What’s New in the CompTIA A+ Core Series

CompTIA has maintained a consistent practice of refreshing the A+ certification every three years to ensure that the credential remains aligned with the technologies, tools, and job responsibilities that entry-level IT support professionals encounter in real workplace environments. This update cycle reflects a recognition that the technology landscape shifts rapidly enough that a certification anchored to outdated content would fail to serve either the candidates who earn it or the employers who rely on it as a hiring signal. Each new version of the A+ Core Series introduces updated exam objectives that retire obsolete topics, expand coverage of emerging technologies, and adjust the emphasis placed on different skill areas to match how IT support roles have evolved since the previous version was published.

The most recent updates to the A+ Core Series represent CompTIA’s response to fundamental shifts in how organizations deploy, manage, and support technology infrastructure. The rise of cloud computing, the proliferation of mobile and Internet of Things devices, the increasing sophistication of cybersecurity threats targeting end users, and the growing importance of remote support capabilities have all influenced the direction CompTIA took when revising the certification objectives. For candidates preparing for the current A+ exams, understanding what has changed relative to previous versions helps clarify why the certification covers certain topics that might seem more advanced than a foundational credential would traditionally include, and why some topics that appeared prominently in earlier versions have been reduced in scope or eliminated entirely.

Core 1 and Core 2 Structure That Defines the Current Certification

The current A+ Core Series maintains the two-exam structure that CompTIA introduced to replace the earlier single-exam format, requiring candidates to pass both Core 1 and Core 2 assessments to earn the full certification. Core 1, carrying the exam code 220-1101, focuses on mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, and hardware and network troubleshooting. Core 2, carrying the exam code 220-1102, addresses operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. This division reflects a logical separation between the infrastructure and hardware knowledge tested in Core 1 and the software, security, and professional practice knowledge tested in Core 2, allowing the certification to assess a broader range of competencies than a single exam could accommodate within a reasonable time limit.

Each exam consists of a maximum of ninety questions combining multiple-choice items and performance-based questions that require candidates to complete simulated tasks demonstrating practical capability. Candidates have ninety minutes to complete each exam and must achieve a passing score of six hundred seventy-five on a nine hundred point scale for Core 1 and seven hundred for Core 2. The different passing thresholds reflect variations in question difficulty calibration between the two exams rather than a difference in overall rigor. CompTIA administers both exams through Pearson VUE testing centers and online proctored testing options, giving candidates flexibility in how and where they complete their certification requirements.

Expanded Cloud Computing Coverage Reflecting Modern IT Environments

One of the most significant content additions in the current A+ Core Series is the substantially expanded coverage of cloud computing concepts and services that now appears throughout the Core 1 exam objectives. Earlier versions of A+ addressed virtualization primarily in the context of local hypervisors running on individual workstations or servers, with cloud computing receiving only limited mention as an emerging technology category. The current version reflects how thoroughly cloud services have become embedded in the daily support responsibilities of entry-level IT technicians, covering cloud deployment models including public, private, hybrid, and community clouds, as well as service models including Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Software as a Service.

Candidates preparing for the current Core 1 exam must understand practical cloud concepts that directly affect support work, including how to assist users with cloud storage synchronization issues, explain the differences between cloud-hosted and locally installed application versions, and understand the implications of shared responsibility models for security and troubleshooting decisions. The exam also addresses client-side virtualization concepts including hypervisor types, resource requirements for running virtual machines on end-user hardware, and common use cases for virtualization in enterprise and small business environments. This cloud and virtualization content acknowledges the reality that IT support technicians regularly encounter cloud-related issues in their daily work and must possess enough conceptual understanding to diagnose and resolve them without escalating every cloud-related issue to more senior staff.

