CompTIA A+ (Core 2)

Who can take it

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CompTIA A+ (Core 2) Eligibility

220-1202

Whether you can sit the CompTIA A+ (Core 2) certification exam: prerequisites, who the exam is for, and the skills it assesses.

3 prerequisites
foundation level
6 skills

Prerequisites and requirements

Published requirements for this certification.

  • No formal prerequisites are required
  • CompTIA recommends 9 to 12 months of hands-on IT support experience
  • Candidates should pass Core 1 (220-1101) to earn the CompTIA A+ certification

Who this exam is for

This certification is designed for entry-level IT professionals and career changers pursuing roles such as help desk technician, IT support specialist, desktop support analyst, field service technician, managed service provider technician, and junior systems administrator. It is also suited for students and military personnel who need an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates practical technology support skills without requiring a four-year degree.

Skills assessed

What the exam actually tests, beyond the domain names.

Operating system configuration and administration
Security threat identification and mitigation
Software troubleshooting and recovery
Command-line tools and Windows utilities
Mobile device security and management
Operational procedures, safety, and professional communication

The domains you will be assessed on

Eligibility is not only about paperwork. These are the areas you have to actually know.

DomainWeightTopic count
Security28%6
Operating Systems28%8
Operational Procedures21%5
Software Troubleshooting23%4

How demanding this exam is

Cognitive load
High. A+ Core 2 requires mastering Windows operating system administration, command-line utilities, security controls, mobile device management, malware removal procedures, and customer communication. Scenario-based questions demand recall accuracy and analytical prioritization.

Our focus for this certification: Certilum training should emphasize official CompTIA objectives, performance-based question practice, hands-on labs for Windows configuration, security hardening, malware removal, backup verification, and documentation. Learners should be coached on time management and scenario analysis.

More about the CompTIA A+ (Core 2) exam

Explore the rest of this page series: format, cost, difficulty, requirements and how to prepare.

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Guides and articles

More context about this certification, straight from our blog.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the CompTIA A+ (Core 2) exam.