---
name: project-a-plus-core2
description: "A+ Core 2 study plan and progress tracking — exam goal July 7, 2026"
metadata: 
  node_type: memory
  type: project
  originSessionId: 20e70bfb-0880-4ec4-aece-a21855bb3dfe
---

## A+ Core 2 Study Progress

**Exam goal:** July 7, 2026 (hard deadline: July 12, 2026)
**July 4th week:** Time off — buffer week or final prep
**Strategy:** Monitor readiness via practice tests, don't sit the real exam until consistently hitting 85%+
**Study started:** 2026-06-11 at 9:15 PM

**Why:** User passed Core 1 with highest score in class of 22. July 7 is the current target.

## Study Log

| Date | Activity | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| 2026-06-11 | Started Core 2 study, 9:15 PM | Took Sybex diagnostic practice exam — scored 50% (50/100) |
| 2026-06-17 | LAB 5 theory (Malware types & removal procedure), LAB 6 theory (BitLocker, UAC, Firewall, EFS) | 1hr 8min session, 9:57–11:06 PM CDT. Checkpoint answers all correct. Hands-on LAB 5 & 6 scheduled Friday. SEC-6 quiz scheduled for June 18. |
| 2026-06-18 | SEC-6 quiz + OS-1/OS-2 quizzes scheduled | Hands-on LAB 5 & 6 scheduled for this Friday. |
| 2026-06-19 | OS-1/OS-2 quiz (Windows Editions, Install & Boot, Troubleshooting) — taken cold, before studying | **10/12 correct + Scenario A.** Part 1 (Windows Editions): 6/7 — missed Q1 (Home can't join domain, Pro is minimum). Part 2 (Install & Boot): 5/5 perfect. Part 3 (Troubleshooting): 1/2 — missed Scenario B ("OS Not Found" = `bootrec /rebuildbcd`, not `chkdsk`). |

## Planned Tests
- **This week (started 2026-06-11):** Professor Messer practice exam (diagnostic — taken cold first)
- **Next week:** CompTIA CertMaster practice test

## Study Plan (17 days)
- Days 1–4: Operating Systems domain
- Days 5–8: Security domain
- Days 9–11: Software Troubleshooting
- Days 12–13: Operational Procedures
- Days 14–15: Full timed practice exams
- Day 16: Weak area review only
- Day 17 (June 28): Exam

## Key Weak Areas to Watch
- **`bootrec` vs `chkdsk`**: "OS Not Found" = boot sector problem → `bootrec /rebuildbcd` (or `/fixmbr`, `/fixboot`). `chkdsk` is for file system corruption, not missing bootloader.
- **Windows edition domain join**: Home cannot join AD domain or use Group Policy. Pro is minimum. Memorize: Home = no domain, no GPO, no BitLocker, no RDP host.
- **Windows 11 upgrade requirements**: TPM 2.0 + Secure Boot (UEFI required, not legacy BIOS).
- Malware types and removal procedures (pure memorization)
- Windows command line tools generally (sfc, DISM, chkdsk, bootrec, diskpart)

## Resources
- Professor Messer A+ Core 2 (YouTube + paid practice exams)
- CompTIA CertMaster (next week)
- Jason Dion practice exams (Udemy backup)
- r/CompTIA, Professor Messer Discord for group study

**How to apply:** When user mentions Core 2 or exam prep, reference this log and check in on progress toward June 28 goal.