So you failed a CompTIA exam. Or maybe you haven't taken it yet but you're already worrying about what happens if things don't go your way. Either scenario is completely normal. The CompTIA exam retake policy is something every IT certification candidate should understand before sitting down at that Pearson VUE testing center - and honestly, most people don't bother looking into it until they're staring at a failing score on their screen.
Here's the good news: you can retake a CompTIA exam. There's no "one shot and you're done" rule. But there are some important details about how many times you can retake it, how long you have to wait, and what it'll cost you. Let me walk you through everything so you know exactly what to expect.
CompTIA Retake Policy Overview: What You Need to Know
The CompTIA retake policy is actually more straightforward than most people think. CompTIA allows candidates to retake any exam they've failed, with a few conditions. The retake policy CompTIA has established applies equally to all their certification exams - whether you're dealing with A+, Security+, Network+, or any of their specialized certifications.
The core rules are simple. If it's your first time taking a specific exam, there's no waiting period. Walk in and take it whenever you're ready. But once you fail? That's where the CompTIA retake rules kick in. You'll need to wait before you can sit for that same exam again.
CompTIA Retake Policy at a Glance
- Unlimited retakes: No cap on how many times you can attempt an exam
- 14-day waiting period: Must wait 14 days after a failed attempt
- Full price per retake: Each attempt costs the standard exam fee
- No retakes after passing: Cannot retake an exam you've already passed without written consent
- Score reports provided: Failed attempts include domain-level feedback
One thing that catches people off guard: the CompTIA certification retake policy doesn't allow you to retake an exam you've already passed. Once you pass, that's it. You can't retake it for a higher score or for any other reason without getting written authorization from CompTIA. This is designed to prevent abuse and maintain exam integrity.
How Many Times Can You Retake a CompTIA Exam?
This is the question everyone asks first, and the answer is reassuring: there's no limit. How many times can you fail a CompTIA exam and try again? As many as it takes. CompTIA doesn't impose a maximum number of exam attempts. Whether it takes you two tries or seven, they won't lock you out.
That said, unlimited CompTIA exam attempts doesn't mean unlimited free attempts. Every single retake costs money - and at $369-$404 per shot, those retakes add up fast. I've heard from candidates who've spent over $1,200 on retakes for a single exam. Not ideal.
Retakes by Exam Type
The retake policy applies the same way across all CompTIA certifications. Whether you're wondering how many times you can retake the CompTIA A+ exam specifically, or asking about Security+ or Network+ - the answer is the same. Unlimited retakes, same waiting period, same cost per attempt.
For CompTIA A+, remember that it's actually two separate exams (Core 1 and Core 2). Can you retake the CompTIA A+ exam on just one core? Yes. Each core exam is treated independently. If you pass Core 1 but fail Core 2, you only need to retake Core 2. And here's something worth noting - you don't have to retake the CompTIA A+ Core 1 if you already passed it, even if you fail Core 2 multiple times. Your passing score on each core is valid as long as that exam version remains active.
Money-Saving Tip
Before your first attempt, consider purchasing a CompTIA retake voucher bundle. These bundles include one exam attempt plus one free retake if you fail. They cost more upfront than a single voucher but can save you hundreds if you don't pass on your first try.
CompTIA Retake Waiting Period: How Long Between Attempts?
The CompTIA retake waiting period is 14 calendar days after a failed attempt. Not business days - calendar days. So if you fail on a Monday, the earliest you could retake the exam is the Monday two weeks later. This CompTIA waiting period gives you time to study the areas where you fell short.
How soon can you retake a CompTIA exam? That 14-day minimum is firm. Pearson VUE's scheduling system enforces this automatically, so you literally cannot book a retake sooner even if you wanted to. Some people see this as frustrating. I actually think it's a blessing in disguise - rushing back without additional preparation is a recipe for another failed attempt.
Waiting Period Timeline
Here's how the CompTIA retake time breaks down in practice:
- First attempt to second attempt: Minimum 14 calendar days
- Second attempt to third attempt: Minimum 14 calendar days
- Third attempt and beyond: Minimum 14 calendar days between each subsequent attempt
Some people on Reddit and certification forums will tell you the waiting period increases after multiple failures. The CompTIA retake policy Reddit threads are full of conflicting information on this. Here's the reality: CompTIA's official policy states a waiting period is required between retakes. The standard 14-day window is what Pearson VUE enforces. Don't stress about supposed escalating penalties - focus your energy on studying instead.
Does Rescheduling Count as a Retake?
