CompTIA A+ exam-day guide
CompTIA A+ · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Appointment confirmation
Print it or save it offline. It shows your exam code (A+ has two separate exams - Core 1 and Core 2 - and you may be sitting one of them today), your start time, and whether you are testing at a Pearson VUE center or online via OnVUE.
Primary photo ID
An unexpired, government-issued ID with your photo and signature (driver's license or passport are the usual choices). The name must match your registration exactly - a mismatch can stop you from testing.
Second form of ID
Test centers commonly ask for a second ID, often a credit card or another signed document. Confirm the exact requirement on your appointment confirmation or with Pearson VUE before test day.
Passed OnVUE system test (online candidates)
Run the official system check on the same computer, webcam, microphone, and network you will use on test day. Do it at least 24-72 hours ahead so you have time to fix problems.
Cleared, private room (online candidates)
Empty desk, no second monitor, no papers, no phone within reach. You will typically be asked to show the room with your webcam during check-in.
Plan for phone, smartwatch, and notes
Decide in advance where they will sit. At a test center they go in a provided locker; for online proctoring they must be out of the room or out of reach.
Arrival or check-in plan
Plan to reach the test center about 30 minutes early (accounting for parking and building security), or to start online check-in roughly 30 minutes before your slot so a tech issue does not eat your exam time.
Account credentials
Know the username and password for your Pearson VUE / CompTIA account in case you need to log in or reach support.
Exam objectives PDF for your exam code
Skim the domain list one last time to remind yourself of the structure. Do not start learning new topics this late - consolidate what you already know.
Know the scratch-material rules for your delivery method
Test centers often supply a dry-erase booklet and marker; online sessions may limit you to an on-screen whiteboard. Confirm what applies to you so you are not surprised at check-in.
Comfort items for after the exam
Water and a snack for the parking lot, and a layer you can remove - you cannot bring food or drink to the testing desk.
Backup contact for tech support
Save the Pearson VUE support number/chat link on your phone before you sit down, and keep the phone itself outside the testing area.
Plan the day
Lock in logistics: re-confirm date, time, exam code, and delivery method. Online candidates run the full system test. Test-center candidates confirm the address, parking, and how long the trip really takes at that hour. Do one timed practice set under exam conditions, then stop adding new material.
Light review only: your weak domains, port numbers, command-line tools, and the troubleshooting steps you keep fumbling. Pack your ID and confirmation, charge devices, set two alarms, and get a full night's sleep. Do not cram past midnight.
Eat something that will not make you sluggish, skip the last-minute cramming, and leave early. Arrive at the test center about 30 minutes before your slot, or launch online check-in about 30 minutes early with your ID in hand and your desk already clear.
Read the candidate agreement carefully and accept it. Take the tutorial if offered - it is not scored. Note the timer and question count so you can pace yourself.
Performance-based questions often appear early and can be long. If one stalls you, flag it and move on. Budget roughly a minute per multiple-choice question, answer every question (nothing is deducted for a wrong answer), and reserve the last several minutes to clear your flagged items.
Collect your score report - printed at a test center, delivered per the on-screen instructions online. It shows pass/fail, your scaled score, and a domain-level breakdown you can use to plan a retake or to prep for the other Core exam.
Rules to check
You must accept CompTIA's candidate agreement before the exam starts. Do not discuss, photograph, copy, or share exam content afterward - doing so can void your score and get you banned from future testing.
The name on your ID must match your registration. Bring valid, unexpired identification; arriving without acceptable ID generally means you are turned away and lose the fee.
No phones, smartwatches, notes, books, or study material at the testing desk. At a center they go in a locker; under online proctoring, keep them out of the room.
Online proctoring is strict: stay in frame, do not talk to anyone, do not leave the room, and do not read aloud. Proctors can pause or revoke a session for suspected violations.
There are typically no scheduled breaks, and the clock keeps running if you step away. Confirm the break rules for your delivery method with the provider before test day.
There is no penalty for guessing on CompTIA multiple-choice items - never leave a question blank. Flag uncertain ones and return to them if time allows.
Scores are reported as pass/fail with a scaled score; the passing point differs between the two A+ exams, so check the current requirement for your specific exam code rather than assuming.
Rescheduling, cancellation, and retake waiting periods carry fees and time limits that change over time - confirm the current policy with Pearson VUE/CompTIA. If something breaks during the exam, contact the proctor or support immediately instead of troubleshooting alone.