CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-
1102) Examination: 100 Practice Questions with
Answers and Detailed Rationales
Question 1. Which of the following ports is the default for the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
(HTTPS)?
A) 80
B) 443
C) 143
D) 21
Answer: B
Rationale: Port 443 is the default port for HTTPS traffic. Port 80 is used for standard HTTP, port 143 is
used for IMAP, and port 21 is used for FTP.
Question 2. A user is setting up a home network with multiple devices and wants to ensure strong
security for all Wi-Fi clients. Which of the following is the most secure wireless encryption protocol?
A) WEP
B) WPA
C) WPA2
D) None of the above
,Answer: C
Rationale: WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) is a widely used and considered the most secure wireless
encryption protocol among the options listed. It replaced the older WEP and WPA standards.
Question 3. Which Windows tool allows a user to modify programs that start when the OS boots up?
A) MSINFO32
B) MSCONFIG
C) TASKMGR
D) REGEDIT
Answer: B
Rationale: MSCONFIG (System Configuration) is a utility used to manage boot options and startup
programs, enabling users to disable applications that run automatically when Windows starts.
Question 4. In the Windows Registry, which root key contains non-user-specific configuration data for
the entire system?
A) HKEY_CURRENT_USER
B) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
C) HKEY_USERS
D) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Answer: B
,Rationale: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM) stores system-wide configuration settings that apply
regardless of which user is logged in, while HKEY_CURRENT_USER stores settings specific to the logged-
in user.
Question 5. What type of social engineering attack involves an unauthorized person following an
employee with legitimate access into a restricted area?
A) Phishing
B) Spear phishing
C) Tailgating
D) Dumpster diving
Answer: C
Rationale: Tailgating (or piggybacking) is a physical social engineering attack where an unauthorized
individual gains entry to a secure area by closely following an authorized person.
Question 6. Which of the following tools is used to crimp connectors onto the ends of a network cable?
A) Punchdown tool
B) Cable stripper
C) Crimper
D) Tone generator
Answer: C
, Rationale: A crimper is used to attach RJ-45 or RJ-11 connectors to the end of a network or telephone
cable. A punchdown tool is used for connecting wires to a patch panel.
Question 7. A computer is experiencing a "kernel panic." This error is most associated with which of the
following operating systems?
A) Windows
B) macOS
C) iOS
D) Android
Answer: B
Rationale: A kernel panic is a fatal system error encountered primarily in UNIX-based operating systems,
including macOS and Linux. In Windows, the equivalent error is a "Blue Screen of Death" (BSoD).
Question 8. A user's Android-based tablet needs to be set up to access an IMAP email account. What
information is generally required?
A) Username and password only
B) Username, password, and Exchange server name
C) Username, password, sending and receiving server addresses
D) Only the POP3 server name
Answer: C
1102) Examination: 100 Practice Questions with
Answers and Detailed Rationales
Question 1. Which of the following ports is the default for the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
(HTTPS)?
A) 80
B) 443
C) 143
D) 21
Answer: B
Rationale: Port 443 is the default port for HTTPS traffic. Port 80 is used for standard HTTP, port 143 is
used for IMAP, and port 21 is used for FTP.
Question 2. A user is setting up a home network with multiple devices and wants to ensure strong
security for all Wi-Fi clients. Which of the following is the most secure wireless encryption protocol?
A) WEP
B) WPA
C) WPA2
D) None of the above
,Answer: C
Rationale: WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) is a widely used and considered the most secure wireless
encryption protocol among the options listed. It replaced the older WEP and WPA standards.
Question 3. Which Windows tool allows a user to modify programs that start when the OS boots up?
A) MSINFO32
B) MSCONFIG
C) TASKMGR
D) REGEDIT
Answer: B
Rationale: MSCONFIG (System Configuration) is a utility used to manage boot options and startup
programs, enabling users to disable applications that run automatically when Windows starts.
Question 4. In the Windows Registry, which root key contains non-user-specific configuration data for
the entire system?
A) HKEY_CURRENT_USER
B) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
C) HKEY_USERS
D) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Answer: B
,Rationale: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM) stores system-wide configuration settings that apply
regardless of which user is logged in, while HKEY_CURRENT_USER stores settings specific to the logged-
in user.
Question 5. What type of social engineering attack involves an unauthorized person following an
employee with legitimate access into a restricted area?
A) Phishing
B) Spear phishing
C) Tailgating
D) Dumpster diving
Answer: C
Rationale: Tailgating (or piggybacking) is a physical social engineering attack where an unauthorized
individual gains entry to a secure area by closely following an authorized person.
Question 6. Which of the following tools is used to crimp connectors onto the ends of a network cable?
A) Punchdown tool
B) Cable stripper
C) Crimper
D) Tone generator
Answer: C
, Rationale: A crimper is used to attach RJ-45 or RJ-11 connectors to the end of a network or telephone
cable. A punchdown tool is used for connecting wires to a patch panel.
Question 7. A computer is experiencing a "kernel panic." This error is most associated with which of the
following operating systems?
A) Windows
B) macOS
C) iOS
D) Android
Answer: B
Rationale: A kernel panic is a fatal system error encountered primarily in UNIX-based operating systems,
including macOS and Linux. In Windows, the equivalent error is a "Blue Screen of Death" (BSoD).
Question 8. A user's Android-based tablet needs to be set up to access an IMAP email account. What
information is generally required?
A) Username and password only
B) Username, password, and Exchange server name
C) Username, password, sending and receiving server addresses
D) Only the POP3 server name
Answer: C
