CompTIA A+ Exam Update: What’s Changing in 2025 and How to Prepare
Quick Answer: The CompTIA A+ certification is undergoing major changes in 2025, with new 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams replacing the old 220-1101 and 220-1102 versions. The new versions were released on March 25, 2025, and they follow the latest industry trends with more focus on networking, security, cloud technologies, and now, AI considerations.
The CompTIA A+ cert is recognized around the world as the most common credential for entry-level IT professionals, and for a good reason. It tests and validates your knowledge and skills as an entry-level professional, and gives employers confidence in your abilities. CompTIA periodically updates its exam content to keep up with the changing technologies and industry requirements as they get adopted.
March 2025 was a big milestone for the A+ cert with the release of versions 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2). These exams replace the previous 220-1101 and 220-1102 versions, which will retire on September 25, 2025.
We will break down the most important differences between the current and new A+ exams, which will help you prepare and pass this important cert.
What is the CompTIA A+ certification?
The CompTIA A+ certification is one of the most essential entry-level IT credentials in the industry. It’s such a foundational cert because it is recognized around the world and proves that you have the base-level skills needed for a career in IT support and IT operations.
The A+ covers a lot of ground, including core IT skills:
Hardware components and what they do
Networking concepts and technologies
Operating system installation and configuration
Mobile device management
Security principles and practices
Troubleshooting techniques
Cloud computing fundamentals
To get through the CompTIA A+ and earn your certification, you must pass two exams: Core 1 and Core 2. These exams test your theoretical knowledge and practical skills via multiple-choice questions and performance-based scenarios.
The A+ is an important stepping stone for lots of different IT roles, including:
IT Support Specialist
Desktop Support Administrator
Field Service Technician
Technical Support Specialist
Associate Network Engineer
According to CompTIA's State of the Tech Workforce 2024 report, the need for IT Support Specialists is projected to grow in leaps and bounds. Expectations are that it will have a growth rate 38% above the national average over the next decade, and IT Support Specialist roles are expected to reach a whopping 907,800 positions by 2034.
This stat alone shows why having the A+ certification in the job market is important if you want your resume to be taken seriously for entry-level roles.
Exam Versions Overview
Here's a quick guide to understanding how the A+ certification has changed.
220-1101/1102:
Current exam versions that were effective from April 20, 2022.
Retirement date is September 25, 2025 (for English language exams.)
Content focuses on traditional IT support skills with some emphasis on hybrid work environments.
220-1201/1202:
New exam versions that were launched on March 25, 2025.
Estimated retirement date: September 2028 (Approximately.)
Content updated to reflect modern IT environments with more emphasis on networking, virtualization, cloud technologies, and AI.
Remember that whichever version of the exam you take, the cert that you earn will be the same. You cannot mix the exams, so if you have already taken your 220-1101, you can't go on to sit the 220-1202. You have to keep both exams in the same version to get certified. The CompTIA A+ certification is valid for three years from the date that you pass your second exam and become certified.
What are the Major Content Changes for CompTIA A+ in 2025?
Both the Core 1 and Core 2 exams dropped older, more outdated topics and added newer topics related to current techs.
Core 1 (220-1101) vs. Core 1 (220-1201)
The content that you will have to learn for the new version of the exams has changed, with some things being added and some removed.
Dropped Topics
Mobile devices: GSM vs. CDMA, PRL updates, and two-factor authentication
Networking: DHCP ports, SDN, 802.11 standards
Hardware: Specific cables and configurations like SCSI, PATA, multi-channel configurations
Virtualization: Virtual desktop infrastructure in the cloud
Troubleshooting: Specific troubleshooting areas remain largely unchanged
New Topics
The overall structure hasn't changed much, but the 220-1201 exam has taken current technologies into account and created testing items around them. The most important thing to know is that the exam wants to test how familiar you are with newer technologies and not just the traditional concepts that the A+ has tested in the past.
Core 2 (220-1102) vs. Core 2 (220-1202)
Likewise, the new Core 2 exam has changed. Here's what you'll need to know now.
Dropped Topics
Operating Systems: Command line options, xcopy, copy, shutdown, ext3 file system
Security: Mobile firewalls, IoT, WAN IP
Software troubleshooting: AirDrop
Operational procedures: Network topology diagram
New Topics
Operating Systems: ReFS, XFS, TPM, UEFI, Windows 11 editions, whoami command
Security: Bigger focus on security protocols and practices
Software Troubleshooting: Modernized approach for applications in use today
Operational Procedures: Touches on professional communication and documentation
The 220-1202 exam also mentions cloud-based solutions and AI considerations like privacy, which shows how real-world IT environments are adapting to these newer technologies.
How Have the Domain Weights Changed?
Domain weights show the percentage of the exam dedicated to specific knowledge areas. These weights have changed over the years to align with changing IT workflows.
Core 1 (220-1101) vs. Core 1 (220-1201):
Mobile Devices: Decreased from 15% to 13%
Networking: Increased from 20% to 23%
Hardware: Unchanged at 25%
Virtualization and Cloud: Unchanged at 11%
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting: Slightly decreased from 29% to 28%
Core 2 (220-1102) vs. Core 2 (220-1202):
Operating Systems: Reduced from 31% to 28%
Security: Increased from 25% to 28%
Software Troubleshooting: Increased from 22% to 23%
Operational Procedures: Reduced from 22% to 21%
These are not massive changes, but again, they show us how the industries are focusing more on networking and security because of the platforms that are getting used more often. Another reason is that organizations still heavily support hybrid users, and IT teams have to deal with more advanced cybersecurity threats.
Key Takeaways
Passing either the 220-1101/1102 exams or the 220-1201/1202 exams gives you the same A+ certification; there is no difference. The version of the exam that you take has no bearing on the certification credential that you get. Once you earn it, the CompTIA A+ cert is valid for three years, after which you’ll need to recertify.
Impact on Preparation
If you are already studying for the old version of the exam, you should continue on that path. You still have time to complete the exams before they are discontinued later in 2025, so there is no need to start over for the new version, but the clock is ticking.
Study Strategy
Ready to tackle the new A+ certification? Here are a few tips to improve your study strategies.
Security topics are more important in the new exams (220-1201/1202), so you must prepare for those questions and learn about malware, Zero Trust, and other related concepts. Security makes up 28% of the Core 2 exam, so focusing on it is very important.
Dig into the new Operating Systems topics like ReFS, XFS, TPM, UEFI, and Windows 11 versions in the 220-1202 exam.
Remember to pay attention to networking concepts; they are more important than they were in older versions of the exam.
Try to get familiar with cloud-based productivity tools and AI fundamentals. These are new additions to the exam content, and are important to understand in real-world work environments as they continue to be adopted.
If you can get it, practical, hands-on experience with troubleshooting hardware and software configurations will help you understand the concepts much better than learning them from study notes.
Conclusion
The CompTIA A+ certification has changed to keep up with what's happening in IT these days. The new 2025 exams (220-1201 and 220-1202) reflect how IT support jobs have evolved, with more focus on networking, security, cloud tech, and even AI.
While the basics haven't changed much, these new exams better prepare you for what IT really looks like now - remote support, hybrid teams, and the ever-growing security headaches that come with modern systems.
A+ is still the go-to starter cert for breaking into IT, but it now ensures that you have skills that actually matter in today's digital world.
Want to learn more about becoming an IT Support Specialist? Consider this CompTIA A+ certification training online course to prepare for the exam.
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