If you’re preparing for the CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) exam, Linux commands are one of those topics that can catch you off guard — especially if your background is primarily Windows. Linux command-line knowledge falls under the Operating Systems domain, which makes up 22% of the Core 2 exam. With up to 90 questions and a passing score of 700/900, you can’t afford to skip this section. The good news? The exam tests a focused set of commands, and once you understand what each one does (and why), they’re genuinely useful in real IT work. Let’s break this down.
Why Linux Matters on the CompTIA A+ Exam
Linux powers a huge portion of the world’s servers, cloud infrastructure, and embedded systems. CompTIA A+ doesn’t expect you to be a Linux administrator — but it does expect you to navigate a Linux environment confidently, manage files, check system status, and understand basic permissions. These are day-one skills for any IT support role where Linux machines are in the environment.
The exam may present Linux command questions as standard multiple-choice or as performance-based questions (PBQs), where you’re given a simulated terminal and asked to execute the correct command. PBQs are where candidates lose points most often, so hands-on familiarity is non-negotiable.
Essential Linux Commands for CompTIA A+
File and Directory Navigation
These are the commands you’ll use constantly. Know them cold:
- ls — Lists files and directories in the current location. Use
ls -lato see hidden files and detailed permissions. - cd — Changes directory.
cd /etcmoves to the etc directory;cd ..moves one level up. - pwd — Prints the working directory, showing your current full path.
- mkdir — Creates a new directory.
mkdir backupscreates a folder called backups. - rm — Removes files.
rm -rremoves directories recursively. Use with caution — there’s no Recycle Bin. - cp — Copies files or directories.
cp file.txt /home/user/copies a file to a new location. - mv — Moves or renames files.
mv oldname.txt newname.txtrenames the file in place.
File Viewing and Editing
- cat — Outputs the full contents of a file to the terminal. Great for quick reads:
cat /etc/hosts. - less — Views file contents one screen at a time. Better than
catfor long files. - head / tail — Shows the first or last 10 lines of a file.
tail -f /var/log/syslogis a real-world favorite for monitoring live logs. - nano / vi — Text editors.
nanois beginner-friendly;viis more powerful and appears in exam scenarios. - grep — Searches for text patterns within files.
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