CompTIA Tech+ (FC0‑U71) Practice Exams
About the CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 exam
Exam at a glance
CompTIA's most accessible IT credential at the foundational tier, released July 16, 2024 to replace IT Fundamentals+ (FC0-U61).
Who it's for
Tech+ is a deliberate pre-career credential. Strong fit for:
- High-school and early-college students exploring whether IT is the right path.
- Career changers from non-technical roles (retail, hospitality, admin) testing the waters before committing to A+ or a coding bootcamp.
- Non-technical professionals — sales, marketing, HR, project managers — who interact with IT systems daily and want structured IT literacy.
- Anyone wanting a low-cost, no-prereq credential before tackling A+ ($253/exam × 2) or a hands-on cert.
Domain weighting
- Infrastructure: 24%
- Security: 19%
- Applications and Software: 18%
- Tech Concepts and Terminology: 13%
- Software Development Concepts: 13%
- Data and Database Fundamentals: 13%
Prerequisites
None. No prior work experience, no other certifications, no hands-on lab experience required. Basic computer literacy (web browser, file system, productivity software) is assumed.
Why take this certification
- Lowest-friction entry into the IT certification ladder. $147 vs $506 for the two A+ exams. One 60-minute exam vs two 90-minute exams. No labs required.
- Lifetime validity. Unlike A+, Network+, Security+, and the rest of the CompTIA stack, Tech+ does not expire — pass once and the credential is yours.
- A "do I want IT?" sanity check. If Tech+ feels engaging, A+ is the natural next step. If it feels tedious, you've saved yourself the larger A+ commitment.
- Vendor-neutral foundation. Concepts are not tied to Windows, Linux, AWS, or any specific stack — useful prep for any later cert in the CompTIA, Microsoft, or cloud-provider tracks.
What you'll learn in the FC0-U71 exam
FC0-U71 is a conceptual exam — you'll be asked to recognize, describe, and compare technologies rather than configure them. Expect plain-language scenarios ("a small business owner needs to back up customer records — which option fits?") rather than command-line syntax or technical commands.
Tech Concepts and Terminology (13%)
- IT vocabulary: binary vs decimal, units of measure (bit, byte, KB/MB/GB/TB), notation conventions.
- Computer components at a conceptual level — CPU, RAM, storage, input/output devices, what each does.
- The standard CompTIA troubleshooting methodology: identify problem, establish theory, test theory, plan/implement solution, verify functionality, document.
Infrastructure (24%)
- Device categories: desktops, laptops, servers, mobile devices, IoT devices, peripherals.
- Internal components — purpose of CPU, RAM, storage drives (HDD vs SSD), GPUs, power supplies.
- Networking at concept level: wired vs wireless, LAN vs WAN, the role of routers/switches/access points, basic IP addressing awareness (no subnetting math).
- Cloud at concept level: IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS, public vs private vs hybrid, shared-responsibility intuition.
- Virtualization at concept level: what a VM is, why organizations use them, hypervisor basics.
Applications and Software (18%)
- Operating-system types and use cases: Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, mobile OSes (iOS, Android).
- Productivity software categories: word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, collaboration tools, web browsers, email clients.
- File management: file types/extensions, folder structures, permissions at a conceptual level.
- Awareness of modern application categories — generative AI tools, low-code platforms, mobile apps.
Software Development Concepts (13%)
- Programming concepts: variables, data types, control flow, functions — what they are, not how to write them.
- Object-oriented vs procedural programming at a vocabulary level.
- IDE awareness: what an integrated development environment is and why developers use one.
- Scripting fundamentals: difference between compiled and interpreted, where shell scripts and PowerShell fit.
Data and Database Fundamentals (13%)
- Data sources, structured vs unstructured data, file-based vs database storage.
- Database concepts: tables, rows, columns, the idea of a query.
- Data backup strategies at a concept level: full vs incremental, on-site vs off-site, the "3-2-1" rule.
Security (19%)
- The CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability).
- Password policies, multi-factor authentication, biometric authentication — what they are and when to use which.
- Malware awareness: viruses, worms, ransomware, spyware, trojans — recognize, not remediate.
- Social-engineering awareness: phishing, vishing, smishing, pretexting, tailgating.
- Browser security: HTTPS vs HTTP, cookies, basic safe-browsing habits.
- Secure online behavior: software updates, vendor patching, the role of antivirus.
How the practice exams help
Each free question and every premium exam mirrors the plain-language, scenario-style format CompTIA uses for Tech+. Detailed explanations cover not just why the right answer is right but why the distractors are wrong, so you build the recognition reflexes the exam tests rather than memorizing isolated facts.
How to prepare for the FC0-U71 exam
Tech+ is genuinely beginner-friendly — most learners pass with 4-6 weeks of part-time study (5-8 hours per week). No lab environment is required, so the prep is almost entirely reading, watching, and answering practice questions.
- Read the official exam objectives (Week 1). Download the free CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 exam objectives PDF. This is the canonical scope — every exam question maps to a bullet on this document. Skim it end-to-end first to understand the breadth.
