CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) Practice Exam
Cover all four Core 2 objective areas — operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures — with objective-mapped practice questions, instant feedback in Learn mode, and a full timed simulation in Exam mode. Start with a 24-hour free trial.
Start 24-hour free trial →CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) exam at a glance
- Vendor
- CompTIA
- Exam code
- 220-1202 (Core 2)
- Certification
- CompTIA A+ (requires Core 1 + Core 2)
- Level
- Foundational / early-career IT support
- Blueprint
- Exam version V15, launched March 25, 2025 (current edition)
- Format
- Maximum of 90 questions; multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- Passing score
- 700 on a scale of 900 (Core 1 passes at 675)
- Delivery
- Pearson VUE test center or online proctored
- Recommended experience
- About 12 months of hands-on IT support experience (recommended, not required)
- Languages
- English, German, Japanese
- Version pairing
- Core 1 and Core 2 must be taken from the same version (no mixing)
Source: CompTIA — A+ Core 2 (V15) certification (exam details & objectives). Verify current details with CompTIA before scheduling.
About the CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) certification
CompTIA A+ is the industry-standard credential for early-career IT support, and Core 2 (exam 220-1202) is the second of the two exams you must pass to earn it. Where Core 1 covers the physical and network side — hardware, mobile devices, troubleshooting — Core 2 turns to the software side of the same job: installing and managing operating systems, applying security controls, resolving software faults, and following the operational procedures that keep a support desk running safely and accountably.
The current exam is version V15 (series code 220-1202), launched in March 2025, and it must be paired with a Core 1 exam from the same version. It delivers up to 90 questions across four objective areas, and the weighting is striking: Operating systems and Security are tied as the heaviest at 28% each, so more than half the exam lives in those two areas. Note too that Core 2 passes at 700 of 900, a higher bar than Core 1’s 675. Every PowerKram practice question maps to one of the four areas, so a weak score points you at the exact objective to revisit. For context on the certification-versus-degree decision many A+ candidates weigh first, see our guide to choosing certifications over a college degree.
A+ Core 2 (220-1202) exam objectives and weights
CompTIA splits the V15 Core 2 exam across four objective areas. The weights below are CompTIA’s own and sum to 100% — Operating systems and Security are tied as the heaviest. Plan your study time roughly in proportion to them.
Installing and working with Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile operating systems; Windows management tools such as Task Manager, Command Prompt, and Disk Management; file systems, updates, and OS upgrades.
Encryption, access controls, and wireless security protocols; detecting, removing, and preventing malware; protecting systems and data against threats.
Diagnosing and resolving operating-system and application problems; mobile connectivity, app, and performance issues; remediating unauthorized access and malware infections.
Documentation and change-management best practices; safety protocols and effective communication; configuring workstation backup and recovery processes.
Who the A+ Core 2 exam is for
A+ is built for people stepping into their first hands-on IT role: help-desk and support technicians, field-service technicians, and career-changers who want a credential employers recognize immediately. Core 2 in particular suits anyone who will spend their day in operating systems and security — resetting accounts, removing malware, configuring backups, and documenting changes. CompTIA recommends roughly 12 months of hands-on support experience, but that is a guideline rather than a hard requirement, and A+ also lays the groundwork for the more specialized Network+ and Security+ exams.
If you are mapping out where a support credential like this can take you early in an IT career, the IT Administrator role guide in our career hub lays out the day-to-day work, the salary range, and the certifications that build on A+.
What this A+ Core 2 practice exam delivers
Score by objective area
Every question is tagged to one of the four V15 areas, so your report shows whether Operating systems or Security — the two heaviest, tied at 28% — is dragging your score, not just an overall percentage.
Learn mode
Immediate feedback after each question with a full explanation of why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong — built for the scenario-style reasoning Core 2 tests.
Exam mode
A timed, 90-question-style simulation that mirrors the 90-minute format and its mix of multiple-choice and scenario questions, so test day feels familiar.
No setup, no download
Runs in the browser with nothing to install. Your 24-hour trial unlocks the full bank and both modes — no credit card required.
Sample A+ Core 2 practice questions
Ten free questions spanning the four objective areas, each with a full explanation. The complete bank is available with the 24-hour trial.
A user is locked out after entering the wrong Windows password several times. What should the technician do first?
