Here is a fully detailed study plan for CompTIA A+ 220-1102, with specific tasks broken down step-by-step, designed to guide you from foundational learning to exam readiness. Tasks are structured to ensure maximum retention and practical application, using the Pomodoro Technique and Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve.

Goals

1. Short-term (Weeks 1-4): Build a solid foundation in exam objectives, understand core concepts, and perform basic operations.
2. Mid-term (Weeks 5-8): Strengthen understanding, integrate multiple topics, and develop troubleshooting skills.
3. Long-term (Weeks 9-12): Achieve exam readiness by simulating exam conditions, refining weak areas, and mastering practical skills.

Weekly Study Structure

• Study Days: 5 days per week.
• Daily Study Time: 4-6 Pomodoros (25-minute sessions with breaks).
• Focus Areas: One or two major topics per week, emphasizing both theoretical understanding and practical application.
• Review Intervals: Review material after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 1 month to reinforce memory.

Week 1: Understanding Operating Systems and Basics of Security

Objective:

• Familiarize yourself with the different types of operating systems, their features, and basic security concepts.

Day 1: Introduction to Operating Systems

• Pomodoro 1:
  • Read and take notes on the basics of operating systems.
  • Study the differences between desktop, mobile, server, and embedded operating systems.
• Pomodoro 2:
  • Watch a video tutorial on installing Windows (clean installation).
  • Summarize the steps involved in installation.
• Pomodoro 3:
  • Perform a hands-on task:
    • Set up a virtual machine and install Windows.
    • Practice partitioning and selecting file systems (e.g., NTFS).
• Pomodoro 4 (Review Session):
  • Review notes from the day and create flashcards for:
    • OS types (e.g., Windows, Linux, macOS).
    • File systems and their purposes.

Day 2: Linux Basics

• Pomodoro 1:
  • Learn about Linux as an operating system. Study the basics of distributions (Ubuntu, CentOS).
  • Understand why Linux is used for servers.
• Pomodoro 2:
  • Practice basic Linux commands in a virtual machine:
    • File management (ls, cd, cp, mv).
    • User management (adduser, passwd).
• Pomodoro 3:
  • Hands-on task:
    • Use the Linux Terminal to create and modify files.
    • Set file permissions using chmod and chown.
• Pomodoro 4:
  • Answer 5-10 practice questions about Linux file management.
  • Review mistakes and revisit misunderstood commands.

Day 3: macOS and Virtualization

• Pomodoro 1:
  • Study macOS features:
    • Activity Monitor, Finder, and Time Machine.
    • Differences between macOS and Windows.
  • Learn about virtualization concepts.
• Pomodoro 2:
  • Hands-on task:
    • Install VirtualBox or VMware.
    • Create a virtual machine running macOS or Linux.
• Pomodoro 3:
  • Experiment with virtual machine features:
    • Allocate resources like RAM and storage.
    • Use snapshots to save VM states.
• Pomodoro 4:
  • Create a comparison chart of Windows, Linux, and macOS.
  • Review virtualization advantages and summarize the day’s learnings.

Day 4: Basic Security Concepts

• Pomodoro 1:
  • Study firewalls:
    • Understand the differences between hardware and software firewalls.
    • Learn how to configure inbound and outbound rules.
  • Watch a tutorial on configuring Windows Defender Firewall.
• Pomodoro 2:
  • Hands-on task:
    • Configure basic firewall rules on your system.
    • Allow or block specific applications.
• Pomodoro 3:
  • Study wireless security:
    • Learn about encryption protocols (WPA2, WPA3).
    • Study MAC address filtering and SSID hiding.
• Pomodoro 4:
  • Practice configuring a wireless network (if possible).
  • Create flashcards for key security terms.

Day 5: Weekly Review

• Pomodoro 1:
  • Review all notes and flashcards from the week.
  • Revisit weak areas (e.g., misunderstood Linux commands or firewall rules).
• Pomodoro 2-3:
  • Answer 10-15 mixed practice questions on:
    • Operating Systems.
    • Basic Security.
  • Analyze your mistakes and refine your understanding.
• Pomodoro 4:
  • Create a one-page summary of the week’s topics.
  • Reflect on your progress and identify areas to improve next week.

