How to Study for CompTIA Data+: Exam Prep, Skills Test, Training

Data analysts looking to boost their data analysis skills, understand new concepts and further their learning should view the CompTIA Data+ certification as a worthwhile endeavor for data professionals.

Designed for early-career data analysts, business intelligence specialists, and anyone working with data-driven decision-making, the CompTIA Data+ certification validates your ability to mine, analyze, and communicate insights effectively.

But earning the certification takes more than just skimming a study guide — success requires a focused, well-structured learning approach.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to boost your understanding of why Data+ matters for career growth, what skills the exam measures, and how to design an effective study plan that sets you up for success on exam day.

Introduction to CompTIA Data+

The CompTIA Data+ certification is an early-career data analytics certification designed to validate the skills needed to transform raw data into actionable insights. This certification proves candidates can perform data analysis, manipulate and clean data, apply statistical concepts, and visualize results to support data-driven decisions.

The importance of the CompTIA Data+ certification for career growth is vital. Organizations across industries need professionals who can solve business problems with data and support smarter decision-making. This exam helps you build confidence in your skills, stand out to employers, and prove you can work with modern analytics tools and methods.

Understanding the CompTIA Data+ exam

The exam consists of up to 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions, with a 90-minute time limit, and is accredited under ISO 17024 standards. Candidates will encounter a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions designed to test both conceptual understanding and hands-on data analysis skills.

Multiple-choice items cover key concepts across all five exam domains — from data concepts and environments to data governance — while performance-based questions present practical scenarios, such as cleaning and transforming data, applying statistical methods, or creating visualizations.

Key topics covered in the exam

The CompTIA Data+ exam measures your ability to work across the entire data life cycle, organized into five essential domains. These include:

• Data concepts and environments (20%) — which focuses on database types, data concepts, and infrastructure.
• Data acquisition and preparation (22%) — covering data cleaning, transformation, and ETL/ELT processes.
• Data analysis (24%) — which emphasizes statistical methods and identifying trends
• Visualization and reporting (20%) — where you learn to tell the story of data through dashboards and charts
• Data governance (14%) — focused on compliance, quality, and access controls.

Study strategies for success

Success on the CompTIA Data+ exam starts with a structured study plan that balances theory, hands-on learning, and consistent review. Begin by mapping out the five exam domains and allocating study time based on their weight — spend extra time on data analysis, visualization, and data acquisition since they represent nearly 70% of the exam. Use official courses, study guides, and practice tests to reinforce key concepts and measure progress.

To prepare effectively, focus your learning on mastering data analysis skills, understanding governance best practices, and practicing hands-on work with real datasets. Pairing study courses with practice tests and labs will reinforce these focus areas and boost exam confidence.

Resources to enhance your exam readiness

A good place to start is with official CompTIA training courses and study guides that map directly to the exam objectives, ensuring full coverage of all five domains. Pair these with reputable third-party learning resources and community forums to deepen your understanding of key concepts like data acquisition, governance, and visualization.

Hands-on practice is critical. CompTIA CertMaster Labs offers browser-based, step-by-step labs that let you apply what you’ve learned in a safe environment using real software and preconfigured exercises — a great way to practice data analysis skills before test day.

Finally, use practice tests and exam simulations such as CompTIA CertMaster Practice to mirror the real exam experience. These tools deliver adaptive feedback and pinpoint knowledge gaps so you can prepare strategically and walk into your certification test with confidence.