CompTIA A+ Exam Questions

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1.

Which solution can provide encryption for email on mobile devices?

  • SSL

  • 2FA

  • MDM

  • SSID

Correct answer: SSL

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) can be used with mail protocols SMTP, IMAP, and POP. These use port numbers that are different from their unencrypted counterparts. 

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is for adding additional security to logins. Mobile device management (MDM) is for remotely managing users' devices. Service set identifier (SSID) is a wireless network's name.

2.

An administrator wants to set up two separate networks that do not share broadcast domains. Which type of device should they use for this?

  • Router

  • Switch

  • Bridge

  • Hub

Correct answer: Router

While a switch and bridge can break up collision domains, a router will break up broadcast domains. That means each network won't be clogged up by broadcasts from the other. 

A switch breaks up collision domains. A bridge connects two networks. A hub repeats all data it receives. 

3.

Which type of battery contains both mercury and silver?

  • Button cell

  • Nickel-Cadmium

  • Alkaline

  • Lithium-Ion

Correct answer: Button cell

Button cell batteries are small and round and are used in devices like watches. They are the only type of battery still used that may contain mercury.

Nickel-Cadmium contains cadmium, which is toxic. Alkaline batteries have not contained mercury since 1984. Lithion-Ion batteries do not contain hazardous materials. 

4.

What can be done to protect a system from viruses that occur when a user inserts media?

  • Disable AutoRun

  • Disable the Guest account

  • Change default usernames

  • Require Screen Saver Passwords

Correct answer: Disable AutoRun

When a user inserts media such as a USB drive or DVD, it could be infected. If a virus is referenced in the autorun.ini file, it can infect the machine automatically unless AutoRun is disabled.

Disabling the Guest account is useful for keeping users from gaining initial access to a system. Changing default usernames is useful because many attackers already know default usernames and passwords. Requiring screen saver passwords is useful for when a user is away from their workstation.

5.

What is the primary function of the BIOS in a computer system, and where is it typically stored?

  • The BIOS initializes hardware components during the boot process and is stored on a non-volatile memory chip on the motherboard

  • The BIOS manages the network connections and is stored on the hard drive

  • The BIOS controls user permissions and is stored within the operating system

  • The BIOS provides file storage and is stored on a removable USB drive

Correct answer: The BIOS initializes hardware components during the boot process and is stored on a non-volatile memory chip on the motherboard

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is responsible for performing hardware initialization during the boot process when a computer is powered on. It runs a POST (Power-On Self-Test) to ensure all necessary hardware components are functioning correctly. After initialization, the BIOS loads the bootloader, which in turn loads the operating system. The BIOS is stored on a non-volatile memory chip (such as a ROM or flash memory chip) on the motherboard. This ensures that the BIOS settings and firmware persist even when the computer is powered off.

Network connections are managed by the operating system and network interface card (NIC) drivers, not the BIOS. User permissions are managed by the operating system and its security features, not the BIOS. The BIOS operates below the level of the operating system and is stored on the motherboard. File storage is handled by storage devices such as hard drives, SSDs, and USB drives. The BIOS does not provide file storage and is not stored on a removable USB drive.

6.

What is the current standard capacity for a single-sided DVD (non-dual layer)?

  • 4.7 GB

  • 9.4 GB

  • 650 MB

  • 25 GB

Correct answer: 4.7 GB

A DVD can hold up to 4.7 GB of storage. It is possible to use both sides and incorporate two layers into a DVD, which would push its potential storage up to 17.1 GB. 

Blu-ray discs have much larger capacities, starting at 25 GB for just a single-layer, single-sided disc. A dual-sided DVD has a 9.4 GB capacity. A CD can have a capacity of 650 MB.

7.

After printing out a report on the company's laser printer, a user notices that there are faint images of previously printed pages (ghost images) showing up. 

Which part of the printer should be replaced FIRST to address this issue?

