Foundational
Tier 1 · no prereqsEntry-point credentials covering IT vocabulary and the universal A+ baseline. A+ requires both Core 1 and Core 2.
CompTIA Certification Practice Exams
Specialty
Advanced focus areasCompTIA's newest credentials — AI-augmented security, advanced multi-cloud networking, and applied AI on data. Senior practitioner audience.
Expert
Senior, hands-onSecurityX (CAS-005) is the new CASP+ — CompTIA's capstone cybersecurity credential for enterprise security architects and engineers.
Intermediate
Tier 2 · 1–4 yrs exp.The bulk of CompTIA's catalogue — networking, security analyst, Linux, cloud, data, and project tracks for working IT professionals.
Brand new to IT
Start with Tech+ (FC0-U71). 70 questions, 60 minutes, 650/900 to pass. Covers IT terminology, hardware concepts, OS basics, networking, security, and software development at a vocabulary level. Notably, Tech+ is the only CompTIA certification that does not expire — it is not part of the Continuing Education (CE) program, so there is no renewal cycle.
First serious IT credential
Move to A+, the industry-standard entry credential. You must pass both exams — Core 1 (220-1201) covers hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization, and troubleshooting; Core 2 (220-1202) covers operating systems, security, software, and operational procedures. Each is up to 90 questions in 90 minutes; passing scores are 675/900 (Core 1) and 700/900 (Core 2). You can take them in either order.
Specialize: networking, security, Linux, cloud, or data
This is the bulk of CompTIA's catalogue — the Intermediate tier. Pick the track that matches your role:
- Network+ (N10-009) — network design, IP fundamentals, wireless, troubleshooting. 90 questions, 90 minutes, 720/900.
- Security+ (SY0-701) — the most popular cybersecurity entry credential. DoD 8140 / 8570 approved. 90 questions, 90 minutes, 750/900.
- CySA+ (CS0-003) — security operations analyst, threat detection, incident response. 85 questions, 165 minutes, 750/900.
- PenTest+ (PT0-003) — offensive security and penetration testing. 90 questions, 165 minutes, 750/900 (scaled scoring).
- Linux+ (XK0-006) — Linux administration, scripting, security. Refreshed July 2025. 90 questions, 90 minutes, 720/900.
- Server+ (SK0-005) — server hardware, administration, disaster recovery.
- Cloud+ (CV0-004) — cloud architecture, deployment, and operations across providers.
- Data+ (DA0-002) — data concepts, analysis, visualization, governance.
- DataSys+ (DS0-001) — database administration, SQL/NoSQL, performance tuning.
- Project+ (PK0-005) — IT project management across Agile and Waterfall.
CompTIA's newest credentials (Specialty)
Three recent additions, each targeting senior practitioners:
- SecAI+ (CY0-001) — launched February 17, 2026. AI-augmented cybersecurity: securing AI/ML systems and using AI to accelerate threat detection and response. 60 questions, 60 minutes, 600/900.
- CloudNetX (CNX-001) — launched February 18, 2025. Senior multi-cloud networking — SD-WAN, SASE, network automation, hybrid connectivity. 90 questions, 165 minutes, pass/fail (no scaled score).
- DataAI (DY0-001) — launched July 25, 2024, formerly known as DataX. Advanced data-science and AI-engineering credential: ML pipelines, model deployment, MLOps. 90 questions, 165 minutes, pass/fail.
Expert capstone
SecurityX (CAS-005) — launched December 17, 2024 as the successor to CASP+. CompTIA's hands-on, senior cybersecurity credential for enterprise security architects and engineers. Covers governance and risk, security architecture, security engineering, and security operations. 90 questions, 165 minutes, pass/fail. DoD 8140 approved at advanced cybersecurity work-role levels.
How CompTIA scoring and renewal work
Most CompTIA exams use a scaled score on a 100–900 range. Common passing thresholds: Security+, CySA+, PenTest+ at 750/900; Network+ and Linux+ at 720; A+ Core 2 at 700; A+ Core 1 at 675; Tech+ at 650; SecAI+ at 600. The three newest senior exams — SecurityX, CloudNetX, and DataAI — are pass/fail only, with no scaled score reported.
All CompTIA certs except Tech+ are valid for 3 years and renew through the Continuing Education (CE) program — earn CEUs (15 for SecAI+, 20 for A+ and Data+, 30 for Network+/Server+/DataSys+, 50 for Security+/Linux+/Cloud+, 60 for CySA+/PenTest+, 75 for SecurityX/CloudNetX/DataAI), retake the exam, or pass a higher-level CompTIA credential. Tech+ has no renewal requirement.
