Just passed Core 2 and now A+ certified!
Background: I do have a BS in computer science completed in 2024 and just general familiarity with computers my whole life.
Core 1: 782 / 900
Core 2: 776 / 900
I was on a time crunch as I had to complete this certification in order to apply for this job (deadline tomorrow July 6th). I started studying around June 15th using Messer videos , Dion exams, Messer exams, examcompass, apple notes and official exam objectives.
I would watch Messer videos and make a new apple notes w bullet points from the exam objectives. Would then take the appropriate quiz from examcompass. Rinse and repeat until i finished every video. Then took 1-3 dion exams, 1-2 messer exams. Then would schedule the exam.
Core 1 I scored about 69-75 for dion, 80-85 for messer.
Core 2 I only took 1 dion exam and 1 messer exam, 75 and 88 respectively.
I crammed hard for the core 2 as you could probably tell by the length of time between exam completions. Ran through 50 messer videos in a single day haha. But it was decently more intuitive for me but that is probably due to prior knowledge YMMV.
If you're starting from 0 knowledge, definitely give yourself more time.
This subreddit was an awesome resource for me during my studies, so definitely let me know if anyone has any questions.