Cybersecurity Skills That Now Feature Prominently in Both Exams

Security content has grown dramatically in scope and depth across both Core 1 and Core 2 compared to earlier A+ versions, reflecting the recognition that cybersecurity awareness and basic security response capabilities are now baseline requirements for entry-level IT support roles rather than advanced specializations. The Core 2 exam in particular devotes substantial attention to security concepts including malware identification and remediation, physical security measures, logical security controls, wireless security protocols, and the procedures technicians should follow when they encounter or suspect a security incident. This expanded security coverage aligns with industry feedback indicating that employers expect even junior IT support staff to recognize security red flags and respond appropriately rather than inadvertently making security situations worse through uninformed actions.

Specific security topics that receive prominent coverage in the current exam objectives include social engineering attack types and how to recognize them, the appropriate use of security tools including antivirus software, anti-malware utilities, and endpoint detection and response platforms, and the basic principles of data destruction and disposal that protect sensitive information when hardware is retired or repurposed. The exams also address identity management concepts including multifactor authentication, password management best practices, and the principle of least privilege as applied to user account configuration in Windows and other operating systems. Candidates who approach the security content as genuinely important professional knowledge rather than exam trivia to be memorized find that this material directly applies to the security-conscious behavior their employers expect from all IT staff regardless of their seniority level.

Mobile Device Management and Support in the Updated Objectives

Mobile device support has evolved from a peripheral topic in earlier A+ versions to a central component of the current Core 1 exam, reflecting how thoroughly smartphones and tablets have become primary work tools rather than supplementary devices in most organizational environments. The current exam objectives address mobile device hardware components including display technologies, battery types, digitizer assemblies, and camera systems, as well as the connection types and accessories associated with mobile platforms including Lightning, USB-C, Bluetooth, and Near Field Communication. Candidates must understand the troubleshooting approaches applicable to common mobile device issues including connectivity problems, battery performance degradation, touchscreen responsiveness issues, and application crashes.

Mobile device management concepts receive particular emphasis in the updated objectives, covering the tools and policies organizations use to manage fleets of mobile devices deployed to employees. Topics include enrollment procedures for enterprise mobile device management platforms, the configuration of email and corporate application access on managed devices, remote wipe and remote lock capabilities that protect organizational data when devices are lost or stolen, and the security policies that MDM systems enforce on enrolled devices. The exam also addresses the distinction between corporate-owned devices and personally owned devices enrolled in bring-your-own-device programs, including the privacy and security implications that differ between these two deployment models. This practical MDM content reflects how frequently entry-level support technicians assist users with mobile device enrollment, configuration, and troubleshooting in enterprise environments.

Networking Fundamentals Updated for Contemporary Infrastructure

The networking content in the current A+ Core Series has been updated to reflect how enterprise and small business networks have evolved since earlier exam versions were developed. While foundational networking concepts including TCP/IP addressing, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS resolution remain central to the Core 1 networking domain, the updated objectives place greater emphasis on wireless networking technologies, network troubleshooting methodologies, and the network services that cloud-connected environments depend upon. Candidates must understand the differences between wireless standards including 802.11ac and 802.11ax, the frequency bands each standard uses, and the practical implications of these differences for network performance and interference management in dense deployment environments.

The networking objectives also address Internet of Things connectivity concepts and the network configuration considerations associated with deploying IoT devices in organizational environments. As smart devices including building automation systems, security cameras, environmental sensors, and connected peripherals become increasingly common in business settings, IT support technicians need a basic understanding of how these devices connect to networks and how their presence affects network security and management. Software-defined networking concepts appear in the updated objectives as well, reflecting how network management is becoming increasingly abstracted from physical hardware in enterprise environments. These additions do not require A+ candidates to develop the deep networking expertise tested by dedicated networking certifications, but they establish the baseline awareness that IT support professionals need to work effectively in contemporary network environments.

Updated Hardware Knowledge Reflecting Current Device Generations

Hardware coverage in the current A+ Core Series reflects the device generations that IT support technicians actually encounter in contemporary workplace environments, retiring content related to obsolete technologies while expanding coverage of components and form factors that have become standard. Storage technology coverage has shifted significantly to reflect the dominance of solid-state storage, with NVMe drives connected through M.2 slots and PCIe interfaces receiving substantially more attention than the SATA-connected spinning hard drives that dominated earlier exam versions. Candidates must understand the performance characteristics, form factors, and interface types associated with current storage technologies and be able to select and install appropriate storage solutions for different use cases and system configurations.