Week 2: Deep Dive into Security and Troubleshooting Basics

Objective:

• Strengthen your understanding of security concepts and begin learning troubleshooting methodologies.

Day 1: Encryption and VPNs

• Pomodoro 1:
  • Study encryption techniques:
    • Learn about BitLocker and Veracrypt for disk encryption.
    • Study TLS and SSL for data transmission.
  • Watch tutorials on setting up encryption.
• Pomodoro 2:
  • Hands-on task:
    • Encrypt a USB drive using BitLocker or Veracrypt.
    • Test file decryption.
• Pomodoro 3:
  • Learn about VPNs:
    • Study PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, and OpenVPN.
    • Understand their use cases.
• Pomodoro 4:
  • Configure a simple VPN on your system or simulate it using tutorials.
  • Summarize the advantages and limitations of VPN protocols.

Day 2: Malware and Threats

• Pomodoro 1:
  • Study malware types:
    • Viruses, worms, ransomware, spyware.
    • Learn how each type spreads and how to prevent them.
  • Watch a video on malware detection.
• Pomodoro 2:
  • Hands-on task:
    • Use antivirus software to scan a test system for malware.
    • Practice quarantining and removing threats.
• Pomodoro 3:
  • Learn about social engineering attacks:
    • Study phishing and impersonation techniques.
  • Understand how to recognize and avoid these attacks.
• Pomodoro 4:
  • Review case studies of real-world malware attacks.
  • Create flashcards for malware and social engineering terms.

Day 3: Troubleshooting Basics

• Pomodoro 1:
  • Study system startup troubleshooting:
    • Learn how to access BIOS/UEFI.
    • Understand bootloaders (MBR, GPT).
  • Watch a video on resolving boot issues.
• Pomodoro 2:
  • Hands-on task:
    • Simulate a startup issue (e.g., wrong boot order).
    • Resolve the issue by changing BIOS/UEFI settings.
• Pomodoro 3:
  • Study blue screen errors (BSOD):
    • Understand error codes like "Memory Management" and "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL."
    • Learn to use Event Viewer for analysis.
• Pomodoro 4:
  • Practice diagnosing a BSOD error using a virtual machine or logs.
  • Summarize troubleshooting steps in your notes.

Day 4: Network Troubleshooting Basics

• Pomodoro 1:
  • Learn about network troubleshooting:
    • Study DNS resolution and IP configuration.
    • Understand tools like ping, tracert, and ipconfig.
  • Watch a video demonstration.
• Pomodoro 2:
  • Hands-on task:
    • Use ping and tracert to test connectivity.
    • Practice diagnosing a DNS issue using nslookup.
• Pomodoro 3:
  • Study shared resource troubleshooting:
    • Understand file sharing permissions.
    • Learn to resolve common access issues.
• Pomodoro 4:
  • Practice configuring a shared folder with proper permissions.
  • Write down step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting access issues.

Day 5: Weekly Review

• Pomodoro 1:
  • Review all notes and flashcards from the week.
  • Revisit challenging tasks (e.g., VPN setup or BSOD diagnosis).
• Pomodoro 2-3:
  • Answer 15-20 mixed practice questions covering:
    • Security.
    • Basic Troubleshooting.
  • Review mistakes and clarify weak points.
• Pomodoro 4:
  • Update your one-page summary to include new topics.
  • Reflect on your progress and prepare for Week 3.

Week 3: Advanced Troubleshooting and Security Practices

Objective:

Deepen your understanding of troubleshooting methodologies and advanced security measures. Begin integrating concepts from multiple topics.

Day 1: Advanced Operating System Troubleshooting

• Pomodoro 1: Reviewing Boot Issues
  • Revisit BIOS/UEFI configuration and bootloader concepts.
  • Study how to repair MBR and GPT using Windows Recovery tools.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Simulate a boot issue:
    • Change the boot order to prevent OS loading.
    • Use Windows Recovery Environment (RE) to repair the bootloader (bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /fixboot).
• Pomodoro 3: Logs and Error Analysis
  • Study Windows Event Viewer in-depth:
    • Learn how to filter logs to focus on critical errors.
  • Analyze system logs for recurring errors (e.g., failed services).
• Pomodoro 4: Practice
  • Answer questions about startup troubleshooting and log analysis.
  • Summarize key insights into a flowchart for boot troubleshooting.

