CompTIA study guides cover the full lineup of vendor-neutral IT certifications from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) — one of the most recognized credentialing bodies in IT.[1] Each guide is organized around the official CompTIA exam objectives, so you study the exact domains the real exam tests: IT support, networking, cybersecurity, Linux and server administration, cloud, data, and project management. This page gathers free study guides for all 14 CompTIA certifications we cover, each explaining the material in plain language.
CompTIA certifications are organized into a career pathway that climbs from absolute fundamentals to advanced specialist roles. The core track (Tech+, A+, Network+, Security+) builds the foundation; the infrastructure track (Linux+, Server+, Cloud+) covers systems and cloud; the cybersecurity track (CySA+, PenTest+, SecurityX/CASP+) moves into analyst, offensive-security, and expert architect roles; and the data and project credentials (Data+, DataSys+, Project+, Cloud Essentials+) round out specialized career paths.[2]
CompTIA Study Guides at a Glance
| Detail | CompTIA Certification Exams |
|---|---|
| Certifying Body | CompTIA — Computing Technology Industry Association |
| Study Structure | Each guide organized around the official CompTIA exam objectives (domains) |
| Delivery | Exams sit at Pearson VUE test centers or via online proctoring |
| Scoring | Scaled score, typically 100–900; passing score varies by exam |
| Question Format | Multiple-choice plus performance-based (hands-on) items on most exams |
| Validity | Most certifications valid 3 years; renew through the Continuing Education (CE) program |
All 14 CompTIA Study Guides
Choose your certification below. Guides are grouped by CompTIA track — study a single exam, or work through a whole track to climb the certification pathway. Each links to a free, in-depth study guide organized around the official exam objectives.
Core IT Skills
The foundational pathway — from absolute beginner to the popular IT support, networking, and security baselines.
| Certification | Focus | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Tech+ (ITF+) Study Guide | Tech+ — Entry-Level Tech Fundamentals | Open study guide |
| A+ Study Guide | IT Support (Core 1 & Core 2) | Open study guide |
| Network+ Study Guide | Networking Fundamentals | Open study guide |
| Security+ Study Guide | Cybersecurity Baseline | Open study guide |
Infrastructure
Server, operating-system, and cloud certifications for systems and infrastructure roles.
| Certification | Focus | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Linux+ Study Guide | Linux System Administration | Open study guide |
| Server+ Study Guide | Server Administration | Open study guide |
| Cloud+ Study Guide | Cloud Infrastructure | Open study guide |
Cybersecurity
Intermediate-to-advanced security certifications — analyst, penetration testing, and expert architect tracks.
| Certification | Focus | Open |
|---|---|---|
| CySA+ Study Guide | Cybersecurity Analyst | Open study guide |
| PenTest+ Study Guide | Penetration Testing | Open study guide |
| SecurityX (CASP+) Study Guide | Advanced Security Architect | Open study guide |
Data & Project
Specialized certifications covering data analytics, database administration, project management, and cloud fundamentals.
| Certification | Focus | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Data+ Study Guide | Data Analytics | Open study guide |
| DataSys+ Study Guide | Database Administration | Open study guide |
| Project+ Study Guide | IT Project Management | Open study guide |
| Cloud Essentials+ Study Guide | Cloud Business Fundamentals | Open study guide |
CompTIA Certification Pathways
CompTIA certifications are designed to stack, so each credential you study for builds toward the next and strengthens your résumé for a specific career direction. The main pathways are:
- IT Support & Core Skills — start with Tech+ for help-desk fundamentals, then A+ for support roles, building toward Network+ and Security+ as you specialize.
- Infrastructure — Linux+, Server+, and Cloud+ validate the systems, server, and cloud-infrastructure skills that sit behind sysadmin and cloud-engineering roles.
- Cybersecurity — after Security+, the analyst and offensive tracks lead to CySA+ (threat detection and response) and PenTest+ (penetration testing), topping out at SecurityX (CASP+) for advanced security architects.
