How Many Questions Are on the CompTIA A+ Exams? Types, PBQs, and Time Limits

The CompTIA A+ exam has a maximum of 90 questions per test. Most test-takers report seeing around 82-83 questions on each part.

You need to pass two separate exams to get the CompTIA A+ certification: Core 1 and Core 2. Each test gives you 90 minutes to answer all questions. The exam format includes multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions that test your technical skills. Your passing score requirements are 675 (out of 900) for Core 1 and 700 (out of 900) for Core 2.

This piece covers all aspects of the exam structure, question types, and smart time management strategies. Performance-based questions need special attention, and you'll see exactly how many questions you must answer correctly to earn your certification. Quality practice tests can boost your preparation and confidence before the actual exam.

How many questions are on the CompTIA A+ exams?

The CompTIA A+ certification just needs you to pass two different exams. Understanding how many questions on the CompTIA A+ exam goes beyond simple numbers.

Core 1 and Core 2 exam structure

CompTIA built its A+ certification around two complementary exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). You must take these exams from the same version - mixing different versions isn't allowed. Each exam tests specific IT knowledge areas. Core 1 covers hardware, mobile devices, networking, and virtualization. Core 2 focuses on operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.

Both exams share these basic elements:

• 90-minute time limit for each exam
• Maximum of 90 questions per exam
• Combination of multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions
• Different passing scores: 675 (out of 900) for Core 1 and 700 (out of 900) for Core 2

You'll tackle up to 180 questions total across both tests to earn your certification.

Maximum vs. actual number of questions

CompTIA sets a maximum of 90 questions per exam, but reality paints a different picture. Most test-takers see about 82-83 questions on each exam.

This happens because:

1. CompTIA keeps large question banks to pull exam questions from
2. Each person gets a somewhat unique exam experience
3. Some questions don't count toward your score and help CompTIA evaluate the exam

Your exam might have 80 or the full 90 questions, but the 90-minute time limit stays the same. This gives you roughly one minute per question.

How many questions are on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam?

Core 1 (220-1201) has a maximum of 90 questions, though you'll likely see 82-83 questions. The exam tests five main areas with different weights:

• Mobile Devices (15%)
• Networking (20%)
• Hardware (25%)
• Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%)
• Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (29%)

These percentages show how many questions come from each category. With 83 questions, you can expect 12 questions about mobile devices, 17 on networking, 21 on hardware, 9 on virtualization/cloud, and 24 on troubleshooting.

You'll need a score of 675 out of 900 to pass Core 1. Questions may carry different weights based on their complexity, so this isn't a straight conversion to correct answers.

Understanding the different question types

CompTIA A+ exams will test your knowledge through different question types. These questions check what you know and how well you can apply it in real-life IT situations.

Multiple-choice (single and multiple response)

Multiple-choice questions are the foundations of CompTIA A+ exams. You'll see two main types that you should spot right away:

• Single-response questions show up with radio buttons (circles) where you pick just one right answer. Each question gives you four choices, and the correct answer hides among carefully designed wrong options.
• Multiple-response questions use square checkboxes instead of radio buttons, telling you to pick all correct answers. These typically show five options when two answers are right, or six options when three answers are right.
• Multiple-choice questions check your knowledge in any discipline of the exam. You'll find them all through Core 1 and Core 2 exams. They make up most of the 82-83 questions you'll face.

The best way to get ready involves learning core concepts, understanding basic principles, and knowing how to eliminate wrong answers.

Drag-and-drop questions

Drag-and-drop questions give you a more hands-on approach than regular multiple-choice ones. You'll move items (text boxes or images) to specific spots to finish diagrams, sequences, or groupings.

Here's what you might need to do:

• Put network devices in their right OSI model layer
• Arrange troubleshooting steps in order
• Connect connector types with their matching interfaces

These questions check if you can spot visual parts and see how different concepts fit together. They help bridge theory and real-life application.

Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)

Performance-Based Questions stand out as the most complex type on CompTIA A+ exams. PBQs put you in simulated environments where you must complete actual tasks instead of just picking answers.

CompTIA uses PBQs to confirm that certified professionals can handle real-life situations. You'll see these questions first on each exam, usually 3-6 PBQs per test, though numbers can range from 1-10.

PBQs come in different forms:

• Simulation PBQs: Show simplified versions of actual systems you can interact with
• Fill-in-the-blank: Need specific commands or values typed in
• Configuration scenarios: Ask you to configure systems or fix issues in simulated setups
• Drag-and-drop diagrams: Test how well you can build or set up systems visually

PBQs take up more time than other questions. Each one fills your whole screen and needs a lot more time to finish than multiple-choice questions. You can still move between questions, mark tough ones to review later, and start over if needed.

PBQs test your skills in key areas like:

• Hardware and software troubleshooting
• OS and application installation
• Network configuration and troubleshooting
• Security implementation
• Mobile device management

A smart approach is to mark PBQs at first, finish the multiple-choice questions, then come back to tackle performance-based items with your remaining time.

These three question types work together to give a full picture of your technical knowledge and hands-on skills – exactly what employers look for in CompTIA A+ certified professionals.

What are PBQs and why they matter

Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) are the most unique part of your CompTIA A+ exam experience. Unlike regular tests that just ask what you know, PBQs ask you to show what you can do. Here's why these questions need your attention during exam prep.

What makes PBQs different

PBQs are nothing like standard multiple-choice questions in how they work. They put you in simulated environments where you must complete tasks instead of picking answers. This changes the focus from theory to real-life application.

You'll work with system simulations that copy IT scenarios in PBQs. Your screen fills up with interfaces similar to what you'd use in actual tech jobs.

Here are the PBQ types you might see:

• Simulation PBQs: Scaled-down versions of real systems with interactive components
• Fill-in-the-Blank: Requiring specific commands or settings
• Configuration tasks: Setting up systems like Wi-Fi networks or partitioning drives
• Drag-and-Drop: Matching components or placing items in correct order

Keep in mind that A+ PBQs are exclusively simulation-based, not virtual environment-based (which you'll find only in advanced CompTIA exams like CASP+). You can reset each simulation if needed and come back to them during your exam.

PBQs test real-life skills

PBQs verify your practical abilities as an IT technician with current expertise. They work like lab experiments in high school science - you show you can apply knowledge, not just memorize facts.

Here's a good way to think about it: Would you trust sharpshooters who only passed multiple-choice tests? Employers want proof that certified professionals can handle real technical issues. PBQs provide this proof by testing your skills in:

• Troubleshooting hardware and software issues
• Installing and configuring operating systems
• Resolving network connectivity problems
• Implementing security measures
• Working with mobile devices
• Applying virtualization concepts

These questions test your critical thinking with scenarios that don't have obvious answers. You need systematic thinking and clear communication - exactly what employers look for in their core team.

You'll usually see 2-6 PBQs per exam, and they're worth more than standard multiple-choice questions. Some students report seeing one PBQ while others face five, with multiple-choice questions making up the rest.

PBQs appear early in the exam

PBQs show up at the start of your exam, before multiple-choice questions. This timing affects how you should plan your test strategy.

The clock disappears during PBQs, which makes time management challenging. Each PBQ takes longer than multiple-choice questions, so you must use your 90 minutes wisely.

Experienced test-takers suggest a smart approach: flag PBQs, finish multiple-choice questions first, then return to tackle performance-based items with your remaining time. This works well because CompTIA lets you mark questions for review and revisit them later.

PBQs often focus on hands-on skills like setting up SOHO networks, working with different cable types (RJ11, RJ45, F-connector), configuring Wi-Fi networks, or fixing printer issues. Practicing these specific scenarios beforehand boosts your confidence and performance during the real exam.

Time limits and pacing strategies

Your time limits play a key role in getting your CompTIA A+ certification. The clock keeps ticking, and how you use those precious minutes can determine if you pass or fail. You need both solid knowledge and smart time management to ace these exams.

90 minutes per exam: what it means

The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) exams give you exactly 90 minutes each to finish all questions. This limit stays the same no matter how many questions show up on your exam. If you get the maximum 90 questions, you'll have about one minute for each question.

Here's the tricky part: questions vary in difficulty. Some multiple-choice ones take just 30 seconds to answer. Others need more thinking time and might take two minutes or longer. If you take both exams on the same day, you'll be testing for three hours total, not counting breaks between exams.

A good strategy starts with knowing what this time limit means for you. The 90-minute window makes you choose carefully where to spend your time. CompTIA won't give you extra time unless you have approved accommodations.

The test begins right after the instructions end. Many test-takers feel pressured when they reach the halfway point and see how much or little time they have left.

How PBQs affect your time

Performance-Based Questions are your biggest time management challenge. These hands-on scenarios usually appear first and take much more time than regular multiple-choice questions.

Experts say you should spend 5-7 minutes on each PBQ. With 3-6 PBQs typically on each exam, you might use 15-42 minutes - almost half your time - just on these questions!

There's another challenge: you can't see the clock while working on PBQs. This makes it hard to track your remaining time during these longer scenarios. Without seeing the time, you might spend too long perfecting one answer.

The PBQs at the start of the exam create a tough choice. Should you handle these complex, time-heavy questions while you're fresh? Or should you grab quick points from multiple-choice questions first?

Why skipping and returning can help

The CompTIA testing interface lets you mark questions and come back to them later. This feature helps you make the most of your 90 minutes.

