Two things set CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) apart from a vendor certification like Cisco's CCNA: it never asks you to know one company's command syntax, and roughly 3 to 6 of its questions put you inside a simulated interface rather than a list of multiple-choice options. Those two traits — vendor neutrality and hands-on performance-based questions — are the reason Network+ exists as its own credential instead of being folded into a vendor's associate-level exam, and they should shape how you prepare for it.
This guide leads with what actually makes the exam distinctive, then works through the full format mechanics: domains, cost, scoring, delivery, retake rules, and how Network+ fits into CompTIA's stackable certification pathway. For the week-by-week study path, see the 8-week Network+ study plan. For a fast final-review reference, see the Network+ cheat sheet.
What makes Network+ distinctive
It is vendor-neutral. N10-009 does not test Cisco IOS syntax, Juniper JunOS commands, or any single vendor's CLI — it tests the concepts that sit underneath all of them: subnetting math, protocol behavior, topology design, and troubleshooting methodology. That is a deliberate design choice, not an accident: the concepts transfer directly to whatever gear you end up working with, which is exactly why Network+ complements rather than replaces a vendor cert like CCNA if a specific job posting requires Cisco skills.
It is partly hands-on. Unlike a pure multiple-choice exam, the PBQs have you interact with simulated interfaces — labeling a diagram, dragging a cable to the correct port, or reading a troubleshooting console — instead of recognizing the right answer from a list. That interactive format is CompTIA's main defense against brain-dump sites: you cannot memorize your way through a simulation the way you can memorize an answer key.
Two things it is not, worth knowing before you study: it is not a security-specialist exam (Domain 4, Network Security, is only 14 percent of the exam — full depth on threats and defenses is Security+ territory), and it is not an entry-level exam in the same sense as CompTIA A+. Network+ assumes you already know what an operating system and a file system are; it starts from basic IT literacy, not zero.
Exam format at a glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | Up to 90 (multiple choice, multiple response, and PBQs) |
| Time limit | 90 minutes |
| Cost | $369 USD |
| Passing score | 720 / 900 (scaled) |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test center or Pearson OnVUE online proctoring |
| Validity | 3 years, renewable via CE program |
| Result | Pass/fail shown on-screen immediately |
| Current version | N10-009, launched June 2024 |
90 minutes for up to 90 questions is roughly a minute per question on average — but that average hides the real time pressure, because PBQs alone can eat 5 to 8 minutes each. Budget your pacing around the multiple-choice questions moving fast, leaving room for PBQs to run long.
Performance-based questions (PBQs): how they actually work
Most of the exam is standard multiple choice (a scenario or definitional stem, four options, one correct answer) or multiple response (the stem says “choose two,” occasionally three, with no partial credit for a partially correct selection). But the 3 to 6 PBQs are what separates N10-009 from a pure recall exam, and they earn their own section here because they are the single biggest reason candidates who only studied flashcards get caught off guard on exam day.
A PBQ interface drops you into a simulated environment instead of a static list of options. Typical formats include:
- Dragging a cable to the correct port on a rack or patch-panel diagram
- Labeling OSI model layers or a network topology diagram
- Reading a simulated router or switch console/log output and selecting the correct interpretation
- Working through a subnetting scenario inside an interactive interface rather than a static multiple-choice list
PBQs typically run 5 to 8 minutes each versus roughly a minute for a multiple-choice item, and CompTIA does not publish in advance how many you will see or exactly what share of your score they represent. Because they require actual interaction rather than recognition, they cannot be effectively memorized from a brain-dump — which is also why CompTIA leans on them so heavily as a defense against cheating.
Practical tip: if a PBQ is not going well after 2 to 3 minutes, flag it and move on to the multiple-choice questions, then return at the end if time allows. A single stuck PBQ eating 10+ minutes is a common, avoidable cause of running out of time on easier questions later in the exam.
