CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Practice Exam |
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that shuts down unexpectedly after 30 minutes
of use. The fan is loud and the bottom is hot. What is the MOST likely cause?
• A) Failing battery
• B) Overheating due to dust/debris
• C) BIOS misconfiguration
• D) Incompatible RAM
Answer: B
Overheating is indicated by heat, loud fan, and shutdown after a predictable period. Dust
clogs heatsinks/fans, reducing cooling.
2. A user reports that their smartphone screen is cracked but still displays and responds to
touch. Which repair step should be performed FIRST?
• A) Replace the LCD assembly
• B) Apply a liquid adhesive screen protector
• C) Install a tempered glass screen protector
• D) Back up the device data
Answer: D
Always back up data before any hardware repair to prevent data loss during screen
replacement.
3. Which of the following wireless standards operates ONLY on the 5 GHz band?
,• A) 802.11ax
• B) 802.11ac
• C) 802.11n
• D) 802.11b
Answer: B
*802.11ac is 5 GHz only. 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) is dual-band, 802.11n is dual-band, 802.11b is
2.4 GHz.*
4. A technician is building a CAD workstation. Which component is MOST important to
prioritize?
• A) High-end GPU
• B) Dual monitors
• C) Maximum RAM speed only
• D) Large HDD
Answer: A
CAD relies heavily on GPU (OpenGL, 3D rendering). While RAM and monitors help, the GPU is
the primary differentiator for CAD.
5. Which connector type is used for standard analog VGA video?
• A) DB-15
• B) BNC
• C) RJ-45
• D) DB-9
Answer: A
*DB-15 (DE-15) is a 15-pin D-sub connector for VGA. DB-9 was serial port, RJ-45 Ethernet,
BNC coaxial.*
, 6. A user’s IP phone is not receiving power over the Ethernet cable. Which technology is
likely NOT enabled on the switch?
• A) PoE
• B) QoS
• C) 802.1Q
• D) Port security
Answer: A
Power over Ethernet (PoE) delivers power via Ethernet cable. Without PoE, the phone has no
power source.
7. What is the minimum number of drives required for RAID 10?
• A) 2
• B) 3
• C) 4
• D) 5
Answer: C
RAID 10 is striped mirrors – requires 4 drives (2 mirrored pairs striped).
8. A technician is setting up a SOHO network and wants to prevent specific devices from
accessing the internet based on their MAC addresses. Which feature should be used?
• A) Port forwarding
• B) MAC filtering
• C) NAT
• D) DHCP reservation
, Answer: B
MAC filtering allows/denies network access based on hardware MAC address – controls which
devices can connect.
9. Which of the following form factors is smallest and commonly used in ultra-compact
desktops and thin clients?
• A) ATX
• B) Micro-ATX
• C) Mini-ITX
• D) Nano-ITX
Answer: D
*Nano-ITX (12×12 cm) is smaller than Mini-ITX (17×17 cm). Used in embedded/small
devices.*
10. A user’s laptop LCD screen shows colorful vertical lines. The external monitor works fine.
What is the MOST likely cause?
• A) GPU failure
• B) Faulty video driver
• C) Damaged LCD panel or video cable
• D) Insufficient RAM
Answer: C
External display works = GPU/drivers are fine. Vertical lines typically indicate ribbon cable or
LCD panel damage.
11. Which DDR generation has 288 pins and a lower voltage (1.2V) compared to DDR3?
• A) DDR
• B) DDR2
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that shuts down unexpectedly after 30 minutes
of use. The fan is loud and the bottom is hot. What is the MOST likely cause?
• A) Failing battery
• B) Overheating due to dust/debris
• C) BIOS misconfiguration
• D) Incompatible RAM
Answer: B
Overheating is indicated by heat, loud fan, and shutdown after a predictable period. Dust
clogs heatsinks/fans, reducing cooling.
2. A user reports that their smartphone screen is cracked but still displays and responds to
touch. Which repair step should be performed FIRST?
• A) Replace the LCD assembly
• B) Apply a liquid adhesive screen protector
• C) Install a tempered glass screen protector
• D) Back up the device data
Answer: D
Always back up data before any hardware repair to prevent data loss during screen
replacement.
3. Which of the following wireless standards operates ONLY on the 5 GHz band?
,• A) 802.11ax
• B) 802.11ac
• C) 802.11n
• D) 802.11b
Answer: B
*802.11ac is 5 GHz only. 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) is dual-band, 802.11n is dual-band, 802.11b is
2.4 GHz.*
4. A technician is building a CAD workstation. Which component is MOST important to
prioritize?
• A) High-end GPU
• B) Dual monitors
• C) Maximum RAM speed only
• D) Large HDD
Answer: A
CAD relies heavily on GPU (OpenGL, 3D rendering). While RAM and monitors help, the GPU is
the primary differentiator for CAD.
5. Which connector type is used for standard analog VGA video?
• A) DB-15
• B) BNC
• C) RJ-45
• D) DB-9
Answer: A
*DB-15 (DE-15) is a 15-pin D-sub connector for VGA. DB-9 was serial port, RJ-45 Ethernet,
BNC coaxial.*
, 6. A user’s IP phone is not receiving power over the Ethernet cable. Which technology is
likely NOT enabled on the switch?
• A) PoE
• B) QoS
• C) 802.1Q
• D) Port security
Answer: A
Power over Ethernet (PoE) delivers power via Ethernet cable. Without PoE, the phone has no
power source.
7. What is the minimum number of drives required for RAID 10?
• A) 2
• B) 3
• C) 4
• D) 5
Answer: C
RAID 10 is striped mirrors – requires 4 drives (2 mirrored pairs striped).
8. A technician is setting up a SOHO network and wants to prevent specific devices from
accessing the internet based on their MAC addresses. Which feature should be used?
• A) Port forwarding
• B) MAC filtering
• C) NAT
• D) DHCP reservation
, Answer: B
MAC filtering allows/denies network access based on hardware MAC address – controls which
devices can connect.
9. Which of the following form factors is smallest and commonly used in ultra-compact
desktops and thin clients?
• A) ATX
• B) Micro-ATX
• C) Mini-ITX
• D) Nano-ITX
Answer: D
*Nano-ITX (12×12 cm) is smaller than Mini-ITX (17×17 cm). Used in embedded/small
devices.*
10. A user’s laptop LCD screen shows colorful vertical lines. The external monitor works fine.
What is the MOST likely cause?
• A) GPU failure
• B) Faulty video driver
• C) Damaged LCD panel or video cable
• D) Insufficient RAM
Answer: C
External display works = GPU/drivers are fine. Vertical lines typically indicate ribbon cable or
LCD panel damage.
11. Which DDR generation has 288 pins and a lower voltage (1.2V) compared to DDR3?
• A) DDR
• B) DDR2
