CompTIA Network+ (exam N10-009) is the vendor-neutral intermediate networking certification — the standard step between A+ and Security+, and a stepping stone to vendor-specific credentials like Cisco CCNA. It tests five domains: Networking Fundamentals, Network Implementations, Network Operations, Network Security, and Network Troubleshooting. This study guide breaks down each domain with weightings, links every domain to its primary topic guides, and walks through a realistic 8-week study plan.
The CompTIA Network+ is the benchmark certification for anyone working in networking — IT support technicians who need to understand what's happening beyond the workstation, aspiring network administrators, and help desk staff who regularly deal with connectivity issues. It's the natural step after CompTIA A+ and a prerequisite mindset for Security+.
Network+ proves you understand how networks actually work — not just that you can configure a device, but why packets move the way they do, what happens when they don't, and how to fix it. The N10-009 version places heavy emphasis on troubleshooting (29% of the exam) and security in a networking context.
The N10-009 (current version) kept the same 5 domains as N10-008 but rebalanced the weightings. The biggest change: Networking Fundamentals dropped from 24% to 23% while Network Troubleshooting increased from 17% to 18%. Cloud and virtualisation content is more integrated throughout. If you're using study materials, make sure they target N10-009 specifically.
The foundation — OSI model, TCP/IP, IP addressing, subnetting, protocols, wireless standards, and cable types. If you understand how a packet moves from source to destination, most of this domain makes sense. Subnetting is the single most important skill here.
How you actually configure and deploy networks — VLANs, inter-VLAN routing, routing protocols, DHCP, NAT, and wireless deployment. Performance-based questions frequently show network diagrams and ask you to spot misconfigurations.
Monitoring, documentation, high availability, and remote access. Often underestimated — but 19% is ~17 questions. SNMP, syslog, VPN types, and high availability terms (HSRP, LACP) are the most consistently tested topics here.
Security from a network engineer's perspective — firewalls, IDS/IPS, wireless security, VPNs, authentication (RADIUS, 802.1X), and network attacks. This overlaps heavily with Security+ and gives you a head start if you plan to take both.
Scenario-based troubleshooting — given a symptom, identify the cause and the fix. This domain rewards candidates who have hands-on experience. Performance-based questions here often show a network topology and ask you to identify the fault.
Most candidates need 6–10 weeks to prepare for Network+, depending on their background. This plan assumes 1–2 hours of study per day. If you plan to drill acronyms and port numbers on your phone, you can compare the best CompTIA flashcard apps to find one that fits how you study.
Subnetting — appears in multiple question formats including performance-based questions. You cannot pass Network+ without being comfortable with subnetting. Practice until you can do it in your head, not just with a formula sheet.
Port numbers — memorize the full port table. Not just HTTP/HTTPS — SNMP (161/162), LDAP (389/636), RADIUS (1812/1813), Kerberos (88), Syslog (514). These appear in firewall rule scenarios, troubleshooting questions, and security questions.
OSI layer identification — given a description of a protocol, device, or problem, you must identify the OSI layer. Switches operate at Layer 2. Routers at Layer 3. Firewalls typically at Layer 3–4 (stateful) or Layer 7 (NGFW). ARP is Layer 2/3. TLS is Layer 5–6. This question type appears on almost every exam.
The Network+ includes performance-based questions — interactive simulations where you configure a device, draw a network diagram, or troubleshoot a scenario. They appear at the start of the exam. Common PBQ formats on Network+ include:
Network diagram drag-and-drop — place devices in the correct network zones (inside, DMZ, outside). Know where the firewall, web server, DNS server, and workstations belong. IP address configuration — given network requirements, assign correct IPs, subnet masks, and gateways. Subnetting skill is essential. Cable selection — identify the correct cable type (Cat6, fiber SMF/MMF) for a given scenario. Command output interpretation — given ipconfig or tracert output, identify the problem.
CertFlash: CompTIA Study Cards is a free iOS app for focused flashcard study with built-in spaced repetition. The Network+ deck is part of the one-time $5.99 unlock, which also includes Security+, CySA+, Linux+, Cloud+, and PenTest+ — useful as you continue past Network+ toward Security+. The A+ deck is free if you want to try the app before unlocking. It's not a course or practice exam — it's a flashcard app with spaced repetition that sits on top of whatever primary resource you're using. Get CertFlash on the App Store →
Network+ flashcards on iOS via CertFlash (one-time $5.99 unlock includes Network+, Security+, CySA+, Linux+, Cloud+, and PenTest+) — or compare the best paid courses, practice exams, and books for N10-009.
The N10-009 exam is 90 questions in 90 minutes — a tight pace that rewards candidates who can read scenarios efficiently and recognize what's being tested quickly. Roughly 75–80 questions are multiple choice; the remainder are performance-based questions (PBQs) that appear at the start of the exam. PBQ formats include drag-and-drop topology labeling, IP configuration tasks, cable type matching, and command output interpretation.
The most important tactical preparation: don't spend more than 90 seconds on any multiple-choice question and cap PBQ time at 5 minutes each. Flag questions you're unsure about and return to them. Running out of time is a common failure mode — candidates who get stuck on difficult PBQs at the start often don't complete all the multiple-choice questions.
Passing score is 720 out of 900. The exam is scored on a scaled scoring system, so question difficulty affects point values. Exam questions are not published, but consistently tested areas across candidate reports include: subnetting calculations, VLAN and trunk configuration concepts, wireless standards (802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6 vs predecessors), network troubleshooting command output interpretation, and routing protocol characteristics (OSPF vs RIP vs BGP use cases).
Candidates with A+ or equivalent background can be ready for Network+ in 6–8 weeks studying 1–2 hours daily. A practical 4-phase approach: Weeks 1–2 — cover Networking Fundamentals (Domain 1) deeply, focusing on OSI/TCP-IP models, subnetting, and ports/protocols. These are the foundation for all other domains and are directly tested at 23% of the exam. Weeks 3–4 — cover Network Implementations (Domain 2) and Network Operations (Domain 3): routing protocols, VLANs, wireless, and network monitoring tools. Weeks 5–6 — cover Network Security (Domain 4) and Network Troubleshooting (Domain 5): attack types, firewall types, and systematic troubleshooting using the OSI model as a guide. Weeks 7–8 — full practice exams, domain-by-domain analysis of weak areas, targeted review, and PBQ-specific drilling.
The most important single skill to develop for Network+: subnetting. Practice daily until you can work any /24 through /30 subnet in under 60 seconds. Use free tools like subnet calculators to check your work, but always do the calculation manually first — the exam won't give you a calculator for subnetting questions.
Network+ is the most widely recognized vendor-neutral networking certification and the most commonly listed requirement for junior to mid-level network administration and IT infrastructure roles. It demonstrates that you understand how networks are designed, how traffic flows, and how to diagnose and fix common network problems — skills that apply regardless of whether the environment runs Cisco, Juniper, Aruba, or any other vendor's equipment.
For candidates who want to move into networking specialisation, Network+ is the stepping stone to vendor-specific credentials like Cisco CCNA. The CCNA builds on the conceptual knowledge Network+ establishes but adds configuration skills (CLI commands, routing protocol configuration, VLAN configuration on real switches). Network+ first, CCNA second is the most common and most logical progression for aspiring network engineers.