CCNA vs A+ — Which IT Certification Should You Start With?
Compare difficulty, time-to-study, and who each exam fits. Then try a mini test.
Quick answers
- Pick based on your goal: job role, timeline, and prerequisites.
- Faster progress comes from daily practice + repeating mistakes.
- If unsure: start with the simpler/foundation exam first.
- Use the mini tests to decide which feels more natural.
CCNA and A+ are both strong certifications, but they are for different stages and goals. A+ is a broad beginner IT foundation. CCNA is a deeper networking certification that expects more focused infrastructure thinking.
If you are just getting into IT, A+ is usually the easier and safer first step. If you already know the basics and want to specialize in networking, CCNA is usually the stronger move.
Use this comparison to choose your starting point, then continue in PrepMaster for offline practice.
Compare exams
| Category | Cisco CCNA (200-301) | CompTIA A+ (220-1201 / 220-1202) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Learners who want serious networking depth | Complete beginners who need broad IT support fundamentals |
| Difficulty | Usually harder because networking depth is much higher | Beginner-friendly overall, but spread across two exams |
| Main focus | Routing, switching, VLANs, STP, OSPF, ACLs, wireless, and troubleshooting | Hardware, operating systems, support workflows, devices, and troubleshooting |
| Career direction | Networking, infrastructure, and network engineering | Help desk, desktop support, field tech, and general IT support |
| Study order | Usually better after some existing IT basics | Usually better as the first certification for total beginners |
| Best first step | Better if you already know basic IT and want networking next | Better if you are just entering IT |
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- You want a quick baseline: 10-question mini test
- You plan to practice offline with packs in the app
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How to choose
- Pick by goal: job role and what skills you want to prove.
- Pick by timeline: if you’re unsure, start with the more foundational exam.
- Pick by feel: do both mini tests and see which question style is more natural.
- Best workflow: daily practice + review mistakes + repeat weak topics until stable.
Topics & Skills Covered
- Beginner IT vs networking specialization
- Difficulty gap
- Career direction
- Study order
- Best first certification
Helpful Free Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take A+ before CCNA?
Many total beginners do. A+ often gives a broader IT base before specializing in networking.
Is CCNA harder than A+?
For most learners, yes. CCNA is usually harder because the networking depth is much greater.
Which is better for help desk?
A+ is usually more aligned with help desk and general IT support roles.
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