CompTIA A+ is the industry-standard starting certification for a career in IT support and the natural foundation before Network+ and Security+. It proves you can set up, secure, troubleshoot and support the hardware, operating systems, mobile devices and networks that every organisation runs on. This free guide walks through both exams, the skills employers expect, typical UK salaries and how to prepare for the interview.
The CompTIA Troubleshooting Methodology
The six-step method every A+ technician is expected to know by heart.
Tap or hover a part to learn more.
Gather the facts.
Question the user, back up data before making changes, identify what changed recently, and reproduce the issue if you can. Never skip the backup step.
Check your understanding
1. What must you always do before making changes when identifying a problem?
2. What is the final step of the methodology?
Who CompTIA A+ is for
A+ is designed for people starting out — career changers, school and college leavers, and self-taught enthusiasts who want a recognised qualification. No prior certification is required. It is the most requested entry-level IT certification in UK job adverts and opens the door to help desk, desktop support and field technician roles.
The two exams
A+ is earned by passing two exams:
- Core 1 (220-1101) — mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization & cloud, and hardware/network troubleshooting.
- Core 2 (220-1102) — operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. Each exam has up to 90 questions (multiple choice and performance-based) in 90 minutes, scored 100–900 with a pass mark around 700 (Core 1) and 675 (Core 2).
The exam domains
Work through each domain in order — every one has its own in-depth guide:
- PC Hardware — CPUs, RAM, storage, power and connectors.
- Networking Fundamentals — IP addressing, ports, protocols and the OSI model.
- Mobile Devices — laptops, smartphones, synchronisation and mobile connectivity.
- Operating Systems — Windows, macOS, Linux and command-line basics.
- A+ Security — malware, physical and logical controls and best practices.
- Hardware Troubleshooting — the six-step methodology applied to real faults.
Career path and salaries
A+ typically leads to IT Support Technician, Help Desk Analyst, Desktop Support and Field Service Technician roles. In the UK these commonly pay £20,000–£28,000 to start, rising to £28,000–£35,000 with experience. A+ then feeds directly into Network+ and Security+, which lift you toward networking and cyber security roles paying considerably more.
What employers expect
Employers want someone who can calmly diagnose a fault, follow a logical process, communicate clearly with non-technical users, and document what they did. A+ proves the breadth of knowledge; your ability to apply the troubleshooting methodology and stay customer-friendly is what lands the job.
How to prepare for the interview
Entry-level IT interviews mix knowledge checks ("what's the difference between RAM and storage?") with scenario questions ("a user can't print — what do you do?"). Practise explaining your reasoning out loud and walking through the troubleshooting steps.
Frequently used study tips
Build a cheap practice PC or use a virtual machine, learn the port numbers and connector types by sight, and rehearse the six-step troubleshooting methodology until it's second nature.