2026 CompTIA Network+ Practice Test: Free N10-009 Questions
Master networking fundamentals with our comprehensive N10-009 practice questions. Instant scoring, detailed explanations, no registration required. Test your knowledge across all 5 official exam domains.
Reviewed by the FlashGenius certification content team · Last Updated: July 2026
Updated for N10-009 — the current Network+ exam since June 2024. Many free practice sites still serve retired N10-007 or N10-008 questions; every question here is written to the current N10-009 objectives.
What to Expect on the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 Exam
The CompTIA Network+ N10-009 is a vendor-neutral certification that validates your ability to design, configure, manage, and troubleshoot wired and wireless network devices.
90 Max Questions
90 min Time Limit
720 Passing Score (of 900)
$369 Exam Cost (USD)
Question types: Multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs). Prerequisites: None required, but CompTIA A+ and 9-12 months experience recommended. Validity: 3 years; renew through CEs or retesting.
Video: CompTIA Network+ N10-009 Ultimate Guide
A comprehensive study plan covering all 5 exam domains — from OSI model fundamentals to network troubleshooting.
Topics covered: OSI Model & TCP/IP, Routing & Switching, Wireless Standards, Network Security, Troubleshooting Tools, Subnetting & VLANs.
CompTIA Network+ N10-009 Exam Domains
Domain 1.0: Networking Fundamentals (24%)
OSI model, TCP/IP, network topologies, ports, protocols, and addressing schemes. Key topics: OSI model, TCP/IP, Ports & protocols, IP addressing.
Free Network+ Exam Questions with Answers & Explanations
Work through these 15 real N10-009-style questions — three from each of the five exam domains — with the correct answer and a full explanation shown for every question. When you finish, jump into the free 10-question test for the domain you found hardest.
Sample Question 1 — Network Implementations
You are tasked with configuring a new router that will connect to an existing network using OSPF. The existing network uses area 0 for its backbone. Which of the following commands will correctly configure the router to participate in OSPF with the correct area?
A. router ospf 1
network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 0 (Correct answer)
B. router ospf 1
network 192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 area 0
C. router ospf 1
network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 1
D. router ospf 1
network 192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 area 1
Correct answer: A
Explanation: In OSPF configuration, the network command uses a wildcard mask, not a subnet mask. For a /24 network, the correct wildcard mask is 0.0.0.255. Since the existing network uses area 0, the configuration must also specify area 0.
Sample Question 2 — Network Implementations
A network engineer is implementing a new DHCP server in a network segment that already has a DHCP server. What configuration should the engineer use to ensure the new server does not interfere with the existing server?
A. Configure the new server with a different IP address range that does not overlap with the existing server. (Correct answer)
B. Set the new server to a higher priority than the existing server.
C. Use the same IP address range as the existing server to ensure consistency.
D. Disable DHCP on the new server and use it as a backup.
Correct answer: A
Explanation: To avoid IP address conflicts, the new DHCP server should be configured with a non-overlapping IP address range. This prevents both servers from assigning the same IP addresses to different devices.
Sample Question 3 — Network Implementations
You are setting up a network with multiple VLANs and need to ensure that traffic can be routed between them. Which of the following devices should you use to achieve this?
A. Layer 2 switch
B. Router (Correct answer)
C. Hub
D. Access point
Correct answer: B
Explanation: A router or a Layer 3 switch is required to route traffic between VLANs. A Layer 2 switch cannot perform inter-VLAN routing.
Sample Question 4 — Network Operations
You are tasked with improving the performance of a company's network. After reviewing the network documentation, you notice that several links between switches are nearing their bandwidth capacity. What is the most effective way to address this issue?
A. Implement link aggregation to increase bandwidth between switches. (Correct answer)
B. Replace all copper cables with fiber optics.
C. Reconfigure the switches to use a different VLAN.
D. Install additional switches to distribute the load.
Correct answer: A
Explanation: Link aggregation, also known as port trunking, allows multiple network connections to be combined into a single logical link, effectively increasing the bandwidth between switches without the need for additional hardware.
