CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802

Posted on by Darril

You Can Become A+ Certified!

CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 SuccessIf you’re pursuing the CompTIA A+ certification, you need to pass two exams.

  • CompTIA A+ 220-801
  • CompTIA A+ 220-802

You can take both exams on the same day but most people take them on different days.

Join over 900,000 people around the world who have earned this certification. 

IT professionals commonly move on to higher-level certifications and better paying jobs after starting with this certification and laying a solid foundation of IT knowledge.

CompTIA announced that the 800 series exams (English version) will expire on June 30, 2016.

This blog outlines the requirements and the domains of the CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 exams while the blog about the new A+ 900 Series Exams mentions the objectives at a high level.

Check out the CompTIA A+ Certification page for additional details on the exams including:

CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 Requirements

To become A+ certified, you only need to take and pass the two exams. There aren’t any prerequisites. However, CompTIA recommends test takers have a minimum of 12 months of lab or field work. In other words, they expect you to have been studying computers (lab work) for at least 12 months or working in an IT job (field work) for at least 12 months.

220-801

The primary focus of the 220-801 exam is on the skills required for installing and maintaining hardware. It includes objectives in the following five domains:

  • PC Hardware 40% of exam
  • Networking 27% of exam
  • Laptops 11% of exam
  • Printers 11%of exam
  • Operational Procedures 11% of exam
CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 801 Pie

220-802

The primary focus of the 220-802 exam is on operating systems and troubleshooting, including troubleshooting of hardware covered in the 220-801 exam. The 220-802 objectives include the following four domains:

  • Operating Systems 33% of exam
  • Security 22% of exam
  • Mobile Devices 9% of exam
  • Troubleshooting 36% of exam
CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 802 Pie

Significant Differences

Some of the significant differences in the CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 series exams compared with previous versions are:

  • Windows 7 Enterprise is included
  • Mobile devices (such as iPads) are included
  • Virtualization is new
  • Troubleshooting wireless is new
  • A significant amount of security is added (including wireless security, troubleshooting security, and SOHO security)

Performance Based Testing

These exams also include performance based testing. Instead of just selecting an answer from multiple choices, test takers will have to actually perform a task.

As an example, the question may state this as the question.

“Navigate to the c:\Data folder and change the StudyNotes.txt file to read only. ”

When you click the Simulate button, you’ll have a command prompt that you need to use to perform the task. Note that you may be familiar with how to do this with Windows Explorer, but it’s possible that the question will only give you the command prompt.

You would then need to enter the following two commands:

cd \data

attrib +R study.txt

If you’re able to answer this successfully, it demonstrates that you know how to change the directory with the cd command and you know how to change attributes with the attrib command.

You can expect anywhere from two to ten performance based questions on an exam. Some of these might be beta questions which don’t count in the score until CompTIA has finished testing them.

You can read more about performance based testing here.

CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 Study Resources

Many people use self-study materials to prepare for these exams. With the right materials almost anyone can master the objectives, take the exams, and become A+ certified. If this is the path you’re taking, these resources can help you.

CompTIA A+ Training Kit (Exam 220-801 and Exam 220-802)LearnZapp Mobile Apps for your mobile DeviceCompTIA A+ Rapid Review (Exam 220-801 and Exam 220-802)
 Get Certified A+ App
This comprehensive book covers all of the objectives of the CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 exams. Book includes CD with in-depth practice test questions to help you test your readiness.Quality practice test questions with in-depth explanations for your mobile devices from LearnZapp.Late stage review book. It provides short snippets of information on the objectives to remind you what is important and is an ideal complement to the in-depth A+ Training Kit.

Other resources:

76 thoughts on “CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802”

  6. i’m getting ready to give A+ exam but am confused whether I should give exam within 2 months from now or not because there might be an update in A+ exams this year so i might have to study again

    1. Hi Harpreet,

      Carpe Certem!

      Seize the cert. Now!

      There will always be changes on the horizon, but if you always wait for the next change, you’ll always be behind.

      Do it now (or when you can), and you’ll be finishing another cert by the time the A+ exams change.

      1. yes i will .. thanks for encouraging .. i have one more questions. does A+ include stuff about windows 8 or not yet ?

  7. Hi, Am confused because now I need to write both exam of A+ and N+ and I heard that those exams are expiring at the end of august is this true?

