[COMPTIA A+ CORE 1 & 2 220-1101/1102] – EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE TEST
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-50
1. A technician is configuring a new SOHO router. After connecting the modem
to the WAN port, the technician can access the internet but cannot access the
router’s administrative console using the default gateway IP address. Which of
the following is the most likely reason for this issue?
A. The DHCP server on the router is disabled.
B. The computer's IP address is not on the same subnet as the router's LAN IP.
C. The DNS server settings on the computer are incorrect.
D. The router's WAN port is faulty.
Correct Answer: B. The computer's IP address is not on the same subnet as the
router's LAN IP.
Rationale: To access a router's web-based administration interface, the client device
must have an IP address within the same subnet as the router's LAN interface. The
router's WAN port is used for the internet connection and has a different IP address
typically provided by the ISP. If a user manually configures a static IP address that
falls outside the router's LAN subnet, they will be unable to connect to the
management interface, despite having a functional internet connection.
2. A user reports that their workstation is making a loud, continuous clicking
noise. The system also frequently locks up during file operations, and a recent
,file copy process failed with a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error. Which
hardware component is most likely failing?
A. Power Supply
B. CPU Fan
C. Hard Disk Drive
D. RAM Module
Correct Answer: C. Hard Disk Drive.
Rationale: A loud, repeating clicking noise emanating from a system, often called
the "click of death," combined with frequent system lockups during file operations
and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) errors, are classic indicators of a failing
mechanical hard disk drive. A CRC error indicates data read corruption, which
strongly suggests a physical defect on the disk's platters or a failing read/write
head. A failing power supply or CPU fan can cause overheating or instability, but
not the specific combination of clicking and CRC errors associated with data
corruption from the storage device.
3. A user is having trouble connecting to a network printer. The printer is
shared via a print server. Other users can print to the same printer without
issue. The user's computer has an IP address of 169.254.23.45. What is the most
likely cause of the problem?
A. The printer is out of paper.
B. The user's computer is not receiving a DHCP lease.
C. The print spooler service on the print server is stopped.
D. The printer's network cable is unplugged.
Correct Answer: B. The user's computer is not receiving a DHCP lease.
,Rationale: An IP address in the 169.254.x.x range is an Automatic Private IP
Addressing (APIPA) address. This is assigned by Windows when a DHCP server is
unavailable or cannot be reached. Since other users can print, the printer, print
server, and network infrastructure are likely functioning correctly. The issue is
isolated to this specific user's computer, which has failed to obtain a valid IP address
from the DHCP server, preventing it from communicating with the print server.
4. A technician is tasked with upgrading the memory in a laptop. Which of the
following memory types is most likely to be used in a modern thin-and-light
laptop?
A. SO-DIMM DDR4
B. DIMM DDR5
C. RAMBUS RDRAM
D. MicroDIMM DDR3
Correct Answer: A. SO-DIMM DDR4.
Rationale: Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module (SO-DIMM) is the standard
form factor for laptop RAM. DDR4 is currently a very common, modern technology
used in many current laptops. DIMMs are for desktops. MicroDIMM is an older, less
common form factor primarily used in ultra-portable devices. RDRAM (Rambus
DRAM) was used in older systems and is not a modern laptop memory standard.
5. A user's smartphone battery is draining much faster than usual. The user has
closed all applications and the battery usage screen shows the "Android
System" or "iOS System" is consuming a significant percentage. Which of the
following actions would best help a technician determine the underlying
cause?
, A. Enable Airplane Mode.
B. Perform a factory reset.
C. Check for and install operating system updates.
D. Replace the battery with a third-party battery.
Correct Answer: C. Check for and install operating system updates.
Rationale: Excessive battery drain by "Android System" or "iOS System" is frequently
caused by a software bug or a poorly optimized background process. This is often
resolved by installing the latest operating system updates, which include patches for
performance and battery management. Enabling Airplane Mode would disable
radios but not address the system process itself. A factory reset is a more drastic
step and should be attempted only if software updates do not resolve the issue.
Replacing the battery is not indicated if the system processes are the main
consumer.
6. A technician is installing a new high-end graphics card for a gaming
workstation. The new card requires significant additional power. Which type of
power connector from the power supply should the technician use to power
the card?
A. 4-pin Molex
B. 8-pin EPS12V
C. 6+2-pin PCIe
D. 15-pin SATA
Correct Answer: C. 6+2-pin PCIe.
