- FC0-U71 has up to 70 multiple-choice questions, a 60-minute limit, and a 650 scaled passing score.
- Infrastructure (24%) and Security (19%) together make up nearly half the exam content.
- The exam costs $129 and is delivered via Pearson VUE test centers or OnVUE online proctoring.
- No prerequisites exist - Tech+ is built for high school students and non-IT professionals building foundational literacy.
Exam Snapshot: Format, Fee, and Logistics
Before diving into domain content, memorize the logistics - they show up as trick questions in forums and, more importantly, they determine how you pace yourself on test day. CompTIA administers the Tech+ exam under the code FC0-U71, and the current objectives version is 2.0. If you're comparing study materials, confirm they reference version 2.0 - anything older may cover retired content.
The exam is delivered exclusively through Pearson VUE, either at a physical test center or through the OnVUE online-proctoring option from home. You'll answer up to 70 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, and you need a 650 scaled score to pass. There's no partial credit narrative to worry about - it's a straightforward multiple-choice format with no performance-based simulations, which is a meaningful difference from higher-level CompTIA exams like A+ or Security+.
There's also no formal prerequisite. CompTIA positions Tech+ for high school students, career-changers, and non-IT professionals who need general technology literacy rather than deep specialization. If you're unsure whether you even qualify or need prior experience, the full breakdown is in Tech Plus Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Domain Breakdown at a Glance
Six domains make up the FC0-U71 blueprint, and their weightings should directly shape how much time you spend on each. Below is the exact split:
| Domain | Weight | Priority Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1. IT Concepts and Terminology | 13% | Foundational - review early |
| 2. Infrastructure | 24% | Highest priority - largest domain |
| 3. Applications and Software | 18% | High priority |
| 4. Software Development Concepts | 13% | Moderate - conceptual, not coding-heavy |
| 5. Data and Database Fundamentals | 13% | Moderate |
| 6. Security | 19% | Second-highest priority |
Key Takeaway
Infrastructure and Security together account for 43% of the exam. If your review time is limited, weight it toward these two domains before anything else.
What Each Domain Actually Tests
Percentages only tell part of the story. Here's what candidates actually need to recall for each domain on exam day.
Domain 1: IT Concepts and Terminology (13%)
This domain establishes the vocabulary used throughout the rest of the exam - number systems, units of measurement, and basic troubleshooting logic.
- Binary, decimal, and hexadecimal conversions
- Storage units (KB, MB, GB, TB) and throughput vs. storage distinctions
- Basic troubleshooting methodology steps and their order
Domain 2: Infrastructure (24%)
The largest domain on the exam, covering hardware, networking, and connectivity - the physical and logical backbone of any computing environment.
- Common ports, cable types, and connector standards
- Wired vs. wireless networking basics and IP addressing concepts
- Internal hardware components: motherboards, RAM, storage drives, peripherals
Domain 3: Applications and Software (18%)
Focuses on software categories, installation methods, and how operating systems interact with applications.
- Application architecture: web-based vs. locally installed vs. licensing models
- File extensions and their associated software types
- Software installation, updates, and configuration basics
Domain 4: Software Development Concepts (13%)
This is conceptual, not hands-on coding - expect terminology and logic questions rather than writing actual scripts.
- Programming logic: loops, conditionals, variables at a conceptual level
- Compiled vs. interpreted languages
- Basic understanding of the software development lifecycle
Domain 5: Data and Database Fundamentals (13%)
Covers how data is structured, stored, and queried at an introductory level.
- Database structure basics: tables, fields, records, keys
- Data types and formats
- Introductory query concepts (what queries do, not advanced SQL syntax)
Domain 6: Security (19%)
The second-largest domain, testing baseline security hygiene rather than enterprise-level defense strategy.
- Authentication methods, password policy, and physical security concepts
- Common malware types and social engineering tactics
- Basic device and data protection practices (encryption, backups, updates)
For a much deeper walkthrough of subtopics inside each domain, read Tech Plus Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 6 Content Areas. It expands on everything summarized here.