Day 2: Malware Response and Removal

• Pomodoro 1: Understanding Malware Behavior
  • Study how different types of malware (viruses, ransomware, adware) behave in a system.
  • Learn the typical infection methods (e.g., phishing emails, unpatched software).
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Use a test system or virtual machine to:
    • Simulate a malware infection.
    • Detect and remove malware using antivirus software.
  • Practice running system scans and checking quarantine logs.
• Pomodoro 3: Enhancing Security
  • Learn about updating antivirus definitions and enabling real-time protection.
  • Study endpoint protection strategies for businesses.
• Pomodoro 4: Documentation
  • Document malware response steps:
    • Detection → Quarantine → Removal → Prevention.
  • Create flashcards for common malware terms and response techniques.

Day 3: Advanced Network Troubleshooting

• Pomodoro 1: Connectivity Diagnostics
  • Study network troubleshooting tools in-depth:
    • Learn advanced uses of ping, tracert, and ipconfig.
  • Understand how netstat can diagnose port issues.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Diagnose a DNS problem using nslookup:
    • Test connectivity to a known domain (e.g., google.com).
    • Use tracert to identify where the connection fails.
• Pomodoro 3: Shared Resources
  • Study advanced permissions for shared folders and printers.
  • Learn how to resolve network path issues (\\server\share).
• Pomodoro 4: Practice
  • Set up a shared folder in Windows and simulate an access issue.
  • Resolve the issue by modifying permissions and network paths.

Day 4: Security Practices and Threat Mitigation

• Pomodoro 1: Advanced Firewall Configuration
  • Study how to configure advanced inbound and outbound rules.
  • Learn to create rules for specific IP ranges and applications.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Configure advanced firewall rules:
    • Block specific IP addresses.
    • Allow only certain ports for an application.
• Pomodoro 3: Social Engineering Prevention
  • Study how phishing attacks are executed and detected.
  • Learn about impersonation techniques and mitigation strategies.
• Pomodoro 4: Practical Exercise
  • Create a mock phishing email scenario and document how to identify it.
  • Write a brief guide on social engineering prevention for end users.

Day 5: Weekly Review and Integration

• Pomodoro 1: Consolidated Review
  • Review all notes and flashcards from the week.
  • Focus on troubleshooting steps and malware response.
• Pomodoro 2-3: Practice Exam
  • Complete 15-20 mixed questions focusing on troubleshooting and security.
  • Analyze results and revisit weak points.
• Pomodoro 4: Reflection
  • Update your troubleshooting flowcharts and study materials.
  • Plan tasks for Week 4 based on weak areas.

Week 4: Integration of Operational Procedures and Hands-On Mastery

Objective:

Master operational procedures, integrate learning from multiple topics, and focus on practical problem-solving skills.

Day 1: Backup and Recovery

• Pomodoro 1: Backup Strategies
  • Study different backup types (full, differential, incremental).
  • Understand disaster recovery planning.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Set up a backup schedule in Windows Backup or a third-party tool.
  • Simulate a system failure and restore data from a backup.
• Pomodoro 3: Validating Recovery
  • Test the restored system for integrity and document the process.
• Pomodoro 4: Knowledge Check
  • Answer scenario-based questions on backup and recovery strategies.

Day 2: Change Management and Compliance

• Pomodoro 1: Understanding IT Compliance
  • Study legal regulations like GDPR (data privacy) and HIPAA (healthcare security).
  • Understand their implications for IT professionals.
• Pomodoro 2: Change Management
  • Learn how to document and implement system changes effectively.
  • Study the steps: Plan → Test → Document → Execute.
• Pomodoro 3: Practical Exercise
  • Create a mock change request for upgrading a system.
  • Include impact analysis, rollback plan, and documentation.
• Pomodoro 4: Review
  • Summarize compliance and change management practices.

