CompTIA A+ 220-1102 vs 220-1202: Exam Differences, Difficulty, and Study Adjustments

The differences between CompTIA A+ 220-1102 and 220-1202 exams have become vital as a significant deadline approaches. You have limited time to choose your certification path.

CompTIA A+'s certification world changed after the release of new 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams on March 25, 2025. These exams will be available for roughly three and a half years. Both versions currently exist during a six-month overlap period, which lets candidates pick between the legacy or new test.

The 220-1202 version brings several key changes. Its content reflects modern technologies and industry best practices. Security topics now make up 28% of scored questions compared to the previous 25%, matching Operating Systems as the exam's largest component. The newer exam also introduces cloud-based productivity tools and artificial intelligence basics - topics absent from the 220-1101/1102 exams.

The core content remains largely unchanged, with 80% of the topics staying consistent between versions. The exam's total objectives have grown from about 580 in 220-1201 to 665 in 220-1202. The exam price has risen from $253 to $265 USD.

This piece will explore these exam differences in detail, help you choose the right version, and provide essential information to guide your decision.

Why CompTIA Updates the A+ Exam Every Few Years

CompTIA updates its A+ exam content approximately every three years to stay current with technology that changes faster. These regular updates make sure the certification matches what workplaces just need and the new technologies IT professionals use daily.

How industry trends shape exam content

The rise of CompTIA A+ certification mirrors the changes in entry-level IT roles. New exam versions add technologies and practices that modern workplaces now consider standard. To name just one example, see how the latest version has content about SaaS applications and security risks in hybrid or remote work setups – topics previous versions barely touched.

Technology adoption drives many changes. The exam added cloud computing troubleshooting when it became mainstream. The A+ exam also included IoT device content as these technologies spread across businesses.

The 2025 exam update (220-1201/1202) shows this responsive approach. The newer version puts substantially more emphasis on security – now 28% of the exam compared to 25% before. This change responds to growing cyber threats that organizations face worldwide.

Software troubleshooting has become more important in the updated exam. Hardware knowledge remains vital, but complex software environments mean technicians must develop better diagnostic skills across platforms and devices. Modern IT support roles go way beyond the reach and influence of replacing parts or reinstalling operating systems.

The role of employer feedback and job-task analysis

CompTIA creates exam objectives through careful planning. They use a data-driven process called Job Task Analysis (JTA) to pick certification content. This method includes:

1. Subject matter experts (SMEs) draft lists of tasks and knowledge areas
2. Independent reviews and focus groups expand beyond the task force
3. Professionals rate task frequency and importance in validation surveys
4. Data analysis determines which elements get more weight in the exam

JTA helps spot significant skills gaps and new trends that might go unnoticed. When businesses started using cloud-based productivity tools more, JTA showed technicians needed to fix these environments – then the exam added this content.

CompTIA works with industry partners to understand how technology has changed since previous versions. They gather specific feedback about entry-level IT professional requirements through workshops and industry-wide surveys. This teamwork identifies necessary skills for daily technical support roles, not just trends.

The A+ credential stays valuable because it adapts to real-life feedback. CompTIA's systematic content updates keep the certification current with industry needs, unlike static qualifications that become outdated.

Core Differences Between 220-1102 and 220-1202

CompTIA's A+ certification maintains its structural foundation as we look at the differences between comptia a+ 220-1102 and 220-1202. Both versions keep the two-exam format, but you should know about some key changes in content and focus.

Exam structure and domain weight changes

Domain weight distribution shows notable priority changes between versions. CompTIA has adjusted the 220-1202 exam to meet current workplace needs through these changes:

1. Operating Systems: Dropped from 31% to 28%
2. Security: Grew from 25% to 28%
3. Software Troubleshooting: Slight increase from 22% to 23%
4. Operational Procedures: Small decrease from 22% to 21%

Security now matches operating systems in importance, which shows how cybersecurity skills have become essential for entry-level IT positions. The exam's scope has expanded, with objectives increasing from about 580 to 665 in the 220-1202.

The exam cost has also changed. You'll pay $265 USD instead of $253, a small increase given the additional content.

What is the current CompTIA A+ exam version?

You can take either the 220-1101/1102 (version 14) or 220-1201/1202 (version 15) exams right now. This gives certification candidates a choice during the overlap period.

The latest version, launched March 25, 2025, brings these content updates:

• Windows 11 coverage and zero-touch deployment
• New file systems (ReFS and XFS)
• Cloud-based productivity tools
• Artificial intelligence basics

Both exam versions share the same format. Each has up to 90 questions including multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based items. You get 90 minutes per exam.

When does the CompTIA A+ exam change?

