diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5acb2d3..56ffdd9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,41 +1,82 @@
-# CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Project
+# CompTIA A+ Core 2 — Study Workspace
 
-Private study workspace for CompTIA A+ Core 2 `220-1202`.
+Everything for passing CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) lives here.
 
-## Clone
+**Exam goal:** July 7, 2026
+**Hard deadline:** July 12, 2026
+**Status:** Active study — Phase 2 (Security)
 
-```bash
-git clone https://gitforge.kitestacks.com/kenpat/comptia-a-plus-core2.git
-cd comptia-a-plus-core2
-```
+---
 
-This is a private Forgejo repository, so cloning requires an account or access token with repository read access.
+## Quick Navigation
 
-## Goal
+| File/Folder | What's in it |
+|-------------|--------------|
+| `SCHEDULE.md` | Day-by-day study plan (June 10 – July 7) |
+| `MEMORY.md` | Current state, progress, what's next |
+| `quiz-log.md` | Every quiz attempt with score and missed concepts |
+| `lab-log.md` | Hands-on lab progress |
+| `notes/` | Study notes organized by objective (OS-1, SEC-1, etc.) |
+| `quizzes/` | Quiz question sets by topic |
+| `labs/` | Hands-on lab exercises |
+| `flashcards/` | Quick-review cards for memorization-heavy topics |
+| `mind-maps/` | Visual maps of each domain |
+| `reference-materials/` | Index of study resources |
+| `certifications/` | Certification roadmap and exam details |
 
-Prepare to pass Core 2 by June 30, 2026.
+---
 
-## How To Continue
+## How to Study Each Day
 
-Start with `MEMORY.md` for the current state, progress, and next action.
+1. Open `MEMORY.md` — it tells you exactly where you left off
+2. Read the matching note from `notes/` (e.g., `notes/SEC-1-security-fundamentals.md`)
+3. Do the matching lab from `labs/` if practical
+4. Take the matching quiz from `quizzes/`
+5. Update `quiz-log.md` with your score and any weak concepts
+6. Update `MEMORY.md` with today's progress and tomorrow's next step
 
-Useful files:
-- `SCHEDULE.md`: day-by-day study plan
-- `quiz-log.md`: quiz attempts and missed concepts
-- `lab-log.md`: hands-on lab progress
-- `mind-maps/core2-status.html`: visual objective status map
-- `notes/`: lessons by objective
-- `labs/`: hands-on exercises
-- `quizzes/`: section quizzes
-- `reference-materials/REFERENCE_INDEX.md`: processed reference inventory
+---
 
-## Current Flow
+## Exam Info
 
-1. Study one objective from `notes/`.
-2. Run the matching lab from `labs/` when practical.
-3. Take the matching quiz from `quizzes/`.
-4. Update `quiz-log.md`, `lab-log.md`, `MEMORY.md`, and `mind-maps/core2-status.html`.
+- **Test code:** 220-1202
+- **Questions:** 90 questions in 90 minutes
+- **Passing score:** 700 / 900 (about 78%)
+- **Format:** Multiple choice + performance-based questions (PBQs)
 
-## Reference Policy
+## Domain Weights
 
-Full extracted text from commercial PDFs is intentionally not committed. Use summarized project notes and the reference index for continuity.
+| Domain | Weight | Strategy |
+|--------|--------|----------|
+| Operating Systems | 27% | Heaviest — memorize Windows CLI tools and edition features |
+| Security | 24% | Strong from homelab experience |
+| Software Troubleshooting | 26% | Practical — use real-world analogies |
+| Operational Procedures | 23% | Most memorization — review late in study plan |
+
+---
+
+## Background Strengths (from homelab)
+
+Running KiteStacks homelab already covers real-world versions of many exam topics:
+- **Security:** firewall rules, TLS certificates, OAuth2/OIDC SSO, VPN (Tailscale)
+- **Linux CLI:** file permissions, process management, networking tools, SSH
+- **Troubleshooting:** diagnosed and fixed production-level distributed systems issues
+- **Documentation:** maintains active RUNBOOK and git-tracked change history
+- **Networking:** Cloudflare Tunnel, Docker networking, DNS, reverse proxy
+
+---
+
+## Study Resources
+
+- **Professor Messer** — free YouTube videos + paid practice exams (professormesser.com)
+- **CompTIA CertMaster** — official practice platform
+- **Sybex** — used for cold diagnostic (harder than real exam, ~60-65% equivalent)
+- **Jason Dion practice exams** — Udemy backup
+- **r/CompTIA** — community forum
+- **Professor Messer Discord** — accountability and study partner replacement
+
+---
+
+## Core 1 Result
+
+CompTIA A+ Core 1 — **PASSED** — highest score in a class of 22 students.
diff --git a/SCHEDULE.md b/SCHEDULE.md
index d660fa1..2823a7f 100644
--- a/SCHEDULE.md
+++ b/SCHEDULE.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # CompTIA A+ Core 2 Schedule
 
