Roughly every three years, CompTIA updates the content of their certification exams to reflect the most modern technology and methodologies in the field. This makes it no surprise that the CompTIA A+ exam is do for an overhaul. What does that mean for you?
The changes between exam versions are rarely massive, but they are worth knowing if you intend to pursue the latest version. If you’ve already begun working towards this certification with the old material, you’re in luck, as the 220-110X series hasn’t been discontinued yet.
In this article, we are listing the confirmed exam changes so you can prepare yourself for success.
Without any further delay, let’s review the 2025 CompTIA A+ update and compare 220-1101/1102 vs 220-1201/1202.
Why the Update?
One of the reasons CompTIA certifications are so respected is that they always reflect the latest important information a professional is expected to know. If you hold a CompTIA credential, employers and professionals are aware that your knowledge isn’t outdated, as you’ve either recently passed a relevant and modern exam or have maintained your certification through continued study and earning further (and more advanced) certifications.
The world changes dramatically from year to year, and technology is changing at a much faster rate. Three years ago, it would have been hard to imagine the influence AI has had on our daily lives, for example.
While the updates can be frustrating if you’re battling the clock and trying to prepare in time for the exam version that is approaching retirement, we can all agree that a certification that hasn’t changed in the last nine years is hardly of value.
Recommendations For CompTIA A+ Exam Takers
For Current A+ Students
- If you're currently studying for the 1101/1102 exams, continue your preparation
- The English version of the 220-110X exams will continue to be available until September 25th, 2025 (December 20, 2025, for other languages)
- The new 220-120X exams are available now, giving you the choice of which exams to write
- Your A+ certification will be valid for three years starting at the time you’ve earned it, regardless of which version you earn
For Prospective A+ Students
- Remember, new training material can take time to come out, so there will be a much larger selection of courses, books, and practice tests for the old content leading up to the retirement date
- If you're just starting your A+ journey and won't be ready to test before September, be prepared to write the new exams.
- Core IT concepts remain largely the same between versions, so you can start studying with current materials
- Focus on understanding fundamental concepts rather than memorizing specific technical details
For All A+ Students
It is important to realize that, whichever route you choose, both exams must be from the same series. This means that if you pass the old Core 1 220-1101, you must pass the old Core 2 220-1102 before the retirement date. You can not combine a 220-110X and 220-120X exam and earn your certification.
Core Exam Structure
- Both versions maintain the two-exam structure, passing both is required to obtain the CompTIA A+ certification
- Current: 220-1101 and 220-1102
- New: 220-1201 and 220-1202
A+ Core 1 Exam Changes: 220-1101 vs 220-1201
The A+ Core 1 exam has always primarily focused on hardware, networking, and troubleshooting physical devices. From a high level, this remains unchanged. Let’s review the details.
Domain Weight Changes
- Mobile Devices: Reduced from 15% to 13%.
- Networking: Increased from 20% to 23%.
- Hardware and Network Troubleshooting: Slightly reduced from 29% to 28%.
Key Updates
Removed Content:
- Troubleshooting methodology steps were explicitly removed from the exam objectives, but CompTIA still emphasizes their importance for practical training.
Mobile Devices:
- Added emphasis on Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)/eSIM in mobile device configurations.
- Added policy enforcement under Mobile Device Management (MDM), specifically mentioning Corporate and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies.
- Added synchronization options for business applications like cloud storage.
Networking:
- Added 6GHz frequency band to wireless technologies.
- Expanded wireless networking by clarifying channel selection, including channel widths, frequencies, and bands.
- Added Database servers and Network Time Protocol (NTP) to server roles.
Added Canonical Name (CNAME) records and DHCP Exclusions in common network configuration concepts.
Hardware:
- Added Mini-LED as a display technology.
- Expanded on display attributes: pixel density, refresh rates, screen resolution, and color gamut.
- Included USB-C explicitly under video cables.
- Added Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) under SSD communication interfaces.
- Added RAID 6 configuration alongside RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10.
- Specified motherboard form factors clearly: added microATX.
- BIOS/UEFI expanded with temperature monitoring and explicitly mentioning both BIOS password and boot password.
- CPU details: clarified core configurations.
Cloud Computing:
- Introduced Containers
- Added details on hypervisors, differentiating clearly between Type 1 (bare metal) and Type 2 (hosted).
- Clarified cloud characteristics, including multitenancy and dedicated vs. shared resources.
Troubleshooting:
- Added more troubleshooting symptoms explicitly for mobile devices:
- Unable to install new applications.
- Stylus malfunction.
- Degraded performance.
- Added network troubleshooting symptoms:
- Authentication failures.
- Intermittent internet connectivity.
- Expanded printer troubleshooting:
- Tray not recognized.
- Connectivity issues.
- Frozen print queue.
New Acronyms:
- EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)
- IAM (Identity and Access Management)
- MDR (Managed Detection and Response)
- OTP (One-time Password)
- TOTP (Time-based One-time Password)
- XDR (Extended Detection and Response)
Recommendations for Students
If you have been preparing for the 220-1101 exam and wish to take the 220-1201, take note of the following key pieces of information:
- Troubleshooting Focus: Ensure strong troubleshooting skills especially around newly listed symptoms and problems related to mobile, network, and printers.
