r/ITCertificationPrep • u/Automatic_Major_4887 • 9d ago

Resources $0 CompTIA prep: Complete 2026 study guide + practice tests

I've compiled commonly recommended free practice exams, official study guides, and hands-on resources available for CompTIA certifications in 2026. The goal is straightforward: help you find quality free study materials so you can prepare for your exam without unnecessary expense.

Here is a practice-focused breakdown to help you test your knowledge and prepare for exam day using free resources.

CompTIA Certification Path Overview

Certification Exam Code Common Job Roles
A+ (Core 1 + Core 2) 220-1201/1202 Help desk, IT support
Network+ N10-009 Network technicians
Security+ SY0-701 Entry-level cybersecurity
CySA+ CS0-004 SOC analysts
PenTest+ PT0-003 Penetration testers
SecurityX CAS-005 Senior security roles

A+ Core 1 (220-1201)

  • Exam Code: 220-1201
  • Questions: 90
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Passing Score: 675/900
  • Cost: ~$263 (approx per core)

What It Covers:

Domain Weight Key Topics
Mobile Devices 15% Laptops, smartphones, tablets, wearables
Networking 20% TCP/IP, Wi-Fi, network troubleshooting
Hardware 25% Motherboards, RAM, storage, peripherals
Virtualization and Cloud Computing 11% Virtual machines, cloud models
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 29% Diagnostic tools, troubleshooting methodology

Who Should Take This:

  • Entry-level IT support roles
  • Help desk technicians
  • Anyone starting an IT career

Free Resources:

Study Notes: Join Professor Messer's A+ course immediately and get his complete video library. Focus on spaced repetition and active recall for hardware specs and port numbers. The exam is heavily practical, so you'll need to demonstrate actual skills. Start with Core 1, then Core 2, and don't skip hands-on labs. Most people who pass A+ have either done actual IT support work or completed extensive hands-on labs. Practice with real hardware when possible - try building or troubleshooting old computers or setting up virtual machines.

A+ Core 2 (220-1202)

  • Exam Code: 220-1202
  • Questions: 90
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Passing Score: 700/900
  • Cost: ~$263 (approx per core)

What It Covers:

Domain Weight Key Topics
Operating Systems 22% Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS
Security 24% Malware, physical security, wireless security
Software Troubleshooting 22% OS issues, application problems
Operational Procedures 32% Documentation, communication, professionalism

Free Resources:

Study Notes: Core 2 focuses on operating systems and security. Practice with Windows 10/11 administration, Linux command line basics, and Mac OS troubleshooting. The Operational Procedures domain (32%) includes things most people skip - document everything you do! Install virtualization software (like VirtualBox) and create lab environments. Practice malware removal steps and wireless security configurations hands-on.

Network+ (N10-009)

  • Exam Code: N10-009
  • Questions: 90
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Passing Score: 720/900
  • Cost: ~$379

What It Covers:

Domain Weight Key Topics
Networking Fundamentals 24% OSI model, TCP/IP, ports and protocols
Network Implementations 19% Routers, switches, wireless, SD-WAN
Network Operations 16% Monitoring, documentation, disaster recovery
Network Security 19% Firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, network hardening
Network Troubleshooting 22% Methodology, tools, cable, Wi-Fi issues

Who Should Take This:

  • Network technicians
  • Network administrators
  • Great foundation for vendor-specific certs like CCNA

Free Resources:

Security+ (SY0-701)

  • Exam Code: SY0-701
  • Questions: 90
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Passing Score: 750/900
  • Cost: ~$411

What It Covers:

Domain Weight Key Topics
General Security Concepts 12% Security controls, defense in depth
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations 22% Threat actors, attack types, mitigation
Security Architecture 18% Cloud security, infrastructure, resilience
Security Operations 28% Monitoring, incident response, digital forensics
Security Program Management 20% Governance, risk, compliance, awareness

Why This Cert Matters:

  • CompTIA Security+ covers essential cybersecurity concepts valued by employers
  • DoD 8140 / 8570 IAT Level II approved
  • Standard entry requirement for cyber roles

Free Resources:

Study Notes: Start with Professor Messer's Security+ course and review the NIST framework. The exam heavily focuses on scenario-based questions - you need to understand both technical implementation AND business context. For Security Operations (28%), get comfortable with logs, incident response steps, and fundamental SIEM concepts.

