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CompTIA · Linux & Systems · Associate

CompTIA Server+ exam guide

Exam SK0-005

CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005) validates hands-on skills to install, administer, secure and troubleshoot physical and virtual servers in data center, on-premises and hybrid environments. It covers hardware, storage, virtualization, disaster recovery and troubleshooting across operating systems.

QuestionsUp to 90
Time limit90 minutes
Passing score750 (100-900 scale)
Exam fee$399 USD
Valid for3 years
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or online proctored (OnVUE)

Format: Multiple choice and performance-based. Fee note: 2026 US retail price.

Who it's for

Server, data center and systems administrators with about two years of server experience and A+ level knowledge.

What the exam covers

Server Hardware Installation and Management18%
Server Administration30%
Security and Disaster Recovery24%
Troubleshooting28%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None

Recommended: CompTIA A+ or equivalent knowledge plus 2 years of hands-on experience in a server environment.

Keeping it active

Valid 3 years. Renew through CompTIA Continuing Education: earn 30 CEUs in the 3-year cycle and pay the $150 CE fee, or pass a newer version or a higher-level CompTIA exam that renews it automatically, or complete the matching CertMaster CE course.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Installing rack servers, power and cabling
  • Configuring RAID and shared storage
  • Administering server operating systems and virtualization
  • Applying physical and logical server security
  • Backup, replication and disaster recovery
  • Troubleshooting hardware, storage, OS and network problems

Job roles

Systems AdministratorServer AdministratorData Center TechnicianIT Infrastructure TechnicianNetwork Operations Specialist

DoD 8140

CompTIA maps Server+ to NICE/DCWF network operations specialist and systems administrator work roles; check the DoD 8140 matrix for the qualification level. Open the DoD Workforce Navigator

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Server hardware: form factors, rack installation, power, cooling, RAID levels and storage types.
  2. Week 2-3: Server administration (30%): OS installation, licensing, virtualization, scripting, asset management.
  3. Week 4: Security and disaster recovery: hardening, data security, backup types, replication, DR sites.
  4. Week 5: Troubleshooting (28%) plus two timed practice exams.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Know RAID levels, minimum drive counts and fault tolerance cold.
  • Server administration plus troubleshooting are 58% of the exam.
  • Learn backup types (full, incremental, differential, snapshot) and restore implications.
  • Expect licensing questions (per core, per socket, per user).
  • SK0-005 has been current since May 2021; watch CompTIA for a successor before booking.

Key terms for this exam

All 156 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does Server+ cost?

$399 USD at CompTIA's 2026 US retail price.

Does Server+ expire?

Yes, SK0-005 certifications are valid 3 years. Renew with 30 CEUs and the $150 CE fee.

Server+ vs Linux+?

Server+ is OS-agnostic and hardware-heavy; Linux+ is deep Linux administration.

Is Server+ worth it?

It is valuable for data center and on-prem infrastructure roles, less so for cloud-only teams.

Is a new Server+ version coming?

CompTIA's page still lists SK0-005 (launched May 18, 2021) as current with no successor announced.

Official page: www.comptia.org. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.