Big Changes to the CompTIA A+ Exam 1101

The IT industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and CompTIA is keeping its certifications relevant by introducing significant updates to the A+ certification program. These changes aim to align the certification with the evolving demands of the IT industry, ensuring that professionals are equipped with relevant and up-to-date skills.

With the new 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams launching in Spring 2025, IT professionals and aspiring technicians need to be prepared for these important changes. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about the updated CompTIA A+ certification. And we’ll take a look at how Cyberkraft can help you pass you’re A+ certification on the first attempt.

What is the CompTIA A+ Certification?

The CompTIA A+ certification stands as the industry’s premier entry-level IT credential, designed for individuals starting their careers in technology. Globally recognized, this certification validates fundamental skills across hardware, software, networking, security, and troubleshooting. These are essential competencies for IT professionals working in technical support or help desk roles.

Unlike vendor-specific certifications that focus on particular products or technologies, the A+ certification covers a broad spectrum of technologies, making it versatile and widely accepted across industries. Employers value the A+ certification as concrete evidence that candidates possess the technical expertise to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot IT systems.

CompTIA A+ is compliant with ISO 17024 standards and approved by the U.S. DoD to meet Directive 8140.03M requirements. Regulators and governments rely on ANSI accreditation because it provides confidence and trust in the outputs of an accredited program.

Currently, achieving A+ certification requires passing two exams: the 220-1101 (Core 1) and 220-1102 (Core 2). However, with the upcoming transition to the 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams, new topics and skills will be introduced to better reflect today’s IT landscape and prepare professionals for tomorrow’s challenges.

Key Changes in the 220-1201 and 220-1202 A+ Certification Exams

The new CompTIA A+ exams (220-1201 and 220-1202) introduce several substantial changes designed to address the latest trends and technologies in the IT industry:

Enhanced Focus on Security: With cybersecurity threats becoming increasingly sophisticated and prevalent, the new exams place significantly greater emphasis on security protocols and practices. This ensures that certified professionals can effectively protect systems and data in various environments.
Support for Hybrid Work Environments: Recognizing the permanent shift toward hybrid and remote work models accelerated by recent global events, the updated exams include objectives related to supporting remote diagnostics, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and managing distributed IT infrastructures.
Updated Hardware and Software Coverage: The exams have been thoroughly revised to cover the latest hardware components, peripherals, and software applications. This ensures that candidates are knowledgeable about current technologies used in modern IT infrastructures, including newer mobile devices, cloud services, and virtualization technologies.
Improved Troubleshooting Methodologies: The new exams emphasize more sophisticated troubleshooting approaches that reflect the increasing complexity of today’s IT environments, requiring candidates to demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills across various scenarios.
Expanded Networking Concepts: With networks becoming more complex and critical to business operations, the new exams include expanded coverage of networking fundamentals, wireless technologies, and network security concepts.

Transition Timeline and Important Dates

The transition to the new exam series follows a structured timeline that candidates should be aware of:

Launch of 220-1201/1202 Exams: Scheduled for Spring 2025
Retirement of 220-1101/1102 Exams: The current exam versions will remain available until October 20, 2025

This timeline provides candidates with a substantial overlap period during which both exam versions will be available. However, it’s crucial to note that mixing exam versions is not permitted—both Core 1 and Core 2 exams must be from the same series to achieve certification.

For candidates currently preparing for the A+ certification, this presents an important decision:

If you’ve already started studying for the 220-1101/1102 exams: Consider completing your certification before the retirement date in October 2025.
If you’re just beginning your certification journey: You might want to wait for the release of the new exams and prepare specifically for the 220-1201/1202 series, especially if your timeline extends beyond Spring 2025.

Preparing for the Updated A+ Exams

To effectively prepare for the 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams, consider implementing these strategies:

Review Updated Exam Objectives: Familiarize yourself with the draft exam objectives available on CompTIA’s official website to understand the scope of topics covered.
Engage in Practical Training: Hands-on experience with current technologies is invaluable. Seek out labs, simulations, or real-world scenarios to apply your knowledge in a practical fashion.
Utilize Official Study Materials: Leverage CompTIA-approved study guides, practice tests, and training courses designed specifically for the updated exam content.
Join Study Groups: Connecting with other candidates preparing for the same exams can provide additional insights, resources, and motivation throughout your preparation journey.
Create a Structured Study Plan: Develop a comprehensive study schedule that allocates sufficient time to each exam domain, with additional focus on new or expanded topics.