Day 3: Operational Safety

• Pomodoro 1: Electrical Safety
  • Study the importance of anti-static tools.
  • Learn to identify and mitigate common workplace safety hazards.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Practice using an anti-static wrist strap.
  • Set up a safe workspace for handling sensitive equipment.
• Pomodoro 3: Documentation
  • Write a checklist for workplace safety procedures.
• Pomodoro 4: Practice
  • Answer questions on operational safety and physical best practices.

Day 4: Mock Exam Practice

• Pomodoro 1: Review Core Topics
  • Focus on security and troubleshooting.
  • Revisit malware types and troubleshooting flowcharts.
• Pomodoro 2-3: Full-Length Mock Exam
  • Take a full practice exam under timed conditions.
  • Review incorrect answers and document weak points.
• Pomodoro 4: Reflection
  • Create a list of topics to revisit during Week 5.

Day 5: Weekly Review

• Pomodoro 1: Consolidated Review
  • Review the week’s notes, flashcards, and flowcharts.
• Pomodoro 2-3: Mixed Practice Questions
  • Answer 20-30 mixed questions across all topics covered so far.
• Pomodoro 4: Plan for Week 5
  • Reflect on progress and plan tasks for the next stage of learning.

Week 5: Advanced Troubleshooting and Comprehensive Security

Objective:

Build proficiency in advanced troubleshooting techniques and enhance understanding of complex security practices. Begin integrating theoretical knowledge with real-world problem-solving scenarios.

Day 1: System Troubleshooting Integration

• Pomodoro 1: Reviewing System Startup
  • Revisit BIOS/UEFI settings and boot troubleshooting.
  • Study advanced bootloader repair techniques for MBR and GPT.
  • Learn to analyze startup issues using diagnostic tools (e.g., Windows Safe Mode).
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Simulate a startup failure (e.g., corrupted bootloader).
  • Use Windows Recovery Environment to repair the system:
    • Commands: bootrec /scanos, bootrec /rebuildbcd.
• Pomodoro 3: Logs and System Analysis
  • Use Event Viewer to identify system boot errors.
  • Document findings and summarize key error codes.
• Pomodoro 4: Practice Questions
  • Complete 5-10 practice questions about startup troubleshooting.
  • Review mistakes and adjust study notes.

Day 2: Network Troubleshooting Advanced

• Pomodoro 1: Advanced Connectivity Diagnostics
  • Study advanced tools for network troubleshooting:
    • netstat: Check active connections and ports.
    • ipconfig combined with flushdns for DNS troubleshooting.
  • Learn about IP address conflicts and their resolution.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Simulate DNS resolution failure:
    • Use nslookup to verify domain-to-IP mapping.
    • Use tracert to identify bottlenecks in network routing.
• Pomodoro 3: Shared Resources Troubleshooting
  • Configure a shared folder in Windows with complex permission levels.
  • Simulate and resolve access denial issues by adjusting NTFS permissions.
• Pomodoro 4: Knowledge Check
  • Write a checklist for diagnosing shared resource access issues.
  • Create flashcards for troubleshooting commands and their uses.

Day 3: Malware Response Strategy

• Pomodoro 1: Advanced Malware Analysis
  • Study ransomware behavior and how it encrypts files.
  • Learn to identify phishing links in emails and websites.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Simulate a ransomware attack in a controlled environment:
    • Encrypt test files and practice restoring them from a backup.
  • Use antivirus software to detect and quarantine the malware.
• Pomodoro 3: Threat Mitigation
  • Study endpoint protection tools and their configuration.
  • Create a policy for preventing malware infections.
• Pomodoro 4: Documentation
  • Write a step-by-step malware response guide:
    • Detection → Containment → Eradication → Recovery → Lessons Learned.

Day 4: Advanced Security Practices

• Pomodoro 1: Data Encryption
  • Study full-disk encryption techniques using BitLocker.
  • Learn the differences between symmetric and asymmetric encryption.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Encrypt a disk or partition using BitLocker or Veracrypt.
  • Test file encryption and decryption processes.
• Pomodoro 3: VPN and Firewall Integration
  • Configure a VPN using OpenVPN or L2TP/IPsec.
  • Set advanced firewall rules to allow or block VPN traffic.
• Pomodoro 4: Scenario Practice
  • Create a network security policy document.
  • Answer questions about VPNs, encryption, and firewalls.