    1. Not exactly. The Network+ N10-005 exam is retiring, but the N10-006 exam has been live for a while now.

      The A+ 801 and 802 exams are not set to expire yet, but they will sometime after the 900 series go live.

      They are updated about every three years.

  8. Hey, failed my exam yersterday. Got 680 mxm. Anywho what I would like to know is since I hear networking is expering in june. Does this mean I won’t b able to do networking when I pass 802? Is it also changing? A+ that is. Sad n confused

    1. Sorry to hear you didn’t make it, but don’t give up.

      They all change, typically every three years. Security+ changed last year. Network+ is changing this year. And I expect that A+ will be changing next year (no official announcement from CompTIA as of this date.)

      However, the new exam is released first, and then after a period of time, the old one is retired.

      Network+ is not retiring. However, the N10-005 exam is retiring August 31, 2015. It was launched on Dec 1, 2011.

      N10-006 was launched 28-Feb-15, and will likely retire sometime in 2018.

      Hope this helps.

  9. Hey so my work provides me with all the study material I need for the exams, but they don’t pay for the exams. I have enough money for one of the two (obviously for the 801 first) but I’m hesitant on scheduling it because it will be a few months before I have enough money for the second exam. How long do I have to take the 802 after passing the 801? Should I just wait to have the money for both exams and schedule them together?

    1. Congrats on the pass. Take as much time as you want. As long as it’s available to take, you can do so.

      From another perspective though, the material is fresh for you. Study for it and take it within 60 days and then you can move on to another certification.

      Good luck.

  11. Hello Sir i have a situation i am taking Comptia A+ 220-801 next week but eventually i need to take also 220-802 next day is it possible to do that?

  12. CompTIA hasn’t announced this though it’s likely that the 801 and 802 series of exams will remain live until summer of 2016. If you want to get certified, you have plenty of time to do so with the 801 and 802 exams.

  14. Hi

    I am considering to start the A+ course, my question is, when will the 801 / 802 expire and the new series start? and do you think its worth studying the ITIL course?

    1. CompTIA has not announced any expiration date for 801 and 802 so if you’re interested in getting the cert, you have plenty of time. On ITIL, it depends on how much your employer values the cert.

  15. I received CISA score via mail yesterday, and I would like to share that I have passed the CISA exam. I will be taking CISM this December. Do you have thoughts or insights to the CISM exam?

    Now that I have passed a few exams, including CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, SSCP, and CISA, I am considering starting a blog sharing my study tips and test taking strategies. I however feel there are plenty blogs that do that already. Thoughts?

    1. If you have a passion to do so, by all means do it. However, a common pitfall is that many people create the blog, post or one or two blogs and then lose interest. If you’d like to see the process, feel free to contact me to be a guest blogger.

  16. I would like to take my CISSP exam later this year, 2014. The amount of reading material is discouraging. Do you have any advice or strategy to approach in preparing for the CISSP exam?

    1. You’re correct. It is a lot of material and that’s why many people pursue the SSCP first and use it as a stepping stone to the CISSP. Once you’re done with the SSCP, you’ve gained a significant amount of knowledge needed for the CISSP.

      Unfortunately many people study the CISSP for six months or more, drop it the first time they take it, and become so discouraged that they never take it again.

  19. My goal is to take the CISSP exam later this year (October or November 2014). Will your publisher make your CISSP Study Guide available with an updated CBK (I understand the last update was 2012)? Also, what are your thoughts on CISM, and should I even bother with it after CISSP?

    1. The study guide is updated when ISC(2) updates the exam domains but ISC(2) hasn’t updated the domains since the book was published. Also, the CBK is published by ISC(2). ISC(2) might update the CIB (last update was effective Jan 2012), which is more important than the CBK, but if an update happens, I sincerely doubt it’ll be effective before you take the exam in October or November. I’m not close to CISM so can’t give you any information of value on it.

  21. Hi Darril,

    Your book is excellent and is the best resource I have found. For the performance based questions related to the command prompt, Do we need to click run as admin. or will the command prompt be there for us already? Thanks.

  22. Hi Darril,

    Your book is excellent and is the best resource I have found. For the performance based questions related to the command prompt, Do we need to click run as admin. or will the command prompt be there for us already? Thanks.

