docs: update exam dates to July 7 primary / July 17 hard deadline; add retake window and completed work log

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
This commit is contained in:
Ken Patmonk 2026-06-19 02:22:38 -05:00
parent 1bd8ce13ec
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# CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Memory
Last updated: 2026-06-11 20:14 CDT
Last updated: 2026-06-19 CDT
## Goal
Prepare to pass CompTIA A+ Core 2 by June 30, 2026.
Pass CompTIA A+ Core 2 on **July 7, 2026** (primary exam date).
Hard deadline: **July 17, 2026** — if July 7 is not a pass, retake and pass by July 17.
Target exam:
- Certification: CompTIA A+ Core 2 V15
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## Progress State
Current status:
- Study system created.
- Study system created. All lessons, labs, and quizzes built for all 4 domains.
- Objective 1.1 / OS-5 studied on 2026-06-11; quiz score 7/7. Status: Strong. Lab still pending.
- June 17: SEC-6 (10-Step Malware Removal) studied and updated. OS-4 updated with DISM/bootrec/taskkill. FLASH_NOTES.md created. Sybex baseline ~50% — weak area: "Next Step" troubleshooting logic.
- June 18: OS-1 and OS-2 quizzes completed.
- June 19 (today): OS-3 Admin Tools lab — current task.
- Baseline quiz replaced by section quizzes after study.
- OS-1 lesson/lab/quiz created: Windows editions and system information.
- OS-2 lesson/lab/quiz created: Windows installation, boot, and recovery.
@ -67,11 +71,9 @@ Current status:
- User can sometimes access a friend's Mac. Do not block progress on Mac access, but include real Mac labs for objective 1.8.
Next action:
- User should run the OS-5 lab when convenient, then continue to objective 1.2: OS installation and upgrade.
- If skipping the OS-5 lab for now, begin OS-2 study and quiz for objective 1.2.
- OS-3 is ready after OS-2: Windows administrative tools.
- OS-1 quiz now has 7 questions.
- OS-4 is ready after OS-3: Windows command line.
- June 19 (today): OS-3 Admin Tools lab + 3 "Next Step" scenario drills.
- Continue the sprint in SCHEDULE.md through July 7.
- If July 7 exam is not a pass, execute the retake plan (July 817) in SCHEDULE.md.
- OS-5 is ready and covers objective 1.1. It can be studied before OS-1 if starting from fundamentals.
- OS-6 is ready after OS-4: Windows Control Panel and Settings.
- OS-7 is ready after OS-6: Windows networking.

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# CompTIA A+ Core 2 — Study Workspace
# CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Project
Everything for passing CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) lives here.
Private study workspace for CompTIA A+ Core 2 `220-1202`.
**Exam goal:** July 7, 2026
**Hard deadline:** July 12, 2026
**Status:** Active study — Phase 2 (Security)
## Clone
---
```bash
git clone https://gitforge.kitestacks.com/kenpat/comptia-a-plus-core2.git
cd comptia-a-plus-core2
```
## Quick Navigation
This is a private Forgejo repository, so cloning requires an account or access token with repository read access.
| 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 |
## Goal
---
Pass Core 2 on **July 7, 2026** (primary exam).
Hard deadline: **July 17, 2026** — retake window if July 7 is not a pass.
## How to Study Each Day
## How To Continue
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
Start with `MEMORY.md` for the current state, progress, and next action.
---
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
## Exam Info
## Current Flow
- **Test code:** 220-1202
- **Questions:** 90 questions in 90 minutes
- **Passing score:** 700 / 900 (about 78%)
- **Format:** Multiple choice + performance-based questions (PBQs)
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`.
## Domain Weights
## Reference Policy
| 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.
Full extracted text from commercial PDFs is intentionally not committed. Use summarized project notes and the reference index for continuity.

