CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 1 (2026) 220-1201 Practice Questions

Answer : C

F-type connectors are commonly used to terminate coaxial cables in cable internet, cable TV, and satellite connections.

From CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Official Study Guide, Objective 3.1 -- Network cables and connectors:

''F-type connectors are used for coaxial cable terminations in cable modem and TV installations.''

Verified Source:

CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Official Study Guide, Chapter 3: Networking Cables and Connectors

CompTIA Exam Objectives 220-1101, Domain 3.1

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Answer : A

Software as a Service (SaaS) provides users access to fully managed applications hosted in the cloud. CompTIA A+ explains that SaaS is subscription-based and typically billed monthly or annually, which aligns perfectly with the phrase ''recurring fee.'' Business productivity applications---such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoom, Slack, and Salesforce---are classic examples of SaaS offerings.

SaaS applications run entirely in the provider's cloud environment, eliminating the need for installation, maintenance, or management by the customer. This makes SaaS ideal for businesses that need reliable, scalable tools without maintaining their own infrastructure.

DaaS (Desktop as a Service) provides virtual desktops.

PaaS (Platform as a Service) offers a development framework for building applications.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) provides virtual servers, storage, and networking---not end-user productivity apps.

Thus, SaaS is the correct and only model that matches the description of subscription-based access to productivity applications.

Answer : A

To share a phone's cellular data connection with a laptop, the user should use a hotspot, also known as mobile hotspot or Wi-Fi tethering. In CompTIA A+ Core 1 terms, this feature allows a smartphone to act like a small wireless router: it takes the phone's mobile data (4G/5G) connection and rebroadcasts it over Wi-Fi so another device (the laptop) can join the wireless network using an SSID and password. This is the most common and straightforward method because laptops universally support Wi-Fi and the connection typically provides better throughput than other tethering methods. Hotspot/tethering settings also commonly allow configuration of security (WPA2/WPA3) and can limit connected devices to reduce unauthorized access and manage data usage.

Bluetooth (option B) can support tethering on some devices, but it is slower, more limited, and not the primary expected answer when the goal is simply sharing cellular internet with a laptop. NFC (option C) is mainly used for close-range pairing or payments and does not provide an internet sharing link by itself. Ethernet (option D) would require wired adapters and is not the standard method for cellular sharing. Therefore, Hotspot is the best answer.

Answer : A

Input voltage must be validated to ensure desktop PCs can operate in different regions with varying power standards (e.g., 110V in North America vs. 220V in Europe). Failure to verify input voltage compatibility can lead to hardware damage or operational issues.

Option B (BIOS language support): Incorrect. While language support may be helpful, it is not critical for hardware deployment across regions.

Option C (Supply chain security): Incorrect. This refers to ensuring secure sourcing of components but does not directly impact deployment.

Option D (Power efficiency): Incorrect. Power efficiency may be important for energy savings but is not relevant to regional compatibility.

CompTIA A+ Core 1 Objectives: 3.5 (Power supply requirements)

Answer : A

RAID 5 provides fault tolerance by distributing parity information across all drives, allowing the array to continue operating if one drive fails. In a three-drive RAID 5 set, a single disk failure puts the array into a degraded state where it can still function, but it is at higher risk because losing a second drive before recovery would cause data loss. Since the system reports Drive 3 has failed after a power outage, the best next step to minimize risk is to replace the failed drive immediately and start the rebuild. Rebuilding regenerates the missing data blocks onto the new drive using parity, returning the array to a protected state.

Option B leaves the array degraded and increases exposure to a second failure. Option C (firmware upgrade) is not a first response in an active failure scenario and can introduce additional risk or downtime. Option D (restore from backup) is typically used when the array is unrecoverable or multiple drives fail; it is more disruptive and unnecessary when RAID 5 can recover from a single-disk failure. Therefore, replacing the defective drive and triggering an array rebuild is the correct next step.

Answer : C

DNS contains different record types that serve specific purposes. To determine where incoming email should be delivered for a particular domain, DNS uses an MX (Mail Exchange) record. CompTIA A+ identifies MX records as essential for routing mail from external senders to the appropriate mail server assigned to a domain.

The MX record specifies:

The mail server hostname responsible for receiving messages

Priority values, which determine which server to try first

The server destination for SMTP traffic

When someone sends an email, the sending mail server queries DNS to find the MX record for the recipient's domain. The SMTP server then relays the email to the server listed in that record.

CNAME is used for aliasing hostnames, TXT is used for verification/security (SPF, DKIM), and AAAA maps a hostname to an IPv6 address. None of these direct email delivery. Only MX records are designed to instruct mail servers where to deliver incoming email.

Thus, the correct answer is MX.

Answer : B

Port 23 is used by Telnet, an unencrypted remote connection protocol that poses significant security risks. Disabling Telnet and using secure alternatives like SSH (port 22) is best practice.

From CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Official Study Guide, Objective 2.1 -- Common ports and protocols:

'Port 23 (Telnet) provides unencrypted remote access and should be disabled to increase security. Use SSH (port 22) for secure remote connections.'

Verified Source:

CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Official Study Guide, Chapter 2: Ports and Protocols

CompTIA Exam Objectives 220-1101, Domain 2.1

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