comptia-a-plus-core2/MEMORY.md

CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Memory

Last updated: 2026-06-19 CDT

Goal

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
• 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. 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.
• 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:

• 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 8–17) 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.
• 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