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# CompTIA A+ Core 2 Schedule
# CompTIA A+ Core 2 Final Sprint Schedule
**Exam goal: July 7, 2026 (hard deadline: July 12)**
Dates: June 10 through July 7, 2026
**Current Date:** June 19, 2026
**Primary Exam:** July 7, 2026 — 18 days
**Hard Deadline:** July 17, 2026 — retake window if July 7 is not a pass
## Phase 1: Baseline and Operating Systems
---
June 10:
- Review exam structure and domain map.
- Study small section OS-1: Windows editions and system information.
- Enter system information commands.
- Lab: identify system edition, version, build, CPU, RAM, and architecture.
- Quiz: OS-1 only, after study.
## What's Been Completed
June 11:
- Windows command-line tools: `ipconfig`, `ping`, `tracert`, `netstat`, `nslookup`, `chkdsk`, `sfc`, `dism`, `gpupdate`, `gpresult`, `shutdown`.
- Lab: collect network and system info from a Windows or Linux machine.
| Date | Task | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Before June 11 | All lessons, labs, quizzes created — OS (111), SEC (111), TRB (14), OPS (110) | ✅ Done |
| June 11 | OS-5 quiz: 7/7. Lab pending. | ✅ Done |
| June 17 | SEC-6 (10-Step Malware Removal) studied. Updated OS-4 with DISM/bootrec/taskkill. FLASH_NOTES.md created. Sybex baseline: ~50% — "Next Step" logic identified as weak area. | ✅ Done |
| June 18 | OS-1 and OS-2 quizzes | ✅ Done |
June 12:
- Windows administrative tools: Task Manager, Services, Event Viewer, Disk Management, Device Manager, System Configuration, Local Users and Groups, Performance Monitor.
- Quiz: Operating Systems set 1.
---
June 13:
- Linux basics: file systems, terminal commands, app installation, permissions, backups, system settings.
- Lab: Linux command practice.
## Sprint to July 7
June 14:
- Mobile operating systems: Android/iOS settings, accounts, synchronization, app management, connectivity, backups.
- Quiz: Operating Systems set 2.
### Week 1 — Core Domains (June 1923)
## Phase 2: Security
- **June 19 (Today):**
- Study: Windows Admin Tools (Disk Mgmt, Event Viewer, Performance Monitor)
- Lab: OS-3 Admin Tools Practice
- Drill: 3 "Next Step" scenarios
June 15:
- Security fundamentals: authentication, authorization, least privilege, MFA, password policies, account types.
- **June 20:**
- Study: Command Line (sfc, dism, chkdsk, gpupdate, bootrec, taskkill)
- Lab: OS-4 Command Line Practice
- Drill: SFC vs DISM trap — know when to switch
June 16:
- Malware types, symptoms, removal process, browser security, social engineering.
- Lab: malware response tabletop.
- **June 21:**
- Study: macOS & Linux client tools
- Quiz: OS-8 and OS-9
- Note: macOS lab optional (use friend's Mac if available)
June 17:
- Wireless security, SOHO router hardening, encryption, firewalls, physical security.
- Quiz: Security set 1.
- **June 22:**
- Study: Windows Networking (IP config, DNS, firewall, shares)
- Quiz: OS-7
- Drill: "Works by IP but not by name" scenario
June 18:
- Data protection: backups, recovery, EFS, BitLocker/FileVault concepts, secure disposal, privacy.
- **June 23:**
- Study: Workstation Hardening + Data Destruction
- Quiz: SEC-7 and SEC-9
- Drill: Order of operations for secure disposal
June 19:
- Security review and mixed PBQ-style scenarios.
- Quiz: Security set 2.
### Week 2 — Troubleshooting + Procedures (June 2430)
## Phase 3: Software Troubleshooting
- **June 24:**
- Study: Troubleshooting Windows OS (boot errors, BSOD, profile issues)
- Quiz: TRB-1
- Drill: "Clicking hard drive = chkdsk /r" vs "BCD error = bootrec /rebuildbcd"
June 20:
- Windows symptoms: boot issues, BSOD, services failing, application crashes, slow performance.
- **June 25:**
- Study: Troubleshooting Mobile OS & Apps
- Quiz: TRB-2
June 21:
- Application, browser, and network-related software issues.
- Lab: troubleshooting decision tree.
- **June 26:**
- Study: Operational Procedures — Documentation, Ticketing, SLAs
- Quiz: OPS-1
- Note: Domain 4 is 21% — do not skip
June 22:
- Mobile app, OS, connectivity, and security troubleshooting.
- Quiz: Software Troubleshooting set 1.
- **June 27:**
- Study: Change Management + Backup/Recovery
- Quiz: OPS-2 and OPS-3
June 23:
- Mixed troubleshooting scenarios with root cause analysis.
- **June 28:**
- Study: Scripting Basics (Batch, PowerShell, Bash syntax)
- Quiz: OPS-8
## Phase 4: Operational Procedures
- **June 29:**
- Study: Professionalism, Safety (ESD), AI Concepts
- Quiz: OPS-7 and OPS-10
June 24:
- Documentation, ticketing, change management, asset management, incident handling.
- **June 30:**
- **Mid-Sprint Full Practice Exam** (Professor Messer)
- Analyze every wrong answer — log weak domains
June 25:
- Safety, ESD, environmental controls, professionalism, communication.
- Quiz: Operational Procedures set 1.
### Final Push (July 17)
June 26:
- Backup types, recovery testing, disaster recovery, remote access etiquette.
- **July 1:** Targeted review of weak areas from June 30 exam
- **July 2:** **Full Practice Exam (Sybex)** — hardest questions, aim for explanation accuracy
- **July 3:** PBQ Marathon — Disk Management, Help Desk, Command Line simulations
- **July 4:** Acronyms, port numbers, and "Next Step" logic review
- **July 5:** **Final Full Practice Exam** — simulate real conditions (90 min, no notes)
- **July 6:** Light review only — 10-Step Malware Removal and Troubleshooting Methodology
- **July 7:** **EXAM DAY.** Trust the process.
## Phase 5: Final Review
---
June 27:
- Full mixed practice exam 1.
- Review every missed question.
## Retake Window: July 817 (Only if July 7 is Not a Pass)
June 28:
- Targeted weak-domain labs and flash review.
- **July 8:** Review score report — identify exact weak objectives
- **July 910:** Intensive drill on the 23 weakest objectives only
- **July 11:** Full practice exam focused on weak domains
- **July 1213:** PBQ simulations + "Next Step" scenario drilling
- **July 14:** Full timed practice exam — aim for 750+
- **July 15:** Light review — acronyms, port numbers, order-of-operations
- **July 16:** Rest. Review the one thing you feel least confident about.
- **July 17:** **RETAKE EXAM — HARD DEADLINE. Must pass today.**
June 29:
- Full mixed practice exam 2.
- Final cram sheet.
---
June 30:
- Light review only.
- Focus on missed-question log, acronyms, command syntax, and PBQ strategy.
## Domain Tracking
- [ ] Domain 1.0 Operating Systems — 28%
- [ ] Domain 2.0 Security — 28%
- [ ] Domain 3.0 Software Troubleshooting — 23%
- [ ] Domain 4.0 Operational Procedures — 21%
## Known Weak Areas (from June 17 Sybex baseline)
- "Next Step" troubleshooting logic — official CompTIA order matters
- SFC vs DISM (when SFC fails → cache corrupt → run DISM RestoreHealth)
- Malware response order: quarantine BEFORE scanning
- Disk failures: clicking/missing = chkdsk /r vs BCD error = bootrec /rebuildbcd
- DNS: works by IP not name = nslookup
- Domain 4 Operational Procedures — highest risk for neglect