Successful test-takers often do this:

1. Skip PBQs initially – Save these time-consuming questions for later
2. Answer quick MCQs first – Get the "easy points" from questions you know
3. Return to challenging questions – Use your remaining time for tough ones
4. Review all answers – Check your work if time allows

This strategy works because you:

• Don't get stuck on hard questions early
• Answer as many questions as possible
• Stay mentally sharp throughout the exam

The testing system shows you a review screen with unanswered questions and ones you marked to check again. This helps a lot in the final minutes.

Some people worry about going back to PBQs after skipping them. Don't worry - you can return to these questions, though the exact process might be slightly different between exams.

To sum up, managing your 90 minutes needs smart planning, especially with questions of different complexity. Understanding how PBQs affect your timing and using the skip-and-return method will help you succeed on test day.

How many questions do you need to get right to pass?

Success in CompTIA A+ exams depends on more than getting a certain percentage of questions right. The scoring system contains multiple layers that might seem complex when you first look at it.

Scoring system explained

CompTIA uses a sophisticated scoring mechanism beyond simple percentage calculations. Their mathematical algorithm calculates a "scaled score" from what would be a percentage. Questions carry different weights in this scaled system - some questions are worth more points than others.

Each exam has a scoring scale from 100 to 900. In stark comparison to this, a 75% correct answer rate doesn't automatically translate to a score of 675. The actual calculation proves much more complex.

Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) hold more weight than standard multiple-choice questions. A correct PBQ answer could add more points to your score than several correct multiple-choice responses.

Note that CompTIA keeps their exact scoring methodology confidential. They never reveal the number of questions you must answer correctly or how many you can miss. This strategy helps protect the certification's integrity and value.

Passing scores for Core 1 and Core 2

The CompTIA A+ certification requires passing two separate exams:

• Core 1 (220-1201): You need a score of 675 out of 900 to pass Core 2 (220-1202): The passing threshold is higher at 700 out of 900
• These scores roughly equate to 75% for Core 1 and 78% for Core 2. Remember that this isn't a direct correlation to your percentage of correct answers.

Experts suggest aiming above the minimum passing score. Achieving 80-85% on practice tests before attempting the real exam puts you in a strong position. This extra margin helps when you face particularly challenging questions during the actual exam.

Unscored questions and how they work

Your exam includes questions that don't count toward your final score. CompTIA uses these research questions to test new items for future exams.

You won't know which questions count and which don't during the test. This means treating every question as important.

These unscored questions play a vital role in exam development. CompTIA uses them to gather data on question difficulty, clarity, and relevance. This process keeps the certification aligned with evolving technology trends.

CompTIA's scoring system strikes a balance between complexity and fairness. Understanding how the system works, even without knowing the specific calculations, helps you approach your exam with confidence and strategy.

Tips for managing your time during the exam

Your success on CompTIA A+ exams depends not just on what you know, but how you use your 90 minutes for each test. The right time management strategy can transform a good score into an outstanding one and completely change your results.

Start with easier questions

Students who begin with questions they can answer quickly build momentum and confidence. The exam gives you about 82-83 questions in 90 minutes, so picking the right questions becomes vital.

Here's a smart approach: scan through and tackle straightforward questions first after the exam begins. This helps you:

• Score early points from questions you know well
• Build momentum that helps with harder questions
• Keep time for challenging content

Note that spending more than two minutes on one question can throw off your timing. You should flag it and move on if you get stuck. You might answer 20 easy questions in the same time it takes to solve 5 tough ones, and get four times the points.

Mark PBQs for review

Both CompTIA A+ exams start with Performance-Based Questions, but you don't need to tackle them first. These simulation challenges need more time and mental focus than multiple-choice questions.

A tested strategy works well: use the "Mark Question" feature for PBQs. You can skip them now and come back after finishing the quicker multiple-choice sections.

Here's what should shape your PBQ strategy:

• Start with multiple-choice if practice tests show you running out of time
• Try PBQs first if you breeze through multiple-choice with time left
• Most experts say leave PBQs for last since they take lots of time

Check if you can reset the simulation before leaving any PBQ, most let you do this without penalty except for lost time.

Use the review screen wisely

The CompTIA exam interface has a powerful review screen that shows all questions and highlights which ones you've answered or flagged. This becomes your command center during the final stretch.

The review section appears at the exam's end, showing unanswered and flagged questions. You can jump straight to questions needing attention.

Keep track of your skipped PBQs as you work through the exam. This helps you know exactly how many complex questions await, making time planning easier.

Use any extra time to:

• Review answers you weren't sure about
• Make sure everything has an answer (guessing beats blank answers)
• Prioritize high-value items (especially PBQs)

Research shows changing answers often creates mistakes, but reviewing flagged questions where you felt unsure can boost scores. Trust your first instinct unless you spot an obvious error.