No. Rescheduling is completely different from retaking. If you reschedule your CompTIA exam through Pearson VUE at least 24 hours before your appointment, it's treated as if you never sat for the exam. No waiting period applies. How many times can you reschedule a CompTIA exam? Pearson VUE generally allows unlimited rescheduling, though last-minute cancellations (less than 24 hours) may forfeit your exam fee.
If you're not feeling confident the day before your exam, rescheduling is almost always smarter than taking it unprepared. A rescheduled exam costs you nothing. A failed exam costs you $369+ and a 14-day delay.
CompTIA Exam Retake Cost: What You'll Pay Per Attempt
Here's the part that stings: the CompTIA exam retake cost is the same as the original exam price. There is no CompTIA retake fee discount. Every attempt costs full price. Let's look at what that means for the most popular exams:
- CompTIA A+ (per core exam): $369 per attempt
- CompTIA Security+: $404 per attempt
- CompTIA Network+: $369 per attempt
- CompTIA CySA+: $404 per attempt
- CompTIA PenTest+: $404 per attempt
The CompTIA A+ exam retake cost is particularly painful because you're dealing with two exams. If you fail both cores once each, that's $738 in retake fees alone - on top of the $738 you already spent on the first attempts. The CompTIA Security+ exam retake cost of $404 is similarly brutal. That's a lot of money for another shot at passing.
This is exactly why preparation matters so much. Every dollar you spend on quality study materials is an investment in not paying the CompTIA retake cost. Check out our complete guide to CompTIA exam costs for a full breakdown of what you'll spend on certification.
The Real Cost of Retakes
A candidate who fails the CompTIA Security+ exam twice before passing on their third attempt will spend $1,212 on exam fees alone. Add study materials, practice tests, and lost study time, and you're looking at $1,500-$2,000 total. Planning your preparation carefully - or considering professional exam assistance - can save you significant money.
What Happens If You Fail a CompTIA Exam?
What happens if you fail a CompTIA exam? First, take a breath. It's not the end of the world. Plenty of successful IT professionals didn't pass on their first try. The CompTIA fail policy is designed to give you feedback and a path forward, not shut you out.
When you fail, you'll receive a score report that shows your overall score and how you performed in each exam domain. This is genuinely useful information. You won't see the specific questions you got wrong, but you'll see which knowledge areas need the most work. Use this. Seriously. Too many people glance at their score report and never look at it again.
The Emotional Side
Look, failing a certification exam sucks. You've studied for weeks or months, spent real money, and walked out without the result you wanted. That frustration is completely valid. But don't let it spiral into thinking you're not cut out for IT or that the certification is impossible.
Most CompTIA exams have estimated pass rates around 60-80% for first-time takers, depending on the exam. That means 20-40% of people fail on their first attempt. You're in good company. The people who ultimately succeed are the ones who analyze what went wrong, adjust their study approach, and come back stronger.
Your Score Report Is Your Roadmap
CompTIA score reports break your performance into domains with ratings like "Below Proficient," "Near Proficient," and "Proficient." Focus your retake preparation on the domains where you scored lowest. If you were near proficient across the board but bombed one specific area, targeted studying can make the difference between failing and passing on your next attempt.
For detailed strategies on bouncing back from a failed exam, check out our guide on how to pass any CompTIA exam on your first try. The tips apply equally well to retake attempts.
Strategies After Failing a CompTIA Exam
Failing once doesn't mean you'll fail again. But doing the exact same thing and expecting different results? That's the definition of insanity, right? Here are concrete strategies to turn a retake into a pass.
1. Analyze Your Score Report Honestly
Don't just look at which domains were low. Think about why they were low. Did you not study those topics enough? Did you study them but didn't understand the material deeply? Were there performance-based questions that tripped you up because you lack hands-on experience? Different root causes require different solutions.
2. Change Your Study Materials
If you relied heavily on one resource and failed, it might not be the right fit for how you learn. Some people do better with video courses. Others need textbooks. Many benefit from practice tests that simulate exam conditions. Mix it up. Add a resource you haven't tried before.
3. Focus on Weak Areas (But Don't Ignore Strengths)
Spend 70% of your study time on weak domains and 30% reviewing areas where you performed well. You don't want to improve in one area only to slip in another because you stopped reviewing entirely.
4. Get Hands-On Practice
This is especially important for exams with performance-based questions like Security+, CySA+, and PenTest+. Reading about configuring a firewall is very different from actually doing it. Set up a home lab, use virtual environments, or practice with platforms like TryHackMe. Our guide on CompTIA Security+ labs covers the best options.