Day 5: Weekly Review

• Pomodoro 1: Consolidated Review
  • Summarize troubleshooting and security tasks from the week.
  • Review flashcards for commands, tools, and protocols.
• Pomodoro 2-3: Practice Exam
  • Complete a full-length mixed-topic exam under timed conditions.
  • Analyze incorrect answers and create an improvement plan.
• Pomodoro 4: Reflection
  • Write down 3 key takeaways from the week.
  • Plan adjustments for the next week based on progress.

Week 6: Operational Procedures and Practical Troubleshooting

Objective:

Focus on operational procedures such as documentation, compliance, and safety. Develop advanced troubleshooting skills for practical scenarios.

Day 1: Documentation and Knowledge Management

• Pomodoro 1: IT System Records
  • Learn the elements of a complete IT documentation system:
    • Hardware inventory, software versions, network topology.
  • Study tools like Excel or documentation platforms (e.g., Confluence).
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Create a sample documentation:
    • Record hardware specs of your system.
    • Draw a simple network topology for a small office.
• Pomodoro 3: Problem-Resolution Logs
  • Study the structure of a troubleshooting log:
    • Problem description → Steps taken → Outcome.
  • Practice writing logs for past troubleshooting tasks.
• Pomodoro 4: Practice
  • Answer documentation-related questions.
  • Summarize the role of IT documentation in troubleshooting.

Day 2: Compliance and Change Management

• Pomodoro 1: Legal Compliance
  • Study key regulations:
    • GDPR: Understand data protection principles.
    • HIPAA: Learn how healthcare data must be handled.
  • Review real-world examples of compliance failures.
• Pomodoro 2: Change Management
  • Learn the steps of a change management process:
    • Request → Impact Analysis → Testing → Approval → Implementation.
  • Understand rollback planning.
• Pomodoro 3: Hands-On Task
  • Write a change request for upgrading an office network:
    • Include cost analysis, benefits, and risks.
• Pomodoro 4: Review
  • Summarize compliance principles and the change management process.
  • Create flashcards for GDPR and HIPAA key points.

Day 3: Physical and Electrical Safety

• Pomodoro 1: Electrical Safety
  • Study best practices for using anti-static tools.
  • Learn to identify potential hazards in a workspace (e.g., cable management).
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Set up a workspace following safety guidelines:
    • Use an anti-static mat and wrist strap.
    • Properly organize cables and equipment.
• Pomodoro 3: Environmental Safety
  • Study the importance of temperature and humidity control in IT environments.
  • Learn disaster preparedness for physical systems (e.g., fire safety).
• Pomodoro 4: Documentation
  • Write a physical safety checklist.
  • Practice answering safety-related questions.

Day 4: Integrated Troubleshooting Scenario

• Pomodoro 1: Scenario Setup
  • Create a troubleshooting scenario:
    • Simulate a network issue combined with malware infection.
  • Outline the steps needed to resolve the issue.
• Pomodoro 2-3: Hands-On Task
  • Resolve the scenario step by step:
    • Diagnose and fix connectivity.
    • Detect and remove malware.
    • Restore lost data from a backup.
• Pomodoro 4: Reflection
  • Document the entire process in a troubleshooting log.
  • Highlight areas where you faced difficulty.

Day 5: Weekly Review

• Pomodoro 1: Consolidated Review
  • Revisit all notes, flashcards, and logs from the week.
• Pomodoro 2-3: Practice Exam
  • Complete a full-length mixed-topic exam.
  • Review incorrect answers and adjust study strategies.
• Pomodoro 4: Planning
  • Identify gaps in your knowledge and plan for next week.

Week 7: Advanced Integration and Scenario-Based Learning

Objective:

Integrate all knowledge areas to solve real-world scenarios, strengthen troubleshooting skills, and reinforce weak areas identified in previous weeks.

