CompTIA Network+

CompTIA lists a maximum of 90 questions and a duration of 90 minutes for exam N10-009. Both figures are caps, not guarantees, so budget your pace at roughly one minute per question and leave room for performance-based items that take longer than a typical multiple-choice question.

The passing score is 720 on a scale of 100-900. That is a scaled score, not a raw percentage of correct answers, so you cannot convert it directly into "X out of 90." Aim to be comfortably consistent across all five domains rather than relying on strength in one area.

CompTIA describes the exam as a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Performance-based items ask you to perform a task in a simulated environment rather than pick an answer, so practicing configuration steps, CLI output interpretation, and troubleshooting sequences matters as much as memorizing terms.

CompTIA does not publish a difficulty rating or pass rate on its exam page, so any specific percentage you see quoted elsewhere is unverified. The realistic difficulty signal is the recommended entry bar: A+ certification plus 9 to 12 months of hands-on junior network administrator or network support technician experience before you sit the exam.

CompTIA recommends CompTIA A+ certification with 9 to 12 months of hands-on experience in a junior network administrator or network support technician role. You can study without it, but plan to build that hands-on layer yourself through labs, since subnetting, VLAN configuration, and packet analysis are practical skills, not facts to memorize.

Start with networking concepts (23%) and network implementation (20%), because routing, switching, addressing, and cloud vocabulary underpin everything else. Then move to network operations (19%) and security (14%), and finish with troubleshooting (24%). Troubleshooting is the single heaviest domain and is best studied last, once you know what correct behavior looks like.

CompTIA's Network+ page does not publish a standalone retake policy, waiting period, or retake fee. The clearest documented option is a bundle that includes a voucher with Retake Assurance. Confirm current retake terms and pricing directly with CompTIA before scheduling, since those rules are set by the vendor and can change.

CompTIA states that retirement is usually three years after launch, estimated 2027 for V9, which launched June 20, 2024. That date is an estimate and is not currently in force, so N10-009 is the exam to prepare for. Re-check the official page before booking if your test date is far out.

CompTIA estimates 30-60 hours for its most comprehensive self-study product and 10-20 hours for its practice-focused product, which gives a rough range rather than a rule. Most candidates need more than the low end if they are learning subnetting and CLI troubleshooting from scratch, so build a schedule with lab time included.

The exam is available in English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. If you plan to test in a non-English language, verify scheduling availability in your region when you register, and make sure your study materials use the same terminology as the delivered exam.