- Data & Project — Data+ (analytics), DataSys+ (database administration), Project+ (IT project management), and Cloud Essentials+ (cloud business fundamentals) round out specialized and cross-functional roles.
Because most CompTIA certifications expire after three years, passing a higher-level exam can automatically renew the lower certifications beneath it through the Continuing Education program — another reason the stackable pathway pays off.[5]
How to Use These Study Guides
- Start from the objectives. Download the official exam objectives for your target certification from comptia.org and use them as a checklist alongside the matching study guide.
- Study domain by domain. Each guide follows the official domains in order, so work through one section at a time rather than jumping around.
- Pair with practice tests. After reading a domain, take the matching free practice test to confirm the concepts stuck and surface gaps to re-read.
- Focus on the reasoning. CompTIA exams reward understanding why something is true, especially on the performance-based, scenario-style items — read the explanations, not just the definitions.
- Climb the pathway. If you’re working toward a career track, study the guides in order — Tech+ to A+ to Network+ to Security+ and beyond — so each builds on the last.
CompTIA Study Guide FAQ
A CompTIA study guide organizes everything you need to learn for a certification around the official exam objectives published by CompTIA (the Computing Technology Industry Association). Instead of reading randomly, you work through the same domains the real exam tests — hardware, networking, security, and so on — with clear explanations of each concept. The study guides on this page cover all 14 CompTIA certifications we support.
Most newcomers start with the CompTIA Tech+ (formerly ITF+) study guide for absolute fundamentals, then move to A+ — the industry-standard entry credential for IT support and help-desk roles. From there, Network+ builds networking skills and Security+ establishes a cybersecurity baseline. If you already work in IT, you can skip ahead and begin studying at the level that matches your experience.
CompTIA A+ requires passing two separate exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Core 1 covers hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization, and hardware/network troubleshooting; Core 2 covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. Our A+ study guide covers both cores, because you must pass both exams to earn the credential — passing only one does not certify you.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) is the most popular cybersecurity baseline certification. It is vendor-neutral, approved for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD 8140 / 8570) roles, and frequently listed as a minimum requirement for entry-level security analyst and SOC positions. Studying Security+ gives you the core security vocabulary and concepts that the more advanced CySA+, PenTest+, and SecurityX (CASP+) guides build on.
CompTIA certifications are designed to stack: each credential builds on the one before it, and combining specific certifications earns you a stackable certification that signals a defined career role. For example, A+ plus Network+ plus Security+ forms a recognized infrastructure foundation. Studying the guides in pathway order — Tech+ to A+ to Network+ to Security+ and beyond — lets each guide reinforce the last.
Download the free exam objectives (the official blueprint) for your target certification from comptia.org and use them as a checklist. Each of our study guides is organized around those same domains, so you can map every section back to the objectives, track what you have mastered, and quickly spot the topics that still need review before exam day.
Most CompTIA certifications (A+, Network+, Security+, and the higher-level credentials) are valid for three years and participate in the CompTIA Continuing Education (CE) program. You renew by earning continuing education units (CEUs), completing approved activities, or passing a higher-level CompTIA exam — which can automatically renew lower certifications. Some foundational credentials, like Tech+, are good for life and do not require renewal.
Yes. Every CompTIA study guide on Career Employer is completely free, with no account required. Each guide is organized around the official CompTIA exam objectives and explains every concept in plain language, so you can build a complete understanding of the material before you sit the real exam.
References
- 1.CompTIA. “CompTIA Certifications.” comptia.org, 2026. ↑
- 2.CompTIA. “CompTIA Career Pathway.” comptia.org, 2026. ↑
- 3.CompTIA. “A+ Core 1 and Core 2 V15 (exam codes 220-1201 / 220-1202).” comptia.org, 2026. ↑
- 4.CompTIA. “Security+ (SY0-701) Certification.” comptia.org, 2026. ↑
- 5.CompTIA. “Continuing Education (CE) Program.” comptia.org, 2026. ↑
- 6.Pearson VUE. “CompTIA Testing & Scheduling.” pearsonvue.com, 2026. ↑
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