Sample Question 5 — Network Operations
While monitoring network performance, you notice a consistent increase in latency during peak hours. Which tool would best help you identify the source of the latency?
A. Packet sniffer
B. Network mapper
C. Bandwidth analyzer (Correct answer)
D. Ping utility
Correct answer: C
Explanation: A bandwidth analyzer can help identify which applications or devices are consuming the most bandwidth, allowing you to pinpoint the source of the latency during peak hours.
Sample Question 6 — Network Operations
Your company's network documentation is outdated. As you update it, which component is most crucial to include for effective network performance monitoring?
A. Network topology diagrams (Correct answer)
B. IP address allocation
C. Device inventory list
D. Service level agreements (SLAs)
Correct answer: A
Explanation: Network topology diagrams provide a visual representation of the network's structure, which is essential for understanding data flow and identifying potential bottlenecks or points of failure.
Sample Question 7 — Network Security
A network administrator wants to implement a security measure that ensures data cannot be read if intercepted during transmission. Which protocol should be used to encrypt data between a client and a server?
A. HTTP
B. HTTPS (Correct answer)
C. FTP
D. SNMP
Correct answer: B
Explanation: HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) uses SSL/TLS to encrypt data transmitted between a client and a server, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. HTTP, FTP, and SNMP do not inherently provide encryption.
Sample Question 8 — Network Security
During a security audit, it was discovered that unauthorized devices are connecting to the company's wireless network. What access control method can be implemented to prevent this?
A. MAC filtering (Correct answer)
B. Static IP addressing
C. SSID hiding
D. Port mirroring
Correct answer: A
Explanation: MAC filtering allows the network administrator to specify which devices are allowed to connect to the network based on their MAC addresses, effectively preventing unauthorized devices from gaining access.
Sample Question 9 — Network Security
A network engineer notices a significant amount of ICMP traffic on the network, which seems to be part of a DDoS attack. Which mitigation technique should be implemented to reduce this traffic?
A. Disable ICMP on all routers
B. Implement rate limiting for ICMP traffic (Correct answer)
C. Increase bandwidth capacity
D. Enable port security on switches
Correct answer: B
Explanation: Rate limiting ICMP traffic helps mitigate DDoS attacks by restricting the amount of ICMP traffic allowed, thus preventing the network from being overwhelmed without completely disabling ICMP, which is often necessary for network diagnostics.
Sample Question 10 — Network Troubleshooting and Tools
You are troubleshooting a network connectivity issue where a user cannot access the internet. The user's IP address is 192.168.1.10/24, and their gateway is set to 192.168.1.1. You can ping the gateway, but cannot ping 8.8.8.8. What is the most likely cause?
A. The user's subnet mask is incorrect.
B. The DNS server is unreachable.
C. The gateway's routing table is missing a default route. (Correct answer)
D. The user's IP address is in conflict with another device.
Correct answer: C
Explanation: Since you can ping the gateway but not an external IP, it indicates that the gateway does not have a route to the internet. This is likely due to a missing default route in the gateway's routing table.
Sample Question 11 — Network Troubleshooting and Tools
A network administrator is using a cable tester to diagnose a network issue. The tester shows a 'split pair' error for a particular cable. What does this indicate?
A. The cable length exceeds the maximum allowed distance.
B. Two wires in the cable are crossed. (Correct answer)
C. The cable is not properly terminated.
D. The cable has a break in one of the pairs.
Correct answer: B
Explanation: A 'split pair' error occurs when two wires in a twisted pair cable are crossed, causing crosstalk and signal degradation. This often happens when the cable is not terminated correctly.
Sample Question 12 — Network Troubleshooting and Tools
During peak hours, users report slow network performance. You suspect a broadcast storm. Which tool would you use to confirm this diagnosis?
A. Packet sniffer
B. Cable tester
C. Throughput tester
D. Protocol analyzer (Correct answer)
Correct answer: D
Explanation: A protocol analyzer can be used to capture and analyze network traffic, allowing you to identify excessive broadcast traffic indicative of a broadcast storm.
