About This Study Plan
This 7-day study plan breaks the APLUS2 (A+ Core 2) exam preparation into 7 focused study sessions with 28 actionable tasks. The plan covers all 4 exam domains — Operating Systems, Security, Software Troubleshooting, Operational Procedures — ensuring complete coverage. Intensive 7-day review for CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) covering operating systems, security, troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
Prerequisites
- A+ Core 1 knowledge recommended
- 5–7 hours per day
Study Schedule
- Windows 10/11 editions, features, and upgrade paths
- Control Panel vs Settings, administrative tools
- Windows command-line tools: cmd, PowerShell, and common commands
- User accounts, groups, permissions (NTFS), and UAC
- OS installation methods: clean, upgrade, repair, image deploy
- Boot process, partition types (GPT/MBR), and file systems
- Linux basics: terminal commands, file permissions, package managers
- macOS features, preferences, and disk utility
- Malware types: virus, trojan, ransomware, rootkit, spyware
- Social engineering: phishing, vishing, tailgating, shoulder surfing
- Windows security: BitLocker, EFS, Windows Defender, firewall
- Physical security: locks, biometrics, key fobs, mantrap
- Wireless security: WPA3, WPA2, encryption, MAC filtering
- Mobile device security: MDM, screen locks, remote wipe
- Browser security: certificates, private browsing, pop-up blockers
- Malware removal process: identify → quarantine → remediate → educate
- Windows troubleshooting: BSOD, boot failures, slow performance
- Recovery tools: Safe Mode, System Restore, Reset, WinRE
- Change management, documentation, and backup types (full/incremental/differential)
- Scripting basics: batch, PowerShell, bash, Python use cases
- Take a full 90-question timed practice exam
- Review all incorrect answers with explanations
- Focus review on Security domain (28% of exam)
- Run flashcards for malware types and Windows tools
- Quick review of malware removal steps
- Windows command-line cheat sheet pass
- Review weakest domain topics
- Light review and rest
Study Tips
OS (28%) and Security (28%) together are 56% — these are your priority.
Know the malware removal process steps in order.
Practice Windows command-line operations — they appear in PBQs.
Recommended CompTIA Study Resources
Supplement this study plan with the official CompTIA CertMaster labs and practice tests. Download the free exam objectives PDF from CompTIA's website and use it as a checklist — cross off each objective as you master it. Professor Messer's free video series covers every CompTIA exam objective and is widely regarded as one of the best free resources available.
Ready to Practice?
Put your study plan into action with A+ Core 2 practice questions.