All certifications / Compare / A+ Core 1 vs Network+
A+ Core 1 vs Network+: which should you take?
Which first?
Take A+ Core 1 first. A+ covers the hardware, operating system and troubleshooting basics that Network+ assumes. Note that A+ needs two exams: Core 1 and Core 2.
Who each one is for
A+ Core 1 (220-1201): People aiming for a help desk or desktop support job.
Network+ (N10-009): People who already know basic IT and want to move toward networking, systems administration or security.
Key differences
- A+ spans hardware, mobile devices, operating systems, security basics and support procedures; Network+ is only networking, in more depth.
- Network+ covers subnetting, routing, switching, wireless and network troubleshooting that A+ only introduces.
- Help desk postings ask for A+; network and many systems roles ask for Network+.
Side by side
| Item | A+ Core 1 | Network+ |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | CompTIA | CompTIA |
| Exam | 220-1201 | N10-009 |
| Questions | Up to 90 (multiple choice, drag and drop and PBQs) | Up to 90 (multiple choice and PBQs) |
| Time | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| To pass | 675 on a 100–900 scale | 720 on a 100–900 scale |
| Free study plan here | – | – |
| Career tracks | System Administrator | Network Engineering |
Exam domains
A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
- Mobile devices 13%
- Networking 23%
- Hardware 25%
- Virtualization and cloud computing 11%
- Hardware and network troubleshooting 28%
Network+ (N10-009)
- Networking concepts 23%
- Network implementation 20%
- Network operations 19%
- Network security 14%
- Network troubleshooting 24%
Exam details come from each vendor's published objectives as recorded in the study plans; confirm them on the vendor's page before you book.
Study either one for free
Week-by-week lessons, quizzes, exam simulations and hands-on labs.
A+ Core 1 plan Network+ planWeek-by-week lessons, quizzes, exam simulations and hands-on labs.