Read all instructions really well before answering questions. Even experts who know the material can make preventable mistakes by rushing through directions.

Practice makes perfect: where to find sample questions

You just need practice with questions that match the actual test to prepare for CompTIA A+ exams. Quality practice materials can boost your chances of passing on your first try by a lot.

CrucialExams 220-1201 practice test

CrucialExams' exceptional CompTIA A+ Core 1 practice test focuses on test practice instead of concept teaching. Their platform has 1,000 expert-written questions that line up with the 220-1201 exam blueprint.

This resource stands out with 9 Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) that simulate real-life tasks. These interactive exercises let you practice configuring command prompts, fixing Windows OS issues, and solving network problems, exactly what you'll face on test day.

The platform gives you access to:

• 152 flashcards covering everything in acronyms and terms
• Custom test creation options to target specific domains
• Study mode that lets you work at your own pace

You can try a free test without registration to see their question style. The full package costs $19.99/month for the IT Package with all CompTIA exams included.

CrucialExams 220-1202 practice test

The CompTIA A+ Core 2 practice test from CrucialExams has a complete set of materials with unique features. The 220-1202 practice tests have 1,000 questions about operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.

This resource has 7 PBQs that match ground scenarios from the certification exam. These interactive exercises let you practice in simulated environments, something many other platforms don't offer.

Additional benefits include:

• 174 flashcards for domain-specific terminology
• Detailed progress tracking
• AI assistant "Bash" trained specifically for exam prep

The Core 2 package also offers a free sample without signup.

Why full-length practice exams help

Full practice tests do more than check your knowledge, they build your exam endurance. These sessions train your brain to stay focused for the entire 90-minute duration.

Complete practice exams help you in several ways:

• Your weak areas in specific domains become clear quickly. Patterns in missed questions help you focus your remaining study time better.
• Questions from previous tests show you how the actual exam phrases its questions, which prepares you better.

Test anxiety drops when you know what to expect. A test-taker shared, "You want to aim for 90% on practice exams. When you can consistently hit that, you'll pass the test".

It's worth mentioning that quality practice materials "prepare you well for the CompTIA A+ exam format", and this confidence shows in better test day performance.

What to expect after the exam: the optional exit survey

The CompTIA A+ exam screen shows your score right after completion. You'll then see an optional exit survey that serves as a key part of the certification process.

Purpose of the survey

CompTIA uses this optional exit survey to gather feedback about your testing experience. The survey helps improve exam content, enhance study materials, and understand why people seek certification. Your responses allow CompTIA to adapt their certifications to IT professionals' changing needs. This feedback system lets CompTIA make their certifications better based on actual candidate experiences.

Types of questions asked

The survey contains about 12 multiple-choice questions. These questions ask about:

• Study habits and preparation methods
• Resources used (books, online courses, practice tests)
• Weekly study time commitment
• Reasons for getting A+ certified
• Career goals and intended IT sector
• Expected career benefits from certification

How your feedback is used

CompTIA reviews survey responses to make exam content better. Your answers help create improved study materials for future candidates based on what works best. Remember that skipping this survey might prevent your exam results from reaching your CompTIA account. This quick step takes just minutes but plays a vital part in completing your exam session properly.

Conclusion

Getting skilled at the CompTIA A+ certification means you need to understand its structure and how to prepare for it. This piece shows you that each exam has up to 90 questions, but you'll usually see about 82-83. You'll have 90 minutes to complete it, so you need smart pacing, especially for performance-based questions.

Core 1 needs 675/900 to pass, while Core 2 requires 700/900. Your success doesn't depend on memorizing content - it's about how well you can apply what you know. Practice tests that match real exam conditions will help you succeed.

PBQs are without doubt the toughest part of your exam. These hands-on simulation questions show up first, but skipping them at the start often works better. You can boost your score by saving these time-heavy questions until after you finish the multiple-choice ones.

Full-length practice tests can change how you experience the exam. CrucialExams has complete practice tests for both 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams. Their PBQ simulations feel just like the real thing. These tests help you get used to different question types and build your confidence and timing skills.

It's worth mentioning that CompTIA's scoring system gives different weights to questions. You'll get better results by understanding concepts instead of memorizing answers. The same goes for picking questions during the exam - tackle what you know first, then come back to the tough ones.

Once you're done with testing, there's a quick exit survey that gives feedback to CompTIA and properly closes your session. This short step matters for your certification process.

The CompTIA A+ certification path might look tough at first. In spite of that, good preparation, smart time management, and quality practice materials from CrucialExams will get you ready for exam day. Your new credential is within reach - just 180 questions between you and your next career step.