# CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Memory

Last updated: 2026-06-11 20:14 CDT

## Goal

Prepare to pass CompTIA A+ Core 2 by June 30, 2026.

Target exam:
- Certification: CompTIA A+ Core 2 V15
- Exam code: 220-1202
- Launch date: March 25, 2025
- Question count: maximum 90
- Time limit: 90 minutes
- Passing score: 700 on a 900-point scale
- Question styles: multiple choice, multiple response, drag-and-drop, performance-based questions

Official domain weights:
- 1.0 Operating Systems: 28%
- 2.0 Security: 28%
- 3.0 Software Troubleshooting: 23%
- 4.0 Operational Procedures: 21%

Source checked:
- CompTIA A+ Core 2 V15 page, accessed 2026-06-10:
  https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/a/core-2-v15/

## Study Strategy

Use a fast exam-prep loop:
1. Teach one small topic in plain language.
2. Add a memory trick for the topic.
3. Enter commands when commands are relevant.
4. Explain what each command does and how to interpret the output.
5. Run a Windows or Linux lab when useful.
6. Quiz only after the section has been studied.
7. Log mistakes by domain and objective.
8. Re-test weak areas with spaced repetition.

Priority rule:
- Security and Operating Systems receive the most study time because each is 28% of the exam.
- Troubleshooting gets daily scenario practice because it overlaps with performance-based questions.
- Operational Procedures gets frequent short reviews because it is vocabulary-heavy and process-driven.

## Progress State

Current status:
- Study system created.
- Objective 1.1 / OS-5 studied on 2026-06-11; quiz score 7/7. Status: Strong. Lab still pending.
- 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.
- OS-3 lesson/lab/quiz created: Windows administrative tools.
- OS-4 lesson/lab/quiz created: Windows command line.
- OS-5 lesson/lab/quiz created: OS types and file systems.
- OS-6 lesson/lab/quiz created: Windows Control Panel and Settings.
- OS-7 lesson/lab/quiz created: Windows networking.
- User reference materials found in `/home/kenpatmonk/Downloads/`.
- Reference PDFs extracted to `reference-materials/extracted-text/`.
- `Downloads/core2.html` contains an objective-level map from 1.1 through 4.10 and should guide the HTML status map.
- `mind-maps/core2-status.html` upgraded to objective-level tracking from 1.1 through 4.10.
- OS-1 updated from reference material to include Windows 11 TPM/UEFI/Secure Boot clues, `msinfo32`, and `tpm.msc`.
- User does not personally have a Mac, but a friend has a Mac the user can use for macOS labs.
- Labs should include Windows/Linux options and optional macOS labs when macOS is exam-relevant.
- Weak domains unknown.
- User prefers quizzes after each study section, not before.
- 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.
- 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.
- OS-8 lesson/lab/quiz created: macOS tools and features. Mac lab is available when user can use friend's Mac; otherwise use comparison practice.
- OS-9 lesson/lab/quiz created: Linux client tools.
- OS-10 lesson/lab/quiz created: application installation requirements.
- OS-11 lesson/lab/quiz created: cloud productivity tools.
- Domain 1 Operating Systems now has ready lessons/labs/quizzes for objectives 1.1 through 1.11.
- SEC-1 lesson/lab/quiz created: security controls for objective 2.1.
- SEC-2 lesson/lab/quiz created: Windows security settings for objective 2.2.
- SEC-3 lesson/lab/quiz created: wireless security for objective 2.3.
- SEC-4 lesson/lab/quiz created: malware and security tools for objective 2.4.
- SEC-5 lesson/lab/quiz created: social engineering and attacks for objective 2.5.
- SEC-6 lesson/lab/quiz created: malware removal process for objective 2.6.
- SEC-7 lesson/lab/quiz created: workstation hardening for objective 2.7.
- SEC-8 lesson/lab/quiz created: mobile device security for objective 2.8.
- SEC-9 lesson/lab/quiz created: data destruction for objective 2.9.
- SEC-10 lesson/lab/quiz created: SOHO network security for objective 2.10.
- SEC-11 lesson/lab/quiz created: browser security for objective 2.11.
- Domain 2 Security now has ready lessons/labs/quizzes for objectives 2.1 through 2.11.
- TRB-1 lesson/lab/quiz created: Windows OS issues for objective 3.1.
- TRB-2 lesson/lab/quiz created: mobile OS and app issues for objective 3.2.
- TRB-3 lesson/lab/quiz created: mobile security issues for objective 3.3.
- TRB-4 lesson/lab/quiz created: PC security symptoms for objective 3.4.
- Domain 3 Software Troubleshooting now has ready lessons/labs/quizzes for objectives 3.1 through 3.4.
- OPS-1 lesson/lab/quiz created: documentation and support systems for objective 4.1.
- OPS-2 lesson/lab/quiz created: change management for objective 4.2.
- OPS-3 lesson/lab/quiz created: backup and recovery for objective 4.3.
- OPS-4 lesson/lab/quiz created: safety procedures for objective 4.4.
- OPS-5 lesson/lab/quiz created: environmental controls for objective 4.5.
- OPS-6 lesson/lab/quiz created: policy, privacy, and licensing for objective 4.6.
- OPS-7 lesson/lab/quiz created: professionalism for objective 4.7.
- OPS-8 lesson/lab/quiz created: scripting basics for objective 4.8.
- OPS-9 lesson/lab/quiz created: remote access for objective 4.9.
- OPS-10 lesson/lab/quiz created: AI concepts for objective 4.10.
- Domain 4 Operational Procedures now has ready lessons/labs/quizzes for objectives 4.1 through 4.10.
- All quiz answer keys were audited on 2026-06-10; correct answers are mixed across A, B, C, and D instead of always using A.

