If you’ve been Googling the latest CompTIA A+ exam version and feeling confused, you’re not alone. In March 2025, CompTIA released the new 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2) exams. The previous 220-1101 and 220-1102 exams officially retired on September 25, 2025.

That means any study guide, practice test, or YouTube playlist built around the old exam codes is now outdated.

This post covers what actually changed, what stayed the same, and how to study for the new CompTIA A+ exam in a way that sets you up to pass on your first attempt.

Why CompTIA Updated the A+ Exam

CompTIA updates the A+ every three to four years. The goal is simple: make sure the exam reflects what IT support professionals actually deal with on the job. The 2025 update had three clear drivers.

AI is showing up at the help desk. Entry-level IT pros are now expected to understand how AI tools work, where they fall short, and how AI-related threats show up in day-to-day support work. The new exam tests for that awareness.

Security belongs everywhere, not just in one domain. The 220-1201/1202 series builds security thinking into hardware, networking, mobile, and OS topics rather than keeping it siloed. That mirrors how real IT support roles operate.

Remote and cloud work is standard now. Supporting users across hybrid environments, configuring cloud productivity tools, and troubleshooting without being in the same room as the machine are table stakes for IT support in 2025. The new exam treats them that way.

The Core Facts: 220-1201 and 220-1202 at a Glance

Before getting into what changed, here are the basics for anyone sitting the new CompTIA A+ exam:

You still need to pass both exams to earn the CompTIA A+ certification. The exam version does not appear on your credential, so a 220-1201/1202 pass earns the same CompTIA A+ certification as the old 220-1101/1102 pass did.

What Changed in Core 1 (220-1101 to 220-1201)

Start with the reassuring part: about 87% of Core 1 objectives carried over from the previous version. The structure is recognisable. You are still covering mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualisation, and troubleshooting. But some domain weights shifted, and a handful of new topics arrived.

Domain weight changes in Core 1

• Mobile Devices: dropped from 15% to 13%
• Networking: increased from 20% to 23%
• Hardware and Network Troubleshooting: reduced slightly from 29% to 28%

The networking increase is the one worth noting. Even at the entry level, CompTIA now expects candidates to have stronger fundamentals here, particularly around SOHO configuration, wireless standards, and troubleshooting scenarios that go beyond physical connectivity.

New topics in Core 1

eSIM and SIM configuration. The old exam spent time on GSM vs. CDMA comparisons. The new exam drops that and focuses on eSIM provisioning and SIM card management, which is where the industry has moved.

MDM policy enforcement. Mobile Device Management coverage now explicitly includes Corporate and BYOD policy enforcement, not just device enrollment steps.

Display technologies. Mini-LED displays, high refresh rates, pixel density, and expanded color gamuts are testable topics now. If you support modern monitors, laptops, or workstations, this is practical knowledge.

Cloud storage sync for business apps. Candidates are expected to understand cloud storage as a standard business sync tool, not just personal backup.

More complex troubleshooting scenarios. The 220-1201 increases the complexity of scenario-based questions. You may be asked to diagnose issues spanning mobile, wireless, and cloud-connected systems in the same question.

What was removed from Core 1

• GSM vs. CDMA comparison
• PRL (Preferred Roaming List) updates
• The formal troubleshooting methodology steps as listed objectives (troubleshooting is still heavily tested, just not as a standalone checklist)

What Changed in Core 2 (220-1102 to 220-1202)

Core 2 got the bigger update of the two. The total objective count grew by around 85 items. The exam length stays the same, but there is genuinely more content to cover.

New topics in Core 2

AI fundamentals. This is the most talked-about addition. Candidates need to understand basic AI concepts as they apply to IT support work, including privacy considerations, ethical usage, and where AI tools have limitations. This is not a machine learning course. It is practical awareness of AI in a support context.

Zero Trust security principles. Zero Trust is now part of the A+ curriculum. Expect scenario questions that ask how you would apply least-privilege access or zero-trust authentication when supporting users. It is not theoretical. CompTIA is testing whether you can apply the concept to real situations.

Windows 11 features and tools. Windows 11 is now fully in scope alongside Windows 10. The exam covers its interface, built-in security features, and administrative tools in equal depth to the previous OS coverage.

ReFS and XFS filesystems. These join NTFS, FAT32, and ext4 on the list of filesystems you need to know. Both are common in enterprise and Linux-adjacent environments.

Updated malware types and authentication protocols. The threat coverage in 220-1202 reflects how attacks have evolved, including AI-assisted phishing and updated social engineering tactics.

Cloud productivity tools. Microsoft 365 and similar platforms are explicitly in scope for installation, configuration, and troubleshooting at the OS level.

