220-1101 CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 1 Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

Category 7 (Cat 7) cables provide the best performance with the least Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) due to their enhanced shielding. Cat 7 cables are designed to support higher speeds and bandwidth while reducing interference compared to Cat 5 or Cat 6.

Why Not A (Cat 5): Cat 5 cables have limited shielding and are prone to EMI, making them unsuitable for high-performance requirements.

Why Not B (Cat 6): Cat 6 offers better shielding than Cat 5 but less than Cat 7.

Why Not D (Coaxial): While coaxial cables are resistant to EMI, Cat 7 offers better performance overall for networking applications.

CompTIA A+ Exam Reference: Core 1 (220-1101), Section 3.1, cable types and their performance characteristics​.

Given the network information for the server “InternalToolCentral” with an IP address of “192.130.230.5” and a subnet mask of “255.255.255.0”, the gateway address should be within the same network range. However, the gateway address is listed as “192.130.230.1”, which is correct and within the same subnet. Therefore, the issue is not with the gateway settings.

The DNS servers are listed as “8.8.8.8” and “4.2.2.1”, which are public DNS servers and should be able to resolve domain names correctly if they are reachable.

The open ports listed include 25 (SMTP), 80 (HTTP), 110 (POP3), 443 (HTTPS), and 3306 (MySQL), which are standard ports for their respective services.

Considering the provided options and the network settings, the most likely explanation for users being unable to access resources on the file server is: A. Applicable ports have been closed during routine hardening. This could prevent users from connecting to the necessary services on the file server.

Reasoning: Many docking stations provide power and functionality only when the laptop is properly powered on. If the laptop was powered off (e.g., during the vacation), docking it will not automatically turn it on. The technician should first ensure the laptop is powered on by pressing the power button.

This is a common troubleshooting step when laptops in docking stations appear non-functional.

Relevance to CompTIA A+ Core 1: This falls under Objective 5.2, which covers diagnosing and resolving common laptop and mobile device issues.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Ensure the docking station is plugged in:

While ensuring power to the docking station is important, the scenario specifies that the issue occurred after a vacation. The likelihood of the docking station losing power coincidentally during the vacation is low. Verifying the laptop's power state should be the first step.

C. Plug the laptop in and let it charge overnight:

There is no indication the laptop’s battery is drained. While charging could resolve a dead battery, the user is more likely experiencing an issue where the laptop is powered off but docked, so charging overnight is not the best first step.

D. Connect the laptop directly to the network:

A network connection will not resolve the primary issue of the keyboard and display not working. Addressing the laptop’s power state is a higher priority.

Practical Example:

If a user returns from a vacation and places a powered-off laptop into a docking station, it may not automatically power on. Pressing the power button ensures the laptop is operational and communicating with the docking station.

CompTIA A+ Exam Objective Alignment:

Objective 5.2: Troubleshooting common laptop issues, including power, display, and peripheral connectivity.

The digitizer converts touch inputs into digital signals, enabling touch functionality on a monitor. This component is essential for touch screens to process user input and is covered under the CompTIA A+ Core 1 objective on display technologies for mobile devices​.

Step by Step Detailed Comprehensive Explanation with All CompTIA References:

Analysis of the Problem:

eSIM is cost-effective, avoids physical SIM distribution, and provides flexibility in professional environments.

Option Evaluation:

A. Forward a company number to the employee's mobile phone: Temporary and lacks professionalism. Incorrect.

B. Offer a company SIM card: Requires physical handling and less secure than eSIM. Incorrect.

C. Give a company mobile phone: Expensive and not necessarily required. Incorrect.

D. Issue a company eSIM to the employee: Ensures cost-effectiveness and secure deployment. Correct.

ference: Domain 1.7 highlights the importance of device provisioning in corporate environments​​.

VGA (Video Graphics Array) cables transmit analog video signals only and do not carry audio signals. When a user connects a laptop to an audiovisual system using a VGA cable, the lack of audio is due to VGA's inability to transmit sound. Switching to an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable, which supports both audio and video signals, will most likely resolve the issue by enabling the transmission of sound to the audiovisual system alongside the video.

After setting up a RAID 5 array, the next step is to make the storage space usable by the operating system. This involves partitioning the array to define how the storage space is organized and then formatting it with a file system that the operating system can understand, thus making it possible to copy files to the array. Decreasing the number of drives, rebuilding the array, or checking the hot spare status would not address the issue of the array not being ready to store files.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

Dot matrix printers use an inked ribbon that physically contacts the paper through tiny pins. Over time, the ribbon wears out or dries up, resulting in faded or light print output. Replacing the ribbon restores print quality.

