220-1202
Core 2
- Operating systems28%
- Security28%
- Software troubleshooting23%
- Operational procedures21%
700 / 900 to pass
CompTIA A+ Core 2 · 220-1202 · Free
CompTIA A+ Core 2 Practice Test 2026 (220-1202)
Free Core 2 questions with every answer explained and linked to its source, from Windows commands and malware removal to backups and change management.
Up to 90 questions · 90 min · 700/900 to pass
How many questions are on CompTIA A+ Core 2, and what score passes?
CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) has a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes: multiple-choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop and performance-based questions. You pass with 700 on a scale of 100 to 900, higher than Core 1’s 675. To earn A+ you also pass Core 1 (220-1201), from the same V15 series. Operating systems and security are the largest domains at 28% each.
Anyone can take it: CompTIA sets no prerequisite and recommends about 12 months of hands-on work in an IT support role. You buy one exam voucher for each core, so A+ costs two exam fees. CompTIA publishes no pass rate. Once you pass both cores, A+ is valid for three years, and you can renew it with continuing education instead of retaking the exams.
Sources: CompTIA A+ Core 2 · CompTIA A+ · renewal policy
RJ45Practice
Free CompTIA A+ Core 2 practice questions with answers
Ten questions from the free set, one domain at a time. Pick an answer to see if you are right, why, and the page it comes from.
A user cannot copy a 6 GB video file to a USB flash drive, even though the drive shows 30 GB free. The drive is formatted FAT32. What is the cause?
An authenticator app shows a new six-digit code every 30 seconds. What kind of one-time password is it, and why does the code change?
A PC started showing blue screen (stop) errors right after the user installed a new graphics driver. What is the best first step?
A company backs up fully every Sunday and runs incremental backups Monday through Saturday. The server fails on Thursday morning. Which backups are needed to restore everything?
A technician adds a new 4 TB data drive to a Windows PC. Disk Management only lets the technician use about 2 TB of it. What should the technician do?
A coffee shop's Wi-Fi uses a shared password that customers sometimes guess. Which change gives the strongest built-in protection against offline password-guessing attacks?
Every HTTPS site on one laptop shows a certificate warning, while other computers on the same network open the same sites normally. What should the technician check first?
A small office wants a backup plan that survives a ransomware attack or a fire. Which plan follows the 3-2-1 rule?
PC Health Check says an office PC cannot run Windows 11. It has a 64-bit 2 GHz quad-core CPU, 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD. Which missing item most likely blocks the upgrade?
A company wants each employee to sign in to Wi-Fi with their own directory credentials instead of one shared key, checked by a central server. Which setup fits?
Practice one domain at a time
USB-CThe exam
What does CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) cover?
Four domains, drawn as the strands of one cable, each as thick as its share of the exam in CompTIA’s Core 2 objectives.
Operating systems28%
Security28%
Software troubleshooting23%
Operational procedures21%
The format
Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, scored from 100 to 900: 700 passes Core 2. Offered in English, German and Japanese. CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist job role.
If you do not pass
No wait before a second attempt. Before a third or any later attempt, wait at least 14 calendar days. Every attempt is paid; CompTIA gives no free retakes (retake policy).
How long it lasts
A+ is valid for three years from the day you certify. You can renew with continuing education units instead of retaking the exam (renewal policy).
LC fiberOperating systems 28%
CompTIA A+ Core 2 commands: Windows and Linux
Objectives 1.5 and 1.9 list the commands by name. Questions give a task and ask which command, or which switch, does it. Tap a command.
Linux files the exam names
| File | Holds |
|---|---|
| /etc/passwd | User accounts (name, ID, home, shell) |
| /etc/shadow | Hashed passwords, readable by root only |
| /etc/hosts | Names mapped to IP addresses before DNS |
| /etc/fstab | File systems mounted at boot |
| /etc/resolv.conf | The DNS servers to ask |
Also in this domain: Windows editions and upgrade paths, Control Panel and Settings, file systems (NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ext4, APFS), macOS tools such as FileVault and Time Machine, and cloud productivity apps.
Command lists: 220-1202 objectives 1.5 and 1.9. What each does: Microsoft Learn and the Linux man pages, linked from every command.
