Most candidates who fail the CompTIA A+ don't lack motivation—they lack structure. Watching random YouTube tutorials for four months is not a study plan. This is where A+ Professor Messer content stands apart: it's organized directly around CompTIA's official exam objectives, covers both Core 1 and Core 2 in sequence, and has been updated for every exam revision since the mid-2000s.
Jason Messer—known universally as "Professor Messer" in IT certification circles—built his reputation by making exam prep accessible without a paywall. His A+ video series is consistently recommended on r/CompTIA, in IT support forums, and inside certification bootcamps as the baseline free study resource. But free doesn't always mean complete. This review covers what the course actually delivers, where it falls short, and how to build a study plan around it that leads to passing both exams.
What Is A+ Professor Messer?
Professor Messer's A+ course is a free video-based study series hosted on his website and YouTube channel. It maps directly to CompTIA's official exam objectives for both current A+ exams:
- 220-1101 (Core 1): Mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, and hardware/network troubleshooting
- 220-1102 (Core 2): Operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures
Each video typically runs 5–20 minutes and targets a specific exam objective. You can study in focused sessions without committing to hours of content at a time. The series has been maintained and updated with each CompTIA A+ revision—the current version is built for the 220-1101/1102 objectives released in 2022.
What separates Professor Messer's approach from a typical YouTube tutorial channel is the structured progression. This is a mapped curriculum, not one person's informal walkthrough of a topic. Every exam objective CompTIA lists has corresponding video coverage. That structure alone puts it ahead of most free alternatives.
What A+ Professor Messer Videos Actually Cover
Core 1 (220-1101) Coverage
The Core 1 content covers hardware fundamentals, PC components, mobile devices, and networking. Topics include:
- CPU architecture and cooling methods
- RAM types, slots, and compatibility
- Storage interfaces: SATA, NVMe, M.2
- Network cables, switches, routers, and common protocols
- Wireless standards including Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Virtualization basics and cloud deployment models (IaaS, SaaS, PaaS)
- Printer types, configurations, and troubleshooting
The hardware sections are thorough. If you've never physically worked inside a desktop, these videos won't substitute for hands-on experience—but they'll give you the vocabulary and conceptual framework needed to answer exam questions accurately. The networking content covers what Core 1 actually tests: cable types, basic TCP/IP, wireless troubleshooting, and common network hardware, not deep Cisco-level routing.
Core 2 (220-1102) Coverage
Core 2 covers the software and operational side of IT support:
- Windows 10 and 11 installation, configuration, and command-line tools (ipconfig, sfc, diskpart, and others)
- macOS and Linux basics at the level CompTIA tests
- Active Directory fundamentals and domain concepts
- Security: malware types, social engineering, physical security, and basic hardening
- Scripting overview: batch, PowerShell, Python basics
- ITIL-adjacent service desk procedures, ticketing, and documentation practices
The OS and security sections are solid for exam prep. Professor Messer doesn't go deep on any one area—this is certification coverage, not Windows Server administration training—but the depth matches what the A+ exam actually tests.
Where A+ Professor Messer Content Has Gaps
The free video series is the starting point, not the complete package. Knowing the gaps ahead of time lets you plan around them.
No practice exams included. The free content doesn't come with practice tests, and CompTIA A+ questions are scenario-based. They require applying knowledge, not just recalling definitions. Candidates who watch all the videos and skip practice testing are the ones who fail Core 1 by 20 points and can't figure out why. Practice questions are non-negotiable.
No lab environment. The videos don't include interactive labs or virtual machines. For command-line troubleshooting, OS installation, and network configuration topics, you'll need to set up your own test environment. A free VirtualBox install running Windows 10 or 11 covers most of what Core 2 requires hands-on.
Paid supplements exist for a reason. Professor Messer sells study notes (PDF guides organized by objective) and practice exam bundles separately. They're reasonably priced compared to full paid platforms, but they're not free. Many candidates find the study notes useful for review and consider the practice exams essential. Budget for at least one of these if you're serious about passing.
Passive consumption risk. Videos are easy to watch without retaining anything. Ten hours of A+ Professor Messer content consumed while half-distracted is less useful than five hours with active note-taking and pausing to answer self-test questions. The medium rewards passive learners poorly.
How to Build a Study Plan Around Professor Messer A+
A structured approach that accounts for the gaps:
- Download CompTIA's official exam objectives PDF. It's free on their site. Use it as a checklist alongside the videos—each video maps to specific objective numbers.
- Work through Core 1 in order. Don't skip around. The hardware and networking sections build on each other, and random topic-jumping creates the same problem as random YouTube videos.
- Add practice exams after each domain. Test yourself after completing each major section, not just at the end of the full series. Professor Messer's own practice exams are one option; Jason Dion's tests on Udemy are another widely-used resource.