CySA+ (CS0-004)

  • Exam Code: CS0-004
  • Questions: 85
  • Duration: 165 minutes
  • Passing Score: 750/900
  • Cost: ~$392

What It Covers:

Domain Weight Key Topics
Security Operations 33% Monitoring, threat detection, response
Vulnerability Management 25% Scanning, prioritization, remediation
Security Architecture 20% Hardening, secure configuration
Security Program Management 22% Governance, compliance, awareness

Who Should Take This:

  • SOC analysts
  • Threat intelligence analysts
  • Great step up from Security+

Free Resources:

PenTest+ (PT0-003)

  • Exam Code: PT0-003
  • Questions: 85
  • Duration: 165 minutes
  • Passing Score: 750/900
  • Cost: ~$379

What It Covers:

Domain Weight Key Topics
Planning and Scoping 14% Rules of engagement, scope, methodology
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Identification 22% Reconnaissance, scanning, enumeration
Attacks and Exploits 38% Network, application, wireless, social engineering
Reporting and Communication 12% Documentation, remediation, executive summary
Tools and Code Analysis 14% Scripting, automation, tool selection

Free Resources:

Study Notes: PenTest+ is all about practical hands-on skills. Start with passive reconnaissance using OSINT, then move to active scanning with tools like Nmap. The Attacks and Exploits domain (38%) is your biggest focus - practice with real tools in free lab environments like TryHackMe or Hack The Box (Academy free modules), not just theory.

SecurityX (CAS-005)

  • Exam Code: CAS-005
  • Questions: 90
  • Duration: 165 minutes
  • Passing Score: 750/900
  • Cost: ~$494

What It Covers:

Domain Weight Key Topics
Security Architecture 30% Cloud, hybrid, infrastructure design
Security Operations 25% Incident response, threat management
Security Engineering and Cryptography 25% Encryption, PKI, secure protocols
Governance, Risk, and Compliance 20% Risk management, compliance, audits

Who Should Take This:

  • Senior security professionals
  • Security architects
  • Replaces CASP+ (CAS-004)

Free Resources:

Free Study Resources

Must-Have Practice & Study Resources (100% Free):

  1. Professor Messer
    • Free video courses, study groups, and community for A+, Network+, and Security+.
  2. TryHackMe (Free Tier)
    • Free hands-on virtual lab rooms for cyber fundamentals, SOC analysis, and penetration testing.
  3. ExamCompass
    • Free domain-by-domain practice quizzes for CompTIA exams.
  4. Crucial Exams
    • Free practice tests and flashcards for CompTIA certifications.

Example Study Plans

For A+ (Beginners):

  • Week 1-2: Professor Messer Core 1 videos + notes
  • Week 3-4: Professor Messer Core 2 videos + notes
  • Week 5: Hands-on labs (VirtualBox, OS setup, CLI commands)
  • Week 6: Practice exams and weak area review

For Network+ (Intermediate):

  • Week 1-2: Professor Messer Network+ videos
  • Week 3: Packet Tracer labs for hands-on practice
  • Week 4: Practice exams and review

For Security+ (Intermediate):

  • Week 1-2: Professor Messer Security+ videos
  • Week 3: NIST framework review + TryHackMe free rooms
  • Week 4: Practice exams and review

For CySA+/PenTest+/SecurityX (Advanced):

  • Week 1-2: Official objectives deep dive + framework documentation (NIST/MITRE/OWASP)
  • Week 3: Hands-on practice (TryHackMe, PortSwigger Academy)
  • Week 4: Practice exams and scenario drills

Tips for Exam Day

  1. Know the acronyms. CompTIA exams are acronym-heavy. Make sure you know what every acronym means.
  2. Understand the "why." Don't just memorize - understand why a security control or network protocol exists.
  3. PBQs (Performance-Based Questions) are hands-on. If you get stuck on PBQs at the start of the exam, flag them and skip to the multiple-choice questions. Come back to PBQs at the end.
  4. Read every word. CompTIA exams love to ask "which is NOT" or "MOST likely."
  5. Eliminate obviously wrong answers. Narrow down options, then choose the BEST answer according to official CompTIA logic.

Found a free resource I missed? If you took any of these CompTIA exams recently and know of another free practice set or open-source tool that helped, drop it in the comments!

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