Tech+
CompTIA Tech+ (V6)
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
CompTIA Tech+ is an entry-level certification for people exploring a career in tech who want a structured first step. CompTIA states that no prior experience is necessary, which makes it a fit for students, career changers, and anyone who needs to demonstrate baseline digital fluency before pursuing a role-specific certification.
The current version, V6, launched on July 16, 2024 and is delivered under exam series code FC0-U71, with a continuing-education variant, FC0-U71-CE, carrying a five-year validity period. The exam is multiple-choice, allows a maximum of 70 questions in 60 minutes, and requires 650 on a scale of 900 to pass. Domain weighting leans toward infrastructure at 24%, followed by security at 19%, applications and software at 18%, and three 13% areas covering tech concepts, software development, and data and database fundamentals. Expect breadth rather than depth: hardware and peripherals, networking and cloud models, operating systems, browser and AI tooling, programming basics, database structures, backups, and everyday device security.
Preparation usually means working through the published objectives in domain-weight order, then reinforcing the hands-on objectives - installing a peripheral, configuring a wireless network, writing pseudocode, running a simple query or backup - because the exam tests procedural knowledge as well as definitions. This overview is independent study material and is not affiliated with CompTIA.
What you'll study
About Tech+ preparation
How many questions are on the Tech+ exam, and how long do I have?
CompTIA lists a maximum of 70 questions, all multiple-choice, with 60 minutes of testing time. That works out to well under a minute per question, so budget roughly 45–50 seconds each and keep about five minutes at the end to revisit flagged items instead of getting stuck on one hardware question.
What score do I need to pass, and how is it calculated?
The passing score is 650 on a scale of 900. Because it is a scaled score rather than a raw percentage, you cannot convert it directly into a number of correct answers out of 70. Aim for a comfortable margin across all six domains, since infrastructure (24%) and security (19%) carry the most weight.
Should I register for FC0-U71 or FC0-U71-CE?
CompTIA lists two series codes for V6: FC0-U71, which has no expiration, and FC0-U71-CE, which is valid for five years. Confirm which code your employer, school, or training provider expects before booking, because the code you choose affects how long the credential stays active.
Do I need IT experience before taking Tech+?
No. CompTIA states that no prior experience is necessary, and the certification is positioned as a first step for people exploring a tech career. That said, a few weeks of hands-on tinkering - assembling a PC, joining a wireless network, reinstalling a printer driver - makes the infrastructure and peripheral objectives much easier to answer.
In what order should I study the six domains?
Start with tech concepts and terminology (13%) to pick up binary and hexadecimal notation, units of measure, and troubleshooting methodology, then work through infrastructure (24%) while those basics are fresh. Security (19%) and applications and software (18%) come next; finish with the development and data domains so conceptual material rests on a working vocabulary.
How much study time does the exam realistically take?
CompTIA's product pages estimate 25–40 hours for its comprehensive learning product, 10–20 hours for practice exams, and 15–25 hours for hands-on labs. You rarely need all three. Budgeting roughly 30–40 hours of focused study spread over four to six weeks is a sensible starting assumption for a beginner.
Are there performance-based or simulation questions?
For V6, CompTIA lists the question type as multiple-choice. Hands-on lab work appears in the CertMaster Labs practice product rather than as scored simulation items. Practise those tasks anyway - peripheral setup, wireless configuration, basic command-line utilities - because multiple-choice items still test procedural knowledge, not just definitions.
What are the most common ways candidates lose points?
Three recurring traps: skipping binary, hexadecimal, and unit-of-measure conversions because they look trivial; muddling the roles of routers, switches, and firewalls; and confusing encryption at rest with encryption in transit. A fourth is answer-shopping - clicking the first familiar-sounding option before reading the other three.
Can I retake the exam if I fail the first attempt?
CompTIA sells Tech+ bundles that pair a voucher with Retake Assurance, which covers a second attempt. The specific retake window and any waiting period are set by CompTIA and are not stated on the pages summarised here, so confirm current terms on CompTIA's site before purchasing a voucher.