CompTIA Data+: The Complete 2025 Guide to Getting Certified

Published: October 10, 2025 | 5 min read

If you’re building a career in data, the CompTIA Data+ certification can be a powerful, vendor‑neutral way to prove your analytics skills early in your journey. In 2025, it’s especially timely: a new exam version (Data+ V2, DA0‑002) launches on October 14, 2025, while the original Data+ V1 (DA0‑001) remains available for a limited window. In this practical guide, you’ll learn exactly what Data+ covers, which version to take and when, how to study, how much it costs, and what kinds of roles it can help you land. We’ll also share a week‑by‑week study plan, renewal tips, and real‑world project ideas so you can move from “interested” to “exam‑ready” with confidence.

What Is CompTIA Data+?

CompTIA Data+ is a vendor‑neutral, early‑career certification that validates the skills needed to turn raw data into actionable insights. It spans the full analytics lifecycle—data concepts and environments, acquisition and preparation, analysis, visualization and reporting, and governance—so you’re demonstrating practical breadth, not just tool familiarity.

Who it’s for:

Aspiring or junior data analysts
Reporting/BI analysts and business analysts
Professionals in operations, finance, marketing, HR, or IT who work with data and need a baseline analytics credential

Actionable takeaway:

If you’re pivoting into data or formalizing on‑the‑job experience, Data+ gives you a recognized, tool‑agnostic foundation that you can stack with vendor‑specific certs later.

Why CompTIA Data+ Is Worth It

The main value of Data+ is its vendor-neutral focus. Instead of anchoring you to one platform (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or a specific cloud), Data+ validates transferable skills—data profiling and cleaning, basic statistics, visualization principles, and communication of insights. Those competencies translate across stacks and employers, making your resume more versatile (CompTIA’s overview of top data analytics certifications emphasizes vendor-neutral breadth)

Three unique advantages:

Broad lifecycle coverage: The exam maps to real tasks—from acquisition and prep through visualization and governance—so you’re signaling day‑one readiness
Public‑sector alignment (V2): Data+ V2 is ISO/ANAB accredited, DoD 8140.03M approved, and mapped to the NICE Framework (work role IO‑WRL‑001, Data Analyst). This matters in government and defense ecosystems
Portfolio‑friendly: Data+ domains nudge you toward building mini‑projects that demonstrate clean data pipelines, trustworthy metrics, and clear storytelling—exactly what hiring managers want.

Actionable takeaway:

Combine Data+ with a 1–2 project portfolio (e.g., a small end‑to‑end dashboard) to showcase the skills the cert validates.

Data+ V1 vs. V2: What’s Changing and When

Timing matters. Here’s what to know in 2025:

Data+ V2 (DA0‑002) launches October 14, 2025
Data+ V1 (DA0‑001) remains available in English until April 14, 2026; translations retire July 16, 2026

What’s new in V2:

Updated content around cloud and containerized environments and foundational AI considerations within the data lifecycle
Passing score change: V2 requires 720/900
Continued use of performance‑based questions (PBQs) alongside multiple‑choice items

Which should you take?

If you’re starting from scratch in mid‑October 2025 or later, choose V2 for the most current, market‑aligned content
If you’ve already prepped for V1, you can still sit DA0‑001 until April 14, 2026 (English), then plan a “delta” study later if you want to align to V2 topics

Actionable takeaway:

Decide now: new candidates → V2; in‑progress V1 candidates → finish V1 by April 14, 2026 (English).

Eligibility and Prerequisites

The good news: there are no formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends 18–24 months of data/reporting experience and exposure to databases, analytics tools, basic statistics, and visualization—helpful but not required

Actionable takeaway:

If you lack experience, pair your study with hands‑on practice (SQL + a BI tool + a real dataset) to build confidence and a mini‑portfolio alongside the cert.

