CompTIA A+ 220-801 Practice Exam
- Practice Questions
- Quick-Check Answer Key
- Answers and Explanations
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Now let’s kick it up a notch. This second 220-801 exam could be considered an intermediate practice test. I’ll be mixing in some more difficult questions this time. Unlike the first exam, this one is freestyle, meaning the questions are randomized. You can expect questions from any of the domains, in any order.
Again, the goal here is to make sure you understand all of the concepts before moving on to the next test. If you didn’t already, I suggest taking a break between exams. If you just completed the first exam, give yourself a half-hour or so before you begin this one. If you didn’t score 90% or higher on Exam A, go back and study; then retake Exam A until you pass with 90% or higher.
Write down your answers and check them against the answer key that immediately follows the exam. After the answer key, you will find explanations for all of the answers. Good luck!
Practice Questions
Which of the following IP addresses would a technician see if a computer is connected to a multifunction network device and is attempting to obtain an IP address automatically but is not receiving an IP address from the DHCP server?
A. 172.16.10.10- B. 192.168.0.10
- C. 169.254.10.10
- D. 192.168.10.10
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 65
80mm and 120mm are common sizes for what type of PC component?
- A. Case fans
- B. CPUs
- C. Heat sinks
- D. Memory modules
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 65
What is the total number of devices that can be daisy-chained to an IEEE 1394 port?
- A. 127
- B. 63
- C. 15
- D. 255
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 65
What does a yellow exclamation point next to a device in the Device Manager indicate?
- A. A driver is not properly installed for this device.
- B. The device is disabled.
- C. The driver is not digitally signed.
- D. The device driver needs to be upgraded.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 65
Beep codes are generated by which of the following?
- A. CMOS
- B. RTC
- C. POST
- D. Windows
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 65
How should you apply spray cleaner to a monitor?
- A. Spray the cleaner directly on the monitor screen.
- B. Spray the cleaner on the top of the monitor and wipe down.
- C. Spray evenly on the monitor.
- D. Spray the cleaner on a clean, lint-free cloth first.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 65
Which bus slot provides the highest video performance?
- A. PCI
- B. SCSI
- C. AGP
- D. PCIe
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 65
Which of the following indicates that a printer is network-ready?
- A. An RJ11 jack
- B. A USB connector
- C. An RJ45 jack
- D. An SCSI connector
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 65
You just turned off a printer to maintenance it. What should you be careful of when removing the fuser?
- A. The fuser being hot
- B. The fuser being wet
- C. The fuser being fragile
- D. The fuser releasing toner
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 66
Where is the memory controller located in a Core 2 Duo system?
- A. On the CPU
- B. On memory
- C. Within the chipset
- D. Within the PCIe controller
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 66
Which of the following connectors is used for musical equipment?
- A. MIDI
- B. HDMI
- C. DVI
- D. DisplayPort
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 66
Although not used as often as a Phillips screwdriver, this tool is sometimes used to remove screws from the outside of a computer case or from within a laptop.
- A. Monkey wrench
- B. Torx wrench
- C. Channel lock
- D. Pliers
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 66
What is the main advantage of selecting a 64-bit operating system over a 32-bit operating system?
- A. The ability to use software-based data execution prevention (DEP)
- B. The ability to use unsigned drivers
- C. The ability to access more than 4 GB of RAM
- D. The ability to run multiple 16-bit programs in separate memory spaces
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 66
Moving your CPU’s speed beyond its normal operating range is called _____________.
- A. Overclocking
- B. Overdriving
- C. Overpowering
- D. Overspeeding
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 66
Which port is typically known as a serial port?
- A. DVI
- B. COM1
- C. LPT1
- D. SCSI
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 66
What is the most important piece of information needed to connect to a specific wireless network?
- A. Channel
- B. MAC address
- C. SSID
- D. Administrator password
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 67
Which password is used in the BIOS (CMOS) to prevent end users from accessing the BIOS contents?
- A. Supervisor
- B. User
- C. Administrator
- D. Local
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 67
Why would the display on a laptop get dimmer when the power supply from the AC outlet is disconnected?
- A. The laptop cannot use full brightness when on battery power.
- B. Power management settings on the laptop.
- C. To operate properly, laptop displays require an alternating current power source.
- D. Security settings on the laptop.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 67
Which tool should always be used when working on the inside of the computer?
- A. Cordless drill
- B. Antistatic strap
- C. Multimeter
- D. Screwdriver
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 67
What are advantages of using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)? (Select the two best answers.)
- A. IP addresses can be managed from a central location.
- B. The network speed can automatically adjust based on the type of traffic being generated.
- C. The hosts file on the computer can be validated for proper entries.
- D. Media access control addresses can be changed.
- E. Computers can automatically get new addressing when moved to a different network segment.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 67
On a laptop, which of the following would most likely be a pointing device?
- A. Serial mouse
- B. PS/2 mouse
- C. USB mouse
- D. Touchpad
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 67
Which of the following storage technologies is used by traditional hard disk drives?
- A. Magnetic
- B. Optical
- C. Impact
- D. Solid-state
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 67
On which type of computer is RAM the most important?
- A. Gaming PC
- B. Virtualization workstation
- C. AV workstation
- D. HTPC
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 68
A client brings in a printer that is giving a paper-feed error. What is the most likely cause?
- A. The separation tab
- B. The developing rollers
- C. The paper tray
- D. The pickup rollers
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 68
Which of the following is the default port for HTTPS?
- A. Port 25
- B. Port 80
- C. Port 143
- D. Port 443
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 68
What is the maximum distance at which a Class 2 Bluetooth device can receive signals from a Bluetooth access point?
- A. 100 meters
- B. 10 meters
- C. 5 meters
- D. 1 meter
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 68
Which of the following form factors does a VGA connector comply with?
- A. 8P8C
- B. 15-pin D shell
- C. microATX
- D. RG-6
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 68
You and a co-worker are running network cables above the drop ceiling. The co-worker accidentally touches a live AC power line and is thrown off the ladder and onto the ground. He is dazed and can’t stand. He is no longer near the AC power line. What should you do first?
- A. Cut the power at the breaker.
- B. Move the co-worker farther down the hall.
- C. Apply CPR.
- D. Call 911.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 68
A customer reports that an optical drive in a PC is no longer responding. What question should you ask first?
- A. “What has changed since the optical drive worked properly?”
- B. “Did you log in with your administrator account?”
- C. “What did you modify since the optical drive worked?”
- D. “Have you been to any inappropriate websites?”
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 68
Which device can store a maximum of 1.44 MB on a removable disk?
- A. Floppy drive
- B. CD-ROM
- C. ROM
- D. Compact Flash
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 68
What wireless networking standard operates at 5 GHz only?
- A. 802.11a
- B. 802.11b
- C. 802.11g
- D. 802.11n
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 68
What is the PC equivalent of FireWire?
- A. IEEE 1284
- B. USB
- C. IEEE 1394
- D. ISA
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 69
Which type of RAM has a peak transfer of 12,800 MB/s?
- A. DDR3-800
- B. DDR2-1600
- C. DDR3-1600
- D. DDR2-800
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 69
Which type of printer uses a print head, ribbon, and tractor feed?
- A. Laser
- B. Impact
- C. Inkjet
- D. Thermal
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 69
What is a possible symptom of a failing CPU?
- A. CPU is beyond the recommended voltage range.
- B. Computer won’t boot.
- C. BIOS reports low temperatures within the case.
- D. Spyware is installed into the browser.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 69
Which of the following cable types is not affected by EMI but requires specialized tools to install?
- A. Cat 6
- B. STP
- C. Fiber optic
- D. Coaxial
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 69
A computer you are working on has a lot of dust inside it. How should you clean this?
- A. Disassemble the power supply and remove the dust.
- B. Use a vacuum to clean up the dust.
- C. Use a surface dust cleaning solution.
- D. Use compressed air to remove the dust.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 69
Setting an administrator password in the BIOS accomplishes which of the following?
- A. Prevents a user from rearranging the boot order
- B. Prevents a user from reading e-mail
- C. Prevents a virus from infecting the MBR
- D. Prevents an attacker from opening the case
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 70
Which function is performed by the external power supply of a laptop?
- A. Increases voltage
- B. Stores power
- C. Converts DC power to AC power
- D. Converts AC power to DC power
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 70
Which type of cable has only two twisted pairs?
- A. UTP
- B. POTS line
- C. Fiber
- D. Coaxial
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 70
How many pins would you see in a high-quality printhead on a dot matrix printer?
- A. 24
- B. 15
- C. 8
- D. 35
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 70
When it comes to computer case form factors, which of the following provides the most room for effective cooling?
- A. ATX
- B. BTX
- C. ITX
- D. microATX
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 70
A co-worker is traveling to Europe and is bringing her computer. She asks you what safety concerns there might be. What should you tell her?
- A. The computer is not usable in other countries.
- B. Check for a compatible power adapter for that country.
- C. Use a line conditioner for the correct voltage.
- D. Check the voltage selector on the power supply.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 70
What is an LCD display’s contrast ratio defined as?
- A. Power consumption
- B. Display resolution and brightness
- C. The darkest and lightest outputs
- D. Power savings
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 70
Which of the following tools can protect you in the case of a surge?
- A. Torx wrench
- B. Antistatic strap
- C. Voltmeter
- D. Antistatic mat
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 71
What connector can have audio and video pass through it?
- A. VGA
- B. RGB
- C. DVI
- D. HDMI
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 71
While you are working on a computer at a customer’s home, the customer informs you that he needs to leave for about 10 minutes and that his 8-year-old son can help you with anything if you need it. What should you do?
- A. Tell the customer to get back home as soon as possible.
- B. Tell the customer that you are not responsible for the child.
- C. Tell the customer that an adult must be home while you work.
- D. Tell the customer that the child must be removed.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 71
Which device limits network broadcasts, segments IP address ranges, and interconnects different physical media?
- A. Switch
- B. WAP
- C. Firewall
- D. Router
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 71
You just upgraded the CPU. Which of the following can make your computer shut down automatically after a few minutes? (Select the best answer.)
- A. Wrong CPU driver.
- B. Wrong voltage to the CPU.
- C. Incorrect CPU has been installed.
- D. The CPU has overheated.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 71
Which of the following power connections might be used by hard drives? (Select the two best answers.)
- A. 8-pin
- B. 7-pin
- C. Molex
- D. 15-pin
- E. Berg
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 71
Which of the following is a valid IPv4 address for a network host?
- A. 127.0.0.1
- B. 169.254.0.0/16
- C. 172.17.58.254
- D. 255.10.15.7
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 71
If a lot of data is flowing through a network card, what should the activity light look like?
- A. Unlit
- B. Rapid, erratic flashing
- C. Solid green
- D. Solid yellow
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 72
You want to upgrade memory in your computer. Which of the following is user-replaceable memory in a PC?
- A. CMOS
- B. BIOS
- C. DRAM
- D. SRAM
- E. ROM
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 72
You are working on a very old printer, and it starts to smoke. What should you do?
- A. Turn off the printer.
- B. Call 911.
- C. Unplug the printer.
- D. Call maintenance.
- E. Tell the printer it is bad to smoke.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 72
Which technology has the fastest data transfer rate?
- A. 802.11a
- B. 802.11b
- C. 802.11g
- D. 802.11n
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 72
You are asked to fix a problem with a customer’s domain controller that is outside the scope of your knowledge. What action should you take?
- A. Learn on the job by trying to fix the problem.
- B. Tell the customer that the problem should be reported to another technician.
- C. Assure the customer that the problem will be fixed very soon.
- D. Help the customer find the appropriate channels to fix the problem.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 72
Of the following, which IP address is private?
- A. 11.58.254.169
- B. 169.255.10.41
- C. 172.31.1.1
- D. 192.169.0.1
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 73
How should you remain in the face of adversity?
- A. Wavering
- B. Decisive
- C. Positive
- D. Certain
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 73
What is the local loopback IPv6 address?
- A. 127.0.0.1
- B. ::1
- C. 192.168.0.0
- D. FE80::/10
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 73
Which of the following statements is correct concerning IPv6 addresses?
- A. They cannot be used with IPv4.
- B. They are supported by all routers.
- C. They represent addressing using 128 bits.
- D. They require fiber-optic connections.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 73
What operating CPU temperature is typical?
- A. 60° Fahrenheit
- B. 60° Celsius
- C. 72° Fahrenheit
- D. 72° Celsius
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 73
You need to install a printer that can be used to print payroll checks on paper forms that have a carbon backing. Which printer technology should you select?