The five exam domains
CompTIA publishes five domains with their relative weights:
| # | Domain | Weight | ~Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Networking Concepts | 23% | ~21 |
| 2 | Network Implementation | 20% | ~18 |
| 3 | Network Operations | 19% | ~17 |
| 4 | Network Security | 14% | ~13 |
| 5 | Network Troubleshooting | 24% | ~22 |
Domain 5 (Troubleshooting) carries the most weight in the N10-009 blueprint, followed closely by Domain 1 (Networking Concepts) — a shift from the previous N10-008 exam, which weighted Security higher and Troubleshooting lower. Subnetting, the OSI model, and port numbers taught in Domain 1 get reused throughout Domains 2, 3, and 5, so it is still the right place to start studying even though it is no longer the single highest-weighted domain. For the full domain-by-domain breakdown of what is tested inside each one, see the Network+ study plan.
Cost and voucher options
N10-009 costs $369 USD at list price, paid at booking through Pearson VUE. CompTIA sells bundles that pair the exam voucher with CertMaster Learn or CertMaster Practice study tools at a higher combined price, and some CompTIA-authorized academic and corporate training programs offer discounted vouchers — but there is no standing discount for an individual booking directly.
Pearson VUE converts pricing to local currency at checkout outside the US; VAT or local sales tax may apply on top depending on your country.
Scoring and the passing score
CompTIA publishes the exact passing score: 720 out of 900, roughly 80 percent. This is a scaled score, not a raw percentage — CompTIA runs your raw correct-answer count through a statistical conversion that accounts for question difficulty, so “720” does not translate cleanly to “80% of 90 questions right.”
CertSharp's recommendation: score consistently above 78 percent on full-length, 90-minute timed mocks before booking. Because the scaling is not published and not linear, a comfortable margin above the raw cut score protects you from a harder-than-average question set.
Test center vs OnVUE online
Both delivery methods produce identical exam content and the same pass/fail outcome.
Pearson VUE test center is in-person: valid ID, belongings in a locker, a proctored workstation on-site.
Pearson OnVUE online proctoring lets you test from home. You install the OnVUE application, complete an ID check and full room scan on camera, and a remote proctor monitors the full 90 minutes. You need a stable connection, a single monitor, and a clear, private desk.
Which to choose: OnVUE saves travel time and runs around the clock in most regions, but connectivity hiccups or a noisy environment can trigger a proctor intervention. If your home setup is not reliably private, book a test center slot — it removes that variable entirely, which matters more on an exam with time-pressured PBQs.
How to register
- Create or sign in to your CompTIA account.
- Purchase the N10-009 exam voucher (or apply an existing voucher code).
- Schedule through Pearson VUE — choose a test center or OnVUE online.
- Pick an available date and time slot; OnVUE slots run around the clock in most regions.
- Save the confirmation email with your appointment details and pre-exam requirements.
You can reschedule for free up to 24 hours before your appointment. Inside that window, you typically forfeit the exam fee.
ID and check-in rules
Bring government-issued photo ID matching the name on your CompTIA account exactly. Test centers may require a second form of ID; OnVUE combines one primary ID with on-camera identity verification during check-in.
For OnVUE, check-in opens roughly 30 minutes before your slot and includes a full room scan (walls, desk, ceiling) via webcam. Clear your desk completely and remove watches, headphones, and any second screen. For test centers, arrive at least 15 minutes early — late arrivals beyond the grace period forfeit the appointment.
Retake policy
If you fail N10-009, CompTIA requires a minimum 14-calendar-day wait before your next attempt. There is no cap on total lifetime attempts, but each retake costs the full $369 fee unless you purchased a retake voucher bundle with your original registration. CompTIA provides a section-level score report after a fail — use the wait to drill your weakest domain rather than restudying everything evenly.
Validity and renewing without a retake
Network+ is valid 3 years from the pass date. After that window, an uncertified credential no longer counts toward employer requirements or CompTIA's own certification pathway prerequisites.
