CompTIA A+ Passing Score: 675 (Core 1) and 700 (Core 2)
CompTIA A+ is two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) passes at 675/900 and Core 2 (220-1202) at 700/900. Here's what that means and how many you can miss.
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CompTIA A+ is the only entry in this cert line that makes you pass two separate exams — and each has its own passing score. Core 1 (220-1201) passes at 675 out of 900, and Core 2 (220-1202) passes at 700 out of 900. You need both to earn the A+ credential. Here's what those numbers mean and how many questions you can miss on each.
| Exam | Passing Score | ~% | Questions / Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core 1 (220-1201) | 675 / 900 | ~75% | Up to 90 / 90 min |
| Core 2 (220-1202) | 700 / 900 | ~78% | Up to 90 / 90 min |
Why A+ Has Two Passing Scores
A+ certifies you as a well-rounded IT support technician, and CompTIA splits that across two exams: Core 1 covers hardware, networking basics, mobile devices, virtualization, and hardware/network troubleshooting; Core 2 covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. They're scored independently — Core 1 needs 675, Core 2 needs 700 — and you must pass both to be certified. Passing one only banks that half until you clear the other.
V15 note
CompTIA retired the 220-1101/220-1102 exams; the current version is V15 — Core 1 220-1201 and Core 2 220-1202. The passing scores (675 and 700) are unchanged from prior versions. If a study resource still references 220-1101/1102, the scoring guidance still applies, but confirm the objectives against the current V15 exam.
How A+ Is Scored
Both cores use CompTIA's scaled scoring from 100 to 900. Your raw correct count is converted onto that scale, so questions aren't weighted equally — performance-based questions (configuring settings, troubleshooting a scenario) likely carry more weight than a single multiple-choice item. CompTIA doesn't publish the exact formula, so the "~75%" and "~78%" figures approximate the 675 and 700 lines rather than fixed cutoffs.
How Many Questions Can You Miss?
Each core has up to 90 questions. Working from the approximate thresholds:
- Core 1 (675 ≈ 75%): aim for ~68 of 90 correct — a miss budget of roughly 22 questions.
- Core 2 (700 ≈ 78%): aim for ~70 of 90 correct — a miss budget of roughly 20 questions.
Those look generous next to Security+'s ~15, but A+ is deceptively broad — the questions range from RAM types to Windows command-line to ticketing etiquette. The margin disappears fast if a whole topic area is a blind spot. And remember: scaled scoring means these counts are estimates, not guarantees.
A+ Domains (Core 1 and Core 2)
Core 1 (220-1201) covers: Mobile Devices, Networking, Hardware, Virtualization & Cloud Computing, and Hardware & Network Troubleshooting. Core 2 (220-1202) covers: Operating Systems, Security, Software Troubleshooting, and Operational Procedures. Weights shift slightly between versions, so check the current objectives on CompTIA's site for exact percentages, then practice by area on the A+ practice test and review the A+ acronyms glossary.
How to Know You're Ready for Both
- Treat them as two exams — study, practice, and get comfortable with each core separately.
- Score 85%+ on full-length practice exams for each core — don't book Core 2 off Core 1 confidence.
- No topic area below 75% — A+ punishes blind spots more than weak-but-even coverage.
- PBQ comfort — you've practiced configuration and troubleshooting scenarios.
- Timed conditions — you've completed a 90-question run inside 90 minutes for each core.
SecuSpark has 1,252 A+ practice questions across both cores (3 full exams free to start). For total cost across both exams, see the CompTIA exam cost breakdown.
A+ Passing Score vs Other CompTIA Exams
| Certification | Passing Score | ~% |
|---|---|---|
| A+ Core 1 | 675 | ~75% |
| A+ Core 2 | 700 | ~78% |
| Network+ | 720 | ~80% |
| Security+ | 750 | ~83% |
| CySA+ / PenTest+ | 750 | ~83% |
A+ Core 1 has the lowest passing threshold of any exam here (675), and A+ is where most IT careers start. Deciding what comes next? See A+ vs Network+: which first?
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