- Work through a structured course (Weeks 2-4). CompTIA's official CertMaster Learn + Practice for Tech+ bundle is the most efficient path — it's mapped 1:1 to the objectives and includes built-in flashcards and quizzes. Alternatively, the official CompTIA Tech+ Study Guide book covers the same material in book form.
- Watch CompTIA's free Tech+ test-prep videos (Week 4-5). CompTIA publishes free overview videos for each domain — useful as either an introduction or a final review pass. Search "CompTIA Tech+ test prep" on the CompTIA YouTube channel.
- Practice exams until consistently 80%+ (Week 5-6). Take timed practice tests to identify weak domains. Tech+ is heavily about recognition — repeated exposure to the question format is more valuable than re-reading material once you've covered it. Aim for consistent 80%+ scores across all six domains before scheduling.
What you do NOT need
- No hands-on labs. Tech+ is concept-focused; you do not need to set up VMs, configure networks, or use the command line. Save the lab investment for A+.
- No prior experience. Genuinely none — the exam is designed for total beginners.
- No expensive bootcamp. Self-study with CertMaster + practice exams is sufficient for nearly all learners.
Recommended timeline
4-6 weeks at 5-8 hours/week for total beginners. 2-3 weeks at 5 hours/week if you already work in a tech-adjacent role (junior helpdesk, intern, sales engineer) and just need to formalize what you know.
Frequently asked questions
Are these actual exam questions?
No. All Nex Arc CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) practice questions are original content based on the provider's published exam blueprint, official documentation, and real-world scenarios across every topic the exam covers. We do not offer brain dumps, leaked questions, or actual exam content. Using or distributing real exam questions violates certification provider agreements and can result in certification revocation.
How many questions are in the CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 exam?
The CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 exam consists of a maximum of 70 questions that you need to complete in 60 minutes. Questions are primarily multiple choice (single and multiple response), with the occasional drag-and-drop item.
What's the FC0-U71 passing score?
The passing score is 650 out of 900. CompTIA uses a scaled scoring model, so the raw number of correct answers required is not published. Focus on understanding concepts across all six domains rather than memorizing answers.
How do I access the full FC0-U71 practice exam?
Click on the Buy Now button in the sidebar to purchase the complete CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) course. After payment, you'll have instant access to 12 practice exams with detailed explanations and lifetime access.
What are the prerequisites for the FC0-U71 exam?
There are no formal prerequisites for the CompTIA Tech+ exam. It is explicitly designed as a pre-career credential for high-school students, career changers exploring IT, and non-technical professionals (sales, marketing, HR) who interact with IT systems. No prior work experience, no other certifications, and no hands-on lab experience are required. CompTIA recommends basic computer literacy — comfort with a web browser, file system, and everyday productivity software — but that's it.
How long is the FC0-U71 certification valid?
Unlike CompTIA's higher-tier certifications (A+, Network+, Security+, etc.), Tech+ does not expire. Once you pass FC0-U71, the credential is yours for life with no continuing-education requirement. This is consistent with how CompTIA treated the predecessor IT Fundamentals+ (FC0-U61) credential — entry-level CompTIA certifications historically carry lifetime validity.
What's the exam cost and can I retake it if I fail?
The CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 exam costs $147 USD globally (CompTIA list price; converted to local currency at checkout). The exam is delivered through Pearson VUE at testing centers or via OnVUE online proctoring. CompTIA's retake policy allows the second attempt with no waiting period; the third and subsequent attempts require a 14-day wait between tries. There is no limit on total attempts, but each attempt requires a new $147 payment. CompTIA training partners often bundle discounted exam vouchers.
What topics are most heavily tested on FC0-U71?
FC0-U71 covers six domains with the following weightings: Infrastructure (24%), Security (19%), Applications and Software (18%), Tech Concepts and Terminology (13%), Software Development Concepts (13%), and Data and Database Fundamentals (13%). Infrastructure and Security together make up 43% of the exam, so prioritize device types, basic networking concepts, the CIA triad, authentication methods, and malware/social engineering awareness. The exam is conceptual — you need to recognize and explain technologies rather than configure them.
How does Tech+ compare to CompTIA A+?
CompTIA Tech+ is a conceptual, single-exam pre-career credential ($147, 60 min, no hands-on requirement). CompTIA A+ is a two-exam (220-1201 + 220-1202), hands-on technician credential widely required for entry-level IT support roles ($253 per exam, 90 min each, lab-style performance questions). If A+ feels too technical or you're not yet sure IT is the right path, Tech+ is the recommended stepping stone — it teaches the vocabulary and mental model you'll need for A+ without the depth or hands-on commitment. Most learners who pass Tech+ move to A+ next.
What changed when CompTIA rebranded IT Fundamentals+ to Tech+?
CompTIA released FC0-U71 (Tech+) on July 16, 2024, replacing FC0-U61 (IT Fundamentals+). The rebrand reflects an updated emphasis on broader tech literacy beyond traditional IT — generative AI awareness, modern application categories, and contemporary security threats like phishing-as-a-service. The exam structure is similar (six domains, 60 minutes, scaled scoring out of 900) but the question pool and weightings were refreshed. If you previously studied for FC0-U61, expect roughly 80% topic overlap; the deltas are mostly in the Applications, Software Development, and Security domains. FC0-U61 is being retired through 2025.