CompTIA's Continuing Education (CE) program lets you renew Network+ without retaking N10-009 from scratch: earn 20 CEUs through qualifying activities (further CompTIA certifications, relevant training, industry webinars, and similar), complete an eligible CompTIA CertMaster CE course, or pass a higher-level exam that CompTIA recognizes as a renewal trigger — before your 3-year window closes. If none of those apply, retaking the current version of the exam is the fallback path.
CompTIA's stackable certification pathway
Network+ is not a standalone credential — it is the middle rung of CompTIA's core infrastructure/security pathway: A+ (hardware and OS fundamentals) sits below it, and Security+ or CySA+ (dedicated security specialization) sit above. That is a meaningfully different shape than Cisco's tiered ladder (CCNA → CCNP → CCIE), which stays within one vendor's product line at increasing depth. CompTIA's pathway instead moves across specialization: general IT literacy, then general networking, then a fork into dedicated security or continued infrastructure depth.
The pathway is stackable for renewal, not just for skills. Under CompTIA's CE program, passing a higher-level exam can serve as a renewal trigger for a lower, already-active certification — so passing Security+ later can renew an active Network+ without a separate retake, provided it happens inside the CE window. That is one of the practical reasons treating these certs as a connected stack, rather than isolated credentials that each expire independently, pays off.
| Certification | Tier | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | Entry | ~$278 (2 exams) | Zero IT background, help-desk roles |
| Network+ | Core | $369 | Junior network/NOC roles, security on-ramp |
| Security+ | Core | $404 | Junior security analyst, SOC roles |
| CySA+ | Intermediate | $404 | Security analysts with 3-4 years experience |
For the separate question of whether to complement this pathway with a vendor-specific cert instead, see Network+ vs CCNA.
Prerequisites and recommended experience
Network+ has no enforced prerequisites — anyone can register and sit the exam. CompTIA recommends (not requires) that candidates hold A+ certification and have 9 to 12 months of hands-on networking experience before attempting N10-009.
In practice, 6 months of help-desk or IT-support experience plus focused study is enough for most candidates. Zero IT background is a harder starting point — budget extra time on Domain 1 fundamentals if that describes you.
Recommended study resources
- CompTIA's official N10-009 exam objectives at comptia.org/certifications/network. Always the source of truth for domains and objectives.
- CompTIA CertMaster Learn/Practice for structured lessons and adaptive practice, if budget allows.
- CertSharp's 500-question Network+ bank. Mapped domain-by-domain to the N10-009 objectives, with an explanation on every question. Try 30 free questions.
- The CertSharp Network+ study plan at /blog/n10-009-study-plan-2026.
- A free lab environment (Cisco Packet Tracer or GNS3) for hands-on PBQ practice — Network+ rewards muscle memory that pure reading does not build.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the CompTIA Network+ exam cost?
The CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) exam costs $369 USD at list price, paid at the time of booking through Pearson VUE. For comparison, that sits above CompTIA A+ (roughly $278 combined for its two required exams) and just below Security+ and CySA+ (both $404). CompTIA sells bundles that pair the exam voucher with a CertMaster Learn or CertMaster Practice subscription at a higher combined price, which is worth it if you want structured lessons and adaptive practice built in, but it is not a discount on the exam fee itself. Academic institutions and CompTIA-authorized corporate training partners sometimes offer discounted vouchers through classroom programs, and some employers cover the fee as a professional-development expense, but there is no standing individual discount for a self-booked exam. Pearson VUE also converts pricing to local currency outside the US, and VAT or local sales tax may apply on top, so the final charge can differ slightly from the US list price.
How many questions are on the Network+ exam?