5. Consider Professional Help
Sometimes the smartest strategy isn't studying harder - it's studying smarter. Or it's recognizing that your schedule, learning style, or exam anxiety makes self-study unrealistic. Our team at ComptiaHelp specializes in helping IT professionals who need CompTIA A+ exam assistance, Security+ help, and support across all CompTIA certifications.
CompTIA Retake Vouchers and Discount Options
Since the CompTIA retake cost is steep, it's worth knowing about options that can reduce the financial pain. A CompTIA retake voucher is probably the single best insurance policy you can buy before taking a CompTIA exam.
Retake Bundle Vouchers
CompTIA sells bundle vouchers that include your initial exam attempt plus one free retake if you fail. The CompTIA retake voucher typically costs 15-25% more than a standard single-exam voucher, but it's worth every penny if there's any chance you might not pass on your first try. Think of it as retake insurance.
Here's the math: a standard Security+ voucher is $404. A retake bundle might cost $475-$500. If you fail once, you've just saved yourself $304-$329 compared to buying two separate vouchers. That's a no-brainer for anyone who isn't 100% confident they'll pass on the first attempt.
If you're looking into this, the CompTIA retake voucher Reddit community has plenty of threads discussing where to find the best deals. Just make sure you're buying from authorized resellers to avoid scams.
Academic and Military Discounts
Students and active military personnel can get significant discounts on CompTIA exam vouchers through the CompTIA Academic Store. These discounts can reduce exam costs by up to 50%, making retakes much more affordable. If you qualify, there's really no reason not to take advantage of this.
Employer-Sponsored Retakes
Many employers cover certification exam costs as part of their professional development programs. Some will also cover retake fees, though policies vary. Before paying out of pocket for a retake, check with your HR department or manager about reimbursement options.
WGU and Employer CompTIA Retake Policies
The WGU CompTIA retake policy deserves its own section because so many IT students go through Western Governors University. If you're a WGU student, your experience with CompTIA retakes is a bit different from the average self-study candidate.
WGU CompTIA Retake Coverage
WGU includes CompTIA exam vouchers as part of your tuition for relevant degree programs. The WGU CompTIA retake situation is generally favorable - the university often provides additional vouchers for retakes at no extra cost to the student. However, this isn't unlimited. Your program mentor can tell you exactly how many retake attempts WGU will cover.
Even with WGU covering the cost, the CompTIA retake waiting period still applies. You'll still need to wait those 14 days between attempts. And WGU may have its own additional requirements, like completing extra study modules before they'll authorize another voucher.
Employer Certification Programs
Beyond WGU, many IT employers have certification programs that cover exam costs. Some things to ask about:
- Does the company cover retake fees, or only first attempts?
- Is there a limit on the number of retakes covered?
- Do you need to pass within a certain timeframe to get reimbursement?
- Are there specific CompTIA certifications the company prioritizes?
Companies investing in your certification care about the result, not the number of attempts. If your employer covers retakes, there's even less reason to panic about the CompTIA fail policy. Just focus on learning the material and passing when you're ready.
When Retaking Isn't the Best Option
Sometimes retaking the exam yourself isn't the most practical path. Maybe you've already failed twice. Maybe work is so busy you can't carve out another two months of study time. Maybe exam anxiety is a real problem that no amount of flashcards will fix.
These are legitimate situations, and pretending they're not doesn't help anyone. If you find yourself stuck in a retake cycle - failing, waiting, studying the same way, failing again - it's time to consider a different approach.
Professional exam assistance services like ours exist for exactly this reason. We help IT professionals get past the certification hurdle so they can focus on actually building their careers. Whether you need help with Network+ certification, CySA+, or any other CompTIA exam, our team has the expertise to help you succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts on the CompTIA Retake Policy
The CompTIA exam retake policy is designed to be fair. Unlimited retakes mean you always have another chance. The 14-day waiting period gives you time to actually prepare instead of blindly throwing yourself at the exam again. And while the retake cost is steep, options like retake voucher bundles and employer reimbursement can soften the financial blow.
But here's my honest advice: the best retake strategy is not needing one. Invest in proper preparation before your first attempt. Use quality study materials, take practice tests under exam conditions, and don't schedule the exam until you're consistently scoring well on practice tests. For a comprehensive preparation plan, check out our CompTIA certification path guide to make sure you're approaching certifications in the right order.
And if you've already failed and need help getting past this obstacle? Reach out to our team. We've helped hundreds of IT professionals achieve their CompTIA certifications, and we can help you too. Don't let a failed exam derail your career - there's always a path forward.