- A. Impact
- B. Laser
- C. Inkjet
- D. Thermal
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 73
In current motherboards, which memory bus width can be accomplished by using the dual channel technology?
- A. 64-bit
- B. 128-bit
- C. 256-bit
- D. 448-bit
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 73
Which of the following best describes a hub?
- A. Inspects traffic and accepts or declines transmission
- B. Determines the best route to transmit data
- C. Broadcasts data to all network devices
- D. Broadcasts data to specific network devices
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 73
Which of the following tools could a person use to test an AC outlet? (Select the two best answers.)
- A. Multimeter
- B. PSU tester
- C. Receptacle tester
- D. Loopback plug
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 74
What maximum data transfer rate is IEEE 1394b capable of?
- A. 12 Mbps
- B. 400 Mbps
- C. 480 Mbps
- D. 800 Mbps
- E. 5 Gbps
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 74
Which of the following is not a configuration that can be made in the BIOS?
- A. Boot sequence
- B. Temperature thresholds
- C. Overclocking
- D. Install drivers
- E. Intrusion detection
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 74
Which of the following traits and port numbers are associated with POP3?
- A. Receives inbound e-mail on port 110
- B. Receives inbound e-mail on port 25
- C. Sends outbound e-mail on port 110
- D. Sends outbound e-mail on port 25
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 74
When working on a computer, which of the following should you disconnect to prevent electrical shock? (Select the two best answers.)
- A. Printer
- B. Mouse
- C. Telephone cord
- D. Power cord
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 74
Which of the following controls the connection between the CPU and the PCIe x16 expansion slot?
- A. Northbridge
- B. Power supply
- C. Memory
- D. Memory controller
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 74
What is the recommended method for handling an empty toner cartridge?
- A. Throw it away.
- B. Incinerate it.
- C. Refill it.
- D. Recycle it.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 74
Which type of cable would you use to connect a laptop directly to a PC?
- A. Cat 5e patch cable
- B. Parallel cable
- C. IEEE 1394b cable
- D. Cat 5e crossover cable
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 74
A customer experiences a server crash. When you arrive, the manager is upset about this problem. What should you do in this scenario?
- A. Stay calm and do the job as efficiently as possible.
- B. Take the customer out for a cup of coffee.
- C. Avoid the customer and get the job done quickly.
- D. Refer the customer to your supervisor.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 75
Which of the following types of printers uses toner?
- A. Impact
- B. Laser
- C. Inkjet
- D. Thermal
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 75
As you are servicing a manager’s PC at your company, you run across a list of names of employees who are supposedly about to be let go from the company. Some of these people are co-workers. What should you do?
- A. Turn the sheet over.
- B. Act as if you never saw the list.
- C. In secret, tell everyone who was on the list.
- D. Yell at the manager for having that list out.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 75
In order to perform a network installation of Windows, which of the following must be supported by the computer’s network interface card?
- A. PXE
- B. PCI
- C. PCL
- D. PnP
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 75
In which of the following slots would you place an 8x video card?
- A. PCI
- B. PCIe
- C. AGP
- D. AMR
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 75
Which of the following is the newest type of mouse connection?
- A. Serial
- B. USB
- C. PS/2
- D. Parallel
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 75
How can you reduce the chance of ESD? (Select the three best answers.)
- A. Use an antistatic strap.
- B. Use an antistatic mat.
- C. Raise the temperature.
- D. Raise the humidity.
- E. Lower the humidity.
- F. Work in a carpeted area.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 75
Which of the following is a unique characteristic of a dual-core processor versus a single-core processor?
- A. A dual-core processor has two cores, with separate caches, on the same physical chip.
- B. A dual-core processor has several unique cores, with the same cache, on two different chips.
- C. A dual-core processor uses higher voltage than a single-core processor.
- D. A dual-core processor requires more RAM to function than a single-core processor.
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 76
Which of the following devices is the least likely to be replaced on a laptop?
- A. CPU
- B. RAM
- C. PC Card
- D. Keyboard
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 76
If your “bandwidth” is 1000 Mbps, how many bits are you sending/receiving? (Select the two best answers.)
