What are the differences between the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Exam and the A+ 220-1201 Exam?
This document was updated on March 30, 2025
The CompTIA A+ certification is one of information technology’s most popular certifications, and it’s common to see the A+ certification requested on many job postings. The A+ certification focuses on fundamental technologies, networking, IT security, and other entry-level topics.
In this article, we’ll discuss which topics are new in the 220-1201 exam objectives, which topics have been removed, and which topics are the same between the earlier 220-1101 A+ exam version.
Why does CompTIA change their exams?
CompTIA updates their A+ exam objectives every few years, and this process ensures the exam topics are up to date with the latest technologies and operating systems. Professor Messer’s video training courses and study materials are always updated to stay consistent with the latest set of official CompTIA exam objectives. You can start your studies using the free Professor Messer CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 training course here:
Why is this information important?
The questions on the CompTIA exams are based on the official objective lists, so anyone who has studied the objectives will have a very good chance of passing their exam. It’s useful to refer to these objectives as a definite checklist of study topics.
Does it matter which A+ exam version I take?
Once you pass both A+ exams, you are officially CompTIA A+ certified. The version of the exams is not part of the certification credential, so someone who passes the 220-1101 and 220-1102 A+ exams, the 220-1201 and 220-1202 A+ exam, or any other version of the A+ exams earns the same A+ certification.
Once the A+ certification is successfully earned, the certification is valid for three years before it expires. During this three year period, the credential holder can choose to renew the A+ certification at any time. There are a number of different renewal options available, such as accumulating continuing education credits, taking higher-level certifications, or online renewal training using Certmaster CE.
It takes time to study for the CompTIA A+ exam, so the retirement date of the certification exam is important for planning your studies. Always check an exam’s retirement date and make sure there’s enough time to study and pass your selected version of the exam.It takes time to study for the CompTIA Network+ exam, so the retirement date of the certification exam is important for planning your studies. Always check an exam’s retirement date and make sure there’s enough time to study and pass your selected version of the exam.
When are the A+ 220-1201 and A+ 220-1202 Exams available?
What is the Availability of the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Exam Version?
The English-language version of the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 and 220-1102 exams was released on April 20, 2022 and will retire on September 25, 2025.
What is the Availability of The CompTIA A+ 220-1201 Exam Version?
The CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams were released on March 25, 2025, and are estimated to be available for approximately three and a half years. This would place the estimated retirement date of the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams in September of 2028. CompTIA commonly provides more detailed exam retirement information on their website as this date gets closer.
What has changed in the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 Exam?
With each release of a new exam version, CompTIA updates the official exam objectives and adds topics and technologies used in many organizations.
This diagram shows a summary of the differences between the A+ Core 1 220-1101 and the A+ 220-1201 exams:
This diagram compares the total size of both exams based on the total number of exam objectives from the CompTIA official exam objectives documents. This comparison also shows how these objectives are distributed between the two versions. The 220-1101 version of the A+ exam version is on the left, and the 220-1201 version is on the right.
Number of objectives
As the diagram shows, the overall size of the 220-1201 A+ exam is almost the same as the 220-1101, with a total of 396 objectives on the 220-1101 to approximately 391 objectives on the 220-1201. This nearly identical number of exam objectives means there are about the same amount of topics on both exams, so the time required to study for the 220-1101 and the 220-1201 should be relatively similar.
What topics were dropped between the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 and 220-1201 exams?
When an exam is updated, topics are often modified between versions due to changes in technologies, a decrease in the use of a particular technology, or a change to the scope of the exam itself.
With the 220-1202 A+ exam version, CompTIA maintained the overall size and quantity of the A+ objective list. About eighty-seven percent of the 220-1201 exam objectives are the same between both versions. For individuals switching from the 220-1101 to the 220-1201, this transition process should be relatively easy since only thirteen percent of the exam contains new topics.
This list isn’t intended to be a comprehensive comparison, but we’ll highlight some of the most significant items which have been dropped from the 220-1201 exam version.
The following topics were dropped from the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 exam objectives:
220-1101 Domain 1: Mobile Devices
220-1101 Domain 2: Networking
220-1101 Domain 3: Hardware
220-1101 Domain 4: Virtualization and Cloud Computing
220-1101 Domain 5: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
What topics were added to the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 exam?
Updated exam objectives often introduce new technologies and topics. CompTIA tends to focus on a practical use of IT technologies, so their exams often include both older and newer technologies on the same test.
Only 49 topics are new to the 220-1201, so the total size is very similar to the older 220-1101 objectives. If you are migrating your studies to the newer exam version, you’ll find these objectives will cover topics not previously seen on the 220-1101 exam.
We recommend studying from materials that match the version of the exam you’re planning to take. If all of your studies have been for the 220-1101 exam and you sit for the 220-1201 exam, you are likely to find topics not covered in your studies.
If you are moving between exam versions, the transition should be relatively easy. About 87% of the 220-1201 topics are the same between the two versions, so the new exam should look familiar to anyone who has previously studied for the 220-1101 exam version.
A summary of those new topics are listed below. This isn’t a comprehensive list, but we’ll highlight some of the most significant additions.
The following topics are new in the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 exam version:
220-1201 Domain 1: Mobile Devices
220-1201 Domain 2: Networking
220-1201 Domain 3: Hardware
220-1201 Domain 4: Virtualization and Cloud Computing
220-1201 Domain 5: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
What strategies should be used when moving from the 220-1101 A+ exam to the 220-1201 version?
Use the Exam Objectives as a checklist
CompTIA’s official exam objectives are always the best source to determine which topics are associated with the A+ exam. These objectives are not only valuable to use during your studies, but they also make a great checklist before taking your exam.
Use the right study materials
As you’ve already seen, there are relatively minor differences between the 220-1101 exam objectives and the 220-1201 exam objectives. Even with these minor updates, there’s still enough changes to have an impact on the required exam knowledge. Because of these changes, we highly recommend you use study materials written to match the version of the exam you’re planning to take. If you’re taking the 220-1201 exam, make sure all of your videos, books, and other study materials have been specifically written for the 220-1201 exam.
Get the right mix of study materials
The best combination of study materials follows the Professor Messer WRAP Formula: Watch a video training course, Read a good book, Apply your knowledge with hands-on labs, and Practice with lots of Q&A. Professor Messer provides a complete library of training materials covering every topic from the official CompTIA A+ 220-1201 Exam Objectives, including both free and commercial options: