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Free 220-1202 practice test: 30 questions with answers

30 original questions for CompTIA A+ Core 2, drawn from every topic area. Answer each one to see whether you got it right and why. No sign-up.

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220-1202 exam guide: topics, cost and format

All 30 220-1202 questions with answers

The same questions as the test above, grouped by exam topic. Open any question to see the answer and explanation.

Operating Systems (4 questions)

  1. Question 1

    A technician must install Windows 11 on a computer that has a 64-bit processor and legacy BIOS only. Which requirement is not met?

    1. AA 64 GB or larger system storage drive
    2. BAt least 4 GB of DDR4 RAM installed
    3. CA 64-bit processor at 1 GHz or faster
    4. DUEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: D

    Windows 11 requires UEFI firmware with Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, so a legacy-BIOS-only system does not meet the requirement. The other items in the list are within the usual minimum requirements.

  2. Question 2

    A user wants to create a new local account on a Windows 11 PC without using a Microsoft account. Which tool is the most direct way to do this?

    1. AThe Device Manager, which lists installed hardware drivers and their state
    2. BThe Registry Editor, changing HKCU application settings
    3. CThe Disk Management console, which partitions and formats drives
    4. DSettings > Accounts > Other users, or the lusrmgr.msc tool on Pro editions
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: D

    Settings under Accounts or the local users tool on Pro editions can create local accounts. Device Manager, the Registry Editor and Disk Management do not manage user accounts.

  3. Question 3

    A technician needs to check which services are running and set one service to start automatically on a Windows computer. Which console should be used?

    1. AServices (services.msc)
    2. BCharacter Map
    3. CEvent Viewer
    4. DPerformance Monitor only
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: A

    The Services console shows service status and startup types, and it can be used to change startup behaviour. Event Viewer shows logs, Character Map inserts characters, and Performance Monitor graphs counters.

  4. Question 4

    A user needs to clear temporary files and reduce disk space usage on Windows without manually searching folders. Which built-in tool helps with this?

    1. ATask Scheduler, runs jobs
    2. BRemote Desktop Connection app
    3. CNetstat, shows open ports
    4. DStorage settings or Disk Cleanup
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: D

    Storage settings and Disk Cleanup identify and remove temporary and unneeded files. Task Scheduler runs tasks, Remote Desktop connects to other computers, and Netstat shows network connections.

Security (4 questions)

  1. Question 5

    A user must be able to unlock a Windows PC quickly without typing a password each time. The company's policy requires that biometric data never leaves the device. Which feature fits?

    1. AWindows Hello with a fingerprint or face recognition
    2. BA shared password written on a sticky note near the monitor
    3. CAutologon with password prompts fully disabled
    4. DA guest account in the Administrators group
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: A

    Windows Hello uses biometrics that are stored and verified locally on the device, which meets the policy. Shared passwords, autologon and guest admin accounts weaken security.

  2. Question 6

    A computer has been infected with malware and the user wants to remove it while keeping the operating system. Which action is the most appropriate first step?

    1. ADisconnect the computer from the network and run a full scan with updated antivirus or anti-malware tools
    2. BTurn on the guest account so a clean profile can run the system scan and keep it connected
    3. CFormat the computer without backing up files, which erases the drive and removes user profiles and documents
    4. DRestart the computer repeatedly in Safe Mode and check Task Manager after each boot for changes
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: A

    Isolating the computer prevents further spread, and a full scan with current definitions removes the malware. Formatting without backup loses data, enabling a guest account adds risk, and restarting repeatedly does not clean the system.

  3. Question 7

    A user gets a phone call from someone claiming to be the IT department and asking for the user's password to fix a problem. What should the technician advise?

    1. ANever share the password; verify the caller through a known channel and report the attempt
    2. BEmail the password to the caller's supervisor so there is a written record of the request in the log
    3. CWrite the password on a sticky note on the monitor for the caller to use
    4. DShare the password, since the caller is from the IT department and needs it for a ticket to fix it
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: A

    Legitimate IT staff do not need passwords, and the call should be verified and reported as a social engineering attempt. Sharing, emailing or posting the password exposes the account.

