Nail the CompTIA 220-1201: A+ Core 1 Master Strategy (2026)

The correct answer is D. DVI (Digital Visual Interface) .

According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Hardware and Display Technologies:

DVI is primarily a video-only interface that transmits digital or analog video signals from a source (like a computer) to a display.

Unlike HDMI or USB-C, DVI does not carry audio signals , making it strictly for video.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. DisplayPort: Supports video and audio as well as other features such as daisy-chaining multiple monitors.

B. HDMI: Transmits both video and audio signals over a single cable.

C. USB-C: Can carry data, power, and video/audio signals depending on the device and protocol (e.g., DisplayPort Alt Mode).

The correct answer is D. Restart the device .

According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Mobile Devices and Security:

Warning messages like this can be caused by malicious pop-ups or temporary software glitches . Restarting the device is the safest and quickest first step to clear temporary processes, refresh the system, and remove transient malware or pop-up overlays.

This approach addresses the issue without risking data loss or unnecessary downtime.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Force close all running applications: May help if a specific app is causing the pop-up, but restarting achieves this more reliably and fully resets background processes.

B. Replace the tablet with a newer device: Unnecessary and costly for a potentially temporary software issue.

C. Reset the device to default settings: This is a last-resort action, as it erases personal data and settings; it is not the first step.

correct answer is " Overclocking " and " Reduce CPU Clock speed " CPU is at 4.5 Ghz when normal is 3.2 Ghz. Overclocking too much can cause freezes, and this is a gaming computer sothe user probably took it too far. http://blog.logicalincrements.com/2018/12/4-troubleshooting-tips-overclocking-pc/

The correct answer is A. Virtual LAN (VLAN) .

According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Networking:

VLANs are used to segment a physical network into multiple logical networks. By assigning the accounting department to a separate VLAN, users on other VLANs cannot access its network traffic without routing, thereby isolating sensitive departments while using the same physical switch.

VLANs improve security, reduce broadcast traffic, and allow network administrators to enforce access controls at the layer 2 level.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. DHCP reservations: Ensure that specific devices always receive the same IP address, but do not restrict network access.

C. Content filtering: Controls web or application traffic based on content, not segmenting network access between departments.

D. Port security: Limits which devices can connect to a port but does not provide full network segmentation for an entire department.

The correct answer is C. Virtualization .

According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Networking and Cloud/Virtualization Concepts:

Virtualization allows a single physical server to host multiple virtual machines (VMs), each running its own operating system and applications.

This reduces hardware costs because fewer physical servers are required to run multiple workloads, and it improves resource utilization, scalability, and management.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Containerization: Optimizes application deployment by packaging applications and dependencies, but containers share the host OS kernel and are not full OS instances.

B. Cloud computing: Refers to delivering computing services over the internet; it can use virtualization but is broader and not specifically focused on reducing physical hardware.

D. Remote desktop services: Provides remote access to desktops or applications; it does not reduce hardware requirements for hosting multiple OS environments.

The correct answer is A. 2.4GHz .

In the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 networking objectives, wireless networking technologies include frequency bands such as 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz , along with related concepts like channels, regulations, channel selection, Bluetooth, 802.11 standards, NFC, and RFID.

The 2.4GHz band supports the most devices because it is the oldest and most widely adopted Wi-Fi frequency listed. Many legacy devices, including older laptops, printers, IoT devices, smart home devices, and wireless peripherals, still rely on 2.4GHz. It also has better range and wall penetration than higher-frequency bands, although it is usually more crowded and slower.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. 5GHz

5GHz is newer than 2.4GHz and generally provides faster speeds with less interference, but it does not support as many older legacy devices.

C. 6GHz

6GHz is the newest Wi-Fi frequency option used with newer Wi-Fi standards, so it has the least legacy device support among the Wi-Fi frequency choices.

D. NFC

NFC is a short-range communication technology, not a Wi-Fi frequency band. It is used for close-proximity functions such as tap-to-pay, pairing, and access cards, so it is not the best answer.

Final Answer: A. 2.4GHz

The correct answers are E. NFC and F. Location services .

According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Mobile Devices and Security:

NFC (Near-Field Communication) : Enables the device to communicate with contactless payment terminals, which is essential for detecting nearby stores that accept contactless payments.

Location services : Allows the application to determine the user’s geographic location so it can provide notifications only when the user is near a participating store.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. MDM (Mobile Device Management): Manages device policies but does not enable location-based notifications or contactless payments.

B. Contact syncing: Synchronizes contacts; unrelated to payment notifications.

C. Bluetooth: Can be used for some proximity services, but NFC is required for contactless payment detection.

D. Hotspot: Provides internet access; not required for proximity detection in this context.

The correct answer is D. Verify the audio output assignment .

According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Hardware and Troubleshooting:

HDMI carries both video and audio signals . If video displays correctly but audio is not heard, it is often because the computer is still outputting sound to its internal speakers rather than the HDMI-connected device.

The user should check the audio output settings in the operating system and ensure the HDMI device (TV or projector) is selected as the audio output device.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Adjust the volume settings: Volumes are already at 50%, so adjusting them will not solve the problem if the audio output is assigned incorrectly.

B. Swap the HDMI cable: The video is working fine, so the cable is likely functional.

C. Reinsert the HDMI cable: Unlikely to resolve audio assignment issues if the connection is already working for video.

The correct answer is B. VGA .

VGA (Video Graphics Array) is an analog video interface . It transmits video signals as continuous electrical waves, which means the signal can degrade over distance or due to interference. VGA uses a 15-pin connector and is considered legacy hardware in modern systems, but it is still important for CompTIA A+ because you may encounter it in older equipment.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. DVI

DVI can support both digital and analog signals , but in most modern contexts and exam questions, it is primarily treated as a digital interface (especially DVI-D). Since the question asks for a clearly analog cable, VGA is the best answer.

C. USB-C

USB-C is a digital interface that can carry video signals using protocols like DisplayPort Alternate Mode. It does not transmit analog video.

D. HDMI

HDMI is a fully digital interface used for high-definition video and audio transmission. It does not support analog signals.

Exam Tip (Core 1 220-1201):

Analog video = VGA

Digital video = HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, most DVI types

Final Answer: B. VGA