Rationale: The 6+2-pin PCI Express (PCIe) power connector is specifically designed
to supply supplemental power to high-performance graphics cards. It can be used
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE TEST
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-50
1. A technician is configuring a new SOHO router. After connecting the modem
to the WAN port, the technician can access the internet but cannot access the
router’s administrative console using the default gateway IP address. Which of
the following is the most likely reason for this issue?
A. The DHCP server on the router is disabled.
B. The computer's IP address is not on the same subnet as the router's LAN IP.
C. The DNS server settings on the computer are incorrect.
D. The router's WAN port is faulty.
Correct Answer: B. The computer's IP address is not on the same subnet as the
router's LAN IP.
Rationale: To access a router's web-based administration interface, the client device
must have an IP address within the same subnet as the router's LAN interface. The
router's WAN port is used for the internet connection and has a different IP address
typically provided by the ISP. If a user manually configures a static IP address that
falls outside the router's LAN subnet, they will be unable to connect to the
management interface, despite having a functional internet connection.
2. A user reports that their workstation is making a loud, continuous clicking
noise. The system also frequently locks up during file operations, and a recent
,file copy process failed with a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error. Which
hardware component is most likely failing?
A. Power Supply
B. CPU Fan
C. Hard Disk Drive
D. RAM Module
Correct Answer: C. Hard Disk Drive.
Rationale: A loud, repeating clicking noise emanating from a system, often called
the "click of death," combined with frequent system lockups during file operations
and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) errors, are classic indicators of a failing
mechanical hard disk drive. A CRC error indicates data read corruption, which
strongly suggests a physical defect on the disk's platters or a failing read/write
head. A failing power supply or CPU fan can cause overheating or instability, but
not the specific combination of clicking and CRC errors associated with data
corruption from the storage device.
3. A user is having trouble connecting to a network printer. The printer is
shared via a print server. Other users can print to the same printer without
issue. The user's computer has an IP address of 169.254.23.45. What is the most
likely cause of the problem?
A. The printer is out of paper.
B. The user's computer is not receiving a DHCP lease.
C. The print spooler service on the print server is stopped.
D. The printer's network cable is unplugged.
Correct Answer: B. The user's computer is not receiving a DHCP lease.
,Rationale: An IP address in the 169.254.x.x range is an Automatic Private IP
Addressing (APIPA) address. This is assigned by Windows when a DHCP server is
unavailable or cannot be reached. Since other users can print, the printer, print
server, and network infrastructure are likely functioning correctly. The issue is
isolated to this specific user's computer, which has failed to obtain a valid IP address
from the DHCP server, preventing it from communicating with the print server.
4. A technician is tasked with upgrading the memory in a laptop. Which of the
following memory types is most likely to be used in a modern thin-and-light
laptop?
A. SO-DIMM DDR4
B. DIMM DDR5
C. RAMBUS RDRAM
D. MicroDIMM DDR3
Correct Answer: A. SO-DIMM DDR4.
Rationale: Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module (SO-DIMM) is the standard
form factor for laptop RAM. DDR4 is currently a very common, modern technology
used in many current laptops. DIMMs are for desktops. MicroDIMM is an older, less
common form factor primarily used in ultra-portable devices. RDRAM (Rambus
DRAM) was used in older systems and is not a modern laptop memory standard.
5. A user's smartphone battery is draining much faster than usual. The user has
closed all applications and the battery usage screen shows the "Android
System" or "iOS System" is consuming a significant percentage. Which of the
following actions would best help a technician determine the underlying
cause?
, A. Enable Airplane Mode.
B. Perform a factory reset.
C. Check for and install operating system updates.
D. Replace the battery with a third-party battery.
Correct Answer: C. Check for and install operating system updates.
Rationale: Excessive battery drain by "Android System" or "iOS System" is frequently
caused by a software bug or a poorly optimized background process. This is often
resolved by installing the latest operating system updates, which include patches for
performance and battery management. Enabling Airplane Mode would disable
radios but not address the system process itself. A factory reset is a more drastic
step and should be attempted only if software updates do not resolve the issue.
Replacing the battery is not indicated if the system processes are the main
consumer.
6. A technician is installing a new high-end graphics card for a gaming
workstation. The new card requires significant additional power. Which type of
power connector from the power supply should the technician use to power
the card?
A. 4-pin Molex
B. 8-pin EPS12V
C. 6+2-pin PCIe
D. 15-pin SATA
Correct Answer: C. 6+2-pin PCIe.
Rationale: The 6+2-pin PCI Express (PCIe) power connector is specifically designed
to supply supplemental power to high-performance graphics cards. It can be used