- Reset the user’s password with administrative tools
- Reinstall the operating system
- Replace the hard drive
- Delete the user account
Show answer & explanation
Correct: A — reset the password with administrative tools. A password reset restores access immediately while preserving the user’s data, applications, and profile — the least disruptive fix that solves the actual problem.
Why not the others: reinstalling the OS (B) wipes the system to solve a simple lockout; replacing the hard drive (C) addresses a hardware fault that is not present; deleting the account (D) destroys the user’s profile and data outright.
Source: CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives — Operating systems →A user reports pop-up ads and sluggish performance after installing a free application. What is the most likely cause?
- A malware infection
- An outdated video driver
- A full Recycle Bin
- A disabled firewall
Show answer & explanation
Correct: A — a malware infection. Pop-ups and a sudden slowdown right after installing an untrusted free app are classic symptoms of bundled adware or other malware that now runs in the background.
Why not the others: an outdated video driver (B) causes display glitches, not ad pop-ups; a full Recycle Bin (C) consumes disk space but does not generate ads; a disabled firewall (D) raises exposure but is not itself the source of pop-ups and slowdown.
Source: CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives — Security (malware) → Further reading: PowerKram — security practices guide →A computer freezes repeatedly right after a recent Windows update was installed. What is the best troubleshooting step?
- Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the update
- Replace the motherboard
- Disconnect the monitor
- Reformat the hard drive
Show answer & explanation
Correct: A — boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the update. Safe Mode loads a minimal driver set, which usually sidesteps the freeze long enough to roll back the offending update — the targeted fix that preserves data.
Why not the others: replacing the motherboard (B) swaps hardware for a software-caused fault; disconnecting the monitor (C) does nothing for a system freeze; reformatting (D) destroys all data to solve a removable update.
Source: CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives — Software troubleshooting →A user wants to ensure their files are protected against accidental loss on a Windows PC. What is the most effective solution?
- Schedule regular backups to an external drive or the cloud
- Increase the system RAM
- Change the display resolution
- Disable the USB ports
Show answer & explanation
Correct: A — schedule regular backups. A recurring backup to external or cloud storage is the only option that actually protects against data loss, because it keeps a recoverable copy off the primary disk.
Why not the others: more RAM (B) improves performance, not data safety; changing resolution (C) is cosmetic; disabling USB ports (D) is a security control that does nothing to prevent accidental file loss.
Source: CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives — Operational procedures (backup) → Further reading: PowerKram — platform administration guide →A parent wants to restrict which apps and websites their children can use on a Windows laptop. Which tool is most appropriate?
- Parental controls / Family Safety
- Disk Cleanup
- Device Manager
- Task Scheduler
Show answer & explanation
Correct: A — parental controls. Windows Family Safety / parental controls are purpose-built to limit app usage, filter websites, and set screen-time rules — exactly the requirement described.
Why not the others: Disk Cleanup (B) frees disk space; Device Manager (C) manages hardware drivers; Task Scheduler (D) automates tasks. None of the three filters content or restricts apps.
Source: CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives — Windows tools →A user cannot reach a secure company website from one desktop, while other devices reach it fine. What should the technician check first?
- The browser’s security and date/time settings
- The ISP for an outage
- The wireless router’s power
- The monitor’s refresh rate
Show answer & explanation
Correct: A — the browser’s security and date/time settings. When only one device is affected, the shared network is fine and the fault is local. A wrong system clock or strict browser security setting commonly breaks the certificate check on an HTTPS site, blocking just that machine.
Why not the others: an ISP outage (B), a powered-off router (C), or a building network issue would affect every device, not one; a monitor refresh rate (D) has nothing to do with reaching a website.
Source: CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives — Software troubleshooting →A technician wants to run a maintenance script automatically every day on several Windows computers. Which built-in tool fits?
- Task Scheduler
- Device Manager
- Resource Monitor
- Disk Management
Show answer & explanation
Correct: A — Task Scheduler. Task Scheduler is the Windows tool for running programs or scripts automatically on a defined trigger or schedule, which is exactly what a daily maintenance job needs.
Why not the others: Device Manager (B) manages hardware and drivers; Resource Monitor (C) only observes live resource usage; Disk Management (D) handles partitions and volumes. None of them schedules tasks.
Source: CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives — Windows tools →A Windows PC will not boot and displays “BOOTMGR is missing.” Which action is most likely to resolve it?