- A. 100,000,000 bits per minute
- B. 1000 bits per second
- C. 1,000,000,000 bits per second
- D. 1 gigabit per second
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 76
Which of the following is an example of a broadband connection?
- A. Cable Internet
- B. Ethernet
- C. Client/Server
- D. IEEE 802.3
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 76
Which of the following can send data the farthest?
- A. Multi-mode fiber
- B. Single-mode fiber
- C. STP
- D. Coaxial
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 76
You need to expand the peripherals of a computer, but the system doesn’t have enough ports. Which type of card should you install?
- A. Modem
- B. Network adapter
- C. USB card
- D. TV tuner card
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 76
Which of the following is a typical speed of a SATA hard drive?
- A. 1000 Mbps
- B. 3.1 GHz
- C. 8 GB
- D. 7200 RPM
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 76
Which of the following should you use to clean a monitor’s screen if you are not sure how to do so?
- A. Isopropyl alcohol
- B. Mild detergent
- C. Water
- D. Boric acid
Quick Answer: 63
Detailed Answer: 76
Which of the following best describes the differences between a switch and a router?
- A. A switch interconnects devices on the same network so that they can communicate, whereas a router interconnects one or more networks.
- B. A router broadcasts all data packets that are sent on the network, and a switch transmits data directly to the device.
- C. A switch broadcasts all data packets that are sent on the network, and a router transmits data directly to the device.
- D. A switch interconnects one or more networks, whereas a router interconnect devices on a network.
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 77
Ray wants to install a new internal SATA hard drive in his computer. Which types of cables should he connect to the drive? (Select the two best answers.)
- A. 7-pin data cable
- B. 40-pin data cable
- C. 4-pin power cable
- D. 15-pin power cable
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 77
A group of users in ABC Corp. needs to back up several gigabytes of data daily. Which of the following is the best media for this scenario?
- A. DVD
- B. Dual-Layer DVD
- C. External USB hard drive
- D. DLT
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 77
You are required to rip the contents of a CD to a compressed file format that can be read easily on PCs, Linux computers, or Macs. Which format should you select?
- A. .AAC
- B. .WMA
- C. .MP3
- D. .MOV
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 77
You need to replace and upgrade the memory card in a smartphone. Which type of memory does the smartphone most likely use?
- A. SSD
- B. CF
- C. USB flash drive
- D. SD
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 77
Your organization relies heavily on its server farm for resources and is less reliant on the client computers. Which type of client computer does the organization most likely use?
- A. Virtualization workstation
- B. Client/Server
- C. Thin client
- D. Thick client
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 77
What are the respective functions of the two corona wires in a laser printer? (Select the two best answers.)
- A. Condition the drum to be written to
- B. Transfer toner from the drum to the paper
- C. Fuse the toner to the paper
- D. Clean the drum
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 77
Which of the following capabilities enables a printer to store multiple documents?
- A. Buffer
- B. Print driver
- C. Printer pool
- D. Spooling
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 77
While you explain a technical concept to a customer, what is the best action for you to take?
- A. Recommend a training class.
- B. Sit next to the customer.
- C. Use acronyms so that the customer feels comfortable about your knowledge.
- D. Tell the customer to read the manual.
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 78
You are setting up a SOHO network with DSL. Which of the following devices should you place on the phone line so that the line can be shared with a phone and the DSL modem?
- A. Line filter
- B. Heat sink
- C. Router
- D. Coax splitter
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 78
One way to provide preventive maintenance to a hard drive is to do what?
- A. Upgrade the cache on the drive to improve performance.
- B. Increase the amount of RAM on the PC to increase the page file.
- C. Install a second hard drive.
- D. Keep an area of airflow around the drive so that it doesn’t overheat.
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 78
After a blackout, the power comes back on, causing a surge to occur on all the computers and equipment in the office. Your co-worker’s laptop display doesn’t come on. However, if you look closely at the display, you can see that Windows is running, but very dimly. What could be the cause of this problem?
- A. The inverter has been shorted out.
- B. The power supply has failed.
- C. The display is not getting power.
- D. The display driver has failed.
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 78
Which tool would you use to test a 24-pin ATX 12v power connector?
- A. Torx wrench
- B. Multimeter
- C. Receptacle tester
- D. Tone and probe kit
Quick Answer: 64
Detailed Answer: 78