Day 1: Advanced Operating System Scenarios

• Pomodoro 1: Multi-OS Environments
  • Study how Windows, Linux, and macOS interact in a networked environment.
  • Learn common compatibility issues and resolutions.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Create a dual-boot system (Windows and Linux).
  • Practice switching between operating systems and accessing shared files.
• Pomodoro 3: Troubleshooting
  • Simulate a broken Linux bootloader (e.g., GRUB failure).
  • Repair it using a live USB and terminal commands (grub-install).
• Pomodoro 4: Documentation
  • Write a troubleshooting guide for dual-boot systems.
  • Summarize the differences in file sharing and permissions across OS types.

Day 2: Advanced Security Integration

• Pomodoro 1: Network Security Strategies
  • Learn advanced firewall techniques (e.g., stateful vs. stateless rules).
  • Study advanced VPN configurations for secure remote access.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Configure a site-to-site VPN using OpenVPN or L2TP/IPsec.
  • Test connectivity and troubleshoot common VPN issues (e.g., routing problems).
• Pomodoro 3: Malware Response
  • Simulate a sophisticated phishing attack scenario:
    • Identify malicious emails and analyze fake URLs.
    • Practice writing a security incident report.
• Pomodoro 4: Knowledge Check
  • Review key security concepts and answer scenario-based questions.
  • Create flashcards for advanced security terms (e.g., IDS/IPS, endpoint protection).

Day 3: Complex Troubleshooting Scenarios

• Pomodoro 1: System-Wide Issues
  • Study how to identify and resolve system-wide performance bottlenecks:
    • Disk performance issues (e.g., fragmentation, failing drives).
    • High CPU and memory usage caused by software.
• Pomodoro 2: Hands-On Task
  • Simulate a slow system and resolve it:
    • Use Task Manager to identify resource-hogging processes.
    • Perform disk cleanup and defragmentation.
  • Replace a failing disk in a virtual machine and restore data from a backup.
• Pomodoro 3: Network Troubleshooting
  • Simulate a network outage affecting multiple devices:
    • Diagnose the root cause using tracert, ping, and ipconfig.
    • Resolve the issue by reconfiguring network settings.
• Pomodoro 4: Review
  • Summarize key troubleshooting tools and techniques in a chart or flowchart.

Day 4: Operational Procedures in Practice

• Pomodoro 1: Backup and Recovery Drills
  • Perform a full system backup using third-party tools (e.g., Acronis, Backblaze).
  • Simulate a system failure and restore from the backup.
• Pomodoro 2: Change Management Scenarios
  • Write a detailed change request for implementing a network upgrade.
  • Include risk analysis, cost estimation, and a rollback plan.
• Pomodoro 3: Compliance Application
  • Study GDPR and HIPAA scenarios where compliance is critical.
  • Write a mock compliance audit report for a small business IT system.
• Pomodoro 4: Practice Questions
  • Answer scenario-based questions on operational procedures.
  • Review incorrect answers and summarize learnings.

Day 5: Weekly Review

• Pomodoro 1: Consolidated Review
  • Revisit notes, flowcharts, and flashcards from the week.
• Pomodoro 2-3: Practice Exam
  • Take a full-length exam focusing on integration of all topics.
  • Analyze incorrect answers and revisit weak areas.
• Pomodoro 4: Documentation
  • Update study materials and write a reflection on the week’s progress.

Week 8: Final Refinement of Knowledge and Skills

Objective:

Finalize preparation, simulate exam scenarios, and refine weak areas for complete readiness.

Day 1: Comprehensive Review of Operating Systems

• Pomodoro 1: Key Concept Review
  • Summarize key OS management tools (Task Manager, Disk Management).
  • Revisit troubleshooting techniques for startup issues and BSOD.
• Pomodoro 2: Practical Exercise
  • Perform a complete OS reinstallation in a virtual machine:
    • Include partitioning, file system selection, and driver installation.
  • Practice configuring user accounts and permissions.
• Pomodoro 3: Integration Task
  • Combine OS and security tasks:
    • Set up a Windows system with full-disk encryption and firewall rules.
• Pomodoro 4: Documentation
  • Write a checklist for OS installation and post-installation tasks.

