CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives

If you are preparing for the CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) exam, it is really important to know what the objectives are — what topics the exam covers, and what you should be ready for. These objectives serve as your roadmap for studying. In this article I will explain the objectives, why they matter, how you can use them in your exam prep and study, and how our site, Crucial Exams, supports you with practice questions directly aligned to those objectives.

CompTIA Network+ Exam Domains

The exam objectives are published by CompTIA and show exactly what topics and sub-topics the exam may test. For example, the N10-009 version lists five main domains and gives each one a percentage of how much of the exam it will cover:

• 1.0 Networking Concepts – 23%
• 2.0 Network Implementation – 20%
• 3.0 Network Operations – 19%
• 4.0 Network Security – 14%
• 5.0 Network Troubleshooting – 24%

Knowing these helps you in several ways. First, you can see which areas weigh most heavily (for example, Troubleshooting at 24%) and make sure you spend enough time there. Second, you can ensure your study covers all the areas — you do not want to ignore a domain just because you feel comfortable. Third, when you check your progress you can map your study to each objective and see where you are strong and where you are weak.

What are the CompTIA Network+ Objectives

Here are the five main domains of Network+ (N10-009) and for each I’ll include a few of the key sub-topics or types of things you will be tested on. These show you the scope without turning into a long list of every bullet.

1.0 Networking Concepts (23%)
Key areas include:

• The OSI reference model (Layers 1-7)
• Networking appliances, applications and functions (such as routers, switches, firewalls, NAS, SAN, wireless APs)
• Cloud concepts and connectivity (virtual private cloud, NAT gateway, hybrid/public/private models)
• Ports, protocols, services and traffic types (for example FTP, SSH, DNS, DHCP, unicast/multicast)
• Transmission media and transceivers (wired vs wireless, fiber vs copper, connector types)
• Network topologies, architectures, IPv4 addressing, and evolving modern network environments (SDN, SD-WAN, zero trust)

2.0 Network Implementation (20%)
This domain covers things like:

• Routing technologies (static vs dynamic, OSPF, BGP, NAT, PAT)
• Switching technologies and features (VLANs, interface configuration, spanning tree, link aggregation)
• Wireless technologies and devices (channels, width, 2.4/5/6 GHz, guest networks, encryption)
• Physical installations and environmental factors (rack, IDF/MDF, UPS, power distribution)

3.0 Network Operations (19%)
Here the key topics are:

• Documentation, diagrams, asset inventory, IP management, SLA, wireless survey/heat map
• Life-cycle management (end-of-life/support, software/firmware management, decommissioning)
• Configuration and change management (baseline config, backups, tracking changes)
• Network monitoring and services (DHCP, DNS, NTP, flow data, packet capture)

4.0 Network Security (14%)
Some of the central ideas are:

• Logical security (encryption, PKI, IAM, MFA, NAC, ACLs)
• Physical security, network segmentation (guest vs IoT vs BYOD), and types of attacks (DoS/DDoS, ARP poisoning, rogue devices)
• Security features and defense methods (hardening devices, filtering, trusted/untrusted zones)

5.0 Network Troubleshooting (24%)
Since this makes up the largest portion, it’s vital. Key items include:

• Troubleshooting methodology (identify problem, establish a theory, test, implement solution, verify, document)
• Cabling/physical interface issues (wrong cable type, termination, signal degradation, duplexing)
• Network services issues (switching, routing, IP addressing, gateway issues)
• Performance issues (congestion, latency, packet loss, wireless interference)

How to use the CompTIA Network+ Objectives in your exam prep and study

1. Start with the objectives as your checklist. Print or keep them handy, and as you study each topic mark it off when you feel confident. Because the questions in the exam will relate to these objectives, covering each one ensures you are not surprised.

2. Focus study time proportionally. Since some domains cover more of the exam (for instance Troubleshooting at 24 %, Networking Concepts at 23 %), allocate your time so you are strong in these heavy-weighted areas.

3. Align practice questions to each objective. When you answer practice questions, be aware: “Does this question map to objective 2.4 or 3.2?” This helps you track which objectives you need more practice with.

4. Use pass/fail feedback to revisit objectives. After taking a network+ practice test, identify which objectives you missed. Then revisit those objective items in your study guide or video lessons.

5. Use the objectives right before exam day as a review. Go through each domain and sub-topic one more time. If you can talk through each item in the objective list in your own words, you are well-prepared.

Why Crucial Exams' CompTIA Net+ practice tests and questions help

At Crucial Exams we build our CompTIA Network+ practice tests and question bank directly from the official objectives for the N10-009 exam. Every bullet and line in the objectives maps to at least one question in our question bank. That means when you practice with us, you are practicing exactly the kinds of topics you will see on the exam. Our questions are not random, they align to the objectives so you can target your weak spots against the actual scope of what CompTIA expects.

Using our practice tests lets you do two things. First, you reinforce your knowledge of each objective by seeing questions tied to those specific topics. Second, you build exam-taking stamina and familiarity with the kinds of questions you will face. Because our bank is built against the objectives, when you come across a question, you can ask yourself: “Which objective does this test?” and track your ability. Over time you’ll get better at identifying the objective on which you are weak and then revisit it in the study material.

Download the CompTIA Network+ Objectives

You can download the official CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Exam Objectives directly from CompTIA here. This PDF outlines every topic covered on the exam, including detailed sub-objectives for each domain. It serves as a complete blueprint for what candidates need to study, helping you focus your preparation on the exact skills and concepts that will appear on the test.

Summary

The objectives for the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam are your map, your guide, and your checklist on the way to certification. Understanding them, using them as the basis for your study, and aligning your practice to them will put you in a much stronger position when you step into the exam room. Combine that with focused practice — especially the questions at Crucial Exams — and you will be set up to succeed. Start by reviewing each domain, see which ones you are comfortable with and which need more work, and then practice with questions tied to those objectives. You’ll not only know the topics, but you’ll know how to apply them. Good luck on your exam journey!