Every command in one list
| Command | Does |
|---|---|
| cd | Change to another folder. |
| dir | List the files and folders in a folder. |
| ipconfig | Show the IP settings; /release and /renew get a new DHCP lease, /flushdns clears the DNS cache. |
| ping | Check that a host answers, with ICMP echo requests. |
| netstat | List active connections and the ports the PC is listening on. |
| nslookup | Ask a DNS server what a name resolves to. |
| net use | Map or remove a network drive. |
| tracert | Show each router hop on the way to a host. |
| pathping | Trace the route, then measure packet loss at every hop. |
| chkdsk | Check a volume's file system; /f fixes errors, /r also finds bad sectors. |
| format | Format a volume with a file system. |
| diskpart | Manage disks, partitions and volumes from a prompt. |
| md | Make a folder. |
| rmdir | Remove a folder; /s removes everything inside it too. |
| robocopy | Copy folders reliably; /mir makes the target an exact mirror, deleting extras. |
| hostname | Print the computer's name. |
| net user | List, add or change local user accounts. |
| winver | Open the About Windows box with the version and build. |
| whoami | Show the signed-in user; /groups lists their groups. |
| gpupdate | Apply Group Policy now; /force reapplies every setting. |
| gpresult | Report which Group Policy settings applied; /r for a summary. |
| sfc | System File Checker: /scannow finds and repairs damaged system files. |
| Command | Does |
|---|---|
| ls | List a directory. |
| pwd | Print the directory you are in. |
| mv | Move or rename a file. |
| cp | Copy files; -r for a directory. |
| rm | Delete files; -r for a directory. |
| chmod | Set permissions; 755 is rwx for the owner, r-x for group and others. |
| chown | Change a file's owner and group. |
| grep | Print the lines that match a pattern. |
| find | Search a directory tree by name, size, age and more. |
| fsck | Check and repair a file system, unmounted. |
| mount | Attach a file system to a directory. |
| su | Switch to another user, root by default. |
| sudo | Run one command as root, if the sudoers policy allows it. |
| apt | Install and update packages on Debian and Ubuntu. |
| dnf | Install and update packages on Fedora and Red Hat. |
| ip | Show and set addresses and routes (ip addr, ip route). |
| ping | Check that a host answers. |
| curl | Fetch a URL from the command line. |
| dig | Query DNS records. |
| traceroute | Show the route to a host. |
| man | Open a command's manual page. |
| cat | Print a file. |
| top | Live list of processes by CPU and memory. |
| ps | Snapshot of running processes. |
| du | How much space files and directories use. |
| df | Free and used space on each mounted file system. |
| nano | A simple text editor in the terminal. |
SATASecurity 28%
Malware removal steps and malware types
Objective 2.6 gives the removal steps in order, and questions ask what comes next. Learn the order, then the kinds of malware it is used on.
- 1Investigate and verify malware symptoms
- 2Quarantine the infected system
- 3Disable System Restore (Windows Home)
- 4Remediate infected systems
- 5Update anti-malware software
- 6Scan and remove (safe mode, preinstallation environment)
- 7Reimage or reinstall
- 8Schedule scans and run updates
- 9Enable System Restore and create a restore point (Windows Home)
- 10Educate the end user
The two System Restore steps exist because restore points can hold the malware and bring it back; you turn restore off before cleaning and back on, with a fresh point, after.
Malware types
- Trojan
- Looks useful, carries a hidden harmful function.
- Rootkit
- Hides itself and keeps privileged access, often below the OS.
- Ransomware
- Encrypts files and demands payment for the key.
- Spyware
- Collects what you do and sends it out without consent.
- Keylogger
- Records keystrokes, such as passwords.
- Boot sector virus
- Infects the boot record, so it loads before Windows.
- Cryptominer
- Uses your CPU or GPU to mine coins: slow, hot, loud.
- Fileless
- Runs in memory and through built-in tools, with no file on disk to scan.
Steps and types: 220-1202 objectives 2.4 and 2.6. Definitions: NIST glossary; ransomware response: CISA StopRansomware.
HDMISoftware troubleshooting 23%
Windows, mobile and security symptoms, and the first check
Each question gives a symptom and asks for the likely cause or the next step. Objective 3.1 lists the Windows symptoms; 3.3 and 3.4 list the signs of a security problem.
- Blue screen after a driver update
- Roll back or remove the new driver; Microsoft says third-party drivers cause most stop errors. (Microsoft)
- No OS found
- Check the boot order and remove USB media, then repair startup from Windows RE.
- Low memory warnings, slow PC
- Task Manager, Processes: find what uses the memory and close or remove it.
- Services not starting
- Services console: startup type and dependencies; then Event Viewer for the error.
- Time drift, sign-in fails on a domain
- Resync the clock (w32tm /resync); Kerberos needs closely matched clocks.
- Applications crashing
- Event Viewer, Application log; then repair, update or reinstall the app.
A phone may be compromised when you see
- Apps from unofficial stores
- Developer mode or root/jailbreak
- High network traffic, data-usage alerts
- Fake security warnings
- High number of ads
- Leaked personal files
A PC may be compromised when you see
- Cannot reach the network
- Desktop alerts and false antivirus alerts
- Missing or renamed files
- Random pop-ups
- Certificate warnings
- Browser redirection
Symptom lists: 220-1202 objectives 3.1, 3.3 and 3.4.