Day 2: Comprehensive Security Review

• Pomodoro 1: Key Concept Review
  • Summarize firewall configuration, malware types, and VPN protocols.
  • Revisit tools for endpoint protection and data encryption.
• Pomodoro 2: Scenario-Based Task
  • Simulate a ransomware attack:
    • Encrypt test files and restore them from a backup.
    • Write a security incident report.
• Pomodoro 3: Threat Mitigation
  • Study advanced social engineering scenarios and prevention techniques.
  • Create a user training plan to avoid phishing attacks.
• Pomodoro 4: Review
  • Answer security-related practice questions.
  • Focus on scenario-based and problem-solving questions.

Day 3: Comprehensive Troubleshooting Practice

• Pomodoro 1: Review Tools
  • Summarize key troubleshooting tools (Event Viewer, ping, nslookup, netstat).
• Pomodoro 2: Mixed Troubleshooting Task
  • Combine hardware, software, and network issues in a single scenario:
    • Resolve a network path issue.
    • Fix a software crash caused by a compatibility problem.
  • Document steps in a troubleshooting log.
• Pomodoro 3: Resource Optimization
  • Resolve a slow computer scenario:
    • Identify bottlenecks in CPU, RAM, and disk usage.
    • Practice using system tools to optimize performance.
• Pomodoro 4: Knowledge Check
  • Answer advanced troubleshooting questions.
  • Summarize insights in your notes.

Day 4: Exam Simulation

• Pomodoro 1: Exam Preparation
  • Review all study materials (notes, flashcards, flowcharts).
  • Focus on weak areas identified in previous mock exams.
• Pomodoro 2-3: Full-Length Mock Exam
  • Take a complete mock exam under timed conditions.
  • Practice time management and answering performance-based questions.
• Pomodoro 4: Review
  • Analyze results and focus on final weak areas.

Day 5: Final Review and Reflection

• Pomodoro 1: Quick Review
  • Skim through notes, summaries, and flashcards for all topics.
• Pomodoro 2: Practice Questions
  • Complete 20-30 mixed-topic questions, focusing on integration.
• Pomodoro 3: Reflection
  • Write a final checklist of key concepts and tasks to remember.
• Pomodoro 4: Relaxation
  • Take a break to recharge for the exam.

End of Week 8 Goal

• You should feel confident with all topics and have completed multiple mock exams.
• If necessary, schedule additional reviews or tasks for the final phase before the exam.

Weeks 9-12: Final Exam Preparation and Mastery

Objective:

Fine-tune your understanding of all topics, simulate exam conditions with full-length practice exams, and focus on areas where you feel less confident. Use this phase to polish your problem-solving speed, accuracy, and confidence.

Week 9: Revisiting Weak Areas

Day 1: Review Operating Systems

• Pomodoro 1: Summarize Key OS Concepts
  • Review installation types (clean install, upgrade, network installation).
  • Refresh your understanding of Windows management tools like Task Manager, Disk Management, and Registry Editor.
• Pomodoro 2: Practice Task
  • Simulate a scenario:
    • Perform a clean install of Windows and configure user accounts.
    • Set up a file-sharing environment and troubleshoot permission errors.
• Pomodoro 3: Linux and macOS Review
  • Revisit basic Linux commands (ls, chmod, df).
  • Summarize macOS tools (Activity Monitor, Finder, Time Machine).
• Pomodoro 4: Practice Questions
  • Answer 10-15 OS-focused practice questions and review mistakes.

Day 2: Security Review

• Pomodoro 1: Advanced Security Concepts
  • Summarize encryption techniques (BitLocker, Veracrypt, TLS, SSL).
  • Review VPN protocols and configurations (PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN).
• Pomodoro 2: Malware Detection
  • Study malware types and their impact (ransomware, spyware, viruses).
  • Learn how to detect and remove malware using antivirus software.
• Pomodoro 3: Hands-On Task
  • Configure a VPN in a virtual environment and test secure connections.
  • Simulate malware removal in a controlled setup (use antivirus tools).
• Pomodoro 4: Practice Questions
  • Answer 10-15 security-related questions and review incorrect answers.