## Teaching Rules

Each section should stay small and easy to understand:
- What it is
- Why it matters on the exam
- Memory trick
- Commands to enter, if applicable
- What each command does
- Mini lab
- Quiz after study

Quiz remediation rule:
- If the user misses a quiz question, explain the correct answer.
- Explain why the selected answer was wrong.
- Explain what each answer choice does or means.
- Update `quiz-log.md` and the HTML mind map status.

Quiz design rule:
- Do not make every correct answer the same letter.
- Mix correct answers across A, B, C, and D to prevent pattern guessing.
- After creating or editing a quiz, verify the answer key distribution.

Mind map rule:
- Use `mind-maps/core2-status.html` as the visual progress map.
- Track status for each objective topic with levels:
  - Not started
  - Studying
  - Needs review
  - Good
  - Strong

## Memory Protocol

Before context limits or long sessions, update this file with:
- Date and time
- Topics completed
- Quiz scores and missed concepts
- Labs completed
- Weak areas
- Next recommended action

Use these files:
- `SCHEDULE.md`: day-by-day plan through June 30
- `quiz-log.md`: quiz attempts and mistake patterns
- `lab-log.md`: hands-on exercises completed
- `mind-maps/core2-overview.md`: overview map of the exam
- `mind-maps/core2-status.html`: HTML objective status mind map
- `reference-materials/`: user-provided Core 2 books/files/reference materials
- `reference-materials/REFERENCE_INDEX.md`: index of processed references

## Reference Material Workflow

User may provide PDFs, EPUBs, images, text files, or unknown formats such as `.atm`.

When reference files are added:
- Inspect filenames first.
- Use `file` to identify unknown formats.
- Extract or read text when possible.
- Use references to improve original study materials.
- Do not copy long copyrighted passages into notes.
- Update lessons, labs, quizzes, and the HTML mind map from summarized concepts.
- Track processed files in `reference-materials/REFERENCE_INDEX.md`.

Indexed references:
- `/home/kenpatmonk/Downloads/Professor Messer’s A+ Core 2 Course Notes-1.pdf`
- `/home/kenpatmonk/Downloads/Professor Messer’s CompTIA A+ Core 2 Practice Exams.pdf`
- `/home/kenpatmonk/Downloads/core2.html`

## Created Sections

Operating Systems:
- OS-5: OS types and file systems
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-5-os-types-filesystems.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-5-os-filesystem-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-5-quiz.md`
- OS-1: Windows editions and system information
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-1-windows-editions-system-info.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-1-system-inventory-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-1-quiz.md`
- OS-2: Windows installation, boot, and recovery
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-2-windows-installation-recovery.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-2-recovery-info-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-2-quiz.md`
- OS-3: Windows administrative tools
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-3-windows-admin-tools.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-3-admin-tools-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-3-quiz.md`
- OS-4: Windows command line
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-4-windows-command-line.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-4-command-line-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-4-quiz.md`
- OS-6: Windows Control Panel and Settings
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-6-windows-control-panel-settings.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-6-settings-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-6-quiz.md`
- OS-7: Windows networking
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-7-windows-networking.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-7-windows-networking-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-7-quiz.md`
- OS-8: macOS tools and features
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-8-macos-tools-features.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-8-macos-tools-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-8-quiz.md`
- OS-9: Linux client tools
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-9-linux-client-tools.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-9-linux-client-tools-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-9-quiz.md`
- OS-10: Application installation requirements
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-10-application-installation-requirements.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-10-application-installation-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-10-quiz.md`
- OS-11: Cloud productivity tools
  - Lesson: `notes/OS-11-cloud-productivity-tools.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OS-11-cloud-productivity-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OS-11-quiz.md`