CompTIA updates the A+ exam about every three years to stay current with technology. The update schedule looks like this:

• 220-1201/1202 (version 15) launches: March 25, 2025
• 220-1101/1102 (version 14) retires: September 25, 2025 for English exams
• Non-English 220-1101/1102 ends: December 19, 2025
• 220-1201/1202 likely retires: September 2028

This creates a six-month window where you can choose either version. The newer version makes more sense unless you've already invested time in 220-1101/1102 studies.

The 220-1201/1202 version should stay current until mid-to-late 2028, giving you almost three years of validity. This longer timeframe offers new certification candidates more flexibility and market relevance.

Operating Systems: What’s New in 220-1202

Operating systems are the life-blood of the CompTIA A+ exam. The latest 220-1202 version brings major updates that match today's workplace technology needs. The OS domain still accounts for 28% of the new exam and shares the highest weightage with Security.

Windows 11 and zero-touch deployment

Windows 11 takes center stage in the 220-1202 exam, replacing the previous version's Windows 10 focus. You'll need to know Windows 11's improved security features, including TPM 2.0 requirements and secure boot capabilities.

Zero-touch deployment emerges as a fresh concept in the 220-1202 exam. This automated provisioning method lets IT departments set up devices remotely without physical contact. This proves invaluable when dealing with remote work setups. The exam tests your understanding of:

• Windows Autopilot configuration
• Microsoft Deployment Toolkit usage
• Mobile device management integration

New file systems: ReFS and XFS

The 220-1202 exam expands file system coverage with two key enterprise-level systems:

• Microsoft's Resilient File System (ReFS) joins as a new topic. This file system provides better data integrity through automatic corruption detection and data scrubbing, features you won't find in NTFS.
• XFS makes its first appearance in the CompTIA A+ exam. This high-performance file system, born in the Linux world, handles large files and storage volumes exceptionally well. You'll need to understand its basic features and best use cases.

Both systems show how CompTIA recognizes IT professionals now work with varied and specialized storage solutions.

macOS and Linux updates

The 220-1202 exam widens its non-Windows operating systems coverage. For macOS, the exam now has:

• Recent macOS versions (Monterey and Ventura)
• Better security features like System Integrity Protection
• macOS network configuration options

Linux content grows too, emphasizing:

• Popular Linux distributions for workstations (Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS)
• Essential Linux commands for troubleshooting
• Linux file permissions and user management

Cloud-based productivity tools

Cloud-based productivity tools represent the most forward-looking addition to the Operating Systems domain. The 220-1202 exam tests if you can:

1. Configure and troubleshoot Microsoft 365 applications
2. Manage Google Workspace tools and settings
3. Understand cloud storage integration with local operating systems
4. Fix synchronization issues between cloud and local storage

This change recognizes that productivity software now runs as a service rather than installed applications. Supporting users across these environments is now a basic requirement for entry-level IT professionals.

Remember, the 220-1202's operating system content gives you a current view of workplace technology. This knowledge might give you an edge with employers who use these newer technologies.

Security Domain: A Shift Toward Zero Trust

Security dominates the 220-1202 exam, showing a transformation in how IT professionals protect digital assets. The security domain now accounts for 28% of the exam content, up from 25% in the 220-1102 version. This change puts security at the same level as operating systems, showing its growing role in entry-level IT positions.

New authentication methods: FIDO2, TOTP, SAML

Password-based authentication has evolved into advanced identity verification systems in the 220-1202 exam. The exam now includes FIDO2 (WebAuthn), which uses possession and biometric factors to create device-bound, phishing-resistant authentication. Users can now verify their identity using security keys or biometric methods like fingerprints and facial recognition.

Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) are another notable addition. These passwords remain valid for just 30 seconds to a minute. This system is a big deal as it means that security is much stronger than the static passwords covered in the 220-1102 exam.

Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is also new to the 220-1202 exam. SAML makes shared sign-on possible across multiple platforms without exposing private authentication data. Service providers can handle services while authentication providers manage identity checks, eliminating the need for separate systems on every website.

Expanded malware types and threat models

The 220-1202 exam covers more than just traditional viruses. New additions include:

• Stalkerware - Malware that tracks activities like location, keystrokes, and browsing history on infected devices
• Fileless malware - Threats hiding in RAM without leaving traces on the hard drive, making detection harder
• Cryptominers - Programs that steal computing power to mine cryptocurrency

The exam also introduces the zero-trust security model. This framework requires all users and devices to prove their identity before accessing resources. The model uses least privilege principles and micro-segmentation to protect network resources - concepts you won't find in the 220-1102 exam.

