CompTIA Network+ in London
United Kingdom · Europe
What is CompTIA Network+?
CompTIA Network+ (exam code N10-009) is a vendor-neutral certification that validates your ability to design, configure, manage, and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks. It covers everything from IP addressing and routing protocols to network security and cloud concepts. In London, where financial services, tech scale-ups, and enterprise IT departments compete fiercely for skilled networking staff, Network+ serves as a trusted baseline credential that hiring managers recognise instantly. Whether you're moving up from a helpdesk role or transitioning into infrastructure, Network+ signals that you have the foundational knowledge to operate effectively in a professional network environment — and London employers are willing to pay for it.
Exam details
- Exam cost
- $358 USD
- Duration
- 90 min
- Passing score
- 720
- Renewal
- Every 3 yrs
Prerequisites: CompTIA A+ or 9-12 months networking experience recommended
Is CompTIA Network+ worth it in London?
At $358 USD for the exam, CompTIA Network+ is one of the most cost-effective certifications available in the London IT market. With average IT salaries sitting around $85,000 per year in London and a documented average salary uplift of $6,000 annually, you're looking at a return on investment that pays for the exam cost many times over within the first month of a new role. London's density of financial institutions, managed service providers, and global tech firms means Network+ holders are consistently in demand. The certification also satisfies renewal requirements for CompTIA A+ holders looking to build a credential stack, making it a logical next step for anyone already working in London's competitive IT sector.
12-week study plan
Weeks 1–4
Networking Fundamentals and the OSI Model
- Study the OSI and TCP/IP models in depth — understand what happens at each layer and map real protocols to each one
- Memorise key port numbers and protocols (DNS 53, HTTP 80, HTTPS 443, RDP 3389, SSH 22) using active recall flashcards
- Practice subnetting daily using binary conversion until you can subnet a /24 network without a calculator in under two minutes
Weeks 5–8
Network Infrastructure, Routing, and Switching
- Deep-dive into switching concepts: VLANs, STP, trunking, and port security — set up a lab using Packet Tracer or GNS3
- Study routing protocols including static routing, RIP, OSPF, and BGP at a conceptual level appropriate for the N10-009 objectives
- Review wireless networking standards (Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax), frequency bands, and common wireless security protocols including WPA3
Weeks 9–12
Network Security, Troubleshooting, and Exam Readiness
- Focus on network security topics: firewalls, IDS vs IPS, VPNs, zero trust concepts, and common attack types like MITM and DDoS
- Work through the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology step by step and apply it to practice scenario questions daily
- Complete at least three full-length timed practice exams, review every wrong answer, and target any weak domains before exam day
Recommended courses
pluralsight
CompTIA Network+ Learning Path
Tech skills platform — monthly subscription
View on Pluralsight →Exam tips
- 1.Prioritise subnetting until it's automatic — the N10-009 exam will test your ability to identify correct subnet masks, calculate usable host ranges, and identify network/broadcast addresses quickly under timed conditions
- 2.Learn to distinguish between similar-sounding devices and concepts: know the difference between a hub, switch, and router at a functional level, and be precise about when to use a layer 2 vs layer 3 switch in a given scenario
- 3.For performance-based questions, read the scenario carefully before touching anything — CompTIA often includes red-herring details, and misreading the requirement is the most common reason candidates lose marks on PBQs
- 4.Memorise the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology (identify the problem, establish a theory, test the theory, establish a plan, implement the solution, verify, document) and practice applying it to scenario questions rather than just reciting the steps
- 5.Review cloud and virtualisation concepts thoroughly for N10-009 — this exam version places more emphasis on hybrid cloud networking, SD-WAN, and virtual network infrastructure than earlier versions, and these topics are commonly underestimated by candidates focusing only on traditional LAN/WAN content