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CompTIA • Tech Plus
CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71)
Understand notational systems, computing basics, the value of data, and troubleshooting methodology.
Practice setup
Exam info
- Exam ID
- FC0-U71
- Cost of Exam
- $125.00
- Length of Test
- 60 Minutes
- Number of Questions
- Maximum of 70
View full exam details
- Exam Version
- V6
- Launch Date
- July 16, 2024
- Expected Retirement Date
- Currently Unknown
- Recommended Experience
- No Prior Experience Required
- Validity
- 3 years
- Question Types
- Multiple Choice
- Passing Score
- 650 (on a scale of 100-900)
Domains and Objectives
Tech concepts and terminology1.013%
Objectives in this domain
- Computing basics: input, processing, output, and storage fundamentals.
- Notational systems: binary, hexadecimal, decimal, and octal systems.
- Units of measure: storage (bit, byte, KB, GB, TB), speed (MHz, GHz), and throughput (bps, Mbps, Gbps).
- Troubleshooting methodology: identifying problems, testing theories, implementing solutions, and documenting findings.
Infrastructure2.024%
Objectives in this domain
- Computing devices: smartphones, tablets, laptops, servers, IoT devices, and gaming consoles.
- Internal components: motherboard, CPU, RAM, storage (HDD, SSD, NVMe), NIC, and GPU.
- Storage types: volatile vs. non-volatile, local, network, and cloud storage.
- Peripheral setup: printers, scanners, monitors, and driver installation.
- Device interfaces: USB, HDMI, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and NFC.
- Virtualization and cloud: hypervisors, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, hybrid, and on-premises models.
- Networking basics: LAN vs. WAN, IP/MAC addresses, routers, switches, and firewalls.
- Wireless networks: 802.11 standards, speed, and interference considerations.
Applications and software3.018%
Objectives in this domain
- Operating systems: mobile, desktop, server, embedded systems.
- OS components: file systems (NTFS, FAT32), interfaces (GUI, command line), utilities, and drivers.
- Software types: productivity tools, collaboration apps, web browsers, and remote support.
- Web browser features: private browsing, add-ons, password management, and cache clearing.
- Artificial intelligence: chatbots, assistants, and generative AI for content and predictions.
Software development concepts4.013%
Objectives in this domain
- Programming languages: interpreted, compiled, scripting, markup, and assembly.
- Data types: char, strings, numbers (integers, floats), and Boolean.
- Programming concepts: variables, constants, arrays, functions, and objects.
- Organizational techniques: pseudocode, flowcharts, object-oriented methods, branching, looping.
Data and database fundamentals5.013%
Objectives in this domain
- Value of data: data-driven decisions, reporting, and monetization.
- Database concepts: relational vs. non-relational, tables, rows, fields, primary/foreign keys.
- Database use: queries, reports, scalability, cloud vs. local storage.
- Backup concepts: file and system backups, local vs. cloud storage.
Security6.019%
Objectives in this domain
- Security concepts: confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, and authorization.
- Device security: anti-malware, firewalls, patching, physical security, safe browsing.
- Password practices: length, complexity, privacy, reuse, and password managers.
- Encryption: data at rest, data in transit, HTTPS, VPNs, mobile devices.
Resources
Resources are being added for this exam.
Exam history
The History of CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71 Context)
Last reviewed: 2026-03-08
CompTIA Tech+ represents CompTIA's current entry-level technology literacy certification, designed for learners who are starting their IT journey and need broad, practical digital and technical fluency. Its purpose is not to certify advanced specialist depth, but to validate baseline competency across core tech concepts used in school, workplace, and early career settings.
The credential traces its roots to CompTIA's IT Fundamentals line, where the goal was to create an approachable first certification for people exploring technology pathways. Earlier versions were positioned as confidence-building certifications that introduced computing concepts, terminology, and basic troubleshooting while remaining accessible to candidates without formal IT job experience.
As technology usage expanded into every role and industry, entry-level expectations changed. Foundational knowledge now requires familiarity with cloud services, software ecosystems, web tools, data handling, and security hygiene, not just device basics. CompTIA's introductory certification strategy evolved accordingly, broadening coverage to reflect modern digital workflows.
The transition from ITF+ branding to Tech+ reflects that evolution in positioning. The newer naming and objective framing present the exam as a practical technology baseline for contemporary learners, including students, career changers, and professionals in non-IT roles who still need credible technical fluency.
Current Tech+ domains combine concept understanding with applied context: infrastructure basics, application and software usage, software development concepts, data and database fundamentals, and security practices. This distribution supports the exam's role as a cross-functional foundation rather than a narrowly technical credential.
FC0-U71 (V6), launched on July 16, 2024, is the current version and continues the practical-first model. It integrates modern topics like virtualization and cloud service models, browser and collaboration tooling, and introductory AI-related awareness, while retaining classic fundamentals such as notational systems, system components, and troubleshooting methodology.
One of Tech+'s strongest characteristics is transferability: the objectives map to useful day-one skills for both academic and workplace environments. Candidates are expected to interpret core terminology, understand how systems connect, follow basic security practices, and reason through technical problems with structured logic.
In the broader CompTIA pathway, Tech+ serves as an on-ramp before role-focused certifications like A+, Network+, or Security+. Its historical direction has remained consistent: keep the barrier to entry low while continuously updating the exam blueprint so foundational tech literacy reflects how people actually use and support technology today.
Change tracker
Tech+ FC0-U71 (V6) launched
CompTIA launched FC0-U71 as the current Tech+ version, modernizing foundational exam coverage while preserving an accessible entry point for learners with little or no prior IT experience.
Tech+ branding positioned as the current introductory credential
CompTIA shifted messaging from the earlier IT Fundamentals Plus naming toward Tech+, aligning the credential identity with modern technology literacy expectations across school and workplace use cases.
Greater emphasis on cloud, software ecosystem, and AI awareness
The current objective framing more explicitly incorporates virtualization and cloud models, application workflows, browser-centric productivity, and introductory AI tool awareness in foundational learning outcomes.
IT Fundamentals Plus (ITF+) established baseline pathway
Earlier ITF+ versions built the foundation for today's Tech+ by focusing on approachable computing concepts, terminology, and troubleshooting methodology for beginners and career explorers.
Consistent role as on-ramp to role-based CompTIA tracks
Across versions, CompTIA's introductory exam line has consistently served as a first-step credential that prepares candidates for deeper role-based certifications such as A+, Network+, and Security+.