Browser and mobile security enhancements

Browser security gets more attention in the 220-1202 exam. Modern browsers now guard against phishing sites, web trackers, cookies, spyware, adware, screen loggers, key loggers, and pop-up ads. The exam stresses downloading browsers only from trusted sources like Microsoft, Google, or Apple.

Mobile device security coverage has grown to include full device encryption, screen locks, configuration profiles, and remote wipe features. These updates reflect how mobile platforms have become essential in business settings.

The new exam positions entry-level technicians as "security stewards" rather than passive observers. This change recognizes that technicians shape users' digital safety through daily tasks like password resets and VPN setups.

Software Troubleshooting: From Apps to SaaS

Software troubleshooting has revolutionized between the 220-1102 and 220-1202 exams. This domain accounts for 23% of the exam content, showing its growing role in IT support. Cloud migration and complex troubleshooting scenarios have changed the skills technicians must master.

New troubleshooting scenarios in 220-1202

The 220-1202 exam brings complex troubleshooting scenarios that just need pattern recognition rather than memorization. Technicians now tackle issues spanning multiple systems and platforms. These problems go beyond simple component replacement or software reinstallation.

Here's how the troubleshooting approach has evolved:

• 220-1102: A social-first approach to fix printer drivers and free disk space
• 220-1202: Tests understanding of behavioral anomalies, policy conflicts, and cross-platform configurations

The new exam tests your knowledge of "peeling back layers with precision" during diagnosis. To name just one example, a mobile device sync issue could stem from network problems, cloud authentication errors, or MDM policy conflicts.

Focus on cloud and mobile environments

The troubleshooting scope now reaches way beyond local applications. The 220-1202 exam asks questions like: "Why does a Teams whiteboard freeze only for guests outside the tenant?" or "Which AAD Conditional Access policy blocks a user's SharePoint library sync to macOS?"

These scenarios make you think like "detectives tracing trust chains across SaaS fabrics". Modern troubleshooting tools have evolved. Dashboard displays have replaced log files and configuration tweaks with:

1. Call quality metrics
2. SAML assertions
3. Graph API error codes

Mobile device troubleshooting has grown more complex while staying relevant. The 220-1102 exam covered simple tasks like device restarts, update checks, and forced app stops. The 220-1202 exam builds on these basics by adding cloud connectivity and enterprise management.

Why AirDrop and legacy tools were removed

The 220-1202 exam has removed optical media troubleshooting completely. DVDs didn't just become obsolete, their whole purpose vanished. Modern imaging tools, PXE boot networks, and cloud-hosted recovery partitions now handle system recovery without physical media.

AirDrop troubleshooting, a prominent feature in the 220-1102 exam, no longer appears in 220-1202. Testing candidates on AirDrop would be "akin to testing their knowledge of Zip Disks: academically interesting but strategically irrelevant". Schools used to disable AirDrop to prevent note passing and cheating, but more pressing security concerns have taken priority.

Removing these legacy tools creates space for current technologies. The 220-1202 exam's troubleshooting now emphasizes interconnected cloud services over isolated local applications. This aligns with CompTIA's goal to test workplace-relevant skills.

Operational Procedures: AI, Ethics, and Automation

CompTIA A+ exam has added artificial intelligence as a major operational focus in its newest version. The 220-1202 exam makes AI governance a testable subject for the first time, which stands out as one of the most important comptia a+ 220-1102 vs 220-1202 differences.

AI governance and ethical considerations

The 220-1202 exam features AI policy considerations as a brand-new component. Candidates need to learn about appropriate AI use cases that match legal and ethical standards. They must know when putting information into AI tools could be risky, especially with sensitive, personal, or proprietary data.

The exam highlights several AI limitations that IT professionals should know:

• Bias - AI systems can perpetuate biases from training data, so data selection needs careful attention
• Hallucinations - AI models sometimes create inaccurate or nonsensical outputs that need verification
• Accuracy - AI tools aren't perfect and need thorough testing to verify results

Data privacy has become a vital part of the 220-1202 exam. Candidates need to separate private and public data when using AI systems. This knowledge extends to data security protocols, data source verification, and compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

Service metrics and SLAs

The 220-1202 exam expands its coverage of Service-Level Agreements (SLAs). These formal documents set expectations between parties and outline key metrics to maintain standards.

The exam shows two types of SLAs:

1. Internal SLAs - Set roles and expectations between departments or teams in an organization
2. External/Third-Party SLAs - Set expectations between organizations, like vendors and consumers

The 220-1202 exam now covers typical SLA components such as service descriptions and specific metrics that measure service quality. You'll need to understand uptime expectations, service availability parameters, and acceptable downtime definitions.

