live exam.
Are CompTIA practice tests the same as the real exam questions?
No, and any site that claims to sell real exam questions ("dumps") is violating CompTIA's candidate agreement and can get your certification revoked. Legitimate practice tests are written to match the published exam objectives and style. Use them to find gaps in knowledge, not to memorize answers.
What is the passing score for CompTIA A+, Network+ and Tech+?
According to CompTIA, A+ Core 1 (220-1201) needs 675 and Core 2 (220-1202) needs 700, both on a scale of 100 to 900. Network+ N10-009 needs 720 on a scale of 100 to 900. The CompTIA Tech+ page lists 650 on a scale of 900. Scores are scaled, so they are not a simple percentage of questions correct.
Does CertSharp have Security+ practice tests?
Not yet. CertSharp currently covers CompTIA A+ Core 1, A+ Core 2, Network+ and Tech+. Security+ is not offered at the time of writing, so check the certifications page for updates rather than relying on this article for Security+ preparation.
Do CompTIA exams include performance-based questions?
A+ and Network+ do. Both mix multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs), which are hands-on simulations such as configuring a setting or matching items. Tech+ (FC0-U71) is listed by CompTIA as multiple-choice only. The PBQ count varies by exam form and is not published as a fixed number, so practice applying procedures, not just recalling definitions.
How we wrote and checked this
CertSharp is a practice-exam provider, and we sell the question banks mentioned on this page. We wrote this guide from CompTIA's own certification and exam-details pages, which are linked in Sources. Exam facts (question counts, time, passing scores and domain weights) were compared against those pages in October 2026, and the eight sample questions are original CertSharp questions, not CompTIA exam content. The 80 percent readiness habit is our own guideline. CompTIA can change formats at any time, so confirm on the official page before you book. Last reviewed October 2026.
Sources
- CompTIA A+ certification page (links to Core 1 and Core 2 exam details and objectives)
- CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam details
- CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) exam details
- CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) certification page
- CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) certification page
Start your free CompTIA practice test
30 free questions per session on A+, Network+ and Tech+, no credit card. The full 500-question bank is $11.99 lifetime per certification, or $9.99/month Pro unlocks every CertSharp certification.