  4. Question 8

    A small office wants to make its wireless network secure for employees while keeping guest access separate. Which configuration meets this?

    1. AWPA2 or WPA3 for employees and a separate guest network isolated from internal resources
    2. BOne open network for everyone with no encryption and no client isolation on the access point
    3. CWEP with the same 64-bit key configured on every device and every access point, without key rotation
    4. DA single shared password for employees and guests with full access to the file servers and the NAS
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: A

    Strong wireless security for employees and an isolated guest network separates trust levels. Open networks, WEP and shared full-access passwords expose internal resources.

Operational Procedures (4 questions)

  1. Question 9

    A technician must document a change made to a server before and after the work, including the time, the reason and the person who approved it. Which process is this?

    1. AChange management
    2. BPatch cabling
    3. CCable tracing
    4. DScreen calibration
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: A

    Change management records and approves changes with their reasons, timing and approvals. Cabling, tracing and screen calibration are different tasks.

  2. Question 10

    A technician is asked to dispose of old hard drives that contained customer data. Which procedure is the most appropriate?

    1. ASell the drives without wiping them to a third-party recycler in bulk so the company can recover some cost at a fair profit
    2. BSecurely wipe or physically destroy the drives according to policy and keep a certificate of destruction
    3. CThrow the drives in the regular trash with other office waste at the end of the day in the bin behind the building by cleaners
    4. DKeep the drives in the desk drawer indefinitely, unlabelled and unencrypted, in a locked cabinet in the server room for a while
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: B

    Secure wiping or destruction removes recoverable data, and a certificate records the disposal for audit. Trash, unwiped sales and indefinite storage all risk data exposure.

  3. Question 11

    A technician works in a data room with sensitive equipment and must reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge damage when handling components. Which precaution is most appropriate?

    1. AWork while standing on a carpet with no grounding
    2. BWear rubber-soled shoes on carpet and handle boards without grounding
    3. CUse an anti-static wrist strap connected to a proper ground
    4. DTouch the component pins directly with bare hands
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: C

    An anti-static wrist strap grounds the technician and prevents static from reaching the components. Carpets, bare hands on pins and ungrounded work all increase the risk of ESD damage.

  4. Question 12

    A technician is replacing a component in a rack-mounted server while the server is running, and the server is in a critical service. Which procedure is most appropriate?

    1. AIgnore the change window and do the work during peak hours when user traffic is highest so the team saves time today
    2. BTurn off the entire data centre to be safe during the full repair window overnight
    3. CRemove the component immediately without notice from the live rack while the service is up
    4. DSchedule the work in a maintenance window and use the hot-swap process if the component supports it
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: D

    Maintenance windows and approved hot-swap procedures reduce the impact on the service. Removing components without notice, shutting down the data centre and working in peak hours all cause avoidable outages.

Software Troubleshooting (4 questions)

  1. Question 13

    Which two commands help check whether a Windows computer can reach another host on the network? (Choose two.)

    1. Aping
    2. Bchkdsk
    3. Cformat
    4. Dtracert
    5. Ediskpart
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: A, D

    ping tests reachability and round-trip time, and tracert shows the path to the destination and where it stops. Disk checking, formatting and partition tools do not test network reachability.

  2. Question 14

    Which two steps are appropriate before installing a new driver on a Windows computer? (Choose two.)

    1. AInstall unsigned drivers from unknown websites
    2. BDisable antivirus permanently to speed up the install
    3. CCreate a restore point or back up important data
    4. DTurn off Windows Update permanently
    5. EDownload the driver only from the official manufacturer
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: C, E

    A restore point or backup allows recovery if the driver causes problems, and official sources reduce the risk of malicious or incompatible drivers. Unsigned drivers from unknown sites, disabled antivirus and permanently disabled updates all add risk.

  3. Question 15

    A Windows PC shows a blue screen with a stop code after a recent driver update. The technician wants to undo the change quickly. Which option should be used?

