If you want an IT support job, take CompTIA A+ first. If you want a cloud-aware role or already work around Azure or AWS, take AZ-900 or AWS Cloud Practitioner. Leave Security+ until you have some networking and systems experience, since CompTIA recommends Network+ and two years in a security or systems administrator role. This guide compares the four with facts from the vendors' own pages and ends with a decision table.
Who this is for
This is for career changers, students, help desk staff and small business IT generalists who want a first certification and do not know where to start. At the end you will know what each exam involves, which one fits your target role, and what to avoid, including exams that have recently retired.
Facts come from CompTIA, Microsoft and AWS pages checked on 26 October 2026. Prices change by country and over time, and several vendor pages only link to purchase options, so confirm prices when you book. A certification does not guarantee a job; employers weigh experience, skills and references too.
The four candidates at a glance
| Item | CompTIA A+ | Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner | CompTIA Security+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | IT support: hardware, networking, operating systems, security | Cloud concepts and core Azure services | Cloud concepts and core AWS services | Security concepts, threats, operations |
| Exams needed | Two: Core 1 and Core 2 | One | One | One |
| Length | 90 minutes per exam | 45 minutes | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Questions | Maximum of 90 per exam | Not listed on the certification page | 65 | Maximum of 90 |
| Passing score | Core 1: 675, Core 2: 700 (scale of 900) | See the AZ-900 study guide | Not listed on the page | 750 (scale of 100-900) |
| Recommended experience | About 12 months in an IT support role | Experience with an IT area such as infrastructure, databases or development | None required; up to six months of AWS exposure optional | Network+ and two years as a security or systems administrator |
| Validity | See CompTIA's renewal rules | No renewal requirement listed | Three years | See CompTIA's renewal rules |
Microsoft's and AWS's certification pages did not list a passing score or, for AZ-900, a question count, so check the study guide or exam guide for those. Confirm each figure on the vendor page when you book.
CompTIA A+: the support baseline
CompTIA's page says you must pass two exams, Core 1 (hardware and networking) and Core 2 (operating systems and security), which you can take in either order. The current series is V15, which launched on 25 March 2025.
| Exam | Code | Domains and weights |
|---|---|---|
| Core 1 | 220-1201 | Mobile devices 13%, Networking 23%, Hardware 25%, Virtualization and cloud computing 11%, Hardware and network troubleshooting 28% |
| Core 2 | 220-1202 | Operating systems 28%, Security 28%, Software troubleshooting 23%, Operational procedures 21% |
Each exam is 90 minutes with a maximum of 90 questions, including multiple-choice, drag-and-drop and performance-based questions. CompTIA lists passing scores of 675 for Core 1 and 700 for Core 2 on a 900-point scale, and recommends about 12 months of hands-on work in an IT support specialist role. CompTIA says it typically retires a series about three years after launch, estimated at 2028 for V15.
Take it first if you want help desk, desktop support or field technician roles, or you are new to IT and want a structured tour of hardware, networking, operating systems and troubleshooting.
Practice: build a PC or use a virtual machine, install Windows and Linux, break and repair network settings, and rehearse the troubleshooting methodology until it is routine.
Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Microsoft describes Azure Fundamentals as a common starting point on the journey toward an Azure career. The exam page says you have 45 minutes, and it assesses three areas: cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance. It is proctored and available in many languages, and the price depends on where you take it. The page says you may be eligible for ACE college credit.
Take it first if your employer or target employers use Microsoft cloud, you work with Microsoft 365 and want an Azure foundation, or you want a low-cost way to learn cloud vocabulary. For a head-to-head with the AWS option, see AWS Cloud Practitioner vs AZ-900: which to take first.
Watch out: Microsoft has retired several fundamentals and associate exams during 2026. MS-900 retired on 31 March 2026 and AZ-204 on 31 July 2026, and AI-900 was replaced by AI-901. Check the exam page for status before you buy study materials; related guides on this site are AB-900 for Microsoft 365 and AI-901.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
AWS lists the exam as foundational, 90 minutes, 65 questions (multiple choice or multiple response), with a cost of 100 USD plus possible additional costs such as foreign exchange. It is valid for three years. There are no prerequisites; AWS says the exam is for people new to cloud, and up to six months of AWS exposure is optional. Recertification options include passing the latest version of the exam or an Associate or Professional exam, and AWS also lists its AWS Cloud Quest game as an option.
