What is CompTIA Network+ N10-007?

CompTIA Network+ N10-007 is the 2018 version of Network+, a vendor-neutral networking certification exam from CompTIA. It validates foundational networking skills such as configuring networks, understanding routing and switching, troubleshooting connectivity, securing basic network environments, and working with common protocols and standards. N10-007 was designed for early-career IT professionals, especially support technicians, network technicians, junior administrators, and help desk staff moving into networking. Because it is vendor-neutral, it focuses on concepts that apply across environments rather than a single platform like Cisco. It was widely used as a baseline networking credential before being replaced by N10-008.

Is N10-007 still available or has it been retired?

N10-007 has been retired. CompTIA launched newer Network+ versions after it, and candidates now pursue the current exam instead of N10-007. If you are starting fresh, you should study for the active Network+ version, not the 2018 objective set. If you already passed N10-007 before retirement, the certification itself did not instantly become invalid just because the exam retired. Your status depends on CompTIA’s three-year renewal cycle and whether you kept it active through continuing education or higher-level certifications. For job applications, employers usually care that you hold an active Network+ certification, not that it came from the N10-007 exam specifically.

How many questions are on the N10-007 exam and what is the format?

The N10-007 exam has a maximum of 90 questions and lasts 90 minutes. The format includes both multiple-choice questions and performance-based questions, which are scenario-driven items that test practical decision-making and troubleshooting. Performance-based questions often appear at the beginning of the exam and may ask you to interpret network diagrams, configure settings, identify issues, or choose the correct sequence of actions. The exam is scored on a scale of 100 to 900. Because of the mix of question types, time management matters. Many candidates skip the performance-based items first, answer standard questions, and then return with whatever time remains.

What is the passing score for CompTIA Network+ N10-007?

The passing score for N10-007 is 720 on a scale of 100 to 900. That does not mean you need 80% correct in a simple one-to-one way because CompTIA uses scaled scoring, and not all questions necessarily carry the same weight in the way candidates expect. Performance-based questions can also affect the score differently than standard multiple-choice items. The practical takeaway is that you need a solid understanding across all domains, not just strength in one area. If your practice scores are consistently in the mid-80% range on quality exam-style questions, you are usually in a much safer position than if you are barely clearing 70%.

How much did the N10-007 exam cost?

The standard voucher price for CompTIA Network+ N10-007 was typically around USD $338 in the U.S. when it was active, though pricing varied by country, taxes, and reseller discounts. Academic pricing and bundled training packages could lower the effective cost. If you are looking at old study materials or archived training pages, remember that exam prices change over time and N10-007 itself is retired, so those prices are mainly useful for historical reference. For current planning, check the active Network+ exam page or authorized voucher sellers. If you are budgeting, also account for retake costs, practice exams, and possibly CertMaster or third-party lab resources.

Are there any prerequisites for N10-007?

There are no formal prerequisites for N10-007. You did not need another CompTIA certification or a specific job title to register. CompTIA recommended, not required, that candidates have the equivalent of CompTIA A+ knowledge and about 9 to 12 months of networking experience. That recommendation was realistic. A complete beginner could still pass, but the exam is much easier if you already understand IP addressing, cabling basics, ports and protocols, wireless standards, network devices, and common troubleshooting steps. If you have zero hands-on experience, expect to spend extra time with labs, subnetting practice, and scenario questions rather than relying on memorization alone.

How hard is the Network+ N10-007 exam?

N10-007 is moderately difficult for beginners and manageable for people with real networking exposure. It is harder than many expect because it is not just a terminology test. You need to know subnetting, routing concepts, switching behavior, wireless standards, troubleshooting methodology, security basics, and infrastructure design at a practical level. The performance-based questions add pressure because they test whether you can apply knowledge in context. Candidates who only memorize port numbers and acronyms usually struggle. Candidates with help desk, desktop support, field technician, or junior admin experience often find it fair. The toughest parts for many people are subnetting speed, protocol behavior, and troubleshooting layered network issues.

How long should I study for N10-007?

