Foundational hardware, networking, mobile device, and troubleshooting knowledge for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam, with a worked explanation on every practice question.
Free sample questions
No account needed. Every question has a worked explanation, just like the full bank.
lock_openFree sampleNetworkingmedium
Which statement correctly distinguishes TCP from UDP as transport-layer protocols?
- ATCP is connection-oriented and uses a three-way handshake to provide ordered, reliable delivery, whereas UDP is connectionless and sends datagrams without acknowledgement.check_circle Correct
- BUDP opens a session with a three-way handshake and retransmits any lost segments, while TCP sends datagrams with no acknowledgement.
- CBoth TCP and UDP guarantee reliable in-order delivery and differ only in the range of well-known port numbers each is allowed to use.
- DTCP is connectionless and therefore faster for streaming, while UDP is connection-oriented and resends any packets that fail to arrive at the receiver.
Recognise that TCP is connection-oriented and reliable while UDP is connectionless and unacknowledged. TCP performs a three-way handshake and uses sequence numbers, acknowledgements, and retransmission to deliver an ordered, reliable byte stream. UDP omits all of that, sending independent datagrams with lower overhead but no delivery guarantee.
Why A is correct: TCP sets up a session and guarantees ordered delivery with acknowledgements and retransmission, while UDP is a lightweight connectionless protocol that trades reliability for speed.
Why B is wrong: This is tempting because both protocols are real transport protocols, but the attributes are reversed: the handshake and retransmission belong to TCP, not UDP.
Why C is wrong: This sounds reasonable because both use the same well-known port space, but only TCP guarantees reliable ordered delivery; UDP makes no such guarantee.
Why D is wrong: The connectionless-versus-connection-oriented labels are swapped here: UDP is the connectionless one, and TCP is the protocol that resends lost packets.
lock_openFree sampleNetworkingmedium
A web application must serve pages over an encrypted TLS session. Which well-known port and protocol does the browser connect to by default?
- ATCP port 80, the default for unencrypted HTTP traffic between the browser and web server.
- BTCP port 443, the registered port for HTTPS, which wraps HTTP inside a TLS-encrypted session.check_circle Correct
- CTCP port 8080, a common alternative that web proxies and application servers use for HTTP.
- DTCP port 21, the control channel a client opens when transferring files to a server.
Map HTTPS to TCP port 443 and distinguish it from plaintext HTTP on port 80. HTTPS is HTTP carried inside a TLS session, and IANA registers it on TCP port 443. Plaintext HTTP uses port 80, so only 443 provides the encrypted transport the application requires.
Why A is wrong: Port 80 is genuinely used for web traffic, but it carries plaintext HTTP with no TLS encryption, so it does not meet the encrypted requirement.
Why B is correct: HTTPS is registered on TCP port 443 and encapsulates HTTP within TLS, which is exactly what an encrypted web session requires.
Why C is wrong: Port 8080 is a real alternate HTTP port, but it is unregistered for TLS and still typically serves unencrypted traffic, so it is not the default for a secure session.
Why D is wrong: Port 21 is the FTP control channel, not a web protocol, so it is unrelated to serving encrypted web pages.
lock_openFree sampleNetworkingmedium
An administrator wants an encrypted command-line replacement for Telnet when managing a networking device. Which protocol and port provide that secure alternative?
- ATelnet on TCP port 23, which offers a familiar interactive command-line session to the device.
- BRDP on TCP port 3389, which gives an encrypted remote session to the target system.
- CSSH on TCP port 22, which encrypts the entire interactive command-line session and its credentials.check_circle Correct
- DHTTPS on TCP port 443, which encrypts the management traffic exchanged with the device.
Select SSH on TCP port 22 as the encrypted command-line replacement for insecure Telnet. SSH encrypts the full interactive session, including login credentials, and listens on TCP port 22. Telnet on port 23 sends everything in cleartext, so SSH is the best-practice secure command-line alternative.
Why A is wrong: Telnet on port 23 does give a command-line session, but it transmits credentials and data in plaintext, so it is the insecure protocol being replaced.
Why B is wrong: RDP is encrypted, but it provides a graphical desktop session rather than the command-line access that replaces Telnet.
Why C is correct: SSH on port 22 encrypts the whole session including authentication, making it the standard secure replacement for plaintext Telnet.
Why D is wrong: HTTPS is encrypted, but it serves a web management interface rather than the interactive command line that Telnet provides.
Frequently asked questions
- How many questions are on the 220-1101 exam?
- The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) exam has Maximum of 90 questions questions and runs for 90 minutes. The format is multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based.
- What score do I need to pass 220-1101?
- The pass mark is 675 / 900. Examworthy gives you a per-domain readiness score so you can see which domains are holding you back before you book.
- How much does the 220-1101 exam cost?
- The exam costs 249 USD to sit. Practising on Examworthy is free to start, with a worked explanation on every question.
- Is there a 220-1101 practice exam?
- Yes. Examworthy's exam mode runs a timed 220-1101 practice exam (mock) paced to match the real exam, scored per domain so you can see exactly where you stand against the blueprint. Timed mocks are free with an account.
- How does Examworthy help me prepare for 220-1101?
- Every practice question carries a worked explanation and a per-distractor rationale, mapped to the official blueprint domains. You learn why each answer is right or wrong, not just the letter.
- Is Examworthy affiliated with CompTIA?
- No. Examworthy is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA. Our questions are original, blueprint-aligned practice material; we never reproduce live exam items.
Examworthy is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA. All questions are original, blueprint-aligned practice material. We never reproduce live exam items. 220-1101 and related marks belong to their respective owners.