  23. Dear Sir,

    I will take my CISA exam this June, and I am curious to know if you have firsthand experience or thoughts on ISACA certificate exams that you would like to share. Thanks.

    1. Sorry, but I don’t have any firsthand experience with ISACA certificates. However, I do know they are respected and useful for getting an IT auditing job. Good luck.

  24. Looking for some help on passing the 801/802 test. My techs are running into a roadblock on the Simulations that are on the test. They are very different then any of the study material that we are using like the Mike Myers, Professor Messer, or SkillSoft eLearning material.
    Please let me know if there is anything that you can suggest.

  25. Hello, Mr Gibson. I am using your book on A+ FOR MY A+ prep, and it’s great. Anyway, I would like to know if I would have to take both 220-801 and 220-802 exams on the same day. Please, I need this information urgently.

  26. Hello Sir. I already have my A+ (701/702; received in 2011). I will not be able to take my Net+ exam in time to renew A+ (financial issues). I had taken an A+ course from New Horizons (excellent institution to my knowledge, but VERY expensive). I was wondering if there is a less expensive, but quality route to take when I have the money to renew my A+ and not have to actually take a “full” course, but rather the difference between 701/801 and 702/802? Most of the concepts are common (a few changes with new OS’s and hardware; I have had experience with Win 8 and notice it is Win 7, but a bit different). Can you help?

    1. You do not need to take a course to take the exams. If you wanted to just study and take the new exams, you can. Any of the resources listed on this page can help.
      Good luck.

      1. Hello Sir,
        Thank you for your reply. I actually do want to take a course (I have found it is the best way I learn). Do you know of any courses as I described above (a difference course instead of a full course/new course of 801/802) at an affordable (but quality) location?

        1. Your best bet is to search online. For example, a Google search on “CompTIA A+ Course” with your city name will likely give you many choices. Good luck.

  27. Dear Sir,

    Using your book, I passed my Security+ exam on 06/22/2013. Because of the vast number of end users in my organization, I was having a hard time explicating some simple concepts. Thus, in July 2013, I began studying for the A+ with your training kit. I am much more comfortable with software/Windows OS because my organization has a contract with them. I took and passed 802 on 09/11/2013. Today, on 09/25/2013, I took and passed 801, the hardware portion of the exam. I am now A+ certified. For those who are concerned with the simulations, it is advisable to spend time with cables, connectors, adapters, tablets…etc. For software, it is advisable to spend some time in the Control Panel, Task Manager, command prompt even if it is just to ping google or whatever website you wish to ping. As you have said, there really is no substitute to doing. Thanks again, and I hope to earn my Network+ before the end of this year.

      1. Dear Sir, I have just passed my SSCP exam an hour ago. There were questions on cloud security, which you covered in your SSCP book. Thanks again!

  28. Dear Sir,

    Using your book, I passed my Security+ exam on 06/22/2013. Because of the vast number of end users in my organization, I was having a hard time explicating some simple concepts. Thus, in July 2013, I began studying for the A+ with your training kit. I am much more comfortable with software/Windows OS because my organization has a contract with them. I took and passed 802 on 09/11/2013. Today, on 09/25/2013, I took and passed 801, the hardware portion of the exam. I am now A+ certified. For those who are concerned with the simulations, it is advisable to spend time with cables, connectors, adapters, tablets…etc. For software, it is advisable to spend some time in the Control Panel, Task Manager, command prompt even if it is just to ping google or whatever website you wish to ping. As you have said, there really is no substitute to doing. Thanks again, and I hope to earn my Network+ before the end of this year.

  29. I passed the 801 last week and I am sitting the 802 tomorrow.

    These are repeats for me, got the shock of my life when I sat them the first time and realised I studied the wrong material!

    Out of My class of 19 only 2 passed the first time around it was crazy!
    We were using measureup and that was so far off our questions!

    There was allot of simulations so my advice study motherboards, building computer such as gaming/home theatre , study raid, msconfig, ipconfig etc

    The simulations take allot of time and for us they were the very first questions!

    1. Congrats on passing the 801.
      If you’re not ready for the simulations, they certainly can surprise you and take a lot of time to figure out what they’re asking for. One method of attacking them is to:
      1) Look at them.
      2) If you know the answer, answer it. Otherwise skip it.
      3) When you’re done with the rest of the questions, go back and answer the simulations.
      Good luck with the 802.