Registration and Scheduling Facts
Getting the logistics right avoids day-of surprises. Here's what to confirm before you book:
- Cost: $129 per attempt, paid directly through Pearson VUE or CompTIA's marketplace.
- Delivery options: in-person at a Pearson VUE test center, or online via OnVUE remote proctoring.
- Passing score: 650 on CompTIA's scaled scoring system.
- Eligibility: none required - open to anyone, with no age or experience prerequisite.
If you want the full pricing picture - including retake costs and how Tech+ compares to other CompTIA exams - see Tech Plus Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. And if the 650 number alone doesn't tell you enough about how scoring actually works, Tech Plus Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass breaks it down further.
Scheduling windows and blackout considerations are covered separately in Tech Plus Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling - worth checking if you're coordinating around a school semester or job start date.
The Last-Week Review Plan
This cheat sheet assumes you've already done the bulk of your studying. If you haven't, back up and follow the full method in Tech Plus Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. What follows is a condensed final-week pass built around domain weighting, not generic study advice.
Infrastructure + Security
- Redo practice questions covering ports, cabling, and network basics
- Drill authentication, malware types, and device security scenarios
Applications and Software
- Review file types, licensing models, and installation workflows
- Skim any weak terminology from Domain 1
Development + Data
- Review programming logic vocabulary and database structure terms
- Take one full 70-question timed practice run
Light Review Only
- Skim this cheat sheet and any missed-question notes
- Confirm Pearson VUE appointment details and ID requirements
Notice that Infrastructure and Security get the first two days - that's deliberate, since they represent 43% of your score. Domains 4 and 5 get compressed together because they're conceptual and lighter-weighted at 13% each.
Common Traps on Exam Day
A few patterns trip up candidates repeatedly, based on how the exam is structured:
- Overthinking terminology questions: Domain 1 and Domain 3 often test recognition, not deep analysis. If your first instinct matches a term you've seen in study materials, trust it.
- Confusing throughput with storage: Megabits vs. megabytes distinctions appear in Infrastructure questions - read units carefully.
- Treating Domain 4 like a coding exam: Software Development Concepts tests logic and vocabulary, not the ability to write functioning code.
- Running out of time on easy questions: At roughly 51 seconds per question, don't let one unfamiliar Security scenario eat three minutes.
For a broader sense of where most candidates actually struggle statistically, review Tech Plus Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows.
Key Takeaway
When in doubt during the exam, prioritize speed on Domains 1, 3, 4, and 5 (lower weight, faster recall) so you have extra time to think through Infrastructure and Security scenarios.
Quick Reference Table
Keep this table in mind as your final mental checklist before scheduling through the practice test hub:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam code | FC0-U71 |
| Objectives version | 2.0 |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test center or OnVUE |
| Cost | $129 |
| Question count | Up to 70, multiple-choice |
| Time limit | 60 minutes |
| Passing score | 650 (scaled) |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Largest domain | Infrastructure (24%) |
If you're still deciding whether this certification is worth pursuing at all given your career goals, read Is the Tech Plus Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and Tech Plus Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis. Entry-level helpdesk teams, retail tech support roles, and school IT programs are among the common paths that value this credential - more on that in Tech Plus Jobs.
FAQ
FC0-U71. Make sure any study materials or vouchers you purchase reference this code and objectives version 2.0, since older versions may not align with current content.
Up to 70 multiple-choice questions within a 60-minute time limit. There are no performance-based simulations on this exam.
Infrastructure, at 24% of the exam, is the largest domain and should get the most attention, followed by Security at 19%.
No. CompTIA sets no formal prerequisite for FC0-U71, and the exam is specifically designed for high school students and non-IT professionals building foundational tech literacy.
Yes. In addition to in-person Pearson VUE test centers, CompTIA offers OnVUE online proctoring for FC0-U71, provided you have a private space and working webcam.
Use this page as your one-stop refresher, but pair it with full-length domain review and timed practice questions through our Tech+ practice test platform before you commit to a test date.