What was removed from Core 2

Several older topics were cut to make room, including legacy two-factor authentication workflows and some deprecated OS procedures. If your study material is built around 220-1102 objectives and you have not cross-checked it against the 220-1202 blueprint, you are likely missing new content and spending time on topics that will not appear on your exam.

How to Prepare for the New CompTIA A+ Exam

Here is a practical approach for the 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams, whether you are starting fresh or updating your prep from the old series.

Step 1: Start with the official exam objectives

The CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives documents are free on CompTIA’s website. Every exam question comes from this list. Read through both documents before you pick up any other resource. This tells you exactly where to spend your time.

Step 2: Check your existing study materials

If you have materials from before March 2025, verify them against the new objectives. The danger areas are mobile device content (eSIM versus old carrier tech), security content (Zero Trust is new), OS content (Windows 11 depth), and filesystem coverage (ReFS and XFS). Do not assume old materials are close enough.

Step 3: Focus on hands-on practice

Both the 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams use performance-based questions (PBQs): drag-and-drop tasks and simulated scenarios that test whether you can apply skills, not just recall definitions. Reading alone will not prepare you for these. You need to actually do the work in a lab environment.

Ascend Education’s CompTIA A+ courseware includes virtual labs built around realistic IT support scenarios. These are aligned to the 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives and give you the kind of applied practice that makes PBQs manageable. [Explore our CompTIA A+ course here.]

Step 4: Give the new topics dedicated attention

The 87% overlap between old and new exams is reassuring, but do not let it make you skip the new content. AI basics, Zero Trust, eSIM, Windows 11, updated malware types, and ReFS/XFS are entirely absent from old study materials. Block out specific study sessions for each new area before you start running full practice exams.

Step 5: Practice under timed conditions

Run full practice exams at 90 questions in 90 minutes with no breaks. The exams are not trying to trick you, but the scenario questions take time to think through. The more you practice at that pace, the more comfortable the real exam will feel.

Step 6: Confirm your exam voucher

If you bought a 220-1101 or 220-1102 voucher before the retirement date and have not used it, contact your testing provider. Those exam versions are gone. You need to confirm your voucher has been exchanged or updated for the 220-1201/1202 series before you book a seat.

Who Should Take the New CompTIA A+ Exam?

The A+ is still the most recognised entry point for IT support careers. CompTIA recommends at least 12 months of hands-on experience, but plenty of students build that through coursework and lab work before sitting.

It is a strong fit if you are:

• Starting an IT career and want a vendor-neutral credential employers know and trust
• Moving into help desk, desktop support, or endpoint management
• Working toward DoD 8140 compliance
• An IT instructor whose curriculum is mapped to A+ objectives. The 220-1201/1202 update touches your lab exercises, assessments, and course content

After the A+, the natural progression is CompTIA Network+ for deeper networking knowledge, CompTIA Security+ for cybersecurity, or an entry-level cloud certification. The A+ is designed to build into those credentials cleanly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the old CompTIA A+ exam (220-1101/1102) still available? 

No. Both old exams retired on September 25, 2025. Everyone now sits the 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams.

Do I get the same certification regardless of which version I passed? 

Yes. The CompTIA A+ credential is identical whether you passed the 220-1101/1102 series or the 220-1201/1202 series. The version number does not appear on your certification.

Can I still use 220-1101/1102 study guides for the new exam? 

Partially. About 87% of content overlaps, but the new topics (AI basics, Zero Trust, eSIM, Windows 11, updated filesystems) are not covered in older materials. Use old resources carefully and supplement with content aligned to the new objectives.

How long will the 220-1201/1202 exams be available? 

CompTIA estimates retirement around September 2028, about three and a half years after the March 2025 launch.

What will the next CompTIA A+ update cover? 

CompTIA typically revises the A+ to reflect three to four years of technology change. The next update is likely around 2028. Expect deeper AI coverage, more cloud-native content, and whatever security developments occur between now and then.

Wrapping Up

The new CompTIA A+ exam (220-1201 and 220-1202) is a real update, not just a renumbering exercise. AI awareness, Zero Trust principles, Windows 11 coverage, and stronger networking content bring the exam in line with what IT support roles actually look like today.

If you are studying right now, check that every resource you use is aligned to the new exam codes. If you are an educator, the 220-1201/1202 update is your cue to review your labs, practice exams, and course materials.

Ascend Education’s CompTIA A+ courseware is fully updated for the 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives, with virtual labs, practice exams, and LMS-ready materials for individual learners and institutions. [Request a free demo] or [start your A+ journey today].

Last updated: April 2026 | Exam series: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2)