Validates foundational IT support knowledge across hardware, operating systems, networking, security and troubleshooting common technical problems.
A good A+ course covers both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) and prepares you for the performance-based questions. We compared the main options on coverage of both exams, practice, format and price.
Most people should start with Professor Messer's free videos for both cores. Choose Mike Meyers' Udemy course for demonstrations on Core 1, CertMaster Learn when an employer or school pays, and the Sybex study guide if you learn by reading.
| Course | Best for | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Free CompTIA A+ Training (220-1201 and 220-1202) | Free full course | Video | Free |
 TOTAL: CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Course + Practice Exam | Demonstration-led video | Video | $25 |
 CertMaster Learn for A+ (Core 1 and 2) | Employer-funded study | Interactive | $684 |
 CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, 6th edition | Learning by reading | Book | $39 |
Free videos numbered to match each exam objective, 63 for Core 1 and 74 for Core 2, about 24 hours in total. Messer sells practice exams separately.
Great fit if you want a complete course at no cost and will add your own practice tests
Poor fit if you want built-in quizzes or labs; choose CertMaster Learn
About 20 hours of video lessons from Mike Meyers and Total Seminars that show hardware and software in demonstrations, with a practice exam at the end. It covers Core 1 only; Core 2 is a separate course.
Great fit if you learn best by watching hardware and software demonstrations
Poor fit if you want one purchase for both exams; choose Messer's free videos
CompTIA's official course for both cores, with lessons, videos and assessments organized by the exam objectives. CompTIA estimates 25 to 40 hours per core, and the content comes from the organization that writes the exam.
Great fit if an employer or school is paying and you want official structured lessons
Poor fit if you are paying yourself; Messer's free videos plus a book cost far less
A two-volume reference, one volume per exam, that covers 220-1201 and 220-1202. It comes with review questions, flashcards and an online test bank.
Great fit if you learn by reading and want a reference to return to
Poor fit if you learn best from video; start with Messer
For most people, Professor Messer's free videos for both cores plus a set of practice exams. Meyers suits learners who want demonstrations, and CertMaster Learn suits employer-funded study.
Yes. Messer's free videos cover every objective on both cores. Add free practice from ExamCompass or Easy Prep and a paid exam set before you book.
Messer's videos run about 24 hours across both cores. Plan for about 150 hours of preparation in total, from 100 to 180 depending on your IT experience.
Yes. You earn A+ by passing Core 1 and Core 2. You can study and book one exam at a time.