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CompTIA 220-1202 Guide: A+ Core 2

CompTIA 220-1202 exam guide covering operating systems, security, software, and operational procedures.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 is the operating-system, endpoint-security, software-troubleshooting, and operational-procedure half of the current A+ V15 series. The exam rewards disciplined process choices more than flashy fixes: effective permissions over guesswork, recovery order over panic, and secure defaults over convenience shortcuts.

WinRE: Windows Recovery Environment, which provides repair and recovery tools when normal boot or repair paths fail.

UAC: User Account Control, the Windows security feature that prompts for elevation when administrative rights are needed.

Current orientation

CompTIA’s current official Core 2 page lists 220-1202 as the V15 Core 2 exam, launched on March 25, 2025, with up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and a passing score of 700. CompTIA also states that Core 1 and Core 2 must be taken from the same version series.

Current exam fact Current official value
exam code 220-1202
version series V15
duration 90 minutes
question count maximum of 90
passing score 700 on a 100-900 scale
exam style multiple-choice and performance-based questions

What makes Core 2 harder than it first looks is not command memorization. It is boundary judgment:

  • user issue versus device issue
  • permissions issue versus policy issue
  • malware symptom versus software fault
  • reversible repair versus destructive rebuild
  • technical fix versus operational procedure requirement

Coverage map for this guide

Lane What it is really testing
os can you navigate Windows-first repair, configuration, startup, and account behavior without guessing
security can you keep secure defaults, least privilege, and malware-remediation order straight
software can you separate app, profile, driver, startup, update, and recovery causes
procedures can you work like a disciplined support technician instead of a reckless fixer

How to use this guide

  1. Start with the study plan if you want a realistic prep sequence.
  2. Route into the four chapter pages: OS, Security, Software, and Procedures.
  3. Use the cheat sheet for commands, recovery tools, permissions, and security baselines.
  4. Keep the glossary open when Windows, security, and support terms begin to blur together.
  5. Use the faq for scenario-heavy distinctions such as malware workflow, effective permissions, WinRE, and reset choices.
  6. Use the resources page for the current official exam details and CompTIA platform references.

What strong answers usually do

  • choose the safest least-disruptive troubleshooting step before jumping to reinstall or reset
  • distinguish user-scope problems from admin-scope problems before changing permissions or security settings
  • treat documentation, backup, communication, and change discipline as part of the technical answer
  • prefer secure defaults and recovery paths that preserve user data when the scenario allows it
  • remember that Core 2 is as much about process discipline as it is about tools

Review flow

    flowchart LR
	  A["Study plan"] --> B["Operating systems and account boundaries"]
	  B --> C["Security and malware workflow"]
	  C --> D["Software troubleshooting and recovery order"]
	  D --> E["Operational procedures and final review"]
	  E --> F["Cheat sheet, FAQ, and resources"]

If two answers both sound right

For Core 2, the better answer is often:

  • the least disruptive supported fix
  • the answer that preserves data and security
  • the answer that separates share permission, NTFS, ownership, and elevation correctly
  • the answer that includes verification and documentation, not just the technical change

Best fit for this guide

If you are coming from… Bias your review toward…
help desk or desktop support permissions, recovery, malware workflow, and procedure discipline
junior sysadmin support-process judgment, least privilege, and user-impact-aware recovery choices
self-study learner one believable endpoint loop: secure, troubleshoot, recover, and document

In this section

Revised on Monday, June 15, 2026
220-1201
CV0-004