N10-009 has up to 90 questions and a 90-minute time limit, which averages out to roughly a minute per question — though that average is misleading once performance-based questions (PBQs) enter the picture. Most candidates see a mix of standard multiple-choice items (one correct answer from four options), multiple-response items (the stem says "choose two," with no partial credit for a partially correct pick), and 3 to 6 PBQs that simulate real configuration tasks, such as dragging a cable to the correct port or labeling a network diagram, rather than asking you to select from a list. Because PBQs alone can consume 5 to 8 minutes each, the real time budget for the remaining multiple-choice questions is tighter than the raw 90-minutes-for-90-questions math suggests, which is why pacing strategy matters as much as content knowledge on exam day.
What is the passing score for N10-009?
The passing score is 720 out of 900 on a scaled scoring system, which works out to roughly 80 percent. This is not a simple percentage of raw correct answers — CompTIA runs your results through a statistical conversion that accounts for the difficulty of the specific questions you were served, since no two candidates see an identical question set. CompTIA does not publish exactly how each question or domain is weighted toward that final scaled score, which means you cannot reliably estimate your result mid-exam by counting how many questions felt easy or hard. The safest readiness benchmark, and the one CertSharp recommends, is scoring consistently above 78 percent on full-length, timed practice exams across at least two separate attempts before you book your real exam date, since that margin absorbs a harder-than-average question draw.
Is CompTIA Network+ open book or closed book?
Closed book, with no exceptions. N10-009 is proctored whether you sit it at a Pearson VUE test center or take it online through Pearson OnVUE, and both delivery methods enforce identical rules: no notes, no reference material, no second monitor, no phone, and no smartwatch or other wearable at your workstation. At a physical test center, staff store your belongings in a locker before you enter the exam room. For OnVUE, a remote proctor watches you continuously via webcam for the full 90 minutes and can pause or terminate the session if it detects a rule violation, such as looking away from the screen for an extended period or another person entering the room. Scratch material is typically provided digitally on-screen or as a physical whiteboard supplied by the test center, never brought from home.
Can I take the Network+ exam online?
Yes. Pearson OnVUE offers remote proctoring for N10-009 in most countries, and it produces an identical certification outcome to sitting the exam in person. You need a working webcam, a stable internet connection, a single monitor, and a private room that passes an on-camera scan covering your desk, walls, and ceiling before the exam begins. Check-in for OnVUE typically opens around 30 minutes before your scheduled slot. The convenience trade-off is real: if your home setup is not reliably private and quiet, background noise, a shared living space, or a connectivity hiccup can trigger a proctor intervention or, in rare cases, force a reschedule. If you cannot guarantee a controlled environment for the full 90 minutes, a Pearson VUE test center removes that risk entirely, which matters more on an exam with time-pressured performance-based questions.
How long is the Network+ certification valid?
Network+ is valid for 3 years from the date you pass. Once that window closes without renewal, the certification lapses and no longer counts toward employer requirements or as a prerequisite credential in CompTIA's own certification pathway. You renew through CompTIA's Continuing Education (CE) program, which offers three paths that avoid a cold retake: earn 20 CEUs through qualifying activities such as further CompTIA certifications, relevant industry training, or approved webinars; complete an eligible CompTIA CertMaster CE course; or pass a higher-level CompTIA exam, such as Security+, that CompTIA recognizes as a renewal trigger for Network+. If none of those options fit your situation before the 3-year window closes, retaking the current version of the N10-009 exam is the fallback path, and you start a fresh 3-year clock from that new pass date.
What is the Network+ retake policy?
If you do not pass N10-009 on your first attempt, CompTIA requires a minimum 14-calendar-day wait before you can sit the exam again — this waiting period is a hard rule enforced by Pearson VUE's scheduling system, not a suggestion. There is no cap on the total number of lifetime attempts you can make, but each retake costs the full $369 exam fee unless you purchased a retake voucher bundle at the time of your original registration, which some CompTIA promotions and training partners offer. After a failed attempt, CompTIA provides a section-level score report showing your relative performance across the five domains, and the smart use of the mandatory wait period is drilling your weakest domain specifically rather than restudying everything evenly, since the report usually points clearly at where the gap is.
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