CompTIA CertMaster Alternative for A+: Take a Free Full Practice Exam for Core 1 & Core 2 (then $18, not $300+)
FigigExams is a low-cost alternative to CompTIA CertMaster Learn+ and CertMaster Practice for A+ (220-1201 and 220-1202). You can take a complete A+ practice exam free for both cores, with no credit card, with every question type - including the performance-based questions (PBQs) candidates worry about - full explanations, and a personalized Exam Coach that diagnoses your weak concepts. If you keep going, exams are $18 each instead of around $300 or more for CertMaster. Here is the honest side-by-side, including where CertMaster is the better buy.
Skip the comparison - test it yourself
A+ is two exams, so we give you a free full practice exam for each: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), every question type including PBQs, with full Explanations and Exam Tips and the personalized Exam Coach when you finish. Create an account on the next screen, the code auto-applies. No credit card.
Already have an account? Log in to start · Or keep reading below for the side-by-side with CertMaster.
In This Guide
- Why I wrote this
- The free CertMaster alternative
- What CertMaster does well
- Side-by-side comparison
- The Personal Exam Coach
- Question types (including PBQs) & results-page differentiators
- Free study guides + free exams (both cores)
- A real candidate review
- When CertMaster is still the better choice
- FAQ
Why I wrote this page
If you've searched for a CompTIA CertMaster alternative for A+, you're probably looking at the price - and doing the math on the fact that A+ is two exams, not one. CertMaster Learn+ is CompTIA's official self-paced product, and it's genuinely good: structured lessons, videos, flashcards, hands-on labs, and performance assessments, all mapped to the objectives for Core 1 and Core 2. But it's also expensive: CertMaster Learn+ for A+ runs around $300 or more, and bundles that add Labs can pass $500. For a lot of entry-level candidates - the exact people A+ is for - that's a real barrier.
This article is for a specific group of candidates:
- Candidates who can't or don't want to spend $300+ and are looking for a cheaper way to prepare and test their readiness on both cores.
- Candidates who have already learned the material - from Professor Messer's free videos, a book like the Mike Meyers All-in-One, or hands-on work - and now need realistic practice and a readiness check, not a full course again.
- Candidates who are anxious about the performance-based questions (PBQs) and the "what's the FIRST step" troubleshooting items, and want realistic reps of them.
- Candidates who want a different kind of feedback. Not just a course progress bar, but a concept-level diagnosis that tells them: "you miss the 6-step troubleshooting order and common ports," not "you're 70% through the module."
I'm a senior network and security engineer who started on the hardware and support side, and I built FigigExams because prep was getting absurdly expensive. This page is my honest take on where FigigExams fits next to CertMaster for A+, and - importantly - where CertMaster is still the right purchase.
The free CertMaster alternative for A+
If you searched for a free CertMaster alternative, a CertMaster Practice A+ alternative, or a cheaper way to drill A+ questions, this is the part that matters: CompTIA does not publish a free version of CertMaster Learn+ or CertMaster Practice, but FigigExams gives you a complete, full-length A+ practice exam free for each core - Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) - no account upgrade and no credit card, with every question type (including PBQ-style items), an explanation and exam tip on every item, and the personalized Exam Coach when you finish.
If it helps and you want more reps, additional exams are $18 each rather than $300+ for the whole certification - so even the paid path stays a small fraction of CertMaster's price.
Start the free A+ Core 1 practice examCode APLUS1-EXAM-FULL (Core 1) or APLUS2-EXAM-FULL (Core 2) auto-applies on the next screen. No credit card. Free full practice exam, not just sample questions.
What CertMaster does well
Credit where credit is due. CompTIA CertMaster is the official product, built by the people who write the exam, and it shows. CertMaster Learn+ is a genuinely complete course: it takes you from zero through every objective in both cores with readings, videos, flashcards, and end-of-lesson assessments, and it tracks your progress the whole way. CertMaster Labs adds hands-on virtual and guided environments, which matters for A+ because so much of it is physical and procedural. And the adaptive CertMaster Practice engine keeps quizzing you on the things you're shaky on.
