A+ Core 2 Practice Test (220-1202): OS, Security, and Procedures Drills
A CompTIA A+ Core 2 practice test has to match 220-1202. Here is how to drill operating systems, security, and procedures by weight to clear 700 out of 900.
A CompTIA A+ Core 2 practice test has to match the exam you are actually taking, which is 220-1202. Core 2 is a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, multiple-choice plus performance-based questions (PBQs), and the passing score is 700 out of 900, per CompTIA. That threshold is higher than Core 1's 675 on purpose, so a bank that treats both cores as interchangeable is quietly setting the wrong bar.
Core 2 is also where the material changes character. It moves off hardware and into operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and the human side of IT. A useful Core 2 practice test drills those domains in the proportion 220-1202 actually tests them. Here is how to use one.
Quick takeaways
- Core 2 is CompTIA 220-1202: max 90 questions, 90 minutes, multiple-choice plus PBQs, per CompTIA.
- The passing score is 700 on a 100-to-900 scale, higher than Core 1's 675. The two thresholds are genuinely different.
- Any practice test built for the retired 220-1102 is out of date. Confirm the bank you use says 220-1202.
- Operating Systems and Security are tied as the biggest domains at 28 percent each, so most of your Core 2 practice belongs there.
- Operational Procedures (21%) feels soft but is a real fifth of the exam and the domain people most often under-study.
- PrepClubs is independent prep material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
What a Core 2 practice test has to match
A Core 2 score only means something if the practice test mirrors the real 220-1202 format. Check these before you trust it.
| Attribute | CompTIA 220-1202 (Core 2) |
|---|---|
| Questions | Maximum 90 |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Question types | Multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, PBQs |
| Passing score | 700 (on a 100-to-900 scale) |
| Compared to Core 1 | Higher pass threshold (700 vs 675) |
| Retired predecessor | 220-1102 (do not study from this) |
The higher 700 threshold is the detail to internalize. It means passing Core 1 tells you nothing about being ready for Core 2, and a practice score that would clear Core 1 might fall short here. Set your "ready to book" bar above 700-equivalent on realistic full-length practice, with margin to spare.
Core 2 (220-1202): drill by domain weight
CompTIA publishes the 220-1202 domain weights. Core 2 is more evenly spread than Core 1, so the time-budget logic still applies, but no single domain dominates the way troubleshooting does on Core 1.
| Core 2 (220-1202) domain | Approx. weight |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | 28% |
| Security | 28% |
| Software Troubleshooting | 23% |
| Operational Procedures | 21% |
Operating Systems and Security are tied at the top at 28 percent each, so together they are more than half of Core 2. The Security domain here is the beginner-friendly foundation that Security+ later builds on, so expect questions on malware, authentication, and basic hardening. Operating Systems leans heavily on Windows features, command-line tools, and configuration.
Software Troubleshooting (23%) is where PBQs cluster on Core 2, the same way hardware troubleshooting does on Core 1. And Operational Procedures (21%), covering documentation, safety, and communication, is the domain test-takers most often skip because it is not technical. That is a mistake: it is more than a fifth of the exam, and the questions are usually answerable if you have actually reviewed the material.
The Core 2 drill loop
Treat Core 2 as a fresh prep cycle, not a victory lap after Core 1. Run this loop against 220-1202 material specifically.
- Take one full-length timed Core 2 test. Ninety questions, real clock, PBQs included. Get your honest 220-1202 baseline.
- Tag misses by domain. Expect clusters in operating systems, security, or operational procedures. Sort your errors so the weak, high-weight domains are obvious.
- Drill your weak high-percentage domains first. With OS and Security both at 28 percent, gains there move your total score the most.
- Do not skip Operational Procedures. It is 21 percent and highly recoverable. A focused review session here is one of the fastest score gains available on Core 2.
- Practice PBQs separately, then re-test. Confirm your Core 2 score is comfortably above 700 on realistic material before you book.
Why Core 2 trips people up after Core 1
The common story is passing Core 1 on hardware confidence, then walking into Core 2 under-prepared because the material is different. Core 1 is concrete and hands-on. Core 2 is more conceptual: security principles, OS behavior, and procedures you have to actually know rather than reason out. Add the higher 700 threshold, and Core 2 punishes anyone who treats it as the easy second half. A separate, honest Core 2 practice test is the fix, because it forces you to diagnose Core 2 on its own terms.
FAQ
What is the passing score for A+ Core 2?
700 on a 100-to-900 scale, per CompTIA. It is higher than Core 1's 675 threshold, and it is a scaled score, so aim for a clear margin above 700 on full-length practice rather than a borderline pass.
How many questions are on the A+ Core 2 exam?
A maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, including multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions, per CompTIA. A realistic Core 2 practice test should be a full timed 90-question set.
Is Core 2 220-1202 or 220-1102?
The current Core 2 exam is 220-1202. The 220-1102 is the retired predecessor. Use only practice tests that match 220-1202, because the domains and weights changed between versions.
What does A+ Core 2 cover?
Operating Systems (28%), Security (28%), Software Troubleshooting (23%), and Operational Procedures (21%), per the 220-1202 objectives. It is the software, security, and procedures half of the A+.
Is Core 2 harder than Core 1?
Many people find Core 2 harder to pass, both because the pass threshold is higher (700 vs 675) and because the material is more conceptual than Core 1's hands-on hardware focus. Treat it as a full, fresh prep cycle.
Which A+ core should I take first?
CompTIA does not require an order, but many take Core 1 first because its hardware foundation supports Core 2's software and security material. Either order is allowed, and you pay for and pass two separate vouchers regardless.
Related on PrepClubs
- CompTIA A+ practice test: how to drill both Core 1 and Core 2 to a pass.
- CompTIA A+ exam objectives: the full 220-1201 and 220-1202 domain breakdown.
- Security+ practice test: the security cert that builds on Core 2's foundation.
- The CompTIA Trifecta: how A+, Network+, and Security+ stack into a career path.
Drill Core 2 to a clean pass
Core 2 is won by respecting its higher bar: heavy practice in Operating Systems and Security, a real review of Operational Procedures, the PBQs drilled on their own, and a full-length 220-1202 diagnostic setting your baseline. PrepClubs' A+ track is built for exactly that, with full-length Core 2 (220-1202) practice tests, PBQ-style tasks, and written rationales that explain the reasoning behind each answer, plus a free diagnostic to place you before you pay. It is a one-time purchase with 30 days of access, not a subscription. If you prepare with PrepClubs and do not pass your real test, we extend your access at no extra cost. No fine print. PrepClubs has helped more than 1,600 students prepare for cognitive and certification assessments. Start with the free A+ diagnostic.
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