Foundational hardware, networking, mobile device, and troubleshooting knowledge for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam, with every answer explained, right and wrong.
Exam domains and weighting
The 220-1101 blueprint is split across 5 domains. See the official exam guide for the authoritative breakdown.
Free sample questions
No account needed. Every question explains why every answer is right or wrong, 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 sampleHardwaremedium
Priya is running a new data drop from a switch to a workstation that must support a 1 Gbps Ethernet link. She needs to terminate the twisted-pair cable with the correct plug. Which connector should she crimp onto the cable?
- ARJ-11, the six-position plug commonly used to terminate copper runs feeding desktop network adapters
- BRJ-45, the eight-position plug that terminates the four twisted pairs of an Ethernet patch or drop cablecheck_circle Correct
- CF-type, the threaded coaxial connector used to terminate the run and land it on the workstation adapter
- DDB-9, the nine-pin serial connector often crimped onto twisted-pair runs feeding network ports
Gigabit Ethernet over twisted pair is terminated with an eight-position RJ-45 connector, not the six-position RJ-11 telephone plug. Gigabit Ethernet transmits over all four twisted pairs, and only the 8P8C RJ-45 connector lands all eight conductors; RJ-11 exposes just the centre positions used for telephony.
Why A is wrong: RJ-11 is tempting because it looks like a smaller Ethernet plug and uses the same crimp tooling, but it is a 6-position telephone connector and will not carry a Gigabit Ethernet link.
Why B is correct: RJ-45 is an 8P8C connector that lands all four pairs, which Gigabit Ethernet requires, making it the correct plug for a 1 Gbps drop.
Why C is wrong: F-type is plausible from cable-modem work, but it terminates 75-ohm coaxial cable, not twisted pair, so it cannot terminate an Ethernet drop.
Why D is wrong: DB-9 is a legacy serial connector for consoles and peripherals, not a crimp-on Ethernet plug, so it cannot terminate a network drop.
lock_openFree sampleHardwaremedium
Dev must run a 300 metre network link between two buildings, and the path passes close to industrial motors that generate heavy electromagnetic interference. He wants a cable type that both spans the distance and is immune to that interference. Which cable best meets both requirements?
- ACat 6 unshielded twisted pair, which supports high speeds and easily reaches the full 300 metre distance
- BRG-6 coaxial cable, whose shielded conductor blocks interference and carries the signal across the 300 metre gap
- CFibre optic cable, which carries the signal as light and is inherently immune to electromagnetic interferencecheck_circle Correct
- DCat 5e shielded twisted pair, which adds foil shielding so the copper run reaches the full 300 metres
Fibre optic carries data as light, giving it immunity to electromagnetic interference and reach far beyond the 100 metre limit of copper Ethernet. Copper twisted pair is limited to about 100 metres and its conductors couple with nearby magnetic fields; fibre uses light in a glass core, so it is unaffected by EMI and spans hundreds of metres.
Why A is wrong: Cat 6 is tempting for its speed, but copper Ethernet is limited to roughly 100 metres per run and its unshielded pairs are susceptible to the motor interference.
Why B is wrong: RG-6 is shielded, which addresses interference, but it is a coaxial media for video and cable-modem service, not a building-to-building Ethernet backbone at this distance.
Why C is correct: Fibre transmits light through glass, so it neither radiates nor picks up electromagnetic interference and easily exceeds 100 metres, meeting both requirements.
Why D is wrong: Shielded Cat 5e resists interference better than UTP, but it is still copper Ethernet capped near 100 metres, so it cannot span 300 metres.
More free 220-1101 practice questions, every answer explainedFrequently 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, and every answer is explained, right and wrong.
- 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. Timed mocks are free with an account.
- How does Examworthy help me prepare for 220-1101?
- Every practice question explains why the right answer is right and why each wrong one is wrong, mapped to the official blueprint domains. You learn the reasoning, 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.
