The Direct Answer
The CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam has a maximum of 90 questions. You have 90 minutes to complete the exam. The passing score is 720 on a scale of 100–900.
Most candidates report seeing between 80 and 90 questions. The variation occurs because CompTIA includes a small number of unscored beta questions used for future exam development — these look identical to scored questions and you won't know which ones they are.
Network+ N10-009 Exam Details at a Glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Exam code | N10-009 |
| Maximum questions | 90 |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 720 (scale of 100–900) |
| Question types | Multiple choice, performance-based questions |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test centre or online proctored |
| Exam price | Approximately $358 USD (voucher price) |
| Certification validity | 3 years |
| Launched | June 2024 |
Question Types on the Network+ Exam
Multiple-Choice Questions
The majority of Network+ questions are standard multiple-choice: a question stem with four options and a single correct answer. These are not recall-based trivia — they're scenario questions that ask you to apply networking knowledge to realistic situations.
Typical MCQ formats on Network+:
- "A network technician is troubleshooting intermittent connectivity on a wireless network. Which of the following would MOST likely cause this issue?"
- "A company needs to implement a network solution that provides redundancy and load balancing. Which of the following should the technician configure?"
- "Which of the following protocols operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model and is responsible for routing packets between networks?"
The keyword to watch: "MOST likely" and "BEST". Network+ questions often have multiple plausible answers, but only one is the best answer for the specific scenario described. Reading carefully and eliminating clearly wrong options is key.
Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)
Network+ includes performance-based questions that require interaction rather than just selecting an answer. PBQ formats you may encounter:
- Drag-and-drop: Match protocols to their port numbers, place OSI model layers in order, or categorise network devices by their function
- Network diagram analysis: Review a diagram and identify misconfigurations, single points of failure, or security gaps
- Command output interpretation: Read the output of a command (ping, traceroute, ipconfig, netstat) and identify what it indicates
- Configuration tasks: Set up a basic network configuration in a simulated environment
Important: PBQs appear at the beginning of the exam. Don't let complex PBQs consume excessive time. Flag and move on if you can't resolve one in three to four minutes — you can return after completing the MCQs.
The Five N10-009 Exam Domains
CompTIA Network+ N10-009 is organised across five domains:
Domain 1: Networking Concepts (23%)
The largest domain by weighting. Covers the OSI model (all seven layers and what operates at each), the TCP/IP model, common protocols and their port numbers, IP addressing (IPv4 and IPv6), subnetting, routing concepts (static routes, dynamic routing protocols), and switching concepts (VLANs, spanning tree).
This is the theoretical foundation of the exam. If you're not comfortable with the OSI model and how traffic flows through a network, this domain deserves your earliest and most sustained attention.
Key protocol/port combinations to know cold:
| Protocol | Port |
|---|---|
| FTP | 20/21 |
| SSH | 22 |
| Telnet | 23 |
| SMTP | 25 |
| DNS | 53 |
| DHCP | 67/68 |
| HTTP | 80 |
| HTTPS | 443 |
| RDP | 3389 |
| SNMP | 161/162 |
Domain 2: Network Implementation (20%)
Covers routing and switching in practice: configuring VLANs, understanding STP and its variants, wireless networking (802.11 standards and their speeds, wireless security protocols WPA2/WPA3), and network hardware selection and placement.
Also covers network services: DHCP, DNS, NTP, and their configuration and troubleshooting.
Domain 3: Network Operations (17%)
Covers network documentation (network diagrams, change management, asset management), monitoring tools (SNMP, NetFlow, packet captures), high availability concepts (redundancy, load balancing, failover), and backup and recovery procedures.
This domain is often lighter in candidate preparation because it feels less technical. At 17%, it's worth specific attention, particularly the documentation and monitoring subtopics that frequently appear as scenario questions.
Domain 4: Network Security (20%)
Covers security concepts as they apply to networks: firewall types and placement, IDS/IPS, VPNs and their protocols (IPSec, SSL/TLS, OpenVPN), network access control, physical security, and common network attacks (ARP spoofing, MAC flooding, VLAN hopping, DDoS).
This domain significantly overlaps with Security+ content. If you're planning to pursue Security+ after Network+, the security foundation you build here will make that exam considerably more manageable. Start exploring Security+ content once you've covered this domain — the concepts build directly.
Domain 5: Network Troubleshooting (20%)
Covers the network troubleshooting methodology and its application across connectivity issues, performance problems, and configuration errors. Includes troubleshooting tools: ping, traceroute, nslookup, dig, netstat, ipconfig/ifconfig, Wireshark, and cable testers.
Expect performance-based questions here. Scenario questions describing a network problem — "Users on VLAN 20 cannot communicate with users on VLAN 30" — and asking you to identify the cause and resolution are common.
Pacing Strategy: 90 Questions, 90 Minutes
One minute per question is the average pace. In practice:
- Straightforward protocol and concept questions take 30–45 seconds
- Scenario questions requiring careful reading take 60–90 seconds
- Performance-based questions take 3–5+ minutes
A realistic approach:
- Flag PBQs you can't quickly resolve and move to the MCQs
- Work through MCQs at a consistent pace
- Return to flagged questions with remaining time
- Never leave a question blank — there's no negative marking
If you reach the end with 15 minutes remaining, you have more than enough time to review flagged questions. If you're at 70 questions with 10 minutes left, you need to accelerate on the final 20.
Scoring: What 720 Means in Practice
The 720 passing score is a scaled score, not a percentage of questions answered correctly. CompTIA's scaled scoring adjusts for minor difficulty variations between exam versions.
Industry estimates suggest you need approximately 75–80% of scored questions correct to achieve a 720 scaled score. This is an approximation — question difficulty weights affect the exact number.
There is no penalty for wrong answers. Always guess rather than leaving a question blank.
How to Prepare
Domain-Targeted Practice
Don't study all five domains at equal intensity. Domain 1 (Networking Concepts, 23%) and the four 20%-weighted domains together account for the entire exam. Use practice question scores by domain to identify where you're losing marks.
Practice Network+ questions by domain so you can see your performance across Networking Concepts, Implementation, Operations, Security, and Troubleshooting separately.
Learn Subnetting Until It's Automatic
IPv4 subnetting appears consistently on Network+ and is one of the most common failure points. Questions might ask you to identify the correct subnet mask for a given host count, determine whether two IP addresses are on the same subnet, or calculate the number of usable hosts in a given subnet.
This is a skill that requires practice, not just understanding. Work subnetting problems until you can do them in under 60 seconds.
Know Your Protocols and Ports
A significant proportion of Domain 1 marks come from protocol and port knowledge. Memorise the most common port numbers (the table above covers the most frequently tested ones) and understand what each protocol does and at which OSI layer it operates.
Practise Under Timed Conditions
Before your exam date, complete at least two or three full-length practice exams under timed conditions. Pacing surprises are easier to handle in practice than on exam day. Aim to finish each 90-question set in 75 minutes, leaving 15 minutes for review.
Summary
The CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam has a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, with a passing score of 720. It includes both MCQs and performance-based questions across five domains: Networking Concepts (23%), Network Implementation (20%), Network Operations (17%), Network Security (20%), and Network Troubleshooting (20%).
Subnetting, protocol/port knowledge, and scenario-based troubleshooting are the consistent high-weight skill areas. Build a structured study plan, practise questions by domain, and ensure you've covered the OSI model and TCP/IP deeply before exam day.
Begin practising with free Network+ questions and track your domain scores from the start.