CompTIA Tech+ study guide · 2026

The 6 CompTIA Tech+ domains, explained

6 domains and 31 official objectives. Infrastructure carries the most weight at 24%. Each guide explains what the domain covers, how its questions are framed and where candidates lose marks.

Start with Domain 2 See all domains
Questions
Maximum of 70 (multiple choice)
Time
60 minutes
Passing score
650 (on a scale of 100-900)
Outline
CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 V6 Exam Objectives, Document Version 4.0 (English launch 16 July 2024)

Exam blueprint

Bar widths follow the official weights. Weight ranges are drawn at their midpoint.

  1. 1 13%
  2. 2 24%
  3. 3 18%
  4. 4 13%
  5. 5 13%
  6. 6 19%
  1. 1 IT Concepts and Terminology
  2. 2 Infrastructure
  3. 3 Applications and Software
  4. 4 Software Development Concepts
  5. 5 Data and Database Fundamentals
  6. 6 Security

All 6 domains

31 official objectives 44–56 hrs suggested study

  1. Domain 01 13%

    IT Concepts and Terminology

    The vocabulary every other Tech+ domain assumes: how a computer turns input into stored output, how numbers are written in binary and hex, how storage and speed are measured, and the troubleshooting order CompTIA expects you to follow.

    Inside this domain

    • Explain the basics of computing.
    • Identify notational systems.
    • Compare and contrast common units of measure.
    • Explain the troubleshooting methodology.

    Watch for Ignoring the bits-to-bytes conversion

    Objectives
    4
    Questions est.
    ~9
    Study time est.
    6–7 hrs
  2. Domain 02 24%

    Infrastructure

    The heaviest Tech+ domain: the devices people use, the parts inside them, how they connect to peripherals and networks, and how cloud, internet and Wi-Fi choices are made for a home or small office.

    Inside this domain

    • Explain common computing devices and their purposes.
    • Explain the purpose of common internal computing components.
    • Compare and contrast storage types.
    • Given a scenario, install and configure common peripheral devices.
    • and 5 more objectives

    Watch for Faster band for a range problem

    Objectives
    9
    Questions est.
    ~17
    Study time est.
    10–14 hrs
  3. Domain 03 18%

    Applications and Software

    What the operating system does, which software fits which job, how to configure a browser safely and where AI tools fit in everyday work, tested through the practical choices an advanced end user makes.

    Inside this domain

    • Identify components of an OS.
    • Explain the purpose of operating systems.
    • Explain the purpose and proper use of software.
    • Given a scenario, configure and use web browser features.
    • and 1 more objectives

    Watch for Private browsing as anonymity

    Objectives
    5
    Questions est.
    ~13
    Study time est.
    8–10 hrs
  4. Domain 04 13%

    Software Development Concepts

    How programs are written, stored and organized, without writing real code: language categories, data types, variables and functions, and the sequence, branching and looping logic you trace in pseudocode and flowcharts.

    Inside this domain

    • Compare and contrast programming language categories.
    • Identify fundamental data types and their characteristics.
    • Explain the purpose and use of programming concepts.
    • Identify programming organizational techniques and logic concepts.

    Watch for Digits mean integer

    Objectives
    4
    Questions est.
    ~9
    Study time est.
    6–7 hrs
  5. Domain 05 13%

    Data and Database Fundamentals

    Why organizations treat data as an asset, why a database beats a spreadsheet once many people share it, how relational and non-relational structures differ, and how file and system backups protect it all.

    Inside this domain

    • Explain the value of data and information.
    • Explain database concepts and the purpose of a database.
    • Compare and contrast various database structures.
    • Explain basic data backup concepts.

    Watch for Key that appears in both tables

    Objectives
    4
    Questions est.
    ~9
    Study time est.
    6–7 hrs
  6. Domain 06 19%

    Security

    The second-heaviest Tech+ domain: the CIA triad and AAA, protecting devices and recognizing phishing, password practice, where encryption applies, and how to lock down a small wireless network.

    Inside this domain

    • Explain fundamental security concepts and frameworks.
    • Explain methods to secure devices and security best practices.
    • Explain password best practices.
    • Identify common use cases for encryption.
    • and 1 more objectives

    Watch for Two knowledge items called MFA

    Objectives
    5
    Questions est.
    ~13
    Study time est.
    8–11 hrs

Study the heaviest domains first

Marks follow weight. This order puts the most marks behind you first, across about 44–56 hrs of study.

  1. 2 Infrastructure 24% · 10–14 hrs
  2. 6 Security 19% · 8–11 hrs
  3. 3 Applications and Software 18% · 8–10 hrs
  4. 1 IT Concepts and Terminology 13% · 6–7 hrs
  5. 4 Software Development Concepts 13% · 6–7 hrs
  6. 5 Data and Database Fundamentals 13% · 6–7 hrs

Try one

Practice questionDomain 2: Infrastructure

A homeowner installs a video doorbell at the front gate, far from the router and behind several brick walls. It keeps disconnecting on the 5 GHz network, while phones near the router work well. Which change will MOST likely improve the doorbell's connection?

One trap from every domain

The answer that looks right, and the clue that gives it away.

  • Domain 1

    Ignoring the bits-to-bytes conversion

    Clue Check the case of the b in each unit; a mix of MB and Mbps signals a multiply-by-eight step.

  • Domain 2

    Faster band for a range problem

    Clue Words such as far end of the house, basement, several walls or garage point to a range problem, not a speed problem.

  • Domain 3

    Private browsing as anonymity

    Clue The scenario's concern is someone else on the network or the website, not another person using the same computer.

  • Domain 4

    Digits mean integer

    Clue The scenario mentions a leading zero, formatting characters, or a value that is never calculated.

  • Domain 5

    Key that appears in both tables

    Clue The column's values must match records in a different table, or one customer appears in many rows.

  • Domain 6

    Two knowledge items called MFA

    Clue List each prompt and its category; if all are knowledge, it is single factor.

Other IT Fundamentals & Hardware certifications

Study guides for exams that overlap with CompTIA Tech+.

Practise what you read

CompTIA Tech+ domains: common questions

How many domains are in the CompTIA Tech+ exam?

CompTIA Tech+ has 6 domains with 31 official objectives between them: IT Concepts and Terminology, Infrastructure, Applications and Software, Software Development Concepts, Data and Database Fundamentals and Security.

Which CompTIA Tech+ domain carries the most weight?

Infrastructure is the heaviest at 24%, followed by Security (19%). The lightest is Data and Database Fundamentals (13%). Weights come from CompTIA's official outline.

What is the CompTIA Tech+ exam format?

Questions: Maximum of 70 (multiple choice). Time allowed: 60 minutes. Passing score: 650 (on a scale of 100-900).

How long should I study for CompTIA Tech+?

Our planning estimate is 44–56 hrs across all domains, split by weight. It is an editorial estimate, not an official figure, so adjust it to your experience and to how you score on practice questions.

Where should I start?

Start with Infrastructure, because it carries the most marks, then work down by weight. Use the checklist on each domain page to confirm you can do what the domain asks before moving on.

Which outline is this guide based on?

This guide follows CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 V6 Exam Objectives, Document Version 4.0 (English launch 16 July 2024), published by CompTIA. It was last reviewed in October 2026.

Domain names, weights and objectives come from CompTIA's official outline (CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 V6 Exam Objectives, Document Version 4.0 (English launch 16 July 2024)). Question counts and study hours are editorial planning estimates, not official figures. Last reviewed October 2026.