,CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam 2026 | Comprehensive Test Bank |
Questions And Answers
I. MOBILE DEVICES
Mobile Hardware & Replacement
Q1. A technician replaces a laptop battery that has become visibly
swollen. What is the safest action after removing the battery?
A) Puncture it to release pressure
B) Handle and dispose of it according to approved lithium-battery procedures
C) Place it in ordinary office trash
D) Fully discharge it by shorting the terminals
Correct Answer: B) Handle and dispose of it according to approved lithium-
battery procedures
Rationale: Swollen lithium batteries may be damaged and present fire or
chemical hazards. They should not be punctured, crushed, shorted, or
discarded with ordinary waste. Approved hazardous-battery handling and
recycling procedures should be followed.
Q2. A laptop powers on normally but several keyboard keys no
longer respond after a liquid spill. Which component should the
technician inspect first?
A) CPU
B) Wireless antenna
C) CMOS battery
D) Keyboard assembly and its internal connection
Correct Answer: D) Keyboard assembly and its internal connection
Rationale: If only specific keys fail after liquid exposure while the rest of the
computer operates normally, the keyboard itself or its ribbon connection is a
likely point of failure.
Q3. A technician is upgrading memory in a thin laptop. Which RAM
form factor is most likely required?
A) SODIMM
B) DIMM
C) PCIe
D) M.2 SATA cable
,Correct Answer: A) SODIMM
Rationale: Small Outline DIMMs are compact memory modules commonly
used in laptops and other space-constrained computers. Standard DIMMs are
typically used in desktop systems.
Q4. A laptop originally uses a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive. Which
replacement would most directly improve storage performance
while maintaining compatibility with the existing SATA interface?
A) 3.5-inch SAS hard drive
B) PCI expansion card
C) 2.5-inch SATA SSD
D) DDR5 SODIMM
Correct Answer: C) 2.5-inch SATA SSD
Rationale: A 2.5-inch SATA SSD can usually replace a 2.5-inch SATA hard
drive using the same interface while providing faster access times and
eliminating mechanical components.
Q5. After replacing a laptop wireless card, Wi-Fi signal strength
remains extremely poor even when the laptop is beside the access
point. What should the technician check first?
A) Display resolution
B) Wi-Fi antenna leads and their placement
C) CPU thermal paste
D) Battery calibration
Correct Answer: B) Wi-Fi antenna leads and their placement
Rationale: Laptop wireless cards connect to internal antennas through small
antenna leads. Improperly attached or damaged antenna connections can
cause very weak wireless reception despite a functional adapter.
Q6. A laptop's built-in camera is detected by the operating system,
but applications display a black image. What physical feature should
be checked before replacing hardware?
A) Camera privacy shutter
B) RAM module
C) Touchpad cable
D) Power supply selector
Correct Answer: A) Camera privacy shutter
, Rationale: Many modern laptops include a physical privacy shutter that
blocks the webcam lens. Checking simple physical privacy controls should
precede unnecessary hardware replacement.
Q7. A user reports that voice-conferencing applications receive no
audio, but speakers work correctly. Which component is most
directly related to this symptom?
A) Digitizer
B) Wi-Fi antenna
C) Microphone
D) GPU
Correct Answer: C) Microphone
Rationale: The microphone captures input audio, while speakers provide
output. If others cannot hear the user but audio playback works, the
microphone or its configuration should be investigated.
Q8. A laptop's fingerprint reader no longer recognizes any users
after the palm rest is replaced. Which issue is most likely?
A) DNS failure
B) Incorrect screen refresh rate
C) Failed storage drive
D) Biometric reader cable or connector was not properly reattached
Correct Answer: D) Biometric reader cable or connector was not properly
reattached
Rationale: Fingerprint readers are often integrated into the palm rest, power
button, or chassis and connect internally through small cables. A
disconnected reader may stop functioning after disassembly.
Q9. Which precaution is most important before opening a laptop to
replace internal hardware?
A) Disconnect external power and follow manufacturer battery-disconnection
procedures
B) Leave the AC adapter connected
C) Enable Bluetooth pairing
D) Increase display brightness
Correct Answer: A) Disconnect external power and follow manufacturer
battery-disconnection procedures
Questions And Answers
I. MOBILE DEVICES
Mobile Hardware & Replacement
Q1. A technician replaces a laptop battery that has become visibly
swollen. What is the safest action after removing the battery?
