1
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Advanced
Certification Practice Exam: Comprehensive 150-
Question Bank Covering Mobile Devices,
Networking, Hardware, Virtualization & Cloud
Computing, and Hardware & Network
Troubleshooting with Detailed Expert Rationales
for IT Professionals Seeking Advanced Mastery of
Core 1 Exam Domains a well detailed one 2025 /
2026 written and graded A+ upgraded
Introduction
This comprehensive practice exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions designed for the
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) certification exam. Questions are distributed across the five
exam domains: Mobile Devices (15%), Networking (20%), Hardware (25%), Virtualization &
Cloud Computing (11%), and Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (29%). Each question
includes a correct answer and a detailed expert rationale to reinforce understanding of
underlying principles.
Domain 1: Mobile Devices (15%)
Question 1
, 2
A technician needs to replace a laptop LCD screen. After removing the bezel and screws, what
critical step must be taken to avoid damaging the new screen?
A) Update the graphics driver
B) Disconnect the battery
C) Run a self-test on the display
D) Disable the ambient light sensor
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: Disconnecting the battery prevents electrical shorts and backlight power from
damaging the new LCD or inverter during replacement. The battery supplies power even when
the AC adapter is disconnected, and failure to disconnect it can result in a short that destroys
the new display panel.
Question 2
Which laptop component is most likely to require a firmware password to be removed before
accessing BIOS settings?
A) RAM module
B) TPM chip
C) Storage drive
D) Motherboard CMOS battery
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) stores BitLocker keys and system integrity
hashes; a firmware password protects these from unauthorized BIOS changes. Without the
firmware password, the TPM cannot be accessed or modified, preventing unauthorized access
to encrypted data.
Question 3
A user reports that their laptop charges only when the cable is held at a specific angle. What is
the most likely cause?
A) Faulty AC adapter
B) Broken DC jack
, 3
C) Dead battery
D) Overheating CPU
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: A loose or cracked DC power jack on the motherboard loses continuity unless the
plug is positioned just right. This mechanical failure is common in laptops where the power
connector is subjected to repeated stress from plugging and unplugging.
Question 4
Which mobile device accessory uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to pair quickly?
A) Bluetooth mouse
B) Wireless charging pad
C) Bluetooth headset with NFC tap-to-pair
D) USB-C hub
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”C
Rationale: NFC enables quick pairing by simply tapping devices together. NFC establishes a
temporary connection that exchanges Bluetooth pairing information automatically, eliminating
the need for manual discovery and PIN entry.
Question 5
A technician is installing a new M.2 SSD in a laptop. The drive fits but is not recognized by the
system. What is the most likely cause?
A) The drive is not formatted
B) The M.2 slot supports SATA only and the drive is NVMe
C) The drive is defective
D) The BIOS needs updating
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: M.2 compatibility is a frequent trap—an M.2 slot might support SATA, NVMe, or
both, so compatibility cannot be assumed just because the drive physically fits. NVMe drives
use the PCIe bus while SATA M.2 drives use the SATA interface, and they are not
interchangeable.
, 4
Question 6
A laptop's built-in display is working, but the external projector shows no signal. What should
the technician do NEXT?
A) Replace the video cable
B) Use the laptop's function key to toggle display output
C) Reinstall the graphics driver
D) Replace the projector bulb
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: The next step is to use the laptop's function key to toggle display output to external
video. This is the simplest and most common solution; the display output may have been
toggled off accidentally or the laptop may not have auto-detected the external display.
Question 7
Which laptop memory module type is used in small form factor and laptop systems?
A) DIMM
B) SODIMM
C) RIMM
D) SIMM
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: SODIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module) is used in laptops and small
form factor computers. DIMMs are approximately twice as long and are designed for desktop
systems.
Question 8
A user's Windows tablet PC was dropped and is no longer responding to touch input on the left
half of the screen. The screen protector has several scratches but the glass is not broken. Which
component should the technician test?