- Set up a lab environment before Core 2. Install VirtualBox (free), set up a Windows 10 or 11 VM, and work through the OS and command-line objectives with actual hands-on practice. You cannot pass Core 2 by watching videos alone.
- Attend the free study groups. Professor Messer runs live online study sessions leading up to exam dates. These Q&A sessions clarify ambiguous topics and are worth the time.
- Book Core 1 before you start Core 2 prep. Don't try to study both simultaneously. Pass one, then focus on the other.
A realistic timeline for someone studying part-time: 6–10 weeks per exam if you're working through the videos, doing practice tests, and building hands-on time. Compressing that usually results in underpreparation on practice-based questions.
Top Courses to Pair With Your A+ Studies
The A+ certification is an entry point into IT, not an endpoint. These courses address adjacent skills that support professionals use regularly—and that become critical as you move up.
Foundations of Project Management
IT technicians who move into team lead, IT coordinator, or operations roles quickly discover that project management fundamentals matter as much as technical skills. This Coursera course covers structured project planning without requiring prior experience—directly applicable to anyone eyeing a transition from hands-on support toward IT infrastructure or operations management.
Focus: Strategies for Enhanced Concentration and Performance
Certification prep runs long, and most candidates hit a point where they're re-watching Professor Messer videos without the information sticking. This course covers how to manage cognitive load, maintain focus through dense technical material, and improve retention—practical skills for anyone working through a multi-month study plan.
Stress Free Like a Monk: 21-Days Brain Training
Exam anxiety is a separate problem from exam knowledge, and it accounts for a real percentage of failed attempts. This course takes a science-backed approach to managing mental performance under pressure—useful preparation for high-stakes multiple-choice testing where time management and calm matter alongside content knowledge.
Lead Management & Sales Stages: A Step-by-Step System
Help desk and IT support roles in MSP (managed service provider) environments increasingly involve client communication, renewal conversations, and upselling support tiers. Understanding basic sales and lead management processes is a practical skill for IT professionals working in or moving toward client-facing technical roles.
FAQ
Is Professor Messer A+ really free?
The video content is free on YouTube and professormesser.com. Professor Messer sells supplemental materials—study notes and practice exam packages—but the core video series covering all exam objectives for both 220-1101 and 220-1102 costs nothing. You can complete the full video curriculum without spending a dollar.
Is Professor Messer A+ enough to pass on its own?
For most people, no. The videos cover the content, but the A+ exam includes performance-based questions and scenario-based multiple choice that require application, not just recall. You need practice exams and hands-on time with the operating systems and hardware covered. The videos are the foundation—they're not the full study plan.
How long are Professor Messer's A+ videos total?
The full series for both Core 1 and Core 2 runs roughly 17–20 hours of video combined. Individual videos are short—typically 5–15 minutes each—which makes it practical to study in focused 45-minute sessions rather than extended viewing blocks.
Which is better: Professor Messer A+ or Mike Meyers A+?
Both are well-regarded and they're complementary rather than competing. Professor Messer is free, highly structured around exam objectives, and methodical. Mike Meyers (Total Seminars) is known for more conversational teaching and is available on Udemy. Many candidates use both: Professor Messer for systematic coverage, Meyers for a different angle on topics that didn't click the first time.
Does Professor Messer sell A+ study notes?
Yes. He sells PDF study notes organized by exam objective. They're not required to pass, but if you retain information better from reading than from video, they're a practical and low-cost supplement. The price is well below what full paid platforms charge for comparable text-based review material.
What A+ exam version are his videos current for?
As of 2024, the active exams are 220-1101 and 220-1102, released by CompTIA in April 2022. Professor Messer's current series is built for these versions. CompTIA retires exam versions roughly three years after release, so verify on CompTIA's site before booking that you're studying for the active objectives—not an older exam that's been or is about to be retired.
Bottom Line
Professor Messer's A+ course is the most reliable free resource available for CompTIA A+ exam prep. That's not qualified praise—the videos are current, organized around actual exam objectives, and free of the filler and marketing that inflate paid courses on other platforms. For candidates who can't justify a $300 bootcamp or don't want to pay for a full structured course, this series is the right starting point.
The honest caveat stands: videos alone won't get you there. Build a study plan that combines A+ Professor Messer content with active practice testing and at least some hands-on time in a real or virtual lab environment. Use the free videos as your curriculum backbone, then fill the gaps with practice exams before you book.
If you're starting from scratch: work through the 220-1101 Core 1 playlist in order, test yourself consistently after each domain, and don't book the exam until you're clearing 80% or above on practice tests across multiple attempts. That approach holds up whether you're coming in with zero IT background or transitioning from unrelated technical work.