  • Toner cartridge

  • Erasure lamps

  • EP drum

  • Transfer corona

Correct answer: Toner cartridge

Ghosting can be caused by a broken cleaning blade or malfunctioning erasure lamps. A broken cleaning blade can be addressed by replacing the toner cartridge, which is a cheaper option than replacing erasure lamps and, therefore, should be tried first.

The EP (electrophotographic) drum is a critical component in the printing process. If it is worn out or damaged, it can cause ghost images. However, since the drum is often part of the toner cartridge in many laser printers, replacing the toner cartridge usually addresses issues with the drum as well. A problem related to the transfer corona could be blank pages.

8.

A Windows 10 system fails to boot 2 times in a row, so the administrator enters the Windows Recovery Environment. The administrator thinks that the file that holds the information about the location of the operating system needs to be rebuilt. Which option in the Windows Recovery Environment will rebuild this file? 

  • Startup Repair

  • Safe Mode

  • Debugging

  • Driver Signature Enforcement

Correct answer: Startup Repair

The Startup Repair option in the Windows Recovery Environment will rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). The BCD contains information about the operating systems installed on the computer.

Safe Mode boots into Windows with minimal drivers. Debugging mode turns on kernel debugging. Driver Signature Enforcement only allows drivers that have been signed by Microsoft.

9.

If you wanted to upgrade a hard disk drive to a faster, less volatile storage device, what type of device would you install?

  • SSD

  • HDD

  • PATA

  • SATA

Correct answer: SSD

A solid-state drive (SSD) uses flash memory technology to store data. It's faster and significantly less volatile because it is far less susceptible to drop damage and EMI. SSD storage has grown in size dramatically, and the price has fallen very quickly. They've become a viable element for improving the performance of nearly all computers. 

HDD stands for hard disk drive, and they are not as fast as solid-state drives (SSDs). PATA and SATA are standards for connecting hard drives.

10.

The mobile operating system iOS is developed by what company?

  • Apple

  • Samsung

  • Microsoft

  • Google

Correct answer: Apple

Apple developed the iOS operating system for mobile devices. The company uses iOS for iPad and iPhone mobile devices. It is currently the second-largest mobile operating system.

Samsung develops smartphones and tablets that primarily run the Android operating system. Samsung also has its own operating system, Tizen, used in some devices, but not iOS. Google is the developer of the Android operating system, which is used by a variety of smartphone manufacturers, but not iOS.  Microsoft develops the Windows operating system for PCs and laptops, and previously developed Windows Phone for mobile devices, but it does not develop iOS.

11.

The Control Box menu, which is used to control the state of an application, is located in which area of an application window?

  • Upper left corner

  • Upper right corner

  • Lower left corner

  • Beneath the title bar

Correct answer: Upper left corner

In Windows, the control box in the upper left corner of a window has a drop-down menu that appears when you click the control box. The drop-down menu contains items such as Move, Size, Minimize, and Maximize. Depending on the position of the mouse, when you hold down the mouse button, the drop-down menu either remains down or retracts to its original position. 

It is easy to confuse the upper right corner as the Control Box menu because it contains the Minimize, Maximize/Restore, and Close buttons, however, this is not the same as the Control Box menu which contains options such as Move and Size. The lower left corner of an application window typically does not contain any standard controls or menus. While the Control Box menu is associated with the title bar, it is specifically located in the upper left corner of the window, not just beneath the title bar.

12.

When you need to make a quick visual inspection of a motherboard, what is one of the FIRST things to check?

  • Distended capacitors

  • Loopback plug

  • Thermal paste

  • LED lights

Correct answer: Distended capacitors

When inspecting a computer's motherboard during troubleshooting, check for distended capacitors as they would be an immediate indicator that the motherboard has failed. Distended capacitors will have an inflated, puffy top that indicates they are virtually inoperable. There is little value in repairing the capacitors, so it is recommended to replace the motherboard completely.

A loopback plug is a device used to check if a port is functioning. Thermal paste is used between the CPU and the heat sink and cannot be easily seen. LED lights are not used for diagnosing problems on all motherboards.

13.

Which of the following provides protection against power issues such as dips in voltage?

