If you’re preparing for the CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) exam, Linux commands are one of those topics you absolutely cannot skip. The Operating Systems domain makes up 22% of Core 2, and the exam expects you to know how to navigate, manage files, and troubleshoot a Linux environment from the command line. Whether you’ve never opened a terminal or you’ve dabbled a bit, this guide breaks down exactly which Linux commands appear on the exam — and why understanding them (not just memorizing them) will make the difference on test day.
Why Linux Matters on CompTIA A+
Linux powers everything from web servers to embedded systems, and CompTIA A+ reflects that reality. The Core 2 exam tests your ability to work across multiple operating systems — Windows, macOS, and Linux — because real IT technicians support all three. Within the Operating Systems domain, you’ll be expected to navigate a Linux file system, manage users, view system information, and handle basic file operations, all from the terminal.
The exam can include performance-based questions (PBQs) where you’re dropped into a simulated environment and asked to complete a task. Knowing Linux commands by name isn’t enough — you need to understand what they do and when to use them.
Essential Linux Commands for the CompTIA A+ Exam
Navigating the File System
The Linux file system starts at the root directory (/), and everything branches from there. These navigation commands are foundational:
- pwd — Print Working Directory. Shows your current location in the file system. Use this when you’re disoriented in the terminal.
- ls — Lists files and directories. Add -la to see hidden files and detailed permissions (
ls -la). - cd — Change Directory. Use cd .. to go up one level, or cd /home/user to jump to an absolute path.
File and Directory Management
Creating, moving, copying, and deleting files are tasks any IT tech needs to handle. Here’s what the exam focuses on:
- mkdir — Make Directory. Creates a new folder (
mkdir reports). - rm — Remove. Deletes files. Use rm -r to remove a directory and its contents recursively. Be careful — there’s no Recycle Bin in Linux.
- cp — Copy. Copies files or directories (
cp file.txt /backup/). - mv — Move. Moves or renames files (
mv oldname.txt newname.txt). - touch — Creates an empty file or updates a file’s timestamp.
Viewing and Editing Files
You won’t always have a GUI in Linux environments. The exam expects you to know how to read and edit files from the terminal:
- cat — Displays the entire contents of a file. Great for short files and config files.
- less — Views file content one page at a time. More practical for long log files.
- grep — Searches for a specific string inside a file (
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