Security:
- SEC-1: Security controls
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-1-security-controls.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-1-security-controls-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-1-quiz.md`
- SEC-2: Windows security settings
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-2-windows-security-settings.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-2-windows-security-settings-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-2-quiz.md`
- SEC-3: Wireless security
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-3-wireless-security.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-3-wireless-security-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-3-quiz.md`
- SEC-4: Malware and security tools
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-4-malware-security-tools.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-4-malware-response-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-4-quiz.md`
- SEC-5: Social engineering and attacks
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-5-social-engineering-attacks.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-5-social-engineering-scenario-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-5-quiz.md`
- SEC-6: Malware removal process
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-6-malware-removal-process.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-6-malware-removal-tabletop-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-6-quiz.md`
- SEC-7: Workstation hardening
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-7-workstation-hardening.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-7-workstation-hardening-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-7-quiz.md`
- SEC-8: Mobile device security
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-8-mobile-device-security.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-8-mobile-device-security-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-8-quiz.md`
- SEC-9: Data destruction
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-9-data-destruction.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-9-data-destruction-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-9-quiz.md`
- SEC-10: SOHO network security
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-10-soho-network-security.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-10-soho-network-security-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-10-quiz.md`
- SEC-11: Browser security
  - Lesson: `notes/SEC-11-browser-security.md`
  - Lab: `labs/SEC-11-browser-security-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/SEC-11-quiz.md`

Software Troubleshooting:
- TRB-1: Windows OS issues
  - Lesson: `notes/TRB-1-windows-os-issues.md`
  - Lab: `labs/TRB-1-windows-os-issues-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/TRB-1-quiz.md`
- TRB-2: Mobile OS and app issues
  - Lesson: `notes/TRB-2-mobile-os-app-issues.md`
  - Lab: `labs/TRB-2-mobile-os-app-issues-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/TRB-2-quiz.md`
- TRB-3: Mobile security issues
  - Lesson: `notes/TRB-3-mobile-security-issues.md`
  - Lab: `labs/TRB-3-mobile-security-issues-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/TRB-3-quiz.md`
- TRB-4: PC security symptoms
  - Lesson: `notes/TRB-4-pc-security-symptoms.md`
  - Lab: `labs/TRB-4-pc-security-symptoms-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/TRB-4-quiz.md`

Operational Procedures:
- OPS-1: Documentation and support systems
  - Lesson: `notes/OPS-1-documentation-support-systems.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OPS-1-documentation-support-systems-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OPS-1-quiz.md`
- OPS-2: Change management
  - Lesson: `notes/OPS-2-change-management.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OPS-2-change-management-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OPS-2-quiz.md`
- OPS-3: Backup and recovery
  - Lesson: `notes/OPS-3-backup-recovery.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OPS-3-backup-recovery-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OPS-3-quiz.md`
- OPS-4: Safety procedures
  - Lesson: `notes/OPS-4-safety-procedures.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OPS-4-safety-procedures-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OPS-4-quiz.md`
- OPS-5: Environmental controls
  - Lesson: `notes/OPS-5-environmental-controls.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OPS-5-environmental-controls-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OPS-5-quiz.md`
- OPS-6: Policy, privacy, and licensing
  - Lesson: `notes/OPS-6-policy-privacy-licensing.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OPS-6-policy-privacy-licensing-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OPS-6-quiz.md`
- OPS-7: Professionalism
  - Lesson: `notes/OPS-7-professionalism.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OPS-7-professionalism-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OPS-7-quiz.md`
- OPS-8: Scripting basics
  - Lesson: `notes/OPS-8-scripting-basics.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OPS-8-scripting-basics-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OPS-8-quiz.md`
- OPS-9: Remote access
  - Lesson: `notes/OPS-9-remote-access.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OPS-9-remote-access-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OPS-9-quiz.md`
- OPS-10: AI concepts
  - Lesson: `notes/OPS-10-ai-concepts.md`
  - Lab: `labs/OPS-10-ai-concepts-lab.md`
  - Quiz: `quizzes/OPS-10-quiz.md`