New Comptia A+ coming Spring 2025

What's Changed?

CompTIA A+ is one of the most recognized certifications in the IT industry, providing a foundation for entry-level IT professionals. With the release of the new 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams, CompTIA has made updates to reflect the ever-evolving tech landscape. In this article, we will compare the previous exam versions—220-1101 and 220-1102—with the new ones to help you understand what has changed, what’s stayed the same, and how you can best prepare for these exams.

Overview of CompTIA A+ Certification

The CompTIA A+ certification is designed for IT professionals who want to validate their skills in areas such as hardware, software, networking, security, troubleshooting, and more. This certification is commonly seen as a stepping stone for roles like IT support specialist, helpdesk technician, or technical support engineer.

Exam Breakdown: The Old vs. The New

Previous Exams:

220-1101: Focused on hardware, mobile devices, networking, and troubleshooting.
220-1102: Focused on operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.

New Exams:

220-1201: Focuses on mobile devices, networking, hardware, and troubleshooting.
220-1202: Focuses on operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.

At first glance, you might notice that the new exams (220-1201 and 220-1202) align closely with the previous ones (220-1101 and 220-1102) in terms of broad topics. However, there are several important differences that aspiring IT professionals should be aware of.

Key Changes in the 220-1201 and 220-1202 Exams

1. Increased Focus on Cloud and Virtualization

One of the most notable updates in the new exams is the increased emphasis on cloud technologies and virtualization. As more companies adopt cloud computing, these concepts have become essential for IT professionals.

220-1101: Cloud computing was covered, but it wasn’t a major focus.
220-1201: Cloud computing, virtualization, and remote technologies have been expanded significantly. Concepts such as cloud storage solutions and the ability to remotely configure and manage virtualized systems are now more prominent.

2. Changes in Mobile Devices and Operating Systems

Mobile devices have always been an important part of the A+ exams, but the scope has expanded in the new 220-1201 exam. With the increasing reliance on mobile technology, you’ll find that more questions focus on mobile device management, support, and troubleshooting.

220-1101: Covered mobile devices, but the focus was largely on basic understanding.
220-1201: Goes deeper into mobile device configuration, management, security, and troubleshooting. Additionally, the exam now includes more on the integration of mobile devices in corporate networks, especially regarding connectivity and security.

For operating systems, the new 220-1202 exam brings more depth to topics such as modern OS management and mobile OS support, including macOS and mobile security in more detail.

3. Increased Security Emphasis

As cybersecurity continues to dominate the IT industry, security-related content has been strengthened in the new exams.

220-1102: Security was a major section, but it focused primarily on basic concepts like firewalls, antivirus software, and passwords.
220-1202: Security coverage is broader and includes more emphasis on securing mobile devices, securing cloud environments, and more sophisticated types of attacks (e.g., phishing, malware). There’s a greater focus on operational security and policies, aligning with the growing need for professionals who understand both the technical and procedural aspects of IT security.

4. Hardware and Networking

While hardware and networking remain core topics, some restructuring has occurred in the new exams to reflect the latest technologies and trends.

220-1101: Covered networking and hardware, but newer hardware technologies were only briefly touched on.
220-1201: Now covers more current hardware configurations and an increased emphasis on networking protocols like IPv6, Wi-Fi standards, and the latest hardware like SSDs and USB standards. You'll also see more in-depth questions regarding the installation and configuration of routers, switches, and network devices, alongside troubleshooting for those technologies.

5. Software Troubleshooting and Operating Procedures

Troubleshooting procedures remain a core part of both exams. However, the new 220-1202 exam introduces more emphasis on troubleshooting in the context of modern software environments.

220-1102: Focused on the older operating systems and basic troubleshooting steps.
220-1202: Focuses more on troubleshooting common software issues across multiple environments (including Linux and macOS), virtualization, and cloud-based applications. There is also a greater focus on patch management and system imaging.

How Does This Affect Exam Preparation?

If you’ve been preparing for the previous versions of the CompTIA A+ exams, here are a few strategies for adjusting your study plan for the new 220-1201 and 220-1202:

Focus on Cloud and Virtualization: Be sure to study cloud computing fundamentals, including cloud storage, SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS concepts. Learn how virtualization works, especially regarding remote desktop and virtual machines.
Mobile Device Management: Pay extra attention to mobile security and device management, and understand the troubleshooting steps for various mobile OS (Android, iOS, etc.).
Security Best Practices: Study network security, encryption, and mobile security. It’s also important to familiarize yourself with emerging security concerns like malware attacks and phishing.
Modern Hardware and Networking: Stay updated on current hardware trends, like SSDs, USB 3.0, and IPv6 networking.
Software Troubleshooting: Ensure that you are prepared to troubleshoot not only Windows but also macOS and Linux-based environments.

Conclusion

The 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams reflect the growing need for IT professionals to be adaptable and knowledgeable in a wide variety of modern technologies, especially around security, virtualization, and cloud computing. While the core objectives remain the same, the new exams dive deeper into current industry practices, making them more relevant to today’s IT workforce.

If you’re planning to take the CompTIA A+ exam, it’s important to prepare for these updates, as they will better equip you for the challenges you’ll face in the workplace. Make sure to use the latest study materials, including updated practice tests, to stay on track. Good luck!