-Dates: June 10 through June 30, 2026
+**Exam goal: July 7, 2026 (hard deadline: July 12)**
+Dates: June 10 through July 7, 2026
 
 ## Phase 1: Baseline and Operating Systems
 
diff --git a/certifications/a-plus-core2.md b/certifications/a-plus-core2.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..88fac6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/certifications/a-plus-core2.md
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+# CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) — Exam Details
+
+## Status
+- **Studying since:** June 11, 2026
+- **Exam goal:** July 7, 2026
+- **Hard deadline:** July 12, 2026
+- **Passing score:** 700 / 900 (~78%)
+- **Format:** 90 questions in 90 minutes
+
+## Study Strategy
+- Took cold diagnostic practice test first to find weak spots
+- Study weak domains first (not start-to-finish)
+- Practice tests every 3–4 days to track improvement
+- Don't schedule the real exam until consistently scoring 85%+ on practice tests
+- July 4th week = buffer week or final prep if needed
+
+## Domain Breakdown
+
+| Domain | Weight | My Confidence | Priority |
+|--------|--------|---------------|----------|
+| Operating Systems | 27% | Medium | High — most content |
+| Security | 24% | High (homelab!) | Medium — review gaps |
+| Software Troubleshooting | 26% | High | Medium — use real experience |
+| Operational Procedures | 23% | Low | High — most memorization |
+
+## Practice Test Log
+
+| Date | Test | Score | Notes |
+|------|------|-------|-------|
+| 2026-06-11 | Sybex diagnostic (cold) | 50% (50/100) | No prior study. Sybex ~60-65% equivalent on real exam |
+
+## Key Weak Areas
+
+- Windows command-line tools: `sfc /scannow`, `DISM`, `chkdsk`, `bootrec`, `diskpart`, `ipconfig /all`, `netstat`, `tracert`, `nslookup`
+- Malware types and the exact removal steps (quarantine order, safe mode boot, etc.)
+- Windows OS editions and what features each one has
+- Operational procedures (safety rules, environmental controls, compliance)
+
+## Study Resources
+
+| Resource | Type | Status |
+|----------|------|--------|
+| Professor Messer | YouTube + paid practice exams | Active |
+| CompTIA CertMaster | Official practice platform | Planned |
+| Sybex | Practice exam book | Used (diagnostic) |
+| Jason Dion | Udemy practice exams | Backup option |
+| r/CompTIA | Community forum | Active |
+| Professor Messer Discord | Study accountability | Active |
+
+## Homelab Experience That Helps
+
+These hands-on KiteStacks experiences map directly to exam topics:
+
+| Homelab Experience | Exam Topic |
+|-------------------|------------|
+| Cloudflare Tunnel setup | Network security, VPN concepts |
+| Authentik SSO (OAuth2, OIDC) | Authentication, authorization, MFA |
+| Tailscale VPN mesh | Remote access, network topology |
+| Docker container management | Virtualization, OS concepts |
+| Linux CLI (daily use) | OS commands, file permissions |
+| Diagnosed OAuth2 distributed bug | Software troubleshooting methodology |
+| RUNBOOK + git change tracking | Documentation, change management |
+| Grafana/Prometheus monitoring | Operational procedures |
diff --git a/certifications/roadmap.md b/certifications/roadmap.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ffaf44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/certifications/roadmap.md
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+# Certification Roadmap
+
+**Career goal:** Cloud Engineering
+**Current level:** CompTIA A+ Core 1 passed (highest score in class of 22)
+
+## Path
+
+| # | Cert | Status | Target | Notes |
+|---|------|--------|--------|-------|
+| 1 | CompTIA A+ Core 1 | ✅ PASSED | — | Highest score in class of 22 |
+| 2 | CompTIA A+ Core 2 | 🔄 Studying | July 7, 2026 (goal) / July 12 (hard deadline) | Diagnostic: 50% Sybex cold |
+| 3 | CCNA | 📅 Next | ~2026 Q4 | Gold standard networking cert |
+| 4 | AWS SAA-C03 | 📅 Planned | After CCNA | Core cloud cert, most in-demand |
+| 5 | AWS SysOps Associate | 📅 Planned | After SAA | Operations focus, maps to homelab |
+| 6 | CKA (Kubernetes) | 📅 Planned | After AWS | Container orchestration at scale |
+| 7 | AI / Prompt Engineering | 📅 Planned | After cloud foundation | AWS AI Practitioner, DeepLearning.AI |
+
+## Why This Order
+
+- Networking (CCNA) before cloud makes AWS 3x easier to understand
+- Associate certs before specialties — breadth before depth
+- Homelab project (KiteStacks) already demonstrates cloud engineering skills at associate level