Cyberkraft’s CompTIA A+ Certification Offerings

As you navigate the transition to the new CompTIA A+ exams, partnering with a reputable training provider can significantly enhance your preparation experience and increase your chances of success. Cyberkraft stands out as a premier provider of A+ certification training, offering comprehensive programs specifically tailored to the current A+ certification and the updated 220-1201 and 220-1202 A+ certification exams.

Cyberkraft’s A+ certification offerings include a CompTIA A+ Certification Bootcamp that includes the following:

56 hours of live, fully interactive, instructor-led content:
– Weekday sessions will be held from 10:00am – 06:00pm ET for seven consecutive days
– Evening sessions will run from 07:00pm – 11:00pm ET Monday through Friday over three consecutive weeks. All three weeks are included in the course
– All sessions will be held remotely via Zoom
– All hands-on activities and labs will be provided to you and require no software to download
All materials from both Core 1 and Core 2 are included in the training:
Instruction on all Core 1 domains:
– Domain 1: Mobile Devices
– Domain 2: Networking
– Domain 3: Hardware
– Domain 4: Virtualization and Cloud Computing
– Domain 5: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
Instruction on all Core 2 domains:
– Domain 1: Operating Systems
– Domain 2: Security
– Domain 3: Software troubleshooting
– Domain 4: Operational Procedures
One year access to the Official CompTIA Learn+Labs training environment
-Performance Based Questions
-Custom build labs
-Games, flashcards, lessons, tests, and more
Two fully paid exam vouchers ($492 value)! Both exam vouchers for Core 1 and Core 2 are included in the training.
Live instructor led study sessions
Access to practice assessment questions to test your knowledge
Full simulation exams with 90 questions that are nearly identical to the actual test
Software demonstrations for security tools (details listed below)
Lifetime access to recorded bootcamp sessions so you don’t need to worry if you miss a day of class!
Exam preparation Masterclass and exam scheduling assistance
Enrollment in the Cyberkraft Alumni Program to help you land your new cybersecurity job!
First Time Pass Guarantee – if you don’t pass on the first attempt, we will pay for your second exam

Cyberkraft also offers a Self-Paced A+ Certification course that includes:

One Year Access to the Official CompTIA A+ Learn+Labs training environment
- Self-paced lessons
- Video lessons
- Study guides
- Practice questions
- Performance-based questions
- Flash cards
- Games
- Simulation exams
Personalized weekly study sessions
- Customized to meet your training goals and schedule
- Taught by our expert CompTIA trained and certified instructors
Access to discounted exam vouchers
Full access to the Cyberkraft Training Community
- Free training resources
- Certification updates and news
- Free training sessions on YouTube and Discord
Enrollment in the Cyberkraft Alumni Program
- Discounts with resume writers
- Career coaching
- Access to our extensive recruiter network
- Job placement assistance
7 Day Full Money Back Guarantee
- If you are not completely satisfied with the course, you will receive a full refund within 7 days of enrollment

And now Cyberkraft is proud to offer a new membership program called Cyberkraft Total Access. This program is specifically designed to help cybersecurity professionals of all experience levels learn the skills they need to pass their next certification exam.

As a member of Cyberkraft Total Access you’ll have access to all our video courses, with 16 courses including everything from A+ to Security+ to CISSP. It’s the most affordable and beneficial cybersecurity training program out there.

No matter which program you pick, by choosing Cyberkraft for your A+ certification preparation, you position yourself for success, backed by a provider committed to your professional growth and development in the IT field.

Get Your A+ Certification Today

The upcoming changes to the CompTIA A+ certification exams reflect the dynamic nature of the IT industry, emphasizing the importance of staying current with evolving technologies and practices. By understanding the key updates, planning your certification path thoughtfully, and leveraging quality training resources like those offered by Cyberkraft, you can navigate this transition confidently and continue to advance your IT career.

The CompTIA A+ certification remains a valuable credential for IT professionals, providing a solid foundation upon which to build a successful technology career. As the certification evolves to address emerging technologies and industry needs, it continues to validate the essential skills that employers seek in their IT personnel.

Contact Cyberkraft today to begin the journey to get your A+ Certification. Whether you’re new to the IT field or looking to formalize your existing knowledge with a recognized credential, the CompTIA A+ certification is an excellent investment in your professional future.