Most candidates need about 4 to 10 weeks, depending on experience. If you already work with switches, routers, Wi-Fi, and basic troubleshooting, you may be ready in a month with focused review. If you are newer to networking, 8 to 12 weeks is more realistic. A good plan is to study domain by domain, then spend the final two weeks on practice exams and weak areas. For N10-007 specifically, many people underestimated the time needed for subnetting, command-line tools, cable standards, and performance-based practice. A strong benchmark is this: do not book the exam until you can explain core topics without notes and consistently score well on realistic timed practice tests.

What topics are covered on N10-007?

N10-007 covers five main domains: networking concepts, infrastructure, network operations, network security, and network troubleshooting. In practice, that includes TCP/IP, OSI model basics, ports and protocols, routing and switching, VLANs, cabling and connectors, wireless standards, virtualization, cloud concepts, high availability, disaster recovery, monitoring, policies, access control, and troubleshooting tools like ping, tracert, ipconfig, netstat, and nslookup. Compared with older versions, N10-007 put more emphasis on network security and operational support. It was broad rather than deep. You were expected to know how things work together across an enterprise network, not just definitions in isolation.

What are the hardest topics on N10-007?

For most candidates, the hardest topics are subnetting, routing and switching behavior, wireless standards, and troubleshooting scenarios. Subnetting causes problems because you must do it quickly under time pressure, not just slowly on paper. Routing and switching questions can be tricky because CompTIA mixes conceptual understanding with practical outcomes, such as what device or protocol fits a scenario. Wireless standards, frequencies, and security settings are easy to blur together. Troubleshooting is hard because multiple answers may look plausible unless you follow a methodical process. If you want the biggest score improvement, focus on reading network scenarios carefully and practicing why one answer is best, not just why others are wrong.

What are the best study materials for N10-007?

The best N10-007 study stack usually combined one video course, one book, and lots of practice questions. Popular choices included Professor Messer videos, Mike Meyers or Todd Lammle books, Jason Dion practice exams, and CompTIA’s own objective list. For hands-on practice, Packet Tracer, home labs, and command-line exercises helped far more than passive reading. Because N10-007 is retired, some official resources are no longer front-and-center, but archived books and video courses still exist. The key is to use materials specifically mapped to N10-007, not older N10-006 content or newer N10-008 content without checking objective differences. Practice questions are useful only if they explain why answers are right and wrong.

Does N10-007 have labs or performance-based questions?

Yes, N10-007 includes performance-based questions, but it does not require a separate live lab exam. Performance-based questions are simulation-style items inside the exam that test how you apply knowledge to network scenarios. You may need to analyze a topology, identify the right configuration, troubleshoot a fault, or match components to requirements. They are not full-blown hands-on labs like some advanced vendor exams, but they do reward practical familiarity. If you only study flashcards, these questions can feel difficult. The best preparation is to practice reading diagrams, using common networking tools, understanding cable and device roles, and following structured troubleshooting steps under time pressure.

Can I take N10-007 online or did I have to go to a test center?

When N10-007 was active, candidates could typically take it through Pearson VUE, usually at an authorized test center and, later in CompTIA’s broader program, often through online proctoring depending on region and availability. The exact delivery options changed over time. If you are researching this now, the practical point is that retired exams are no longer bookable, so current candidates need to check delivery options for the active Network+ version instead. For any CompTIA exam, test center delivery is usually best if your home setup is unreliable. Online proctoring is convenient, but it comes with strict rules on room setup, webcam monitoring, and interruptions.

What happens if I fail the N10-007 exam?

If you failed N10-007 while it was active, you could retake it, but CompTIA’s retake policy applied. There was no waiting period before the first retake after a failed attempt, but after a second and subsequent failures, a waiting period typically applied before trying again. You also had to pay for each new attempt. The smarter move after a failure was to review the score report by objective area, identify whether the issue was content gaps or exam technique, and then target weak domains. Candidates often failed because they rushed the performance-based questions, mismanaged time, or relied on memorization without being able to troubleshoot scenarios.

Is Network+ N10-007 worth it for getting a job?