Day 3: Troubleshooting Review

• Pomodoro 1: Startup Issues
  • Refresh knowledge on repairing bootloaders (MBR, GPT).
  • Review BSOD troubleshooting steps and common error codes.
• Pomodoro 2: Network Troubleshooting
  • Summarize network tools (ping, nslookup, tracert, ipconfig).
  • Study shared resource troubleshooting (e.g., network paths, folder permissions).
• Pomodoro 3: Hands-On Task
  • Diagnose and resolve a DNS issue using nslookup.
  • Simulate a blue screen error and resolve it using Event Viewer.
• Pomodoro 4: Knowledge Check
  • Write down troubleshooting steps for startup, network, and software issues.

Day 4: Operational Procedures

• Pomodoro 1: Backup and Recovery
  • Review backup types (full, differential, incremental).
  • Study disaster recovery planning.
• Pomodoro 2: Documentation and Compliance
  • Practice writing troubleshooting logs.
  • Refresh GDPR and HIPAA requirements and their impact on IT practices.
• Pomodoro 3: Safety Practices
  • Summarize electrical safety rules and workspace best practices.
• Pomodoro 4: Practice Questions
  • Answer 10-15 operational procedures questions.

Day 5: Weekly Review

• Pomodoro 1: Review Notes and Flashcards
  • Revisit flashcards for terms, tools, and protocols.
• Pomodoro 2-3: Mixed Practice Exam
  • Take a timed, full-length mock exam.
  • Review incorrect answers and note areas for improvement.
• Pomodoro 4: Reflection
  • Summarize the week’s learnings and plan tasks for Week 10.

Week 10: Exam Simulation and Targeted Practice

Day 1-2: Full Mock Exams

• Pomodoro 1-4: Mock Exam
  • Complete a full-length practice test under strict exam conditions.
  • Time yourself and aim to finish within 90 minutes.
  • After the test, review incorrect answers and revisit weak areas.

Day 3: Focus on Weak Areas

• Pomodoro 1: Review Missed Questions
  • Categorize missed questions into topics (e.g., troubleshooting, security).
• Pomodoro 2-3: Reinforcement
  • Study the weak topics in detail:
    • For troubleshooting: Perform practical tasks related to missed questions.
    • For security: Revisit configuration steps and protocols.
• Pomodoro 4: Practice
  • Retake questions from the mock exam focusing on previously incorrect answers.

Day 4-5: Practical Scenario Work

• Pomodoro 1: Network Troubleshooting
  • Create and resolve a scenario involving DNS and connectivity issues.
• Pomodoro 2: System Security
  • Simulate and document a response to a ransomware attack.
• Pomodoro 3: Operational Procedures
  • Write a disaster recovery plan for a small office network.
• Pomodoro 4: Mock Test
  • Retake a section of a previous exam to assess improvement.

Weeks 11-12: Final Polishing and Confidence Building

Objective:

Simulate the exam multiple times, refine weak areas, and build confidence.

Day 1-4: Intensive Mock Exams

• Alternate days between taking mock exams and reviewing answers.
• After each exam:
  • Identify the categories of mistakes.
  • Focus on the most challenging sections the next day.

Day 5: Final Review

• Pomodoro 1: High-Yield Topics
  • Focus on the most commonly tested topics, such as:
    • Operating system tools.
    • Malware types and removal techniques.
    • Troubleshooting flowcharts.
• Pomodoro 2: Flashcards and Notes
  • Review flashcards and summarize key terms.
• Pomodoro 3-4: Quick Mock Test
  • Take a short mock test (30-40 questions).
  • Focus on speed and accuracy.

Final Week: Exam Readiness

• The last few days before the exam should focus on light review:
  • Skim notes, flashcards, and summaries.
  • Rest adequately and avoid burnout.
  • Ensure you understand the exam format and structure.

By the end of this plan, you’ll have completed several full-length mock exams, mastered all key topics, and refined your troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. This structured approach ensures you are fully prepared and confident for the CompTIA A+ 220-1102 exam.