Network+ study guide · 2026

The 5 Network+ domains, explained

5 domains and 27 official domains. Network Troubleshooting 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 5 See all domains
Questions
Max 90
Time
90 minutes
Passing score
720 / 900
Outline
N10-009 (V9), launched 20 June 2024 (current)

Exam blueprint

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

  1. 1 23%
  2. 2 20%
  3. 3 19%
  4. 4 14%
  5. 5 24%
  1. 1 Networking Concepts
  2. 2 Network Implementation
  3. 3 Network Operations
  4. 4 Network Security
  5. 5 Network Troubleshooting

All 5 domains

27 official domains 105–140 hrs suggested study

  1. Domain 01 23%

    Networking Concepts

    This is one of the two largest Network+ domains and the foundation for the rest. It covers the OSI model, networking appliances and functions, cloud concepts, ports and protocols, transmission media, topologies and architectures, and IPv4 and IPv6 addressing.

    Inside this domain

    • Explain concepts related to the OSI reference model
    • Compare and contrast networking appliances, applications, and functions
    • Summarize cloud concepts and connectivity options
    • Explain common networking ports, protocols, services, and traffic types
    • and 4 more domains

    Watch for Wrong OSI layer

    Domains
    8
    Questions est.
    ~21
    Study time est.
    25–30 hrs
  2. Domain 02 20%

    Network Implementation

    This domain covers building networks: routing technologies and bandwidth management, configuring switching features, selecting and configuring wireless devices, and the physical installation factors that make networks work.

    Inside this domain

    • Explain characteristics of routing technologies and bandwidth management
    • Configure switching technologies and features
    • Select and configure wireless devices
    • Explain important factors of physical installations

    Watch for Separate switches for isolation

    Domains
    4
    Questions est.
    ~18
    Study time est.
    20–30 hrs
  3. Domain 03 19%

    Network Operations

    This domain covers running networks: organizational processes and documentation, network monitoring technologies, disaster recovery concepts, implementing IPv4 and IPv6 network services, and network access and management methods.

    Inside this domain

    • Explain the purpose of organizational processes and procedures
    • Use network monitoring technologies
    • Explain disaster recovery concepts
    • Implement IPv4 and IPv6 network services
    • and 1 more domains

    Watch for In-band during outage

    Domains
    5
    Questions est.
    ~17
    Study time est.
    20–25 hrs
  4. Domain 04 14%

    Network Security

    This domain covers securing networks: core security concepts including zero trust, types of attacks and their impact, network security features and defenses, remote access methods, and physical security.

    Inside this domain

    • Explain the importance of basic network security concepts
    • Summarize various types of attacks and their impact
    • Apply network security features, defense techniques, and solutions
    • Compare and contrast remote access methods and security implications
    • and 1 more domains

    Watch for Perimeter is trusted

    Domains
    5
    Questions est.
    ~13
    Study time est.
    15–20 hrs
  5. Domain 05 24%

    Network Troubleshooting

    This is tied for the largest Network+ domain. It covers the troubleshooting methodology, diagnosing cabling and physical issues, network service issues, and performance issues, and using the right tools and protocols to solve networking problems.

    Inside this domain

    • Explain the troubleshooting methodology
    • Troubleshoot common cabling and physical interface issues
    • Troubleshoot common issues with network services
    • Troubleshoot common performance issues
    • and 1 more domains

    Watch for Fix before theory

    Domains
    5
    Questions est.
    ~22
    Study time est.
    25–35 hrs

Study the heaviest domains first

Marks follow weight. This order puts the most marks behind you first, across about 105–140 hrs of study.

  1. 5 Network Troubleshooting 24% · 25–35 hrs
  2. 1 Networking Concepts 23% · 25–30 hrs
  3. 2 Network Implementation 20% · 20–30 hrs
  4. 3 Network Operations 19% · 20–25 hrs
  5. 4 Network Security 14% · 15–20 hrs

Try one

Practice questionDomain 5: Network Troubleshooting

A user reports that they can reach a server by its IP address but not by its hostname. Which tool should the technician use to diagnose the problem?

One trap from every domain

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

  • Domain 1

    Wrong OSI layer

    Clue The function involves IP routing versus MAC-based switching.

  • Domain 2

    Separate switches for isolation

    Clue Departments must be isolated on the same physical switches.

  • Domain 3

    In-band during outage

    Clue The device must be managed even when the main network is down.

  • Domain 4

    Perimeter is trusted

    Clue The requirement is to trust nothing by default.

  • Domain 5

    Fix before theory

    Clue The question asks for the next step after identifying the problem.

Other Networking certifications

Study guides for exams that overlap with Network+.

Practise what you read

Network+ domains: common questions

How many domains are in the Network+ exam?

Network+ has 5 domains with 27 official domains between them: Networking Concepts, Network Implementation, Network Operations, Network Security and Network Troubleshooting.

Which Network+ domain carries the most weight?

Network Troubleshooting is the heaviest at 24%, followed by Networking Concepts (23%). The lightest is Network Security (14%). Weights come from CompTIA's official outline.

What is the Network+ exam format?

Questions: Max 90. Time allowed: 90 minutes. Passing score: 720 / 900.

How long should I study for Network+?

Our planning estimate is 105–140 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 Network Troubleshooting, 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 N10-009 (V9), launched 20 June 2024 (current), published by CompTIA. It was last reviewed in October 2026.

Domain names, weights and domains come from CompTIA's official outline (N10-009 (V9), launched 20 June 2024 (current)). Question counts and study hours are editorial planning estimates, not official figures. Last reviewed October 2026.