  • UPS

  • Surge protector

  • Grounded outlet

  • Voltage meter

Correct answer: UPS

Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) provide consistent and constant power at a correct voltage to protect the computer against power outages and electrical disruptions in voltage, which can cause permanent damage. UPS devices use batteries when any issues occur. The change happens simultaneously, and the computer is completely unaffected.

A surge protector does not protect against dips. A grounded outlet only protects against surges. A voltage meter is used to measure voltage.

14.

A university campus is likely to use which kind of network?

  • MAN

  • WPAN

  • WAN

  • LPAN

Correct answer: MAN

A MAN is typically larger than a LAN and can cover a whole campus of multiple buildings, making it the logical choice. MANs don't cover large geographical distances like WANs, which can span globally connected networks. 

WPAN and LPAN are not accepted terminologies.

15.

Static electricity is MORE prevalent in what type of environment?

  • Dry, cool environment

  • Hot, humid environment

  • Dry, hot environment

  • Cool, moist environment

Correct answer: Dry, cool environment

You should be more cautious in a dry, cool environment and always wear an ESD wrist band to keep yourself grounded. In some cases, humidifiers are used to reduce the likelihood of static buildup.

16.

What type of bulbs provided the backlight for legacy LCD monitors?

  • Fluorescent

  • LED

  • Phosphor

  • Metal-halide

Correct answer: Fluorescent

Fluorescent bulbs were used in the first LCD monitors. LCD monitors were thinner and significantly lighter than conventional CRT monitors. 

Compared to LED monitors, however, legacy LCDs and their fluorescent bulbs put out much more heat and were much more robust in size than their LED counterpart. Currently, most modern monitors use LED, which has reduced energy usage, a thinner profile, and is extremely lightweight. Phosphor is a material that can emit light.  Metal-halide is used in halogen lamps.

17.

An administrator has several workstations that need to be networked together. The administrator wants a device that analyzes packets and sends them only to the appropriate device. Which type of device should they use to connect the workstations?

  • Switch

  • Hub

  • Repeater

  • Modem

Correct answer: Switch

A switch is a device with several ports that computers can connect to. A switch will filter on Layer 2 so that packets only go to their destination system. 

A hub has many ports like a switch, but only repeats data without filtering. A repeater extends a cable by amplifying a signal. A modem is a device that translates digital signals to analog so they can use telephone lines for internet access.

18.

What is the name of the simplified network configuration introduced with Windows 7, but removed in Windows 10 version 1803?

  • HomeGroup

  • Domains

  • WorkGroup

  • Peer-to-peer

Correct answer: HomeGroup

HomeGroup networks offer home users the ability to create a small, simplified network within the home with minimal configuration. The network configures all users with a unique password specific to the HomeGroup. 

Domains require a client and an authentication server. A WorkGroup allows computers to operate as both client and server, which makes it a peer-to-peer network. 

19.

On an iPhone, what status is given to a device that is paired but NOT actively communicating with the phone?

  • Not Connected

  • Connected

  • Not Paired

  • Pairing Request

Correct answer: Not Connected

A Bluetooth device that has been paired but is not currently connected will show up as Not Connected on the Bluetooth settings screen. If a device is paired but is not connecting, make sure that the device is unpaired with any other systems around you, then pair it with the iPhone again.

The Connected status is for paired devices that are currently connected. The Not Paired status is a device that has not gone through the pairing process. A Pairing Request screen shows up when a device is sharing a code to confirm a pairing.

20.

A user wants to perform light work from home on their Windows 10 computer and prefers using voice commands to control common tasks. 

Which Windows 10 feature allows them to accomplish this?

  • Cortana

  • Edge

  • Action Center

  • Spotlight

Correct answer: Cortana

Cortana can be used to understand voice commands and is available in each edition of Windows 10, except for Education. Cortana is not used in the Education edition due to privacy issues.

Edge is the latest web browser by Microsoft. The Action Center is where some settings and notifications can be accessed. The Spotlight feature is for displaying pictures on the lock screen.