Do CompTIA Exams Give Partial Marks for Multiple Choice Questions?

If you’re new to IT and planning your first CompTIA certification, you’re not alone. Many people wonder how CompTIA exam scoring works.

You might look at the 900-point scale and have questions. You may think, “If I get 1 out of 2 correct in a multiple-select question, do I still get half marks?”

Here’s how it actually works. Here’s what you should expect when you sit for your A+, Network+, or Security+ exam.

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1. How the CompTIA Exam Scoring System Works

All CompTIA exams are scored on a scale of 100 to 900.
That doesn’t mean every question is worth exactly 10 points. CompTIA uses scaled scoring, which adjusts based on question difficulty.

In other words:

• Easy questions might be worth fewer points.
• Harder or performance-based questions might be worth more.
• Not every question has equal weight.

So, the math of “900 ÷ 90 = 10 points per question” doesn’t apply.

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2. Do You Get Partial Credit?

Sometimes — but not always.

CompTIA has confirmed that some multiple-response (multi-select) questions can award partial credit if you get part of the answer right.
However, they don’t tell you which ones qualify, and the scoring method isn’t shown during the exam.

That means:

• You might get partial credit for selecting some correct answers.
• You might also get zero if you include one wrong choice.

It depends entirely on how CompTIA weights that specific question.

So it’s safest to answer carefully rather than trying to “cover your bases” by guessing extra options.

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3. What About PBQs (Performance-Based Questions)?

Performance-Based Questions are scored individually. You’ll only get points if your solution meets the required criteria. There are no partial marks if the system can’t verify your setup.

For example, if a PBQ asks you to configure a firewall and you set the correct rule, you still must apply it. If you forget to apply it, you won’t get credit for that question.

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4. What You Should Focus On Instead

Don’t get too caught up in scoring math. CompTIA doesn’t publish exact point values for a reason. The exams are designed to test your understanding, not your ability to calculate.

The best way to maximize your score is to:

• Read each question carefully.
• Answer every question (no penalties for guessing).
• Eliminate clearly wrong options.
  
• Practice until you consistently score 80–85% on full-length tests.

If you do that, the scaled score will take care of itself.

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📘 Ready to Practice for Real?

You can prepare with our CompTIA Real Exam Question PDFs. They include both multiple-choice and scenario-style questions and are perfect for you to pass your exams.

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💬 Final Thoughts

CompTIA exams sometimes give partial credit, but not in every case. The safest strategy is to aim for accuracy, not guesswork.
Each question is scored differently. The best way to succeed is to understand the material deeply and practice with realistic examples.

Keep studying, stay confident, and you’ll do great.