  30. i dont have any practical experience with the hardware part. I am a software engineer but want to do A+ certification. I think I should go for 700 series as it doesnt contain any performance based questions before august. what should you suggest? If practical expereince doesnt matters then i would go for latest series 800
    thanks and regards.

    1. Go for the 800 series exams.

      If you’re not familiar with the topics, I’d suggest it’s too late to go for the 700 series exams. If you had a lot of confidence, and knew what you wanted, you could easily pass both the 700 series exams before the deadline, but you seem unsure. If you pass one and not both, you’ll have to start over. With a good book, and perhaps two good books, you should be able to master all of the topics and pass the exams.

  31. If I take the 700 series now, could I still hold it for 3 years or will I have to take the 800 series a month later in August ?

    1. If you earn the A+ certification with the 700 series exams, you have it for three years. You can renew it by earning the Network+ certification (or another approved certification) so it is entirely feasible that you’d never take the 800 series exams if you pass the 700 series exams.

      Careful though. You can’t mix and match them. You have to take both the 701 and 702 exams by the end of August. If you pass 701 and not 702, and August 31 passes, you’ll need to take both 801 and 802.

      Good luck.

      1. Thank you Mr. Gibson, I think I’ll rather take the 800 series. I studied and it’s not that scary as I thought it could possibly be. Plus I don’t want to keep renewing an expired (700’s) A+ cert. I’m taking the 801 this Friday July 12th, 2013 and 802 hopefully the Monday after that if I get my voucher in time. Next, I’m looking forward to your CompTIA Network+ N10-005 Practice Test Questions (Get Certified Get Ahead) as I read many good reviews on it. I just wish it also came in paperback version. Guess I’ll just have to get a kindle. Thanks much to you and other great instructors for your great efforts to help upcoming IT people like us.
        GOD bless.

          1. I didn’t know that. Thanks, got it. And yes also got my A+ (800’s), passed today so now I’m officially certified and ready to hit the Net.
            Cheers..

  32. i will be attending PC AGE in august 2013, they prepare you for A+, Security+, Network+,…they said they will prepare me for the 220-701, and 220-702, but now I’m finding that they are expiring, can they still teach that if it is expired.

    1. I’m not familiar with PC AGE, but anyone can teach anything, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

      Id doesn’t make sense to teach 701 and 702 series exams in August when they are expiring on August 31 and there are available materials for the 801 and 802 exams. You might like to double-check with them and if they insist on teaching 701 and 702 materials in August, you might like to look for training somewhere else.

      Many people self-study and pass these exams without a class. Here’s one book people are using: CompTIA A+ Training Kit (Exam 220-801 and Exam 220-802).

      Good luck.

  33. Darril, let me just say how pleased I am with your new A+ training kit book. I got it from Amazon last week and have been devouring it every day. It’s organized perfectly and very easy to read. I’m sure I’ll do great on the exams in a couple of months. Thanks again!

    1. Thanks for the kind words. I wish you the best of luck on the exams. You might like to check out http://www.learnzapp.com/apps/index.html when you’re closer. They are currently developing quality apps with realistic practice test questions for the A+ exams. They can be a great supplement before you take the live exams. Good luck.

  35. So I just realized that getting the latest edition of a book is not always the best. I am embarking on a second career and thought I was heading down the right path. I have picked up the very newest A + Certification for dummies but it covers 801-802. I just picked it up as a study guide. My question is do i need to have 701-702 under my belt as knowledge or should I just wait until Comptia offers it?

    Thanks….Deb

  36. Since the 220-801/802 exams appear to be only a couple of months away, I’m thinking I should purchase the new 8th edition Meyers all-in-one exam guide in preparation for the exams. Hypothetical question: If there’s a delay in the new exams, would it be foolish to take the old 220-701/702 exams after studying from the 220-801/802 guide?

      1. Thanks, Darril, for your quick response. And thanks for the heads up on your new book. Have you told Amazon they’ve got the wrong exam numbers in the title?

        1. The publisher is Microsoft Press and they have to tell Amazon but a contact there told me yesterday they would be getting it corrected.

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