    1. AFormat the disk without a backup and reinstall Windows now
    2. BTurn off the power and hope it fixes itself for a while
    3. CRoll back the driver in Device Manager or use Safe Mode to remove it
    4. DReplace the monitor with a new panel and DisplayPort cable
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: C

    Rolling back the driver or removing it from Safe Mode reverts the problematic change. Formatting without backup loses data, replacing the monitor does not address a driver fault, and waiting does not fix it.

  4. Question 16

    A user reports that a printer prints blank pages. The technician checks the printer and finds that the toner is low. What is the most likely next step?

    1. AReplace the network cable to the printer on the switch
    2. BReinstall the operating system on this PC
    3. CReplace or refill the toner and run a test page
    4. DChange the user's password in Settings
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: C

    Blank pages with low toner point to the consumable, so replacing it and printing a test page confirms the fix. Reinstalling the OS, the network cable and passwords are unrelated to toner.

Networking (4 questions)

  1. Question 17

    A technician needs to connect a PC to a switch in an office using a cable that supports 1 Gbps Ethernet over short distances. Which cable type is most appropriate?

    1. ASerial null-modem cable with a DB-9 connector
    2. BSingle-mode fibre with LC ends for a 2m link
    3. CCat 5e or Cat 6 unshielded twisted pair
    4. DCoaxial RG-6 with an F-connector for broadband
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: C

    Cat 5e and Cat 6 twisted-pair cables support gigabit Ethernet over short office distances. Coaxial RG-6 is for video and broadband, single-mode fibre is unnecessary for a short link, and serial cables are not Ethernet.

  2. Question 18

    A small office has a wireless network with poor coverage in a back room. Which device should the technician add to extend the coverage?

    1. AA hub with no power supply and a single uplink port to the LAN
    2. BA wireless access point connected by wire to the network
    3. CA 24-port patch panel mounted in the wall cabinet
    4. DA UPS with no network interface and 1500VA load
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: B

    A wired access point extends wireless coverage and connects to the network through the switch. A hub with no power, a patch panel and a UPS without a network interface do not extend wireless coverage.

  3. Question 19

    A user's laptop connects to the wireless network, but the connection is slow and the signal strength is weak. Which action is most likely to improve the connection?

    1. AChange the screen brightness and colour profile in display settings
    2. BMove closer to the access point or reduce interference from nearby devices
    3. CInstall a new keyboard driver package from the vendor and reboot
    4. DDisable the battery in firmware settings to stop the wireless card from sleeping
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: B

    Weak signal is improved by reducing distance or interference from walls, microwaves or other networks. Screen brightness, keyboard drivers and disabling the battery do not affect wireless signal strength.

  4. Question 20

    A technician wants to check whether a PC can reach its default gateway. Which command performs this check?

    1. Anet share Docs=C:\Share /UNIQUE
    2. Bchkdsk C: /f /r /x /scan
    3. Cformat C: /FS:NTFS /Q /V:DATA
    4. Dping the default gateway address
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: D

    Pinging the default gateway shows whether the local network path to the gateway works. Disk checking, formatting and sharing commands do not test gateway reachability.

Hardware (4 questions)

  1. Question 21

    A technician is installing a new RAM module in a desktop computer. The motherboard has four slots, and the technician wants the best performance. Which configuration is recommended?

    1. AInstall a single module in the first slot and leave the rest empty for cooling
    2. BInstall matching modules in the recommended slot pairs to enable dual-channel mode
    3. CMix modules of different speeds and capacities in random slots for speed
    4. DInstall the modules in the expansion slots rather than memory slots
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: B

    Matching modules in the recommended pairs enable dual-channel operation, which improves memory bandwidth. A single module, mixed speeds in random slots and expansion slots all reduce performance or are incorrect.

  2. Question 22

    A desktop computer does not power on, and the technician suspects the power supply. Which tool is the most appropriate for testing its output voltages?

    1. AA cable tester
    2. BA multimeter
    3. CA toner probe
    4. DA loopback plug
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: B

    A multimeter measures voltages and continuity, which helps confirm whether the power supply delivers the correct voltages. Cable testers check network or data cabling, toner probes trace cables, and loopback plugs test ports.

  3. Question 23

    A technician needs to install a solid-state drive that uses the M.2 form factor on a motherboard. Which requirement must be checked first?