Modern backup and recovery strategies

The 220-1202 exam takes backup methodologies beyond what was in 220-1102. You'll need to review four backup types:

1. Full backups - Copy all selected data for quick restoration but take significant creation time
2. Differential backups - Back up all changes since the last full backup with moderate backup and restoration time
3. Incremental backups - Back up only recent changes for quick backups but slower restoration
4. Synthetic backups - Create full backups without copying all system data directly

The new exam presents two key backup rotation strategies. The Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS) rule creates three separate rotation schedules: monthly, weekly, and daily. The 3-2-1 backup strategy needs three data copies on two different media types with one copy stored offsite.

Which Exam Should You Take in 2025?

The choice between CompTIA A+ 220-1102 and 220-1102 certification paths can shape your career path. You have options during the six-month overlap period that ends September 25, 2025. This choice just needs careful thought.

Pros and cons of 220-1102 vs 220-1202

Students already preparing for 220-1102 exam have some clear advantages. Study resources are everywhere, and instructors know the material inside out. The 220-1202 exam lines up better with today's workplace tech. Though it's newer, it covers modern tools that companies use right now.

CompTIA usually adds more technical depth with each new version. The 220-1202 exam is a bit tougher, but you'll learn skills that are more relevant in today's IT world.

Certification validity and career timing

Both paths lead to the same CompTIA A+ certification. Your certificate won't show which version you passed - it just shows you're qualified.

Your certification stays valid for three years from the day you pass. This applies whatever version you pick. You can renew through continuing education credits or by getting higher-level certifications during these three years.

Getting the 220-1202 certification now gives you fresh credentials until about 2028. This timing helps keep your certification relevant when job hunting.

How recruiters view each version

Recruiters know certification timelines really well. A 2025 date on your A+ certification shows you're looking ahead, not behind. This small detail can make you stand out among other candidates.

No official ranking exists between versions, but hiring managers often ask about current tech knowledge in interviews. You'll impress them by knowing modern tools like Windows Hello for Business or PowerShell scripting for BitLocker enforcement. This shows you're familiar with tools companies use now, not outdated systems.

Both versions carry weight with recruiters. The 220-1202 certification might show them you're someone who stays up-to-date with industry changes.

Practice Test Resources to Help You Prepare

Preparation tools are significant elements in your certification trip. Crucial Exams' practice tests can boost your success rate for either exam version.

Crucial Exams 220-1102 practice test overview

Crucial Exams' retired CompTIA A+ 220-1102 practice test platform focused on software and operational aspects of CompTIA A+. The platform provides practice questions that match the actual exam structure. Content covers Operating Systems, Security, Software Troubleshooting, and Operational Procedures. Domain-labeled questions help you focus on specific areas. You can build custom, timed sessions that simulate real exam conditions.

Crucial Exams 220-1202 practice test overview

The 220-1202 practice test library contains 1,000 realistic questions, 174 flashcards, and 7 performance-based questions that match V15 objectives. These PBQs serve as hands-on exercises that copy CompTIA's simulations. The platform's mobile and web interfaces deliver consistent exam-style experiences across devices. Expert writers create accurate content for Core 2 V15.

How to use practice tests effectively

Students who score 85% or higher on quality practice exams achieve a 92% pass rate on the actual test. Free sample tests help identify knowledge gaps. Custom practice exams filtered by objectives target weak areas. Full-length timed tests build pacing skills and reduce test anxiety.

Conclusion

Your IT career path hinges on choosing between CompTIA A+ 220-1102 and 220-1202. The 220-1202 exam shows how today's technology has changed. Security matches operating systems at 28% of the exam content. The exam now includes AI governance, cloud-based productivity tools, and zero-trust security models to match real workplace needs.

Time runs out for the 220-1102 exam on September 25, 2025. You'll have to decide quickly which path matches your career goals. Students who have already invested time in 220-1102 studies might want to stick with it, given the abundance of study materials.

The 220-1202 certification comes with clear benefits. It matches current workplace technologies perfectly. You get a full three-year window until 2028 before you need to renew. Recruiters see candidates with the latest certifications as professionals who keep up with industry trends.

Your success depends on solid preparation, whatever version you pick. Crucial Exams has detailed practice tests for both versions. Our CompTIA A+ 220-1202 practice tests focus on core hardware and software components. The 220-1202 practice tests cover expanded security scenarios, cloud-based troubleshooting, and AI governance topics that define the new exam.

Both paths lead to the CompTIA A+ Certified credential. The knowledge you gain is nowhere near the same. The 220-1202 exam gets you ready for a world where security threats are bigger, cloud apps drive productivity, and AI shapes daily IT operations.

Think over your current job prospects and long-term career goals before you decide. The 220-1202 path offers the most relevant preparation for today's IT support roles if you're just starting out. Note that certification marks the beginning of your learning trip in this ever-changing technology field.