The comptia a+ core 1 online exam runs through Pearson VUE's OnVUE service, with a live remote proctor checking your ID and workspace before your 90-minute, up-to-90-question session begins. You can also sit Core 1 in person at a Pearson VUE test center; the exam content and passing score of 675 are identical either way.
Whether you book a Pearson VUE test center or the comptia a+ core 1 online proctored exam, knowing what happens before the timer starts helps you avoid last-minute stress. Here's what CompTIA's official policies describe for both routes.
Two ways to sit CompTIA A+ Core 1
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) is delivered through Pearson VUE, either:
- In person, at a Pearson VUE test center, or
- Online, through Pearson VUE's OnVUE remote proctoring service
Both deliver the same 90-minute, up-to-90-question exam with the same passing score of 675. What differs is check-in.
What to expect at a test center
Arrive with valid photo ID matching your registration name. Staff will check you in, may ask you to store personal items in a locker, and will seat you at a workstation for your 90-minute session. Bring only what the test center allows; personal notes, phones, and smartwatches are typically not permitted in the testing room.
comptia a+ core 1 online proctored exam rules
For the online option, a proctor monitors you remotely through your webcam for the full session. Based on CompTIA's published guidelines for online-proctored exams, expect the proctor to:
- Verify your government-issued photo ID on camera before the exam starts
- Ask you to show your workspace, including under the desk and around the room, to confirm no unauthorized materials are present
- Require a clear desk, with no notes, second monitors, or phones within reach
- Monitor you continuously via webcam and microphone for the duration of the exam
Before exam day: checklist
- Confirm your ID name matches your registration exactly
- Test your internet connection, webcam, and microphone in advance if you're taking the online option
- Clear your desk and room of any prohibited items ahead of time so check-in doesn't run long
- Know your confirmation details and appointment time before you log in or travel
During the exam
You have 90 minutes for up to 90 questions, mixing multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based items. CompTIA's interface typically lets you flag questions and return to them before submitting, so a steady pace that doesn't stall on any single hard question matters more than getting every question right on the first pass.
After the exam
CompTIA typically shows a preliminary pass/fail result on screen at the end of the session, with your official score report following through your CompTIA account. If you don't pass, review the cost and booking page for how retakes work before you schedule another attempt.
Getting ready before you book
Make sure you're comfortable with the exam format and have worked through the exam objectives before you lock in a date. A study plan that ends with at least one full-length timed mock is the best rehearsal for both the content and the pressure of exam day, whichever delivery method you choose.
Common last-minute mistakes to avoid
A surprising number of candidates lose time on exam day to problems that have nothing to do with the material itself. Arriving at a test center with the wrong form of ID, or with a name on that ID that doesn't exactly match the registration, can delay or block check-in entirely. For the online option, an unstable internet connection or a webcam blocked by a laptop cover is enough to stall the proctor's setup checks before the exam even starts. None of this is about knowing the syllabus — it's about treating exam-day logistics with the same seriousness as your last week of review, since a delay at check-in eats directly into the calm you'll want once the 90-minute timer actually begins.
If something goes wrong mid-exam
If your connection drops during the online proctored exam, or a technical issue interrupts a test-center session, stay at your seat and follow the on-screen or in-room instructions rather than restarting anything yourself. Pearson VUE's proctors and staff are trained to handle interruptions and will guide you on whether your session can resume or needs to be rescheduled, and trying to fix a technical problem on your own can complicate what would otherwise be a straightforward resolution.
Exam facts on this page come from CompTIA’s own pages (official exam page). Prices, versions and policies change — confirm there before you book.