The best prep for the CompTIA A+ Core Series Exam.

Before you can schedule a CompTIA A+ Core Series testing session, you must purchase an exam voucher through the CompTIA Store for $265.00 (in the U.S) or the Pearson VUE Voucher Store. This price covers the cost of one exam: either the 1201 or 1202. You must take and pass both of these to become certified. Be very careful to verify the numbers of the exams you want to take with the voucher you are purchasing.

Vouchers are valid for 12 months after purchase. Both your registration and the testing must be completed within that time frame. There is no way to extend the life of a voucher.

All you really need at the testing location are two forms of identification, and one of them must be government-issued. To be sure you have the proper type, look at CompTIA’s ID Policy. It is suggested that you not bring any form of electronics, as they will not be allowed into the exam area.

Scoring is essentially the same for the CompTIA A+ Core Series exam as it was for the previous editions of the exam. There is a possibility of scoring between 100 and 900 on each exam and, to pass, you must achieve a score of at least 675 on the 1201 exam and at least 700 on the 1202 exam. You’ll be notified of your score on the screen upon exam completion. You are permitted to retake either exam if you do not pass the first time.

Training in information technology (IT) can make you a vital part of a business or organization. In the modern world, many daily activities require reliable computer systems for contacts and information. And when something goes wrong with a system, there must be an immediate “fix” to avoid revenue loss. This is where the IT professional, or tech support person, often comes in. As an IT professional, you must be up to date on all of the latest innovations in hardware and software, as well as be adept at problem-solving and customer relations. You may find yourself handling everything IT-related at your organization, from system security to mobile device management.

While taking the CompTIA A+ Core Series certification exam has no age requirement, there is a strong recommendation that candidates be at least 13 years old. It is also recommended that you have nine to 12 months of experience, either in the field or in a lab, before attempting your CompTIA A+ certification.

Before testing, you will be required to sign a Candidate Agreement. It would be a good idea to read over this agreement before you take the exam so that you understand it and are ready to sign.

Obtaining CompTIA A+ Core Series certification is the first step in proving your competence to a prospective employer. There are more advanced and specialty certifications available from CompTIA, but this one covers basic competencies. It shows that you are proficient in the IT basics and have the knowledge and skills necessary to be an asset to that employer.

According to the CompTIA website, the median wage for employment in a tech occupation is 125% higher than the median national wage in the United States. There is also a projection that the growth rate for tech job opportunities will be twice that of the growth rate for jobs in general during the next 10 years.

To schedule an in-person exam, you need to contact Pearson VUE online. You’ll need to determine which of the Pearson VUE testing centers is most convenient for you and schedule your exam(s) through its website.

Online testing is also available through Pearson OnVUE.

The CompTIA A+ exam is offered in English, German, and Japanese.

You will have 90 minutes to complete each of the CompTIA A+ Core Series exams—the 1201 and the 1202. Remember that each exam contains 90 questions. To get a feel for the style and difficulty level of questions you’ll encounter on test day, it’s helpful to take a CompTIA A+ practice test.