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IT & Cybersecurity · 4 min read

What score do you need to pass a CompTIA exam?

Scaled scores from 100–900, the cutoff for each exam, and why PBQs deserve your practice time.

CompTIA exams report a scaled score from 100–900, and each exam sets its own passing line. A scaled score isn’t a percentage—it’s adjusted for form difficulty.

Here are the numbers, and what actually moves them.

Passing scores by exam

  • A+ requires two exams: Core 1 passes at 675, Core 2 at 700—you need both for the certification.
  • Network+ passes at 720.
  • Security+ passes at 750—the highest bar of the trio.

Performance-based questions carry weight

The exams open with performance-based questions (PBQs)—simulations where you configure, drag, or troubleshoot rather than pick A–D. They’re worth more than multiple choice and eat more time.

A proven approach: flag PBQs, clear the multiple choice, and return with the remaining clock.

Results and retakes

  • You get a provisional pass/fail on screen before you leave.
  • No waiting period for your first retake; from the third attempt onward, a 14-day wait applies.
  • Every attempt needs its own voucher—another argument for retake bundles.