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Fundamentals; not an official scaled-score simulation

CompTIA A+
Get ready for what’s next.

Hardware, networking, troubleshooting, and practical IT support.

20seed questions
90 minpractice mock limit
75%practice benchmark

Practice settings are not official exam specifications. Verify your jurisdiction’s bulletin, code edition, and allowed reference materials.

KNOW THE TERRITORY

What you’ll practice.

Hardware35%
Networking30%
Troubleshooting35%

Target topic weights for CodeReady mock exams, not an official exam blueprint.

TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE

Three questions. No sign-up.

01 / Hardware

A desktop intermittently shuts down under load and CPU temperature is abnormally high. What should be checked first?

  1. The wallpaper resolution
  2. The default printer name
  3. The keyboard language
  4. Cooling airflow, fan operation, heatsink mounting, and thermal interface
Show answer & explanation

Cooling airflow, fan operation, heatsink mounting, and thermal interface

Thermal shutdown under load points to cooling issues. Inspect airflow and cooler function before replacing unrelated software or peripherals.

CompTIA A+ Core 1 hardware troubleshooting objectives; CPU manufacturer guidance

02 / Hardware

What is a key difference between RAM and ordinary SSD storage?

  1. SSDs execute all CPU instructions directly
  2. RAM is normally volatile working memory; SSD storage retains data without power
  3. Both always lose all data when power is removed
  4. RAM is a mechanical disk
Show answer & explanation

RAM is normally volatile working memory; SSD storage retains data without power

RAM holds active working data and ordinarily loses it without power. SSDs provide persistent storage but are not a substitute for system RAM.

CompTIA A+ Core 1 hardware objectives

03 / Hardware

A laptop has only an M.2 slot wired for SATA. Will every physically fitting NVMe drive work?

  1. No; slot protocol and keying compatibility must be verified
  2. Yes, connector length guarantees support
  3. Only drive color determines compatibility
  4. Yes, M.2 always means NVMe
Show answer & explanation

No; slot protocol and keying compatibility must be verified

M.2 is a form factor; SATA and PCIe/NVMe are different interfaces. Physical fit alone does not prove protocol support.

CompTIA A+ Core 1 storage objectives; system service manual