Why CompTIA matters
CompTIA certifications are vendor-neutral — their value travels across employers and stacks (AWS, Azure, GCP). They underpin US federal IT hiring through DoD Directive 8140 / 8570 approvals (most cybersecurity tracks). Pair Security+ or SecurityX with a cloud-provider cert for the highest market premium.
Which CompTIA certification should I start with?
If you have no IT background, start with Tech+ (FC0-U71) — it covers IT vocabulary, hardware concepts, and software fundamentals. If you have some IT exposure, start with A+ (220-1201 Core 1 + 220-1202 Core 2) — the industry-standard entry point. For cybersecurity, Security+ (SY0-701) is the most popular entry credential and is DoD 8140 / 8570 approved.
How long does it take to prepare for CompTIA certifications?
Tech+: 3–5 weeks. A+ (both Core 1 and Core 2 combined): 8–12 weeks. Network+: 6–8 weeks. Security+: 6–8 weeks. CySA+ / PenTest+: 8–10 weeks (intermediate). SecurityX (CAS-005): 12–16 weeks (expert tier). Assumes 1–2 hours of daily study and prior IT exposure where applicable.
Are these practice exams really free?
Yes. Each exam page offers 10 free practice questions with detailed explanations. No credit card required. For full-length practice exams with hundreds of additional questions per certification, see our premium courses.
Does CompTIA A+ require both Core 1 and Core 2?
Yes. The A+ credential is awarded only after passing both 220-1201 Core 1 (hardware, networking, mobile, virtualization, troubleshooting) and 220-1202 Core 2 (operating systems, security, software, operational procedures). You can take them in any order. Each exam is purchased and scored separately.
How does CompTIA's passing-score system work?
Most CompTIA exams use a scaled score on a 100–900 range. Common passing thresholds: Tech+ 650, A+ Core 1 675, A+ Core 2 700, Network+ and Linux+ 720, Security+, CySA+ and PenTest+ 750, SecAI+ 600. The three senior credentials — SecurityX (CAS-005), CloudNetX (CNX-001), and DataAI (DY0-001) — are pass/fail only with no scaled score reported.
Do CompTIA certifications expire?
Most CompTIA certifications are valid for 3 years and renew through the Continuing Education (CE) program by earning CEUs, retaking the exam, or passing a higher-level CompTIA cert. CEU requirements vary by cert: A+ 20, Network+ 30, Server+ 30, DataSys+ 30, Data+ 20, Security+ 50, Linux+ 50, Cloud+ 50, CySA+ 60, PenTest+ 60, SecurityX 75, DataAI 75, CloudNetX 75, SecAI+ 15. Tech+ (FC0-U71) is not part of the CE program and does not require renewal.
What's the difference between Security+ and CySA+?
Security+ (SY0-701) is the entry-level cybersecurity certification — security fundamentals, threats, cryptography, identity, risk management. 90 questions, 90 minutes, 750/900. CySA+ (CS0-003) is intermediate, focused on security operations, threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management. 85 questions, 165 minutes, 750/900. CySA+ is typically taken after Security+ and assumes 4+ years of hands-on security experience.
What is SecurityX and how does it differ from CASP+?
SecurityX (CAS-005) is CompTIA's senior, hands-on cybersecurity certification — the successor to CASP+ in the new branding. Launched December 17, 2024. Covers enterprise security architecture, security engineering, governance / risk / compliance, and security operations. 90 questions, 165 minutes, pass/fail only (no scaled score). Positioned as the expert-tier capstone for senior security practitioners.
What are SecAI+, DataAI, and CloudNetX?
CompTIA's three newest credentials. SecAI+ (CY0-001), launched February 17, 2026 — AI-augmented cybersecurity: securing AI systems and using AI for threat detection (60 questions, 60 minutes, 600/900). DataAI (DY0-001), launched July 25, 2024 — advanced data-science / AI-engineering cert formerly known as DataX (90 questions, 165 minutes, pass/fail). CloudNetX (CNX-001), launched February 18, 2025 — senior multi-cloud networking (SD-WAN, SASE, network automation; 90 questions, 165 minutes, pass/fail).
Which CompTIA certification commands the highest salary?
SecurityX (CAS-005) and CloudNetX (CNX-001) are CompTIA's highest-value credentials, both targeting senior practitioners and typically associated with US salaries in the $120,000–$150,000 range. DataAI and PenTest+ holders are commonly in the $110,000–$135,000 band. Security+ remains the highest-volume cert and typically opens roles at $80,000–$110,000. Salaries vary widely by region, prior experience, and pairing with vendor-specific certs (AWS, Azure, GCP).