DisplayPortOperational procedures 21%
Change management, backups and safety
The smallest domain, and the most procedural: questions ask which step is missing, which backup restores fastest, or what to do before you open a case.
A change, from request to sign-off
- RequestPurpose, scope, affected systems, date and time
- Risk analysisRisk level, change type (standard, normal, emergency)
- PlansRollback plan, backup plan, sandbox testing
- ApprovalChange board approves
- ImplementationInside the maintenance window, peer reviewed
- AcceptanceEnd users confirm it works
Backup types
- Full
- Copies everything. Slowest to run, simplest to restore.
- Incremental
- Only what changed since the last backup of any kind. Fastest to run; a restore needs the full plus every incremental.
- Differential
- Everything changed since the last full. A restore needs the full plus the latest differential.
- Synthetic full
- A new full built from the last full and later incrementals, without reading the source again.
The 3-2-1 rule: three copies, on two kinds of media, one of them off site (CISA). Grandfather-father-son rotates daily, weekly and monthly sets.
Safety before you open a case
- ESD strap and mat
- Equipment grounding
- Disconnect power before repairing a PC
- Lift with your legs
- Fire safety
- Safety goggles
- Comply with government regulations
Change, backup and safety lists: 220-1202 objectives 4.2 to 4.4.
IEC powerMock exam
CompTIA A+ Core 2 mock exam, timed
Questions mixed by CompTIA's domain weights, a 90-minute clock, a score in each domain.
- One question at a time, on a clock
- Flag questions and come back
- A score for every domain at the end
The free mock is 40 questions. It is multiple-choice practice, not a copy of the real exam.
Take the free 40-question mockRJ45Core 1 and Core 2
How is A+ Core 2 different from Core 1?
A+ is two exams. Core 2 is operating systems, security and procedures; Core 1 is hardware and networks.
220-1201
Core 1
- Hardware and network troubleshooting28%
- Hardware25%
- Networking23%
- Mobile devices13%
- Virtualization and cloud computing11%
675 / 900 to pass
Both have up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and must come from the same series (V15, launched March 25, 2025, retiring about 2028). Sources: Core 2 · Core 1.
CompTIA A+ Core 2 study tools
Every free question with its answer and source, the Core 1 side of A+, and longer guides.
How every question is checked
Written by the QuizCram editorial team, technical review by Md Mojno Miya, software developer. Spot an error? [email protected] · Editorial policy · Not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
- ObjectiveWritten from CompTIA’s Core 2 objectives, never copied from a real exam
- SourceEach fact checked against a named page: Microsoft, Apple, Linux, NIST, CISA or an RFC
- MachineNo duplicates, no missing explanations, no answer given away by its length
- DateUpdated November 12, 2026
Start the free CompTIA A+ Core 2 practice test
No account needed. You see the answer, why, and its source after every question.
CompTIA A+ Core 2 FAQ
Format, passing score, what Core 2 covers, Core 1 and retakes.
A maximum of 90, in 90 minutes, per CompTIA's Core 2 (220-1202) exam objectives. They mix multiple-choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop and performance-based questions.
700 on a scale of 100 to 900, per CompTIA's Core 2 exam objectives. Core 1 (220-1201) needs 675. The scaled score is not a simple percentage of questions right.
Four domains in the 220-1202 objectives: operating systems (28%), security (28%), software troubleshooting (23%) and operational procedures (21%). Core 1 covers hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization and hardware troubleshooting instead.
Yes. CompTIA lets you take the two A+ exams in either order. What it does require is that Core 2 (220-1202) and Core 1 (220-1201) come from the same series (V15). If you already support users on Windows, macOS or Linux, Core 2 often feels more familiar to start with.
No. A Core 1 pass still counts while you retake Core 2, as long as both exams are from the V15 series. For Core 2 itself, CompTIA's retake policy allows a second try at once; a third or later try needs 14 calendar days since your last one, and each try is paid.
Here, with no signup: 40 free CompTIA A+ Core 2 practice questions, each with the correct answer, why the other options are wrong and the source it comes from. You can answer them one by one, read them all with answers on the questions page, or sit a timed mock exam of 40 questions that scores you in each exam area.
Yes. Open the exam simulator and sit a timed mock exam of 40 questions built from the free questions, once, with no signup. At the end you see where you stand in each exam area, so you know what to study next.
It splits the questions across the exam's areas using the weights CompTIA publishes, then picks questions inside each area, favoring ones you missed before and never repeating one within a run. A retake is a new draw, so you will meet different questions. It is a practice mock exam, not an official replica of the real exam.