10 beginner questions across both A+ cores: networking (ports, loopback), hardware (firmware boot settings), virtualization (hypervisors), mobile devices (Bluetooth), network troubleshooting (APIPA), operating systems (ipconfig), security (protecting a lost laptop), software troubleshooting (System Restore) and operational procedures (battery disposal).

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  1. A technician must allow secure web traffic (HTTPS) through a firewall. Which port does HTTPS use by default?

    • A. TCP 80
    • B. TCP 443 ✔ correct
    • C. TCP 22
    • D. TCP 3389

    Answer: B. HTTPS (HTTP over TLS) uses TCP port 443 by default. Port 80 is plain HTTP, 22 is SSH and 3389 is Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

    Source: www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc9110#section-4.2.2 · Domain: Networking

  2. A user's Windows PC shows the IPv4 address 169.254.20.15 and cannot reach the internet. What is the most likely cause?

    • A. The DNS server is returning wrong names for websites
    • B. The default gateway is set to a public IP address
    • C. The PC could not get an address from a DHCP server ✔ correct
    • D. The network card is running in full-duplex mode

    Answer: C. Addresses in 169.254.0.0/16 are link-local addresses (APIPA in Windows) that a host assigns itself when no DHCP server answers. Check the cable or Wi-Fi connection and the DHCP server.

    Source: www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc3927 · Domain: Hardware and network troubleshooting

  3. A technician needs a desktop PC to start from a USB drive to install Windows. Where can the technician choose the boot device?

    • A. In the UEFI/BIOS firmware settings ✔ correct
    • B. In Windows Disk Management
    • C. In Device Manager under USB controllers
    • D. In the Startup tab of Task Manager

    Answer: A. The boot device is chosen in the firmware (UEFI or BIOS) menus, opened with a manufacturer key such as F2, F12 or Delete during startup. The Windows tools listed only work after Windows has already started.

    Source: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/boot-to-uefi-mode · Domain: Hardware

  4. A bare-metal (Type 1) hypervisor runs directly on the host hardware, without a host operating system underneath it.

    • A. True ✔ correct
    • B. False

    Answer: A. True. A bare-metal hypervisor runs directly on the hardware. A hosted (Type 2) hypervisor, such as a desktop virtualization app, runs as an application on top of a host operating system.

    Source: nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication800-125.pdf · Domain: Virtualization and cloud computing

  5. A user wants to connect wireless earbuds to a smartphone for music and phone calls. Which wireless technology is normally used?

    • A. NFC
    • B. Infrared
    • C. 5G cellular
    • D. Bluetooth ✔ correct

    Answer: D. Bluetooth is the short-range wireless technology used to pair audio devices such as earbuds and headsets. NFC works only at a few centimetres (for example, payments), and 5G connects the phone to the mobile network.

    Source: www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/ · Domain: Mobile devices

  6. Which Windows command displays the computer's current IP address, subnet mask and default gateway?

    • A. ipconfig ✔ correct
    • B. chkdsk
    • C. gpupdate
    • D. sfc

    Answer: A. ipconfig displays the current TCP/IP configuration. chkdsk checks a disk for errors, gpupdate refreshes Group Policy and sfc scans and repairs protected system files.

    Source: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/ipconfi · Domain: Operating systems

  7. Which two measures help protect a Windows laptop and its data if the laptop is lost or stolen? (Select TWO)

    • A. Turn on BitLocker drive encryption ✔ correct
    • B. Enable the built-in Guest account
    • C. Require a sign-in password or PIN with automatic screen lock ✔ correct
    • D. Turn off Windows Defender Firewall
    • E. Disable automatic Windows updates

    Answer: A, C. Drive encryption such as BitLocker keeps the data unreadable even if the disk is removed, and a required sign-in with an automatic screen lock stops a finder from using an open session. The other options weaken security.

    Source: nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-114r1.pdf · Domain: Security

  8. After a driver update, a user's Windows PC keeps crashing. The user wants to undo the recent system change without losing personal files. Which built-in tool should the technician use?

    • A. Disk Cleanup
    • B. Defragment and Optimize Drives
    • C. System Restore ✔ correct
    • D. Windows Memory Diagnostic

    Answer: C. System Restore reverts system files, registry settings and installed programs to an earlier restore point, which can undo a problem driver update without affecting personal files. Disk Cleanup frees space and Memory Diagnostic tests RAM.

    Source: support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/backup-recovery/system-restore · Domain: Software troubleshooting

  9. A technician replaces a swollen lithium-ion battery in a laptop. What should be done with the old battery?

    • A. Put it in the regular office trash bin
    • B. Take it to a battery recycling drop-off point ✔ correct
    • C. Puncture it so the remaining charge drains
    • D. Keep it in a drawer with spare screws and cables

    Answer: B. Lithium-ion batteries can start fires and must not go in regular trash. Take them to a battery recycling or household hazardous waste site, following local rules. Never puncture or crush them.

    Source: www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lithium-ion-batteries · Domain: Operational procedures

  10. The IPv4 address 127.0.0.1 is a loopback address that refers to the local computer itself.

    • A. True ✔ correct
    • B. False

    Answer: A. True. Addresses in 127.0.0.0/8 are reserved for internal host loopback, so traffic to 127.0.0.1 never leaves the computer. Pinging it is a quick test of the local TCP/IP stack.

    Source: www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1122 · Domain: Networking

Original practice questions written by xOps School (DevOpsSchool Private Limited) from the public CompTIA exam objectives (A+ V15 exam objectives (Core 1 220-1201, Core 2 220-1202), launched 2025-03-25), checked 2026-10-25. They are not actual exam questions. xOps School is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA; exam names are trademarks of their owners. Official exam page: www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/a/.

Last modified: Sunday, 25 October 2026, 9:57 PM