Exam Structure and Content

Both versions are administered by Pearson VUE, with in‑person or online proctored options

Shared exam characteristics:

Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes, a mix of multiple‑choice and performance‑based tasks

Passing scores and languages:

V1 (DA0‑001): Passing 675/900; languages: English, Japanese, Thai
V2 (DA0‑002): Passing 720/900; language at launch: English

Data+ V1 Domains (DA0‑001)

Data Concepts & Environments (15%)
Data Mining (25%)
Data Analysis (23%)
Visualization (23%)
Data Governance, Quality & Controls (14%) These official weights help you allocate study time effectively

Actionable takeaway:

If you’re taking V1, spend extra time on Data Mining, Data Analysis, and Visualization—they make up 71% of the exam

Data+ V2 Domains (DA0‑002)

Data concepts & environments (20%)—adds cloud/container context and basic AI considerations
Data acquisition & preparation (22%)
Data analysis (24%)
Visualization & reporting (20%)
Data governance (14%) These updates align with modern data stacks and expectations

Actionable takeaway:

For V2, connect your studying to a cloud‑tinged scenario (e.g., working with data stored in cloud warehouses) to make concepts stick.

The 6–8 Week Study Plan

A focused plan can convert your motivation into results. Adjust the pacing to your background.

Weeks 1–2: Clarify the map

Read the exam objectives line‑by‑line; take the official practice questions to baseline your knowledge
Refresh core concepts: data types, schemas, relational vs. non‑relational models, and data infrastructure (on‑prem vs. cloud; containers in V2 scope)
Action: Write a one‑page “learning contract” with your exam date, weekly hours, and deliverables (e.g., one SQL lab + one mini‑dashboard per week).

Weeks 3–4: Acquisition and preparation

Practice importing from CSV/JSON/APIs, profiling data, handling missing values and outliers, and transforming with joins, filters, derived fields
Action: Build a “data‑ready” table and document every cleaning rule you apply—this becomes portfolio evidence of your data quality thinking.

Weeks 5–6: Analysis and visualization

Drill descriptive statistics, distributions, correlation vs. causation, and business‑friendly explanations.
Create dashboards with clear chart choices, comparisons, and annotations; rehearse explaining insights to a non‑technical stakeholder
Action: Present a 5‑minute “insights readout” to a friend/classmate and ask them to summarize your findings to confirm clarity.

Final 1–2 weeks: Exam readiness

Take two timed practice tests; target 80%+ on your second attempt.
Create one‑page “cheat sheets” for each weak domain.
Book your exam with Pearson VUE and do one full PBQ rehearsal

Actionable takeaway:

Protect a two‑hour “deep work” block at least three days a week; consistency beats cramming.

Official Resources That Work

Exam objectives and practice questions: Start here to align your prep
CertMaster Learn, Labs, and Practice: Structured eLearning, hands‑on labs, and adaptive test prep
Official Study Guide (print/eBook): Concise content keyed to the objectives

Actionable takeaway:

Don’t try every resource. Pick one content source + one hands‑on source + one practice source to avoid overwhelm.

Hands‑On Practice Ideas That Map to Data+

To internalize the objectives, build one small end‑to‑end project:

Data concepts & environments: Sketch a simple architecture showing source → staging → model → BI, with cloud notes if relevant
Acquisition & preparation: Pull two related datasets (CSV + API), profile for anomalies, standardize IDs/dates, and document assumptions.
Analysis: Define business questions (e.g., “What drives weekly conversions?”), compute summary stats, and show comparisons.
Visualization & reporting: Build a dashboard with a KPI summary, two trend charts, one comparison chart, and a short narrative.
Governance: Note privacy considerations, data quality checks, and how you’d control access.

Actionable takeaway:

Publish your project on GitHub or a blog, linking each step to the relevant Data+ domain. Interviewers love this.

How Much Does CompTIA Data+ Cost?

Pricing varies by region and can change, so always verify before buying:

Exam voucher (U.S.): CompTIA’s exam price list shows Data+ at $253; the CompTIA Store frequently lists a Data+ voucher at $255. Expect roughly $253–$255 in the U.S.; bundles with a retake are available
Training bundles: CompTIA sells packages that pair study tools with a voucher/retake, often at a discount compared to buying separately

Actionable takeaway:

If your budget allows, pick a voucher + retake bundle for test‑day peace of mind.

