Passing The CompTIA A+ Core 2 Exam

A few of months ago, I wrote and successfully passed the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam, and with a pretty good score, too. I wrote an article about it that included information on the exact tools I used and my process for getting the material down. This article is really a continuation of that one, with additional information that specifically pertains to the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam.

If you are just starting out with the A+, or just want to see the original post, it can be found here: How To Pass The CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam The FIRST Time

Everything I said in the original video regarding the Core 1 exam still applies when you are looking at the Core 2. I still used the same study materials and processes, but now that I have written the exam, I can see a few things I would change up if I had to do it all over again. All of my study and preparation recommendations can be found in the video below, but I have also summarized them in point form below the video, for those who prefer.

Recommendations for Passing the A+ Core 2 Exam

• There is not much (if any) overlap between the Core 1 and Core 2 exams EXCEPT that you need to remember the ports/protocols you learned studying Core 1. So outside of that, you don’t need to stress about retaining a lot of Core 1 material for this exam.
• Make sure you practice the CLI commands you learn, and not just memorize them. You may well get a Performance-Based Question that requires correct use of CLI commands for completion.
• Know what Group Policy Objects are, what they look like, what they are used for, and how to find them via the Command Line Interface using “gpresult”.
• Know the types of protected data (privacy protection) and the necessary considerations for each.
• Make sure you get down the recommendations for documentation and communication.
• Consider getting training material from more than one source (like Mike Meyers and Professor Messer) for some of these topics (especially Group Policy Objects and documentation and communication)
• Keep in mind, these recommendations are based on the experience I had with my exam, your experience may be different.

A Memorization Tool To Help With Your CompTIA A+ Core 2 Exam

Just like I did with the Core 1 exam, I built a tool to help with many of the memorization aspects of the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam. It’s now an Excel spreadsheet (so it’s a little different than what is demonstrated in the video, but not significantly so) that I am happy to make available to anyone that would like to make use of it. It worked great for me by allowing me to test myself every day on some of the important details needed to be successful on the Core 2 exam. There’s likely more there than will appear on any given exam, but you never know what will be tested and it’s better to be over prepared than under.

The memory tool can be downloaded via this link: A+ Core 1 and 2 Memory Tool

NOTE: The memory tool was written for the 220-1001 and 220-1002 exams in effect at the time of writing. However, it can be easily modified to add or remove information to align with your current learning needs. You MUST download the file to use it for yourself and make edits. At the bottom left you’ll see two different sheets included – one for the Core 1 material and a second for Core 2.

Instructions for using the tool are in the video starting at the 5:36 mark.