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FAQ

What are the details of the CompTIA/AP Cybersecurity partnership?

  • Students who earn a qualifying score on a Career Kickstart cybersecurity exam in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years will earn a free voucher for additional test prep and exam for the related CompTIA industry-recognized certification (IRC), an estimated value of up to $350. The alignments of Career Kickstart courses to CompTIA are as follows: 
    • AP Cybersecurity 1—CompTIA Network+ 
    • AP Cybersecurity 2—CompTIA Security+ 
  • Students will register for the Career Kickstart exam in November and take the exam the following May. 
  • The exam schedule for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 pilots will parallel exam dates for AP courses. Dates for the 2024-25 AP cybersecurity exams are as follows:
    • AP Cybersecurity 1: Thursday, May 8, 2025, 12 p.m. 
    • AP Cybersecurity 2: Thursday, April 24, 2025
    • Makeup dates will be made available for students who are unable to take exams on the dates listed above. 
  • Shortly after completing the Career Kickstart exam, students will be informed if they qualify for free CompTIA exam prep and exam voucher. 
  • Students earning a qualifying score will also receive free access to test prep resources corresponding to the CompTIA voucher (TestOut Network Pro or TestOut Security Pro).  
  • Teachers will receive support on coaching students through test prep. 
  • Once students have completed test prep, they will sign up for and take the corresponding CompTIA exam within 6 months (the sooner the better to ensure a higher pass rate). 
  • Students who are eligible will receive a voucher for the CompTIA exam. Students select the testing center, day, and time that are most convenient for them and register for the exam themselves using the voucher code (which covers the cost). CompTIA exams do not grant college credit, but some colleges will provide course equivalent credit for students who have completed a CompTIA exam. This is a decision made entirely by the college itself. Students should consult with colleges they are considering applying to about whether or not they provide course credit for IRCs.