Renewal and Continuing Education (CE)

CompTIA Data+ is valid for three years. Renew through the CompTIA Continuing Education (CE) program by earning 20 CEUs in that period.

Ways to earn CEUs include additional certifications, approved training/webinars, and relevant work projects. Check the CE section for accepted activities and documentation requirements.

Actionable takeaway:

Start a simple CEU log now and add entries quarterly so renewal never becomes a scramble.

Career Outcomes and Salary Outlook

Data+ aligns to analyst‑level work where storytelling with data matters as much as querying:

Titles you might target: Data Analyst, Reporting/BI Analyst, Business Analyst, Operations Analyst, Marketing Analyst.
Salary and growth context:
- Market Research Analysts (a common data‑driven role) had a 2024 median pay of $76,950, with faster‑than‑average growth projected at +7% (2024–34)
- Data Scientists—a potential long‑term path as you upskill—had a 2024 median pay of $112,590 and are among the fastest‑growing occupations

Actionable takeaway:

Use Data+ to land or level‑up in analyst roles, then stack vendor‑specific certs (e.g., Power BI/PL‑300, Tableau, cloud analytics) for specialization and salary growth.

Real‑World Use Cases You’ll Tackle After Data+

Build a trustworthy sales dashboard:
- Join CRM and web analytics data; define a single source of truth for “lead,” “MQL,” and “opportunity.”
- Add DQ checks (unique IDs, valid dates); annotate KPI trends with campaign events.
Reduce report errors:
- Create validation rules and freshness monitors; document lineage so stakeholders trust the numbers.
Improve decision‑making in operations:
- Use descriptive stats and comparisons to flag process bottlenecks and prioritize improvements.
Collaborate securely:
- Apply governance basics: least‑privilege access, sensitive field handling, and clear data dictionaries.

Actionable takeaway:

In interviews, tell a story: the messy starting data, your cleaning choices, the metric definitions, and who acted on the insights.

A 30‑Day Action Plan (If You’re Ready to Start Now)

Week 1

Pick your version (V2 if starting fresh post‑Oct 14, 2025; V1 if you’re already prepared).
Buy a voucher (consider voucher+retake) and book your Pearson VUE date 4–6 weeks out
Download objectives and take one set of official practice questions

Week 2

Study Data Concepts & Environments + Acquisition/Preparation; do one hands‑on lab pulling and cleaning a dataset

Week 3

Focus on Analysis; practice descriptive stats, comparisons, and basic interpretation.
Start drafting a mini‑dashboard.

Week 4

Finish Visualization & Reporting; rehearse a 5‑minute insights readout.
Review Governance topics; do a full timed practice exam and tighten weak areas.

Actionable takeaway:

Treat this like a course sprint: reserve 8–10 hours/week, and deliver a small, public portfolio by Day 30.

FAQs

Q1: Which Data+ version should I take in late 2025?

A1: If you’re beginning now, take Data+ V2 (DA0‑002) launching October 14, 2025. If you’ve already prepped for V1, you can still sit DA0‑001 in English until April 14, 2026.

Q2: How many questions and how long is the exam?

A2: Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes; a mix of multiple‑choice and performance‑based items.

Q3: What are the passing scores and languages?

A3: V1: 675/900; languages include English, Japanese, Thai. V2: 720/900; English at launch.

Q4: How much does the exam cost?

A4: Expect about $253–$255 in the U.S., depending on the official price list vs. store listing; bundles with a retake are available.

Q5: How do I renew CompTIA Data+?

A5: Data+ is valid for three years. Renew through CompTIA’s CE program by earning 20 CEUs within that period.

Conclusion:
CompTIA Data+ gives you a strong, vendor‑neutral foundation in analytics—exactly what many teams need from early‑career data pros. With the V2 update (and V1 still available for a limited time), you can choose the path that best fits your timeline. Set your date, stick to a focused plan, and build a small portfolio that maps to the Data+ domains. You’ll not only be exam‑ready—you’ll be job‑ready, too. If you want help tailoring a 6–8 week plan to your background and target exam version, ask and I’ll build it with you.