Yes, Network+ was and still is worth it for entry-level to mid-junior IT roles, especially if you lack formal networking experience. It helps with jobs like help desk, network support technician, NOC technician, field service technician, junior system administrator, and some cybersecurity entry roles. It is not a magic ticket to a high-paying network engineer position by itself, but it gives employers a recognizable baseline that you understand networking fundamentals. Its value is strongest when paired with experience, labs, or another cert such as Security+ or CCNA. If your goal is to break into infrastructure or support work, Network+ is practical. If you already have strong networking experience, it may be more of a résumé checkbox.

Network+ N10-007 vs CCNA: which is better?

CCNA is generally stronger for deeper networking credibility, while Network+ is better as a broad entry point. N10-007 is vendor-neutral and covers fundamentals across networking, operations, and basic security. CCNA goes deeper into Cisco networking concepts, configuration logic, and enterprise networking skills. If you are new to IT or want a foundational cert that supports many roles, Network+ is usually the easier and more appropriate starting point. If you already know the basics and want to move toward networking-focused roles faster, CCNA often carries more weight with employers. A common path is Network+ first for breadth, then CCNA for depth. They are not direct substitutes, but they overlap in core concepts.

Network+ N10-007 vs Security+: which should I take first?

Take Network+ first if you are weak on networking fundamentals; take Security+ first only if you already understand networks well enough. Security+ assumes you can follow networking concepts like ports, protocols, segmentation, devices, and traffic flow. Without that base, many security topics feel abstract. N10-007 gives you the networking language that makes Security+ easier. On the other hand, if your job target is cybersecurity and you already have practical network knowledge, Security+ may offer more immediate HR value because it appears in more security job postings and government-aligned roles. For most true beginners, Network+ then Security+ is the smoother sequence and leads to better long-term understanding.

Network+ N10-007 vs Cisco CCT or other entry networking certs?

Network+ is usually the better all-around choice unless you specifically need Cisco hardware support skills. Cisco CCT is narrower and more focused on basic Cisco device support and field service tasks. N10-007 is broader, more recognized across general IT hiring, and better if you want flexibility across help desk, support, systems, networking, and security-adjacent roles. Compared with smaller or lesser-known entry networking certs, Network+ has stronger brand recognition and fits more job descriptions. If your employer is heavily Cisco-centric and your role is hardware-oriented, CCT can make sense. If you want the most portable foundational networking credential, Network+ is typically the safer bet.

How long is the Network+ certification valid if I passed N10-007?

Network+ is valid for three years from the date you earned it, assuming it was certified under CompTIA’s continuing education program. Passing N10-007 gave you the Network+ certification, and that credential remained active for three years unless renewed. The retirement of the exam version did not shorten that period. What matters is your certification expiration date, not whether the exam is still being offered. If you did nothing before the expiration date, the certification could lapse. If you renewed through approved continuing education activities or qualifying higher-level certifications, the active status continued beyond the original three-year window.

How do I renew or recertify a Network+ earned through N10-007?

You renew Network+ through CompTIA’s Continuing Education program. The usual requirement is 30 CEUs within the three-year renewal cycle, plus the annual CE maintenance fees unless you use a renewal path that satisfies the requirement differently. You can earn renewal credit through approved training, higher-level certifications, webinars, teaching, industry activities, or by passing a qualifying newer certification or CompTIA exam. Another option is CertMaster CE for some CompTIA certifications, depending on availability and version policies. The simplest rule is this: keep records of your activities and renew before the expiration date. If your certification has already lapsed, you may need to earn the certification again under current requirements.

I passed N10-007. What should I do next?

Update your résumé, LinkedIn, and job profiles immediately, then build on it with either experience or a next-step certification. Network+ proves you understand networking fundamentals, but the biggest gains come when you pair it with hands-on work. If you want a networking path, CCNA is the natural next step. If you want cybersecurity, move to Security+ and practice network security tools and concepts. If you are aiming for systems or cloud roles, add Microsoft, Linux, or cloud fundamentals. Also save your CompTIA certification ID, track your renewal date, and start collecting continuing education activities early. A passed cert helps most when you translate it into projects, labs, and interview stories.