- Networking and Wireless Technologies: Prioritize studying the new wireless band (6GHz) and channel management strategies.
- Mobile Devices Management (MDM) & Policies: Understand corporate policy enforcement and how BYOD impacts device configuration and security.
- Display Technologies & Characteristics: Pay special attention to display specifications and new technologies like Mini-LED.
- Storage Solutions: Familiarize with RAID 6 and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS).
- Cloud and Virtualization: Be comfortable differentiating types of virtualization (including containers) and hypervisors (Type 1 vs. Type 2).
A+ Core 2 Exam Changes: 220-1102 vs 220-1202
As before, Core 2 focuses on operating systems, security, and troubleshooting software issues. Here are the updates.
Domain Weight Changes
- Operating Systems: Decreased from 31% to 28%.
- Security: Increased from 25% to 28%.
- Software Troubleshooting: Increased slightly from 22% to 23%.
- Operational Procedures: Decreased slightly from 22% to 21%.
Key Updates
Removed Content:
- Windows 10 content has decreased, and generalized troubleshooting steps (reboot, rollback updates) removed and replaced with scenario-specific knowledge.
Operating Systems:
- New filesystem: Resilient File System (ReFS), Extended Filesystem (XFS).
- Windows 11 editions (Home, Pro, Enterprise) and specific hardware requirements (TPM, UEFI).
- Added multiboot and zero-touch deployment installation scenarios.
- Clarified file management and command-line categorization (navigation, network, disk, etc.).
- Additional tools like Rapid Security Response (RSR) for macOS, Continuity, and additional Linux tools (systemd, curl).
Security:
- Zero Trust model.
- Mobile digital keys.
- Additional biometrics (facial and voice recognition).
- Authentication enhancements (TOTP, OTP, SAML, PAM, IAM).
- Malware types explicitly expanded: Stalkerware, Fileless malware, Adware, PUPs.
- Advanced threat detection methods (EDR, MDR, XDR).
- Smishing, QR code phishing, Business Email Compromise (BEC), Supply chain/pipeline attacks.
- Browser security expanded with secure DNS and management of browser features (extensions, plug-ins).
Software Troubleshooting:
Added new scenarios including
- Degraded browser performance
- Application installation failures
- Inability to access files
- High number of ads and data leaks on mobile devices
Operational Procedures:
- Change management procedures (rollback, backup plans, types of changes—standard, normal, emergency, and change freeze periods).
- Backup and recovery procedures with explicit methods (in-place overwrite, alternative location).
- Regulatory considerations (NDAs, mutual NDAs, perpetual licensing).
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Application integration.
- Policies (use and plagiarism).
- Limitations (bias, accuracy, hallucinations).
- Data security/privacy.
New Acronyms:
- AI (Artificial Intelligence)
- BEC (Business Email Compromise)
- CMDB (Configuration Management Database)
- DLP (Data Loss Prevention)
- EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)
- IAM (Identity Access Management)
- MDR (Managed Detection and Response)
- MNDA (Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement)
- OTP (One-time Password/Passcode)
- PAM (Privileged Access Management)
- RSR (Rapid Security Response, specific to macOS)
- SAML (Security Assertions Markup Language)
- SPICE (Simple Protocol for Independent Computing Environments)
- TOTP (Time-based One-time Password)
- WinRM (Windows Remote Management)
- XDR (Extended Detection and Response)
- XFS (Extended File System)
Recommendations for Students
If you’ve been using 220-1102 exam material and plan on taking the 220-1202 exam, keep note of the following:
- AI Basics: Familiarize yourself with fundamental AI concepts, especially privacy, ethical usage, and its limitations.
- Security: Prioritize studying new authentication protocols, malware types, and security frameworks such as Zero Trust.
- Operating Systems: Be comfortable with features specific to Windows 11 and newer filesystems (ReFS, XFS).
- Troubleshooting: Reinforce troubleshooting skills for new symptoms, particularly security-related and mobile device issues.
General Notes on CompTIA A+ Update: 220-1101/1102 vs 220-1201/1202
- Core IT concepts remain largely unchanged
- Updated to reflect current technology trends
- Enhanced focus on security across all domains
- More emphasis on modern troubleshooting scenarios
- New cost: Increase from $253 to $265 USD
- Old exam retirement date Sept 25, 2025
Does CompTIA A+ Still Hold Value?
The CompTIA A+ certification, whichever version you pursue, remains a valuable credential if you are looking to break into IT and cyber security (particularly help desk and other entry-level positions). It provides a broad foundation for multiple IT domains, covering everything from hardware and networking to security and troubleshooting.
With regularly updated content, the CompTIA A+ stays relevant in the industry and proves to employers that you have the skills they seek. Its validity for three years makes it a solid investment for kickstarting your career in information technology.
Conclusion
The A+ updates have been finalized, and you can download the official objective pdfs on the CompTIA website.
If you have the ability to complete the exams before the expiry, take advantage of the great resources available. If not, use this information to tailor your preparations while you wait for updated material to start rolling out.
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