    1. AThe colour of the computer chassis and the finish of the front bezel panel, which does not change slot fit
    2. BThe M.2 slot supports the drive's interface, such as NVMe or SATA, and the drive length fits
    3. CThe monitor's refresh rate, measured in hertz, on the external display connected to the graphics output
    4. DThe number of USB ports on the motherboard rear panel and the front header, which varies by chassis
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: B

    M.2 drives come in different lengths and interfaces, so the slot must support the interface and the length must fit. USB ports, chassis colour and monitor refresh rates do not affect compatibility.

  4. Question 24

    A laptop's display shows no image, but the external monitor works. The technician suspects the internal display cable. Which component is the most likely faulty part to check next?

    1. AThe keyboard layout and key mapping in the input controller
    2. BThe wireless card antenna and its cable to the Wi-Fi module
    3. CThe display cable or the connector at the display
    4. DThe optical drive and its tray mechanism in the chassis bay
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: C

    A working external monitor suggests the graphics output is fine, so the internal display path, including the cable and connector, is the likely fault. Keyboard, optical drive and wireless antennas are not in the display path.

Mobile Devices (4 questions)

  1. Question 25

    A tablet's touchscreen responds incorrectly, and the user has tried restarting the device. Which step is the most appropriate next troubleshooting action?

    1. ACheck for software updates and calibrate the screen, then test the touchscreen in a safe mode if available
    2. BRemove the SIM card and keep using the device while the touch layer settles down
    3. CTurn the screen brightness to maximum and disable adaptive brightness so the display stays bright
    4. DReplace the keyboard dock and the on-screen keyboard driver with a new hardware unit from the vendor after a diagnostic check
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: A

    Updates and calibration can fix software-related touch issues, and a safe mode test helps isolate third-party app faults. Replacing a keyboard, removing the SIM and brightness changes do not address touch input.

  2. Question 26

    A user's phone shows that the battery is charging slowly. Which step should the technician take first?

    1. AChange the phone's ringtone and vibration pattern in the sound settings menu to match caller groups
    2. BFormat the phone's storage partition and erase user data before reinstalling the OS from scratch
    3. CReplace the screen assembly and digitizer with an OEM part after confirming the display fault and retesting
    4. DCheck the charging cable, adapter and port for damage, and try a known good charger
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: D

    Slow charging is often caused by a damaged cable, adapter or port, so testing with known good accessories is the logical first step. Screen replacement, formatting and ringtones do not affect charging.

  3. Question 27

    A user wants to connect a laptop to a projector using a video cable. Which connection provides both video and audio on a single cable in most modern devices?

    1. AHDMI
    2. BVGA only
    3. CSerial port
    4. DParallel printer port
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: A

    HDMI carries digital video and audio on one cable. VGA carries video only, and serial and parallel ports are legacy interfaces unrelated to video output.

  4. Question 28

    A user's phone must sync contacts with a corporate directory and enforce a passcode. Which mechanism manages these policies on the device?

    1. AMobile device management (MDM) enrolment
    2. BA local backup to a USB drive nightly
    3. CA paper checklist kept by the desk
    4. DTurning on airplane mode and Wi-Fi
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: A

    MDM enrolment applies policies such as passcodes and manages corporate data sync on the device. Local backups, paper checklists and airplane mode do not enforce policies.

Cloud and Virtualization (2 questions)

  1. Question 29

    A company runs several virtual machines on a single physical server to use the hardware more efficiently. Which technology enables this?

    1. AA RAID controller only
    2. BA print spooler
    3. CA hypervisor
    4. DA network hub
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: C

    A hypervisor allows several virtual machines to share one physical host. Print spoolers, RAID controllers and hubs do not create virtual machines.

  2. Question 30

    A user wants to store files in a cloud service and access them from several devices with automatic synchronization. Which type of service does this describe?

    1. AA physical file server in the user's home
    2. BA local printer queue
    3. CA DVD archive
    4. DCloud file storage with sync
    Show answer and explanation
    Correct answer: D

    Cloud file storage with sync keeps files available across devices and updates them automatically. A home file server, a printer queue and a DVD archive do not provide that synchronization.