Sample Question 13 — Networking Fundamentals
You are given an IP address of 192.168.1.10 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. What is the network address for this IP?
A. 192.168.1.0 (Correct answer)
B. 192.168.1.1
C. 192.168.0.0
D. 192.168.1.255
Correct answer: A
Explanation: The subnet mask 255.255.255.0 indicates that the first three octets are the network part of the address. Therefore, the network address is 192.168.1.0.
Sample Question 14 — Networking Fundamentals
In which layer of the OSI model does a router operate?
A. Data Link
B. Network (Correct answer)
C. Transport
D. Application
Correct answer: B
Explanation: Routers operate at the Network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model, where they use IP addresses to forward packets between networks.
Sample Question 15 — Networking Fundamentals
Which of the following cables is most suitable for a 10 Gbps Ethernet network over a distance of 55 meters?
A. Cat 5e
B. Cat 6
C. Cat 6a (Correct answer)
D. Cat 7
Correct answer: C
Explanation: Cat 6a cables are designed to support 10 Gbps Ethernet over distances up to 100 meters, making them suitable for this scenario.
Practice Network+ PBQs (Performance-Based Questions)
The real N10-009 exam opens with 3-5 performance-based questions — interactive tasks like dragging subnet ranges into place, matching ports to protocols, or reading command output to find a fault. They are worth more than multiple-choice questions and eat up time if you have never practiced them.
Try the free Network+ PBQ Practice Lab — 30 interactive PBQs across drag-and-drop, configuration, and command-output analysis formats. Two PBQs per type are free, no signup required.
Worked PBQ Walkthrough: Subnetting Drag-and-Drop
Scenario: You are given the network 192.168.10.0/24 and must drag the correct subnet onto each of four departments: Engineering needs 50 hosts, Sales needs 25, HR needs 10, and a printer VLAN needs 5.
Sort by size, largest first (VLSM). Allocating the biggest subnet first prevents overlap: Engineering → Sales → HR → printers.
Exam tip: memorize the powers of two (/26 = 64, /27 = 32, /28 = 16, /29 = 8 addresses) and always subtract 2 for network and broadcast. On the drag-and-drop PBQ, eliminate distractor tiles that overlap a range you have already placed — overlap is the most common trap.
The CompTIA Network+ certification is a globally recognized credential that validates the essential skills needed to design, configure, manage, and troubleshoot any wired and wireless network. Our practice questions mirror the official N10-009 exam format, covering networking fundamentals, implementations, operations, security, and troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam cover?
The N10-009 exam covers five domains: 1) Networking Fundamentals - 24%, 2) Network Implementations - 19%, 3) Network Operations - 16%, 4) Network Security - 19%, and 5) Network Troubleshooting - 22%. These domains assess knowledge of network architecture, protocols, infrastructure deployment, operations monitoring, security practices, and troubleshooting methodologies.
How many questions are on the Network+ N10-009 exam?
The exam includes a maximum of 90 questions and must be completed in 90 minutes. Questions include multiple-choice and performance-based formats.
What score do you need to pass the Network+ exam?
The passing score is 720 on a scale of 100-900. CompTIA does not publish the exact percentage required, and scoring may vary by exam form.
Is the Network+ certification hard to pass?
Network+ is considered moderately challenging. It requires understanding of networking concepts, protocols, troubleshooting, and security. Candidates with hands-on networking experience or those who have earned CompTIA A+ typically find it manageable with proper study.
How long does it take to prepare for the Network+ exam?
Typical preparation time is 4-8 weeks for beginners and 2-4 weeks for those with networking experience. Your timeline depends on familiarity with networking concepts, protocols, and hands-on experience.
What are the prerequisites for CompTIA Network+?
There are no formal prerequisites. However, CompTIA recommends having CompTIA A+ certification or equivalent knowledge and at least 9-12 months of networking experience.
What jobs can you get with CompTIA Network+?
