The short answer
CompTIA Network+ N10-009 is a vendor-neutral networking exam. It checks that you can connect, configure, secure and fix the kind of networks found in small and mid-sized organizations. It has up to 90 questions, a 90-minute time limit and a passing score of 720 on a scale of 100 to 900.
If you have ever wondered why the printer works but the file server does not, this exam is the formal version of that question.
What the exam is
Network+ is a CompTIA certification exam for people who work with, or want to work with, wired and wireless networks. The exam code is N10-009, and CompTIA also calls it Network+ V9. It launched on June 20, 2024, and replaced N10-008, whose English version retired in December 2024.
“Vendor-neutral” means the exam does not test one brand’s equipment. You will see ideas that apply on any gear: how a switch builds its address table, why a DHCP scope runs out, what a VLAN does, how a VPN protects traffic. Where command examples appear, they follow common router and switch patterns rather than one company’s menus.
Who it is for
Network+ suits several groups:
- Help desk and desktop support staff who want to move into networking.
- Junior network administrators and network support technicians.
- System administrators who handle networks as part of a wider job.
- Career changers and students who want a first networking credential.
CompTIA recommends the A+ certification plus 9 to 12 months of hands-on networking experience. That is a recommendation, not a requirement. The prerequisites guide explains what that means in practice.
Format at a glance
| Item | What CompTIA states |
|---|---|
| Exam code | N10-009 (Network+ V9) |
| Questions | Maximum of 90 |
| Question types | Multiple-choice and performance-based |
| Length | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 720 on a scale of 100 to 900 |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test center or online (OnVUE) |
Details such as languages, retakes and scoring are on the exam format page. Since CompTIA can change these details, check the vendor exam page before you book.
The five domains and their weightings
The exam objectives split the content into five domains. The percentages show how much of the exam each domain represents.
| Domain | Weighting |
|---|---|
| 1.0 Networking Concepts | 23% |
| 2.0 Network Implementation | 20% |
| 3.0 Network Operations | 19% |
| 4.0 Network Security | 14% |
| 5.0 Network Troubleshooting | 24% |
Troubleshooting is the biggest slice, and Networking Concepts is close behind. Together they are almost half of the exam. Security is the smallest domain, but its topics (attacks, access control, hardening) also show up inside scenario questions from other domains.
Here is a quick feel for each domain:
- Networking Concepts: the OSI model, appliances such as routers and load balancers, cloud ideas, ports and protocols, cabling, topologies, IPv4 and IPv6, and newer ideas such as SD-WAN and zero trust.
- Network Implementation: routing, VLANs and switching features, wireless setup, and physical installation (racks, power, cooling).
- Network Operations: documentation, change and life-cycle management, monitoring, disaster recovery, DHCP and DNS, and remote access methods.
- Network Security: security basics, common attacks, and the defenses you apply, such as ACLs, 802.1X and device hardening.
- Network Troubleshooting: the troubleshooting method, cable and interface problems, service and performance problems, and the tools you use to find the cause.
The domains explained page goes through each one in detail.
What changed from N10-008
If you find older study material, check the version number. CompTIA says N10-009 added topics such as SD-WAN, Infrastructure as Code, VXLAN, IDF and MDF installation, and zero trust architecture with SASE and SSE. The domain weightings also moved. Material written for N10-008 misses some of these topics, so match your books and practice sets to N10-009.
What to read next
- Exam format: time, questions, scoring and retakes.
- Study plan: a 4-week and an 8-week schedule.
- Domains explained: what each domain covers and where people slip.
- Sample questions: five original practice questions.
- Is N10-009 hard?: an honest difficulty check.
- Prerequisites: what to know before you start.
More guides for N10-009
- N10-009 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is N10-009 Worth It? An Honest Look
- N10-009 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- N10-009 vs SY0-801: Which First?
- CCNA vs Network+: Which Exam First?
Next step
Start with the exam format page so you know exactly what you are preparing for. When you are ready to test yourself, the N10-009 practice tests are original practice questions that follow these five domains. They measure readiness; they do not replace CompTIA’s own learning material or hands-on practice.
FAQ
Is Network+ N10-009 the current version?
As of October 18, 2026, N10-009 is the exam CompTIA lists on its Network+ page. CompTIA also posts a draft V10 objectives document, but gives no launch date, so check the vendor page for news.
Do I need A+ first?
No. CompTIA recommends A+ and 9 to 12 months of networking experience, but does not require them.
How long does the certification last?
CompTIA says Network+ is valid for three years from the date you pass.