So you want to be that person—the one who calmly tells panicked users “It’s not broken, it’s off,” fixes printers without black magic, and survives the Help Desk trenches? Enter CompTIA A+ Core Series v15—the 2025 glow-up of the vendor-neutral cert that IT gatekeepers love and entry-level warriors need.
What the Heck Is CompTIA A+?
CompTIA A+ is the IT industry’s equivalent of your first Pokédex—proof that you know the basics and can level up. It’s made up of two exams:
- Core 1 (220‑1201): Hardware, mobile devices, networking, virtualization/cloud, and troubleshooting.
- Core 2 (220‑1202): Operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and “operational procedures” (a.k.a. dealing with Karen in Accounting).
Pass both, and you’re officially A+ certified—no longer the “techy cousin,” but a certified tech support life-saver.
What’s New in the 1200 Series (v15)?
Launched March 25, 2025, and replacing the old 1100 Series by September 25, 2025, this version is ready for hybrid, remote, and cloud-based realities:
- Hybrid work support: SaaS, remote troubleshooting, cloud, containers, scripting, and IoT.
- More PBQs: You won’t just memorize—you’ll actually do things under pressure.
- Updated content: New hardware (USB-C video, mini-LEDs), Wi-Fi 6E, SDN, DHCP configs, and more.
What About A+ v14 (220-1101 & 220-1102)?
You’ve probably seen it around—books, practice tests, YouTube playlists. A+ v14 is still alive… but it’s on life support. Official retirement is September 25, 2025. If you’re already studying for it, don’t panic—just finish fast.
Narrative Time: Should You Stick With v14 or Switch to v15?
Let’s say you’re already knee-deep in Mike Meyers’ All-in-One for v14. You’ve done practice exams, taken notes, and scheduled your Core 1 for next month. You’re in it.
You should finish v14. Seriously. Get certified before September 25 and skip the extra content v15 adds (containers, scripting, IoT security, etc.). Why restart the journey when you’re already halfway to Mordor?
But… if you haven’t even cracked a book, don’t waste time studying something that’s expiring in a few months. Start fresh with v15. It’s more future-proof, more relevant, and designed for the real IT environment you’re walking into—cloudy, hybrid, secured, and possibly running on a Raspberry Pi.
A+ v14 vs v15: Side-by-Side Breakdown
| Category | A+ v14 (220-1101/1102) | A+ v15 (220-1201/1202) |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | April 2022 | March 2025 |
| Retirement Date | September 25, 2025 | Estimated 2028 |
| Target Audience | People already studying | New learners starting mid-2025+ |
| Tech Focus | Traditional support tech | Hybrid IT, cloud, scripting, IoT |
| Windows Versions | Windows 10 focus | Windows 11 & Server 2022 emphasis |
| Cloud & Virtualization | Light coverage | Deeper, includes containers |
| Scripting | Skipped entirely | PowerShell & Python basics included |
| IoT Security | Barely touched | Explicitly covered |
| PBQ Difficulty | Basic drag & drop | More real-world, hands-on logic |
| Study Material | Mature, lots of free content | Growing fast (new books out now) |
| Best For | Fast cert before fall | Future-focused learners |
Snark Summary:
- v14 is your friend if you’re almost done.
- v15 is the newer, shinier bike—with gears and a GPS.
Best Books for A+ v15
| Book | Why It’s Good |
|---|---|
| Mike Meyers’ All-in-One | Deep, thorough, funny. Nerd uncle energy. |
| David Prowse’s Exam Cram | Straight to the point. Great for cramming. |
| Glen Clarke’s Practice Tests | Practice ‘til you break. Then pass. |
| Docter & Buhagiar’s Study Guide | Balanced structure, flashcards, test banks. |
| CertMaster Learn + Labs | Interactive. Real scenarios. Made by CompTIA. |
60-Day A+ Study Plan (v15 Edition)
For those going with v15, here’s your smart and snark-friendly bootcamp to crush the exam:
(See full table earlier in this thread or ask me to export it to PDF/Excel!)
Pricing?
CompTIA A+ exam pricing changes depending on where and how you buy it. The most accurate info? Go straight to the source:
Visit CompTIA’s A+ Certification Pricing Page
Renewal Reminder
All A+ certs expire after 3 years. Renew by:
- Taking CertMaster CE (~6 hours)
- Getting a higher-level cert (like Security+ or Network+)
- Retaking the new A+ version (if you enjoy pain)
Final Thoughts
A+ v14 is for people finishing what they started.
A+ v15 is for people just starting who want to be relevant.
Either one still earns you the CompTIA A+ badge. But v15 has the advantage of lasting longer, matching modern job roles, and being the better conversation piece when you explain to your future boss why a user needs VLAN segmentation.