Display technology content has been updated to address current monitor technologies including IPS, VA, and OLED panel types, their respective strengths and weaknesses for different use cases, and the connection standards used to attach displays to systems including DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C with DisplayPort alternate mode. Memory technology coverage addresses current DDR generations, the physical and performance differences between them, and the compatibility considerations that technicians must understand when upgrading or replacing system memory. The exam also addresses the components and configuration of current processor platforms from both Intel and AMD, including the socket types, chipset families, and cooling solutions associated with contemporary desktop and laptop processor installations. This updated hardware content ensures that certified technicians possess knowledge applicable to the actual hardware they will encounter rather than equipment that has largely been retired from active deployment.

Operating System Coverage That Extends Beyond Windows

While Windows operating system support has always been a central focus of the A+ Core 2 exam, the current version has expanded its coverage of macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, and mobile operating systems to reflect the diverse OS environments that IT support professionals encounter in modern organizations. The increased adoption of Apple hardware in enterprise environments, the growth of Chromebook deployments in education and some business contexts, and the ubiquity of iOS and Android devices in workplace settings all contributed to CompTIA’s decision to broaden the operating system coverage beyond its historical Windows-centric focus. Candidates must now demonstrate working knowledge of basic administration tasks, common troubleshooting approaches, and fundamental configuration procedures across multiple operating system platforms.

Linux coverage in the current exam objectives focuses on command-line fundamentals that support technicians need for basic system interaction, including file system navigation commands, file permission management, and package management concepts applicable to common Linux distributions. The exam does not test the depth of Linux knowledge required by dedicated Linux certifications but establishes the baseline competency that allows technicians to perform basic support tasks on Linux systems without being completely unfamiliar with the environment. macOS coverage similarly addresses the administrative tools and troubleshooting approaches unique to Apple’s desktop operating system, including System Preferences configuration, Time Machine backup management, and the macOS recovery environment. This multi-platform OS knowledge reflects the heterogeneous computing environments that increasingly characterize modern organizations regardless of their size or industry.

Remote Support and Collaboration Tools Addressed in Updated Content

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work arrangements and remote support tools at a pace that significantly influenced CompTIA’s content decisions for the current A+ version. The updated objectives include explicit coverage of remote access technologies and tools that technicians use to support users working from home or at distributed locations, including remote desktop protocols, virtual private network configuration, and cloud-based remote support platforms. Candidates must understand how to establish secure remote connections to end-user systems, navigate the common challenges associated with remote support including limited visibility into the user’s physical environment and dependence on network connectivity quality, and use remote support tools effectively to diagnose and resolve issues without physical access to the affected hardware.

Collaboration platform support also appears in the current objectives, reflecting how central tools like video conferencing software, cloud-based productivity suites, and team messaging platforms have become to organizational operations. IT support technicians regularly assist users with audio and video configuration issues in conferencing applications, account access problems with cloud productivity tools, and synchronization failures in cloud storage services. The exam tests knowledge of the common troubleshooting approaches applicable to these platforms rather than deep expertise in any specific vendor’s product, emphasizing the diagnostic thinking and systematic troubleshooting methodology that allow technicians to address issues across different platforms using consistent problem-solving frameworks. This content addition reflects how thoroughly the nature of IT support work has been reshaped by the shift toward remote and hybrid work arrangements that organizations across industries have adopted.

Scripting and Automation Awareness Added to Professional Skills

The current A+ Core Series introduces basic scripting and automation awareness as a component of the professional skills that entry-level technicians are expected to possess, representing a notable expansion of the certification’s scope beyond its traditional focus on hardware and operating system support. The exam objectives address common scripting languages used in IT automation including PowerShell, Python, Bash, and batch files, requiring candidates to understand the basic syntax and use cases of each language at a level sufficient to read and interpret simple scripts rather than write complex programs independently. This awareness-level scripting knowledge reflects how automation has become increasingly embedded in IT support workflows and how technicians who understand scripting concepts can work more effectively with automated tools and assist in troubleshooting automation failures.