Network+ qualifies you for roles such as network administrator, network technician, help desk technician, systems administrator, IT support specialist, and junior network engineer. It is recognized by the US DoD for 8570/8140 compliance.
What topics are most commonly tested on the Network+ exam?
Frequently tested areas include the OSI model, TCP/IP protocols and ports, subnetting, wireless networking standards, network troubleshooting methodology, VLANs and routing, network security best practices, and cloud/virtualization concepts.
How does Network+ compare to CCNA?
Network+ is vendor-neutral and covers broader networking concepts, while CCNA is Cisco-specific and goes deeper into Cisco technologies. Network+ is generally considered a stepping stone toward CCNA. Many professionals earn Network+ first, then pursue CCNA for vendor-specific expertise.
Do practice tests help improve Network+ exam scores?
Yes. Practice exams are one of the most effective preparation tools. They build familiarity with exam-style questions, improve pacing and confidence, and reveal weak areas that require additional study. Regular practice is strongly correlated with first-attempt success.
How many PBQs are on the Network+ exam?
Most candidates see roughly 3-5 performance-based questions (PBQs), usually at the start of the exam. PBQs simulate real tasks such as matching ports to protocols, completing a subnetting plan, or troubleshooting a network diagram. You can practice with 30 free interactive Network+ PBQs in the FlashGenius PBQ lab.
What is the difference between N10-008 and N10-009?
N10-009, the current version since June 2024, puts more weight on modern networking - software-defined networking (SDN and SD-WAN), zero trust architecture, IPv6, and cloud connectivity - while trimming legacy technologies. The English-language N10-008 exam retired in late 2024, so make sure any practice material you use is written for N10-009.
How much does the Network+ exam cost?
The exam voucher costs $369 USD (2026 pricing; it varies by country). CompTIA also sells bundles that include a retake voucher or study materials. Retakes cost full price unless you purchased a bundle with a free retake.
Is Network+ harder than Security+?
They are comparable in difficulty, but they test differently. Network+ demands more memorization and hands-on technical detail - ports, subnetting, protocols, and troubleshooting - while Security+ is more conceptual. Candidates without hands-on networking experience often find Network+ the harder of the two.
Is there a waiting period to retake the Network+ exam?
There is no waiting period between your first and second attempts. From the third attempt onward, CompTIA requires a 14-day wait between attempts. Each attempt requires a full-price voucher unless your bundle includes a retake.
What salary can you earn with Network+?
In the US, Network+ holders in network support and administration roles typically earn roughly $60,000-$85,000 per year, depending on location, experience, and additional certifications.
How long is the Network+ certification valid?
Three years. You can renew through CompTIA's Continuing Education (CE) program, by earning a higher-level certification such as Security+, or by retaking the current exam.
Are these free practice questions updated for N10-009?
Yes. Our 500+ question bank is written to the current N10-009 exam objectives and reviewed regularly - last updated July 2026. Many free practice sites still serve outdated N10-007 or N10-008 questions.
How many free Network+ practice questions do I get here?
You get 50 free sample questions - a 10-question quick-start test plus a 10-question test for each of the five domains - as well as free interactive PBQs (two free per PBQ type) in the Network+ PBQ lab. Every question includes a detailed explanation.
Should I get A+ before Network+?
A+ is helpful but not required. If you already understand PC hardware and operating system basics, you can go straight to Network+. Many career changers start with A+, while people with existing IT experience skip it.
How to Use This CompTIA Network+ Practice Test
Getting Started
Quick Start Test: Take the 10-question mixed-domain test to assess your overall readiness across all 5 domains
Domain Tests: Focus on specific domains where you need the most improvement
Review Explanations: After completing each test, read the detailed explanations to understand why each answer is correct
Study Strategy
Start with fundamentals: Begin with Domain 1 (Networking Fundamentals) as it builds the foundation for all other domains
Use the cheat sheet: Review our Network+ Cheat Sheet alongside practice tests for quick reference
Track weak areas: Note which domains you score lowest in and revisit those topics before retesting