If you're starting A+ from scratch and you want one official, objective-aligned package that teaches everything in order for both exams, CertMaster Learn+ is a strong, defensible buy - especially if an employer, a school, or a training voucher is covering the cost. FigigExams does not try to replace a full course. It does something narrower, and cheaper.
Side-by-side comparison: CompTIA CertMaster vs FigigExams A+
The numbers below for CertMaster reflect CompTIA's public store listings for A+. Pricing changes and varies by bundle and region, so check CompTIA's store for current figures - I do not control their catalog.
| Feature | CompTIA CertMaster (A+) | FigigExams A+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$300+ Learn+ · $500+ with Labs bundle (covers both cores) | $18 per exam Launching Offer · |
| What it is | A full self-paced eLearning course (lessons, videos, flashcards, labs) | Full-length practice exams for both cores + study guides + a personalized Exam Coach |
| Free tier | No | Yes Free sample questions per topic, plus a free try of the full exam for Core 1 and Core 2 |
| Covers both cores | Yes, within the course | Yes Separate 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams, each with its own coach report |
| Performance-based questions | Performance assessments within the course | Yes Drag-and-drop, command-output, and ordering PBQ-style items in every version |
| Results analysis | Course progress, module scores, adaptive practice | Score, concept-level breakdown, weak-domain analysis, personalized study plan, readiness score, follow-up chat with a Personal Exam Coach |
| Best for | Learning the material from scratch in an official, structured path | Practicing, diagnosing weak concepts, and checking readiness before booking either exam |
| Access model | Time-limited license; see CompTIA's store for the current access window | Lifetime access per exam, no expiration |
Accuracy matters, so the CertMaster column avoids details I cannot verify from outside their product. If any of the CertMaster figures above are out of date on CompTIA's store, please email me at [email protected] and I will correct this page.
Where FigigExams stands out: the Personal Exam Coach
This is the single feature I am most proud of, and the reason I built FigigExams. Every exam attempt produces a personalized report. Below is a static preview of what that report looks like for a candidate who scored about 55% on an A+ Core 1 (220-1201) practice exam - not a pass yet. Everything is concept-level, not just domain-level - the kind of feedback a course progress bar can't give you.
Strong domain overall. Firm up RAID levels (0, 1, 5, 10) and what each trades off, plus PSU wattage and connector types. Quick review, not a deep gap.
Ports and wireless standards are pure memorization - the biggest single-topic win on Core 1. Build a port table and drill the A+ networking topics until the numbers are automatic.
This is the domain to attack first: it's the largest on Core 1 and your lowest score. Memorize the 6-step methodology in order (identify, theory, test, plan, verify, document) - CompTIA's favorite "what's the FIRST step" trap lives here. See the hardware troubleshooting guide.
You know the service models. Firm up cloud characteristics (elasticity, metered use, shared resources) and the difference between a Type 1 vs Type 2 hypervisor. Small domain, quick to close.
Laptop internals are mostly solid. The misses are in replacement/teardown order (a common drag-and-drop PBQ format) and mobile sync/connectivity settings. An hour of focused review closes this.
This is an example output. Every exam produces a personalized report tailored to your specific answers, your weakest concepts, and a study plan ordered by impact on your score. Try a free A+ practice exam to see your own breakdown →
The two things that hold a candidate's attention from question 1 to the end
The Exam Coach is what you see at the end of the exam. The two sections below are what you see during and after each question, and they are what most A+ candidates remember about FigigExams. Test it yourself rather than take my word for it: the full exams are free with the codes at the bottom.
Every question type on A+ · including the PBQs and "first step" items candidates fear
Multiple choice gets most of the attention, but the performance-based questions (PBQs) and the "what should you do FIRST" troubleshooting items are where A+ candidates lose the most confidence. FigigExams builds PBQ-style drag-and-drop, command-output, and ordering items into every A+ exam version, alongside the best-response scenario items that test judgment, not just recall.
