FAQ
The questions we hear most, with answers based on the certification vendors.
What's the difference between the CompTIA add-ons: Learn, Perform, Lab, Practice and eBook?
Every CompTIA certification has several official prep options. All of them are online and self-paced. You have 12 months from purchase to activate the key, then 12 months of access from activation. Here is each one, based on CompTIA's own descriptions:
Learn
A full interactive course that teaches the material from scratch: lessons, videos, practice questions, performance-based questions (PBQs) and progress reports. About 25 to 40 hours.
Best if you're new to the field.
Lab
Hands-on labs on real virtual machines and networks, right in your browser, with guided, graded tasks and hints. There's no theory, so pair it with the book or Learn. About 15 to 25 hours.
Best if you know the theory and want practice.
Practice
Adaptive exam prep: it finds what you already know, focuses on your weak spots, then gives you timed practice tests. About 10 to 20 hours.
Best if you've finished studying and want to check you're ready.
Perform
The all-in-one package (formerly CertMaster Learn + Labs): lessons, videos, practice tests and live labs in one place. About 30 to 60 hours.
Best if you want one complete package.
eBook
The official book. Since October 2025 CompTIA calls it CertMaster Study: written lessons with videos and short quizzes, a downloadable PDF of the full course, and mobile access. No practice tests or labs.
Best if you like studying from a book.
eBook Teacher
The instructor edition: the student content plus facilitator notes, answers shown inline, editable PowerPoint slides and course planners.
For trainers teaching the course, not for self-study.
Retake
With a voucher plus Retake, if you sit the exam and don't pass, you get a second attempt on the same exam version without buying a new voucher. Use it before the voucher expires (12 months from purchase); there's no waiting period between the first and second attempt. If you never sit the exam, the retake doesn't activate.
Which one should I pick?
- New to the field: Learn, or Perform if you also want labs.
- You know the material and want hands-on: Lab.
- Close to exam day: Practice.
- You prefer reading: eBook.
Not every option is available for every certification; what you see on the certification page is what's available for it. Not sure? Contact us and we'll help you choose.