WGU D316 Final Practice Assessment
EXAM REVIEW 2025/2026
A new computer experiences a malfunction with a touch input device. A support
engineer disassembles the computer to diagnose the problem. While
troubleshooting, which component would the technician find as a 9-pin header on
the motherboard - ANSWER USB port -
Explanation:
Internal USB 2 connections are made via 9-pin headers, which accept up to two 4-
pin port connections while the 9th pin is to orient the cable correctly.
A PC tech plugs a x8 PCIe adapter card into a x16 socket. What speed would the
card be capable of running? (Select all that apply.) - ANSWER x1
x8
Explanation:
Each PCIe adapter card supports a specific number of lanes. Ideally, the card
should be plugged into a port that supports the same number. Often a card will
only work at x1 if in a mismatched port.
If insufficient slots are available, a card will fit in any port with an equal or greater
number of lanes. The card may work at x8.
A technician plugs a USB device into a computer and notices that the speeds are
slightly less than expected. The USB port and device are USB 3.x devices, and the
achieved speed is roughly 9 Gbps. What USB standard is in use? - ANSWER
USB 3.2 Gen 2x1
Explanation:
Variations of USB 3.x introduced new connector form factors and faster transfer
rates than previous versions. USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 is capable of speeds up to 10 Gbps.
,A user tries to connect a second monitor to a computer. The computer has an
available digital visual interface (DVI) connector that outputs a digital signal and
the monitor has a video graphics array (VGA) connector. A technician
recommends a VGA to which type of cable? - ANSWER DVI-I
Explanation:
DVI-I is a technology that is capable of connecting a digital source to a digital
display or an analog source to an analog display. A VGA to DVI-I cable will
connect your digital computer to an analog monitor.
Which current USB standard supports 2 x 10 Gbps speeds and uses a USB-C
connector type? - ANSWER USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
Explanation:
The universal serial bus (USB) 3.2 specification deprecated some of the older
terms used to describe the supported transfer rates. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 SuperSpeed
USB is capable of 2 x 10 Gbps.
A hardware technician replaces the central processing unit (CPU) on an Advanced
Micro Devices (AMD) motherboard. What must be applied when connecting the
heat sink to the CPU? - ANSWER Thermal grease
Explanation:
During the installation of the heat sink on top of the CPU, a small amount of
thermal grease must be applied in an X-pattern to allow for heat transference to be
most successful.
A laptop technician replaces the power supply in a desktop system. To do this, the
technician needs to know the output of the current power supply unit (PSU). What
is the PSU output capability measured as? - ANSWER WATTAGE
RATING
, Explanation:
The PSU's output capability is measured as its wattage rating. Power is measured
in watts (W), calculated for electrical components as voltage multiplied by current
(V*I).
A technician builds a spare computer with an older motherboard and purchases a
new modular power supply. What type of motherboard connector will the power
supply most likely provide? - ANSWER 20+4-pin
Explanation:
Most modular power supply units (PSUs) have a 20+4-pin P1 adapter cable for
compatibility with older motherboards with a 20-pin port.
A technician installs memory into a computer that supports a multi-channel
configuration. A 4GB module is placed in bank A1 and a 16GB module is placed
in bank B1. A diagnostic tool reports that 12GB is useable, but not as multi-
channel. What mode does the system use in making all of the memory available? -
ANSWER Flex
Explanation:
In flex mode, memory that is of equal value within each channel can work as dual-
channel while the remainder of the memory will work in single-channel mod
A user complains that a computer is too slow when opening numerous
applications. A technician suggests purchasing a new computer that features CMP
capabilities to handle the user's workload. Which statement describes the
technician's suggestion? - ANSWER Two processors combined in the
same package
Explanation:
A multi-core central processing unit (CPU) is multiple processors combined in
one. This means that there are multiple execution units and registers. This is
referred to as chip level multiprocessing (CMP).
EXAM REVIEW 2025/2026
A new computer experiences a malfunction with a touch input device. A support
engineer disassembles the computer to diagnose the problem. While
troubleshooting, which component would the technician find as a 9-pin header on
the motherboard - ANSWER USB port -
Explanation:
Internal USB 2 connections are made via 9-pin headers, which accept up to two 4-
pin port connections while the 9th pin is to orient the cable correctly.
A PC tech plugs a x8 PCIe adapter card into a x16 socket. What speed would the
card be capable of running? (Select all that apply.) - ANSWER x1
x8
Explanation:
Each PCIe adapter card supports a specific number of lanes. Ideally, the card
should be plugged into a port that supports the same number. Often a card will
only work at x1 if in a mismatched port.
If insufficient slots are available, a card will fit in any port with an equal or greater
number of lanes. The card may work at x8.
A technician plugs a USB device into a computer and notices that the speeds are
slightly less than expected. The USB port and device are USB 3.x devices, and the
achieved speed is roughly 9 Gbps. What USB standard is in use? - ANSWER
USB 3.2 Gen 2x1
Explanation:
Variations of USB 3.x introduced new connector form factors and faster transfer
rates than previous versions. USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 is capable of speeds up to 10 Gbps.
,A user tries to connect a second monitor to a computer. The computer has an
available digital visual interface (DVI) connector that outputs a digital signal and
the monitor has a video graphics array (VGA) connector. A technician
recommends a VGA to which type of cable? - ANSWER DVI-I
Explanation:
DVI-I is a technology that is capable of connecting a digital source to a digital
display or an analog source to an analog display. A VGA to DVI-I cable will
connect your digital computer to an analog monitor.
Which current USB standard supports 2 x 10 Gbps speeds and uses a USB-C
connector type? - ANSWER USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
Explanation:
The universal serial bus (USB) 3.2 specification deprecated some of the older
terms used to describe the supported transfer rates. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 SuperSpeed
USB is capable of 2 x 10 Gbps.
A hardware technician replaces the central processing unit (CPU) on an Advanced
Micro Devices (AMD) motherboard. What must be applied when connecting the
heat sink to the CPU? - ANSWER Thermal grease
Explanation:
During the installation of the heat sink on top of the CPU, a small amount of
thermal grease must be applied in an X-pattern to allow for heat transference to be
most successful.
A laptop technician replaces the power supply in a desktop system. To do this, the
technician needs to know the output of the current power supply unit (PSU). What
is the PSU output capability measured as? - ANSWER WATTAGE
RATING
, Explanation:
The PSU's output capability is measured as its wattage rating. Power is measured
in watts (W), calculated for electrical components as voltage multiplied by current
(V*I).
A technician builds a spare computer with an older motherboard and purchases a
new modular power supply. What type of motherboard connector will the power
supply most likely provide? - ANSWER 20+4-pin
Explanation:
Most modular power supply units (PSUs) have a 20+4-pin P1 adapter cable for
compatibility with older motherboards with a 20-pin port.
A technician installs memory into a computer that supports a multi-channel
configuration. A 4GB module is placed in bank A1 and a 16GB module is placed
in bank B1. A diagnostic tool reports that 12GB is useable, but not as multi-
channel. What mode does the system use in making all of the memory available? -
ANSWER Flex
Explanation:
In flex mode, memory that is of equal value within each channel can work as dual-
channel while the remainder of the memory will work in single-channel mod
A user complains that a computer is too slow when opening numerous
applications. A technician suggests purchasing a new computer that features CMP
capabilities to handle the user's workload. Which statement describes the
technician's suggestion? - ANSWER Two processors combined in the
same package
Explanation:
A multi-core central processing unit (CPU) is multiple processors combined in
one. This means that there are multiple execution units and registers. This is
referred to as chip level multiprocessing (CMP).