Pick one correct option. The classic multiple-choice item, sharpened for 220-1201/1202.
- ○ TCP 22
- ○ TCP 443
- ● TCP 3389
- ○ TCP 445
Pick all that apply. Punishes guessing, rewards understanding.
- ☑ RAID 1
- ☐ RAID 0
- ☑ RAID 5
- ☐ JBOD
Match labels to slots under exam-like UI. A staple PBQ format on A+.
Read real command output and answer. You interpret it, not pick a gloss of it.
C:\> ipconfig
IPv4 Address. . : 169.254.12.7
Subnet Mask . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway : Put steps in the right order - laptop teardown, or the troubleshooting method.
A realistic situation where several answers look right. You pick what to do FIRST or BEST.
CertMaster includes performance assessments inside its course. The advantage on the FigigExams side is that PBQ-style drag-and-drop, command-output, and ordering items, plus best-response scenarios, are baked into every exam version you can sit start to finish under timed conditions - so you rehearse the exact formats that rattle candidates on test day, for both Core 1 and Core 2.
Exam Tips on every single question
Most practice tools ship one block per item: a paragraph of explanation. We bundle a second block on every question - the memorize-this-table version of the concept being tested, written by a certified engineer, not crowdsourced. This is the part candidates pull up as their final-week cheat sheet, and it's in the free version too.
Q: A user reports their computer is "running slow." You suspect malware. According to CompTIA's troubleshooting methodology, what should you do FIRST?
"FIRST" maps to step 1 of CompTIA's methodology: identify the problem. Running a scan is acting on a theory before you've confirmed the symptoms - that's a later step. CompTIA tests whether you follow the process in order, not whether you know the eventual fix. Note there's also a separate 7-step malware removal process; don't confuse the two.
CompTIA 6-step troubleshooting methodology (memorize in order): 1) Identify the problem 2) Establish a theory of probable cause 3) Test the theory 4) Establish a plan of action 5) Verify full functionality 6) Document findings. Trap on this exam: "FIRST step" answers are almost always step 1 (identify), never the fix. When malware is involved, the 7-step removal process is a separate list - know which one the question is asking for.
The Explanation teaches the question. The Exam Tips teach the concept the question is testing - the part you'll see again in a different shape on the real exam. This is why the Exam Coach above can give a concept-level breakdown rather than just a domain-level one.
Skip the comparison - test it yourself
Try a full A+ practice exam free for each core, every question type including PBQs, with full Explanations and Exam Tips on every item and the personalized Exam Coach when you finish. Create an account on the next screen, the code auto-applies. No credit card.
Already have an account? Log in to start · Returning candidates land on the same screen.
Two free ways to start, for each core: the study guide and the full practice exam
Not ready to sit a full timed exam yet? Start with the study guide. It's a read-at-your-own-pace walkthrough of the A+ material, written by the same engineer. Chapter 1 is free to read with no account, so you can see the depth before you commit to anything - and there's a separate guide and exam for each core.
A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Study Guide + Exam
Mobile, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud, and the troubleshooting methodology - with a full free practice exam and coach report.
- Chapter 1 is free to read, no account needed
- Covers all five Core 1 domains in plain language
- Full free practice exam with the Exam Coach
- Unlocks with code APLUS1-EXAM-FULL
A+ Core 2 (220-1202) Study Guide + Exam
Operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures - the core most candidates find deceptively harder.
- Chapter 1 is free to read, no account needed
- Covers all four Core 2 domains in plain language
- Full free practice exam with the Exam Coach
- Unlocks with code APLUS2-EXAM-FULL
Each study guide and its practice exams share one unlock: redeeming the core's code when you create a free account opens the full guide and your first full exam at no cost - the whole A+ library for the price of a mock email address, versus $300 or more for CertMaster Learn+.