Option A: Cleaning helps with image clarity, not ink density.

Option C: Maintenance kits apply to laser printers, not dot matrix.

Option D: Calibration affects print position, not darkness.

CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam Objective Reference:

Objective 3.7: Given a scenario, troubleshoot common printer problems.

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Step by Step Detailed Comprehensive Explanation with All CompTIA References:

Analysis of the Problem:

The issue points to outdated or incompatible printer drivers on the older system.

Option Evaluation:

A. Reinstall the printer: Won’t resolve driver incompatibility. Incorrect.

B. Adjust the print tray: Unrelated to print quality. Incorrect.

C. Update the printer driver: Ensures compatibility and resolves print errors. Correct.

D. Change the toner: Unreadable text isn't caused by toner. Incorrect.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) dynamically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network, resolving the issue of an invalid static IP address. Configuring the device to use DHCP allows it to request and receive a valid IP address automatically.

Why Not A (SSH): Secure Shell (SSH) is used for secure remote access, not IP address assignment.

Why Not B (FTP): File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used for file transfers, not network configuration.

Why Not D (DNS): DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses but doesn’t assign IP addresses.

CompTIA A+ Exam Reference: Core 1 (220-1101), Section 2.5, basic networking​.

B. USB-C:

USB-C is a versatile connector that supports charging, high-speed data transfer, and the ability to send audio and video signals (e.g., DisplayPort over USB-C).

It is used by most modern mobile devices and laptops because of its fast transfer speeds and power delivery capabilities.

Incorrect Options:

A. Lightning: Lightning is proprietary to Apple devices and does not natively support video output.

C. MicroUSB: MicroUSB is outdated and does not support video output.

D. MiniUSB: MiniUSB is an older standard and does not support modern features like video output or fast charging.

Key Takeaway: USB-C is the most versatile connector for charging and transferring data, audio, and video.

An IP address beginning with 169.254 indicates that the device has not received a valid IP from the DHCP server. Rebooting the router can resolve minor configuration or network glitches, allowing DHCP to function correctly. The other options, such as adjusting lease time or static IP addresses, do not address the core problem. CompTIA A+ Core 1 objectives emphasize DHCP troubleshooting in SOHO networks.

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology):

S.M.A.R.T. is a monitoring system integrated into modern HDDs and SSDs that detects and reports on various indicators of drive health and reliability.

A S.M.A.R.T. error indicates that the drive is showing signs of impending failure, even if the PC continues to boot and work normally for the time being.

Next Steps:

The appropriate action is to replace the hard drive (HDD) because a S.M.A.R.T. error is an early warning of possible hardware failure. Ignoring the warning could result in data loss if the drive fails completely.

The technician should also back up the user's data immediately to avoid losing critical information.

Incorrect Options:

B. Update the PC's BIOS: While keeping the BIOS updated is a good practice, it does not address the S.M.A.R.T. error, which is specific to the HDD.

C. Close the ticket: Closing the ticket without resolving the issue would be improper, as the S.M.A.R.T. error is a hardware problem that needs to be addressed to prevent future data loss or downtime.

D. Change the NIC: The NIC (Network Interface Card) is unrelated to the storage system and would not resolve a S.M.A.R.T. error.

Key Takeaway:

A S.M.A.R.T. error is a critical indicator of HDD health issues, and the drive should be replaced as soon as possible. Backing up data is also essential.

For laptops, the most common type of RAM used is Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (SODIMM) due to its smaller size compared to DIMMs used in desktops. DDR5 is the latest generation of RAM, offering higher speed and efficiency. ECC (Error-Correcting Code) DIMM DDR5 and Registered DIMM DDR5 are typically used in servers and high-end workstations for error correction and stability, not in standard laptops. High latency DDR5 is not a desirable specification for RAM as lower latency is preferred for faster performance.

Hubs operate in half-duplex mode and are limited to low speeds like 10Mbps, making them the most likely cause for the network card's performance issue.

Why Not A (DSL): DSL relates to internet connectivity, not local network hardware.

Why Not B (Unmanaged switch): Unmanaged switches typically support full-duplex and higher speeds than 10Mbps.

Why Not C (NIC teaming): NIC teaming increases bandwidth and redundancy, and is not relevant to this issue.

CompTIA A+ Exam Reference: Core 1 (220-1101), Section 2.2, networking hardware​.