PowerShell receives particular emphasis in the Windows environment context, with candidates expected to understand common cmdlets used for system administration tasks including user account management, file system operations, and system configuration retrieval. The exam does not test advanced PowerShell scripting capability but expects candidates to understand what PowerShell is, why organizations use it for administrative automation, and how to execute existing scripts safely in appropriate execution policy contexts. This scripting content positions the current A+ as a stepping stone toward more advanced certifications that test deeper automation and scripting skills, establishing the conceptual foundation that candidates need to continue developing their automation capabilities throughout their IT careers.

Sustainability and Environmental Awareness in Professional Practice

Environmental responsibility and sustainability practices have been incorporated into the current A+ Core Series as components of the operational procedures and professional practice content that the Core 2 exam addresses. This content addition reflects growing regulatory requirements around electronic waste disposal, the increasing attention organizations pay to their environmental impact, and the practical responsibilities that IT technicians carry when handling equipment at the end of its useful life. Candidates must understand proper disposal and recycling procedures for different categories of electronic components including batteries, displays containing hazardous materials, and circuit boards that require specialized recycling rather than disposal in general waste streams.

Energy efficiency concepts also appear in the current objectives, covering power management settings, the energy efficiency ratings used to characterize computer hardware and peripherals, and the environmental benefits associated with virtualization and cloud computing approaches that consolidate workloads onto fewer physical systems. Technicians who understand energy efficiency concepts can make better hardware recommendations, configure appropriate power management settings on end-user systems, and contribute to organizational sustainability initiatives that increasingly fall within the scope of IT department responsibilities. This sustainability content reflects the broader professional maturation of the IT support role, which has expanded beyond purely technical responsibilities to include awareness of environmental, regulatory, and organizational responsibility dimensions that affect how technology decisions are made and implemented.

Conclusion

The current CompTIA A+ Core Series represents a carefully considered evolution of a certification that has served as the entry point to professional IT careers for decades, updated to reflect the genuine realities of what entry-level IT support professionals encounter in contemporary workplace environments. The expansions in cloud computing coverage, cybersecurity content, mobile device management, multi-platform operating system knowledge, remote support capabilities, and scripting awareness collectively paint a picture of how substantially the IT support role has evolved from the hardware repair and Windows troubleshooting focus that characterized earlier versions of the certification. Today’s entry-level technicians are expected to operate across a broader range of technologies, understand a more complex security landscape, and support a more diverse collection of devices and operating systems than their counterparts from even five years ago, and the current A+ objectives reflect these expanded expectations accurately.

For candidates preparing for the current Core 1 and Core 2 exams, understanding what is new helps prioritize study efforts toward the content areas where the current version differs most significantly from preparation materials developed for earlier exam versions. Candidates who rely on outdated study guides or video courses recorded for previous exam versions risk investing preparation time in content that is no longer tested while missing the updated topics that the current exams emphasize. Using preparation materials specifically developed for the 220-1101 and 220-1102 exam objectives ensures that study activities align with what CompTIA actually assesses and that candidates develop the knowledge profile that employers seeking A+ certified technicians expect to find.

The value of earning the current A+ certification extends well beyond passing two exams and adding a credential to a resume. The preparation process builds a comprehensive and systematically organized understanding of IT fundamentals that serves as a durable professional foundation regardless of which specific technologies a technician encounters in their first IT role. Technologies evolve, specific products come and go, and organizational preferences shift over time, but the systematic troubleshooting methodology, professional communication practices, security awareness, and hardware and software fundamentals that the current A+ Core Series validates remain relevant across the full span of an IT support career. Technicians who genuinely internalize the knowledge the certification represents rather than simply passing the exams find that their A+ preparation continues to pay dividends years after the credential itself has been earned and renewed, making it one of the most enduringly valuable investments available to professionals entering the information technology field.