A) Puncture it to release pressure
B) Handle and dispose of it according to approved lithium-battery procedures
C) Place it in ordinary office trash
D) Fully discharge it by shorting the terminals
Correct Answer: B) Handle and dispose of it according to approved lithium-
battery procedures
Rationale: Swollen lithium batteries may be damaged and present fire or
chemical hazards. They should not be punctured, crushed, shorted, or
discarded with ordinary waste. Approved hazardous-battery handling and
recycling procedures should be followed.
Q2. A laptop powers on normally but several keyboard keys no
longer respond after a liquid spill. Which component should the
technician inspect first?
A) CPU
B) Wireless antenna
C) CMOS battery
D) Keyboard assembly and its internal connection
Correct Answer: D) Keyboard assembly and its internal connection
Rationale: If only specific keys fail after liquid exposure while the rest of the
computer operates normally, the keyboard itself or its ribbon connection is a
likely point of failure.
Q3. A technician is upgrading memory in a thin laptop. Which RAM
form factor is most likely required?
A) SODIMM
B) DIMM
C) PCIe
D) M.2 SATA cable
,Correct Answer: A) SODIMM
Rationale: Small Outline DIMMs are compact memory modules commonly
used in laptops and other space-constrained computers. Standard DIMMs are
typically used in desktop systems.
Q4. A laptop originally uses a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive. Which
replacement would most directly improve storage performance
while maintaining compatibility with the existing SATA interface?
A) 3.5-inch SAS hard drive
B) PCI expansion card
C) 2.5-inch SATA SSD
D) DDR5 SODIMM
Correct Answer: C) 2.5-inch SATA SSD
Rationale: A 2.5-inch SATA SSD can usually replace a 2.5-inch SATA hard
drive using the same interface while providing faster access times and
eliminating mechanical components.
Q5. After replacing a laptop wireless card, Wi-Fi signal strength
remains extremely poor even when the laptop is beside the access
point. What should the technician check first?
A) Display resolution
B) Wi-Fi antenna leads and their placement
C) CPU thermal paste
D) Battery calibration
Correct Answer: B) Wi-Fi antenna leads and their placement
Rationale: Laptop wireless cards connect to internal antennas through small
antenna leads. Improperly attached or damaged antenna connections can
cause very weak wireless reception despite a functional adapter.
Q6. A laptop's built-in camera is detected by the operating system,
but applications display a black image. What physical feature should
be checked before replacing hardware?
A) Camera privacy shutter
B) RAM module
C) Touchpad cable
D) Power supply selector
Correct Answer: A) Camera privacy shutter
, Rationale: Many modern laptops include a physical privacy shutter that
blocks the webcam lens. Checking simple physical privacy controls should
precede unnecessary hardware replacement.
Q7. A user reports that voice-conferencing applications receive no
audio, but speakers work correctly. Which component is most
directly related to this symptom?
A) Digitizer
B) Wi-Fi antenna
C) Microphone
D) GPU
Correct Answer: C) Microphone
Rationale: The microphone captures input audio, while speakers provide
output. If others cannot hear the user but audio playback works, the
microphone or its configuration should be investigated.
Q8. A laptop's fingerprint reader no longer recognizes any users
after the palm rest is replaced. Which issue is most likely?
A) DNS failure
B) Incorrect screen refresh rate
C) Failed storage drive
D) Biometric reader cable or connector was not properly reattached
Correct Answer: D) Biometric reader cable or connector was not properly
reattached
Rationale: Fingerprint readers are often integrated into the palm rest, power
button, or chassis and connect internally through small cables. A
disconnected reader may stop functioning after disassembly.
Q9. Which precaution is most important before opening a laptop to
replace internal hardware?
A) Disconnect external power and follow manufacturer battery-disconnection
procedures
B) Leave the AC adapter connected
C) Enable Bluetooth pairing
D) Increase display brightness
Correct Answer: A) Disconnect external power and follow manufacturer
battery-disconnection procedures