AWS notes that the Italian and German versions will be retired after 31 December 2026, so check language availability if you plan to test in either.
Take it first if your target employers use AWS, or you want a cloud overview and are comfortable learning the AWS console.
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA recommends Network+ and two years of experience working in a security or systems administrator job role for Security+ SY0-701. It is a 90-minute exam with a maximum of 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions, and a passing score of 750 on a 100-900 scale.
| SY0-701 domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| General security concepts | 12% |
| Threats, vulnerabilities and mitigations | 22% |
| Security architecture | 18% |
| Security operations | 28% |
| Security program management and oversight | 20% |
Version change in November 2026
CompTIA's page states that Security+ V8 (exam series code SY0-801) is expected to launch on or around 17 November 2026, with weights of General Security Concepts 16%, Threats, Vulnerabilities and Attacks 24%, Security Architecture 19%, Security Operations 27% and Security Program Management and Oversight 14%. English SY0-701 exams retire on 11 June 2027, and Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai exams on 13 August 2027. V8 also lists two years of hands-on experience as a security administrator as the recommended background.
If you plan to take Security+ soon, decide which version you are studying and match your materials to it. The Security+ SY0-701 study guide covers the current version.
Take it first only if you already have networking and systems knowledge from work or study, or you have a specific security role in view. Otherwise take A+ (and Network+ if you need it) first.
Choose by goal
| Your goal | Start with | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| IT support, help desk, desktop support | CompTIA A+ | Network+, then Security+ or a cloud fundamentals exam |
| Cloud and Microsoft 365 administration | AZ-900, or the current Microsoft 365 fundamentals exam | An associate-level role-based exam |
| Cloud and AWS roles | AWS Cloud Practitioner | An AWS Associate exam |
| Networking | A+ for foundations, or go straight to Cisco CCNA if you are comfortable studying networks | See the CCNA 200-301 study guide |
| Security | A+ and networking first, then Security+ | Security+ V7 or V8 per your exam date |
| Not sure | CompTIA A+ or a cloud fundamentals exam, whichever job listings mention most | Revisit after your first job or lab experience |
Use job listings as the tiebreaker
Search for ten roles you would apply for in your city and note which certifications they name. Count them. The credential employers ask for is a better guide than any ranking, including this one.
How to prepare for a first exam
- Download the official exam objectives or study guide and treat them as the checklist.
- Use the vendor's free resources first: Microsoft Learn and its free practice assessment, AWS's exam prep pages, and CompTIA's exam objectives.
- Practice hands-on. A home lab, a free-tier cloud account with a budget alert, or virtual machines will teach more than reading.
- Take a practice exam for the same version of the exam you are booking, and record which objectives you missed.
- Book a date four to eight weeks out so you have a deadline.
- Register with a personal account where the vendor recommends it. Microsoft notes that records tied to work or school accounts are lost if you leave the organization.
Troubleshooting common mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Studying with materials for a retired or older exam version | Check the vendor's exam page for the current code and the skills date |
| Booking Security+ as a first exam with no networking background | Build networking knowledge first, or expect to study more |
| Collecting several fundamentals certificates | One or two aligned with your target role is usually enough; spend remaining time on labs |
| Skipping hands-on practice | Add a weekly lab session tied to the exam objectives |
| Not checking language and region availability | Check the exam page, for example AWS's Italian and German retirement after 31 December 2026 |
Checklist
- Write down the job title you are aiming for.
- Check ten job listings for the certifications they name.
- Pick one exam and confirm its current code and version.
- Download the objectives and build a study calendar.
- Set up a lab and a budget alert if you use a cloud account.
- Book the exam and take a practice test a week before.
References
- CompTIA A+: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/a/
- CompTIA A+ V15 (Core 1 and Core 2): https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/a/core-1-and-2-v15/
- CompTIA Security+: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/security/
- CompTIA Security+ V7: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/security/v7/
- CompTIA Security+ V8: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/security/v8/
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-fundamentals/
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-cloud-practitioner/
Comments
Questions and tips are welcome. Comments are checked by the EpiFive team before they appear; please do not share passwords, phone numbers or other private details.