Take A+ first if you are entering IT with no prior experience, and Network+ first if you already work in support and want to move toward infrastructure. A+ is broader and shallower; Network+ is narrower and deeper.
Both cover networking fundamentals, and the overlap is real: A+ carries a Networking domain plus network troubleshooting, while Network+ treats the same ground as its entire subject. Studying A+ first means a meaningful part of Network+ is already familiar rather than new.
A+ is the wider netA+ spans nine domains — hardware, operating systems, mobile devices, virtualisation, security, software and hardware troubleshooting, and operational procedures. It is designed to make you useful across a help desk rather than expert in one area.
Network+ goes deeper on one subjectNetwork+ concentrates on five domains covering network concepts, implementation, operations, security and troubleshooting. Where A+ asks whether you can identify a network problem, Network+ asks whether you can design, secure and diagnose the network itself.
A+ costs more sittingsA+ requires two exams, Core 1 and Core 2, each up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, with pass marks of 675 for Core 1 and 700 for Core 2. Network+ is a single 90-minute exam with a 720 pass mark. That difference matters for both budget and scheduling.
Employers read them differentlyA+ signals that you can be trusted with users and endpoints. Network+ signals that you can be trusted with infrastructure. Neither replaces the other, and many roles list A+ as a floor and Network+ as a step up.
Which order
Taking them in sequence
The common path is A+ then Network+ then Security+. Skipping A+ is reasonable if you already do hands-on support daily; skipping Network+ before Security+ is not, because Security+ assumes networking knowledge it does not teach.
Try three questions. Understand every answer.
Original English practice examples, with answers and explanations available here. No account required. These are independent teaching examples, not official exam questions or exam dumps.
Question 1 of 3 · A+ · Mobile devices and computer hardware
Answer and explanation
Best answer: Use a supported dock or power arrangement with sufficient delivered wattage
The measured power shortfall explains discharge under load even though data and video work. Use a supported arrangement that meets the laptop power requirement.
Why the other choices fit less well
Battery replacement is premature when the measured charging input is insufficient. Stable video does not indicate a graphics-driver fault; reducing refresh rate without checking the required and delivered wattage does not establish a supported charging arrangement.
Best answer: Back up the required files and verify that the backup can be read
Preserve the required data and verify the backup before a destructive operation. Confirm the destination and that the files open; an unverified backup is an assumption.
Why the other choices fit less well
A reset can remove data before recovery is possible. A renamed folder remains on the same drive. Cloud sync must be checked rather than presumed to cover local files.
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