CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)
220-1202
The second of the two exams for CompTIA A+, the entry-standard, vendor-neutral IT support certification. Core 2 (220-1202) covers operating systems (Windows editions, command-line and GUI tools, Control Panel/Settings, client networking, OS installs/upgrades, macOS and Linux); security (malware detection/removal/prevention, social engineering, Windows/SOHO/browser security, mobile-device security, data destruction); software troubleshooting (Windows, PC security, malware removal, mobile OS/app issues); and operational procedures (documentation, change management, backup/recovery, safety, privacy/licensing/policy, professionalism, scripting, remote access). It is scenario-driven and known for performance-based questions: command/tool selection, malware-removal step ordering, and best-practice sequencing.
90
90 min
700/ 1000
225+
Target Audience
Aspiring and early-career IT support professionals: help-desk and desktop-support technicians, field service technicians, IT support specialists, and associate/junior sysadmins building the OS, security, and operational-procedure skills expected before specializing (Network+, Security+, or a vendor track).
Prerequisites
No formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends 9-12 months of hands-on experience in a help-desk, desktop-support, or field-service role, or equivalent lab practice. Both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) must be passed to earn the A+ certification.
Question Types
Language & Recognition
Official Exam Languages
PasslyExam Languages
Recognition Scope
CompTIA A+ is one of the most widely recognized entry-level IT certifications worldwide and is approved for U.S. DoD 8140/8570 baseline roles. The full A+ credential (earned by passing both Core 1 and Core 2) is valid for 3 years and renewable through continuing education (CEUs) or by earning a higher CompTIA certification.
Exam Domains
Operating Systems
Security
Software Troubleshooting
Operational Procedures
Recommended Study Plan
- Week 1: Map the four domains by weight (Operating Systems 31% > Security 25% > Software Troubleshooting 22% = Operational Procedures 22%). Core 2 is about the OS, security, and procedures — not hardware. Drill Windows commands (sfc, chkdsk, net use, gpupdate) and management tools (services.msc, regedit, gpedit, Event Viewer), filesystems (NTFS/FAT32/exFAT), and edition capabilities (domain join and BitLocker need Pro or higher).
- Week 2: Solve 20–30 questions a day and sort misses into recall, symptom→action, and order. For security, memorize as tables the social-engineering attacks (phishing, vishing, whaling, tailgating), NTFS vs share permissions (most restrictive wins, Deny overrides, move keeps permissions and copy inherits the destination), data destruction (reuse = format vs dispose = shred/degauss), and the backup types (full/incremental/differential).
- Week 3: Lock in the “order” questions the exam loves — the 7-step malware removal order (investigate → quarantine → disable System Restore → remediate → schedule scans → re-enable System Restore → educate the user) and change management (approval before implementation + rollback plan). Drill the drag-and-drop matching/ordering PBQs (command↔task, tool↔purpose, script↔OS). Review UPS (power loss) vs surge suppressor (spikes) and remote access (RDP/SSH/VNC/VPN/RMM).
- Final 5–7 days: Run timed mocks pinned to 90 minutes / up to 90 questions and remove recurring mistakes. Remember A+ needs BOTH Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202); Core 2 passes at 700/900. Track repeat-error reduction, not peak score.
Question Validation Process
Try the practice set directly and judge real-exam similarity yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the 220-1202 exam format and passing score?
A. Up to 90 questions — multiple choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop, and performance-based — in 90 minutes. The passing score is 700 on a 100–900 scale. To earn the full CompTIA A+ you must pass both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202).
Q. What kinds of questions appear?
A. Most items are short, direct “Which of the following…” questions on a fundamental, plus brief symptom/requirement scenarios that ask for the best tool, setting, or action. Performance-based items are matching (command↔task, tool↔purpose, script↔OS) and ordering (the 7-step malware removal order, etc.).
Q. How do Core 1 and Core 2 differ?
A. A+ requires passing both. Core 1 (220-1201) covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization/cloud, and hardware/network troubleshooting. Core 2 (220-1202) covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. This exam prep is Core 2 only.
Q. Do I need hands-on experience?
A. CompTIA recommends 9–12 months in a help-desk, desktop-support, or field role, but it is not required. If you know your way around Windows, security, and procedures — and you lock in the ordered-process questions (malware removal, change management) — you can pass with focused study.
Q. How long does it take to prepare, and how much does it cost?
A. Most learners need about 3–5 weeks of focused study per core. The exam fee is roughly USD 265 (varies by region/voucher), and the A+ credential is valid for 3 years, renewable via continuing education (CEUs).
Q. How do practice questions and the timed mock exam differ?
A. Practice questions are solved by topic with answer explanations to shore up weak areas; the timed mock exam is taken like the real thing. Both use original questions with AI tutor explanations.
Q. Is this similar to exam dumps?
A. PasslyExam does not provide leaked dumps. Our content is built from official guides and public exam objectives, then tuned to reflect realistic question patterns and difficulty distribution. The focus is practical readiness with explanation-based learning, not memorization of leaked items.
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