A) Digitizer
B) Device drivers
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Advanced
Certification Practice Exam: Comprehensive 150-
Question Bank Covering Mobile Devices,
Networking, Hardware, Virtualization & Cloud
Computing, and Hardware & Network
Troubleshooting with Detailed Expert Rationales
for IT Professionals Seeking Advanced Mastery of
Core 1 Exam Domains a well detailed one 2025 /
2026 written and graded A+ upgraded
Introduction
This comprehensive practice exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions designed for the
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) certification exam. Questions are distributed across the five
exam domains: Mobile Devices (15%), Networking (20%), Hardware (25%), Virtualization &
Cloud Computing (11%), and Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (29%). Each question
includes a correct answer and a detailed expert rationale to reinforce understanding of
underlying principles.
Domain 1: Mobile Devices (15%)
Question 1
, 2
A technician needs to replace a laptop LCD screen. After removing the bezel and screws, what
critical step must be taken to avoid damaging the new screen?
A) Update the graphics driver
B) Disconnect the battery
C) Run a self-test on the display
D) Disable the ambient light sensor
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: Disconnecting the battery prevents electrical shorts and backlight power from
damaging the new LCD or inverter during replacement. The battery supplies power even when
the AC adapter is disconnected, and failure to disconnect it can result in a short that destroys
the new display panel.
Question 2
Which laptop component is most likely to require a firmware password to be removed before
accessing BIOS settings?
A) RAM module
B) TPM chip
C) Storage drive
D) Motherboard CMOS battery
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) stores BitLocker keys and system integrity
hashes; a firmware password protects these from unauthorized BIOS changes. Without the
firmware password, the TPM cannot be accessed or modified, preventing unauthorized access
to encrypted data.
Question 3
A user reports that their laptop charges only when the cable is held at a specific angle. What is
the most likely cause?
A) Faulty AC adapter
B) Broken DC jack
, 3
C) Dead battery
D) Overheating CPU
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: A loose or cracked DC power jack on the motherboard loses continuity unless the
plug is positioned just right. This mechanical failure is common in laptops where the power
connector is subjected to repeated stress from plugging and unplugging.
Question 4
Which mobile device accessory uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to pair quickly?
A) Bluetooth mouse
B) Wireless charging pad
C) Bluetooth headset with NFC tap-to-pair
D) USB-C hub
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”C
Rationale: NFC enables quick pairing by simply tapping devices together. NFC establishes a
temporary connection that exchanges Bluetooth pairing information automatically, eliminating
the need for manual discovery and PIN entry.
Question 5
A technician is installing a new M.2 SSD in a laptop. The drive fits but is not recognized by the
system. What is the most likely cause?
A) The drive is not formatted
B) The M.2 slot supports SATA only and the drive is NVMe
C) The drive is defective
D) The BIOS needs updating
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: M.2 compatibility is a frequent trap—an M.2 slot might support SATA, NVMe, or
both, so compatibility cannot be assumed just because the drive physically fits. NVMe drives
use the PCIe bus while SATA M.2 drives use the SATA interface, and they are not
interchangeable.
, 4
Question 6
A laptop's built-in display is working, but the external projector shows no signal. What should
the technician do NEXT?
A) Replace the video cable
B) Use the laptop's function key to toggle display output
C) Reinstall the graphics driver
D) Replace the projector bulb
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: The next step is to use the laptop's function key to toggle display output to external
video. This is the simplest and most common solution; the display output may have been
toggled off accidentally or the laptop may not have auto-detected the external display.
Question 7
Which laptop memory module type is used in small form factor and laptop systems?
A) DIMM
B) SODIMM
C) RIMM
D) SIMM
-” detailed answer 100 % correct :-”B
Rationale: SODIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module) is used in laptops and small
form factor computers. DIMMs are approximately twice as long and are designed for desktop
systems.
Question 8
A user's Windows tablet PC was dropped and is no longer responding to touch input on the left
half of the screen. The screen protector has several scratches but the glass is not broken. Which
component should the technician test?
A) Digitizer
B) Device drivers
