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Free Practice Test May 4, 2026 14 min readOlson Ridges
Free CompTIA Network+ Practice Test 2026: N10-009 Sample Questions
By Olson Ridges, CompTIA Network+ & CCNA Certified, Network Engineer
15 free N10-009 practice questions across all Network+ domains. Full answer explanations, domain weights, subnetting tips, and PBQ strategy included.
90
Max Questions
720
Passing Score / 900
90
Minutes Duration
5
Exam Domains
CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) is the industry standard for validating foundational networking skills. It proves that you can design, configure, manage, and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks in enterprise environments. Unlike vendor-specific networking certifications (Cisco CCNA, Juniper JNCIA), Network+ is vendor-neutral and recognized across all major networking vendors and employers worldwide.
The N10-009 exam launched in 2024 with updated content that reflects modern networking realities — cloud networking, software-defined networking (SDN), infrastructure as code (IaC), and expanded wireless standards. If you're still studying from N10-008 materials, you're missing critical new exam content.
CompTIA Network+ validates enterprise networking design, configuration, and troubleshooting
Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for end-to-end delivery of data segments, error recovery, and flow control between applications?
A Network layer (Layer 3)
B Data Link layer (Layer 2)
C Transport layer (Layer 4)
D Session layer (Layer 5)
Correct: C. The Transport layer (Layer 4) handles end-to-end communication, segmentation, flow control, and error recovery using TCP (reliable) or UDP (unreliable). Layer 3 (Network) handles logical addressing and routing. Layer 2 (Data Link) handles frame delivery between directly connected devices. Layer 5 (Session) manages dialog control between applications.
Question 2 — Domain 2: Network Implementation
A network administrator needs to subnet a /24 network into subnets that each support at least 30 hosts. What is the SMALLEST subnet mask that satisfies this requirement?
A /25 (255.255.255.128)
B /27 (255.255.255.224)
C /28 (255.255.255.240)
D /26 (255.255.255.192)
Correct: B. A /27 subnet provides 2^5 - 2 = 30 usable host addresses (32 total minus network and broadcast). The question asks for the SMALLEST (most hosts-efficient) subnet that still supports 30 hosts. /28 provides only 14 usable hosts — not enough. /27 is exactly right. /26 gives 62 hosts and /25 gives 126 — both work but are larger than necessary.
Question 3 — Domain 3: Network Operations
A network engineer wants to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to switch ports. Which switch feature BEST accomplishes this?
A VLAN tagging
B Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
C Port mirroring
D Port security with MAC address filtering
Correct: D. Port security allows administrators to restrict access to a switch port based on MAC address, limiting which devices can connect. VLAN tagging (A) segments traffic but doesn't prevent unauthorized connections. STP (B) prevents switching loops. Port mirroring (C) copies traffic for monitoring — it doesn't restrict access.
Question 4 — Domain 4: Network Security
An administrator wants to identify all open ports and running services on hosts in the 192.168.1.0/24 network. Which tool is MOST appropriate for this task?
A Nmap
B Wireshark
C Traceroute
D SNMP manager
Correct: A. Nmap is the industry-standard port scanning tool for discovering open ports, running services, and OS versions across a network. Wireshark captures and analyzes packet contents but doesn't scan for open ports. Traceroute shows the path packets take to a destination. SNMP managers query device metrics but don't perform port scanning.
Question 5 — Domain 5: Network Troubleshooting
A user reports they cannot reach external websites but CAN ping the default gateway and CAN reach internal servers by IP. What is the MOST likely cause?
A The user's NIC is faulty
B The default gateway is misconfigured
C DNS resolution is failing
D The firewall is blocking all outbound traffic
Correct: C. The user can reach the gateway and internal servers by IP, so Layer 1–3 connectivity is functional. The fact that external websites fail (but not IPs) strongly suggests DNS failure — the user can't resolve hostnames to IP addresses. A faulty NIC (A) would prevent all connectivity. Misconfigured gateway (B) would prevent reaching internal servers. A complete firewall block (D) would also block pinging the gateway.
Question 6 — Domain 1: Networking Concepts
Which protocol automatically assigns IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS server information to client devices on a network?
A DNS
B DHCP
C ARP
D SNMP
Correct: B. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically provides clients with IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, DNS servers, and other network configuration parameters. DNS resolves hostnames to IP addresses. ARP resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses. SNMP is used for network device monitoring and management.
Question 7 — Domain 2: Network Implementation
A company deploys a wireless network for guests separate from the corporate network. Both networks use the same access points. Which technology enables this separation?
A WPA3 encryption on the guest network
B Dual-band access points (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
C MAC address filtering
D Multiple SSIDs mapped to separate VLANs
Correct: D. Multiple SSIDs on the same access points, each mapped to a separate VLAN, allows logical separation of guest and corporate traffic even on shared physical hardware. This is standard enterprise wireless architecture. WPA3 (A) encrypts but doesn't segment networks. Dual-band (B) refers to radio frequencies, not network separation. MAC filtering (C) controls access but doesn't create separate network segments.
Master Network+ with 200+ Practice Questions
CertLabz includes a full N10-009 practice question bank with subnetting simulators, PBQ exercises for network diagram interpretation, and domain-by-domain performance tracking.
Subnetting is the most consistently tested skill on Network+ and the one most candidates struggle with. The exam includes both calculation questions and PBQs where you must assign subnets to a network diagram. Here's the core framework you need to master:
The Host Formula
Usable hosts = 2^(host bits) - 2. Subtract 2 for network address and broadcast. A /27 gives 5 host bits = 32 - 2 = 30 hosts. Practice calculating this instantly for any prefix length.
Subnet Increments
The subnet increment = 256 - subnet mask octet. A 255.255.255.224 mask = 256-224 = 32 increment. Subnets start at: .0, .32, .64, .96, .128 etc. Know this for both IPv4 and IPv6 questions.
Network+ tests VLSM — assigning different-sized subnets to different segments based on host count requirements. Start with the largest requirement and work down to maximize efficiency.
CompTIA recommends but does not require A+ before Network+. Practically, candidates with 9–12 months of IT experience or who have studied networking fundamentals independently can take Network+ without A+. A+ is more hardware-focused while Network+ is networking-focused — they're complementary but not sequential prerequisites.
How many questions is the Network+ exam?
Network+ has a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, with a passing score of 720 out of 900. The exam includes multiple-choice, multiple-select, and performance-based questions. Performance-based questions simulate network tasks like configuring devices, interpreting network diagrams, and analyzing routing tables.
Is the N10-009 much harder than N10-008?
N10-009 isn't necessarily harder but it covers different material. The new exam adds more emphasis on cloud networking (hybrid cloud, SD-WAN, cloud connectivity), automation and scripting for network management, and updated wireless standards (Wi-Fi 6/6E). If you were studying for N10-008, you'll need to add cloud and automation content to your preparation.
