Sample A+ Core 1 (220-1201) — 1.0 Mobile Devices questions with explanations
Use these examples to check how the topics are tested. Read the explanation for every option you were unsure about, then start a scored practice set above.
Question 1
1.0 Mobile Devices
A user's laptop keyboard has several keys that are sticking and not registering presses reliably. The technician has already verified the issue persists in the BIOS and after reinstalling the OS. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST?
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○ Replace the entire keyboard assembly.
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✓ Use compressed air to clean under the keycaps.
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○ Re-seat the keyboard's internal ribbon cable.
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○ Update the keyboard driver from the manufacturer's website.
Answer:
B. Use compressed air to clean under the keycaps.
The correct answer is B. The FIRST step for a physical issue like sticking keys, after verifying it's not a software problem (as done by checking the BIOS), is to perform the simplest physical remediation: cleaning with compressed air. This can dislodge debris causing the sticking. Option A is a more invasive and costly repair that should be attempted only if cleaning fails. Option C, re-seating the cable, might address keys not working at all, but is less likely to fix individual sticking keys. Option D is incorrect because the issue was already proven to be hardware-related by persisting in the BIOS, which operates independently of the OS drivers.
Question 2
1.0 Mobile Devices / 2.0 Networking
Which protocol typically uses TCP/UDP port 389?
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○ SMTP
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○ DNS
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✓ LDAP
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○ RDP
Answer:
C. LDAP
TCP port 389 is used by assigned to LDAP.. It is a well-known port reserved by IANA for this service. Security best practice recommends restricting access to this port using a firewall.
Question 3
1.0 Mobile Devices / 3.0 Hardware
Which Windows edition directaccess, applocker, credential guard?
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○ Education
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✓ Enterprise
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○ Home
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○ Pro
Answer:
B. Enterprise
Windows Enterprise: DirectAccess, AppLocker, Credential Guard.
Question 4
1.0 Mobile Devices / 5.0 Troubleshooting
Which laptop component powers the backlight in older lcds?
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○ DC jack
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○ LCD panel
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○ Webcam
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✓ Inverter
Answer:
D. Inverter
Inverter: Powers the backlight in older LCDs.
Question 5
1.0 Mobile Devices
Choose 2
An IT administrator is developing a mobile device management (MDM) policy for a company that allows employees to use personal smartphones for work (BYOD). To protect corporate data in the event a device is lost or stolen, which TWO settings must be enforced? (Choose TWO)
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✓ Mandatory screen lock with a strong passcode or biometric authentication
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✓ Remote wipe capability to erase data upon command
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○ Automatic connection to public Wi-Fi networks for backup
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○ Disabling of GPS to conserve battery life
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○ Permission to sideload apps from unknown sources
Answer:
A. Mandatory screen lock with a strong passcode or biometric authentication | B. Remote wipe capability to erase data upon command
Mandatory screen lock (A) is critical because it prevents unauthorized physical access to the device, serving as a first line of defense against data theft. Remote wipe (B) allows administrators to remotely erase sensitive corporate data if the device is lost, directly mitigating data breach risks. Automatic connection to public Wi-Fi (C) is insecure as it exposes the device to network-based attacks like man-in-the-middle and should be disabled in security policies. Disabling GPS (D) may save battery but eliminates location tracking, which is less important for data protection than access control and data erasure. Permission to sideload apps (E) increases malware risks by allowing installations from untrusted sources, compromising device security and contradicting MDM best practices.
Question 6
1.0 Mobile Devices / 2.0 Networking
Which protocol typically uses TCP/UDP port 25?
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✓ SMTP
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○ SSH
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○ RDP
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○ HTTP
Answer:
A. SMTP
TCP port 25 is used by assigned to SMTP.. It is a well-known port reserved by IANA for this service. Security best practice recommends restricting access to this port using a firewall.
Question 7
1.0 Mobile Devices / 3.0 Hardware
Which Windows edition basic features, no domain join?
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✓ Home
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○ Pro
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○ Enterprise
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○ Education
Answer:
A. Home
Windows Home: Basic features, no domain join.
Question 8
1.0 Mobile Devices / 5.0 Troubleshooting
Which laptop component displays visual output?
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○ Webcam
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✓ LCD panel
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○ Digitizer
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○ DC jack
Answer:
B. LCD panel
LCD panel: Displays visual output.
Question 9
1.0 Mobile Devices
Which mobile OS is based on Linux and used for phones?
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✓ Android
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○ iOS
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○ Chrome OS
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○ Windows
Answer:
A. Android
Android is correct. This concept is important for the certification exam and appears in scenario-based questions testing your understanding of when and how to apply it.
Question 10
1.0 Mobile Devices / 2.0 Networking
Which protocol typically uses TCP/UDP port 23?
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○ SMTP
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✓ Telnet
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○ RDP
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○ LDAP
Answer:
B. Telnet
TCP port 23 is used by assigned to Telnet.. It is a well-known port reserved by IANA for this service. Security best practice recommends restricting access to this port using a firewall.
Question 11
1.0 Mobile Devices / 3.0 Hardware
Which input device pen-like input for touchscreens?
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○ Digitizer tablet
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✓ Stylus
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○ Touchpad
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○ Biometric scanner
Answer:
B. Stylus
Stylus: Pen-like input for touchscreens.
Question 12
1.0 Mobile Devices / 5.0 Troubleshooting
A laptop screen shows "dead pixels". What are likely causes?
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✓ Manufacturing defect, physical damage
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○ Cable issue, GPU problem, panel damage
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○ Loose cable, failing inverter, driver issue
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○ Backlight failure, inverter, brightness settings
Answer:
A. Manufacturing defect, physical damage
Dead pixels: Manufacturing defect, physical damage.
Question 13
1.0 Mobile Devices
A user's laptop display has become very dim, even with brightness set to maximum. The display image is still visible and uniform. The technician has already verified the OS power settings are correct. Which component should the technician check FIRST?
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○ The integrated graphics driver
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○ The LCD panel itself
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✓ The display's inverter board
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○ The system's RAM
Answer:
C. The display's inverter board
The correct answer is C, the display's inverter board. The scenario describes a dim but visible and uniform image, which is a classic symptom of a failing backlight. In older LCD laptops with CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) backlights, the inverter provides the high voltage needed to power the backlight. If it fails, the screen becomes very dim or dark. Option A is incorrect; a corrupt graphics driver would more likely cause resolution issues, artifacts, or a blank screen, not a uniformly dim image with correct display contents. Option B is less likely as the first check; while the LCD panel could fail, a complete panel failure typically results in no image, severe artifacts, or cracks, not just dimness. Option D is irrelevant; system RAM issues cause crashes, blue screens, or corruption, not display brightness problems.
Question 14
1.0 Mobile Devices / 2.0 Networking
Which protocol typically uses TCP/UDP port 80?
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✓ HTTP
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○ DNS
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○ SMTP
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○ RDP
Answer:
A. HTTP
TCP port 80 is used by assigned to HTTP.. It is a well-known port reserved by IANA for this service. Security best practice recommends restricting access to this port using a firewall.
Question 15
1.0 Mobile Devices / 3.0 Hardware
Which input device reads 2d barcodes?
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○ Digitizer tablet
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✓ QR scanner
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○ Touchpad
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○ Stylus
Answer:
B. QR scanner
QR scanner: Reads 2D barcodes.
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