- Run Startup Repair from Windows installation media
- Replace the graphics card
- Clear the browser cache
- Enable Bluetooth
Show answer & explanation
Correct: A — run Startup Repair from installation media. “BOOTMGR is missing” is a boot-configuration failure. Booting from Windows installation media and running Startup Repair (or rebuilding the BCD) restores the boot manager without touching user data.
Why not the others: a graphics card (B) is unrelated to the boot loader; clearing the browser cache (C) requires a working OS you do not yet have; enabling Bluetooth (D) has nothing to do with booting.
Source: CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives — Software troubleshooting (boot) → Further reading: PowerKram — platform administration guide →A user is worried about storing sensitive files on a shared office computer. What is the best way to protect those files?
- Encrypt the files with built-in OS encryption
- Install extra cooling fans
- Move the files to the desktop
- Uninstall unused programs
Show answer & explanation
Correct: A — encrypt the files. Built-in encryption (such as BitLocker or EFS on Windows) makes the files unreadable to other users of the shared machine without the key, directly protecting confidentiality.
Why not the others: extra fans (B) address cooling; moving files to the desktop (C) makes them more visible, not safer; uninstalling programs (D) frees space but does nothing to secure the files.
Source: CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives — Security (encryption) → Further reading: PowerKram — security practices guide →A user wants to reduce the risk of accidentally installing unwanted software while browsing the web. What should be enabled?
- A pop-up blocker and reputable browser security extensions
- Higher screen brightness
- Multiple desktop backgrounds
- CPU overclocking
Show answer & explanation
Correct: A — a pop-up blocker and browser security extensions. These block deceptive download prompts and malicious pop-ups, which are the usual vectors for drive-by or accidental installs.
Why not the others: screen brightness (B), desktop backgrounds (C), and overclocking (D) are all unrelated to web-based installation risk.
Source: CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives — Security (browser hardening) →Keep going: study guides and career paths
Core 2 is the second half of A+, and A+ is one step on a longer path — it pays off fastest when you pair it with the next skill and a clear sense of where it leads. Two PowerKram hubs back this exam up.
Deep dive: A+ Core 2 exam structure, scoring, study path & what comes next
Exam structure and how it’s scored
The V15 Core 2 exam (220-1202) delivers a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, mixing multiple-choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions that drop you into a simulated task. Scoring is scaled from 100 to 900, and the passing mark is 700 — a notch higher than Core 1’s 675, so do not assume the two halves clear at the same threshold. Performance-based items are time-consuming and often appear first; a common tactic is to flag and skip them, clear the multiple-choice questions, then return. See our foundational cert study guides →
Where the weight actually sits
Core 2 has only four areas, and two of them dominate: Operating systems (28%) and Security (28%) are tied as the heaviest and together make up 56% of the exam. Software troubleshooting (23%) and Operational procedures (21%) split the rest. The practical takeaway is that OS administration and security are not optional polish here — they are the bulk of the test. PowerKram’s objective-level scoring surfaces which of the four is dragging your readiness in your first practice run. Read the security practices guide →
Realistic study path
Candidates with some hands-on exposure typically need four to eight weeks: work through the four objective areas, drill objective-tagged practice questions, and re-weight each week toward your weakest area. Because OS and security carry most of the marks, time spent actually doing the tasks — navigating Windows administrative tools, removing a malware sample in a lab, configuring BitLocker, setting up a scheduled backup — pays off more than rereading notes. A full timed simulation in the final days converts knowledge into exam pace. Read the platform administration guide →
Core 1, Core 2, cost, and delivery
A+ requires passing both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) from the same V15 version — you cannot pair a V15 Core 2 with an older Core 1. Each exam is delivered through Pearson VUE at a test center or online with a proctor; the online option needs a quiet, private room and a webcam system check. The exam is offered in English, German, and Japanese. Fees and retake policies vary by region and change over time, so confirm the current voucher price and retake rules on CompTIA’s site before you book. CompTIA’s official A+ Core 2 page →
What comes after A+
A+ is the launch credential for IT support, and Core 2’s heavy security weighting points naturally toward what follows: CompTIA Security+ for a security track, or Network+ for infrastructure depth. Both build directly on the fundamentals Core 2 establishes, which is why employers treat A+ as proof you are ready to start rather than as a finish line. For role-by-role context on where the security path leads, browse our Career Hub. Cybersecurity Specialist role guide →
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