What a real candidate said
I didn't pay for this review, and I didn't ask for it. It was posted on the r/ccna subreddit in April 2026. It's about our CCNA exam, not A+ - but it's praising the exact thing that's identical across every FigigExams certification, A+ included: a free, full-length test that shows you what you got wrong at the end.
"the free test is way better than boson imo and its free and 105 questions and it shows you the result and what you had wrong in the end, you can use a mock email to create the account idk why you guys hate so much, I have my ccna on tuesday and got 96% on this practice test which really boosted my confidence"
Quote preserved verbatim, including original spelling and capitalization, and attributed to the CCNA exam where it was posted. The free-test-plus-end-of-exam-breakdown experience they're describing is the same engine behind the A+ exams, that's why I'm comfortable showing it here. If you take a free A+ exam and have feedback, good or bad, email me, I read all of it.
When CertMaster is still the better choice
I'm not going to pretend FigigExams replaces a full course. Here are the scenarios where CertMaster is the honest recommendation:
- You're brand new to IT and want to learn the material in order. CertMaster Learn+ is a complete, official, objective-aligned course for both cores. A practice exam assumes you already know most of the content - if you don't yet, you need a course first (CertMaster Learn+, or the free Professor Messer videos).
- An employer, school, or training voucher is paying. If cost isn't coming out of your pocket, the official CompTIA package is a safe, defensible choice, and you may as well take the most complete option available.
- You want hands-on labs. CertMaster Labs gives you guided virtual environments, which is valuable for A+'s heavily physical, procedural content. FigigExams is exam practice and diagnosis, not a lab platform.
If any of those describe you, CertMaster is the right call - and you can still use the free FigigExams exams afterward as a readiness check. If you've already learned the material and just need affordable, realistic practice with a concept-level breakdown, that's exactly what this is. You can also read how our A+ exams pair with Professor Messer's videos or check whether you're ready for the A+.
Try a free A+ practice exam with personalized Exam Coach analysis
No credit card required. Takes 5 minutes to start. See your own concept-level breakdown - for Core 1 and Core 2.
Start Free A+ Practice ExamA free try of the practice exam, no credit card. Attribution in the link helps me track which articles are useful, thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FigigExams a replacement for CompTIA CertMaster for A+?
Not exactly - they solve different problems. CertMaster Learn+ is a full eLearning course that teaches the material from scratch with lessons, videos, and labs. FigigExams is a focused practice exam plus a study guide and a personalized Exam Coach for diagnosing and closing gaps, at a fraction of the price. Many candidates learn the material elsewhere, then use FigigExams to find and fix their weak concepts before exam day - for both Core 1 and Core 2.
How much does CompTIA CertMaster cost for A+ compared to FigigExams?
CertMaster Learn+ for A+ is listed around $300 or more, and bundles that include Labs can exceed $500 (check CompTIA's store for current pricing - remember A+ requires prepping two exams). A FigigExams A+ practice exam is $18 per exam, and there is a free tier with sample questions plus a free try of the full practice exam for each core, no credit card.
Can I try an A+ practice exam before paying?
Yes. FigigExams offers free sample questions on every topic page, plus a free try of the full A+ practice exam for Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) - no account upgrade or credit card required.
Does FigigExams include performance-based questions (PBQs) like the real A+ exam?
Yes. FigigExams A+ practice exams include single-answer, multiple-response, drag-and-drop matching, command-output, and ordering PBQ-style items, plus best-response scenario questions, to mirror the 220-1201 and 220-1202 exam format - including the performance-based questions that most candidates worry about. See the A+ PBQ practice guide. They're in the free version too.
Should I use CertMaster Learn+ or a practice exam first?
If you're learning A+ from scratch and want a structured official course, CertMaster Learn+ is a legitimate choice. If you already know most of the material - from Professor Messer, a book, or hands-on work - a full practice exam with a concept-level breakdown is the faster way to find what's still costing you points on each core. The two are complementary, not mutually exclusive.