220-1201 · Original practice content · Last reviewed October 3, 2026
Mobile Devices A+ Core 1 Practice Questions
Review laptop and mobile-device hardware, connectivity, and support tasks.
Core 1: up to 90 questions in 90 minutes. Passing score: 675 on a 100–900 scale. Both Core 1 and Core 2 are required for CompTIA A+.
These short multiple-choice samples report practice accuracy, not official scaled scores, and do not simulate interactive performance-based questions.
This domain accounts for 13% of Core 1. Topics: laptop components, mobile accessories, wireless connectivity, synchronization, and device configuration.
A technician is upgrading the memory in a laptop. Which memory module form factor will the laptop MOST likely use?
mSATA
SODIMM
M.2
DIMM
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. SODIMM
B is correct because laptops use Small Outline DIMMs, which are physically smaller than desktop memory modules. A is an older small form factor for SSDs, not for system memory. C is a form factor for SSDs and wireless cards, not for system memory. D is the full-size memory module used in desktop computers and does not fit laptop memory slots.
Mobile Devices
Sample question 2
Before handling the internal components of a laptop, which item should a technician use to protect the components from electrostatic discharge?
A can of compressed air
An ESD wrist strap
A magnetic parts tray
A plastic pry tool
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. An ESD wrist strap
B is correct because an ESD strap keeps the technician at the same electrical potential as the device, preventing static discharge into sensitive components. A removes dust but does not protect components from static discharge. C helps organize screws but provides no protection against static discharge. D helps open cases without scratching them but does not prevent static discharge.
Mobile Devices
Sample question 3
Where are the Wi-Fi antennas in most laptops located?
In the display lid, around the edges of the screen
Underneath the keyboard, next to the system board
Inside the battery compartment at the rear of the base
Beneath the touchpad in the front of the palm rest
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. In the display lid, around the edges of the screen
A is correct because the display lid is the highest point of an open laptop and is not surrounded by metal components, which gives the antennas the best reception. B would place the antennas among metal components and shielding that block the wireless signal. C would surround the antennas with metal and battery cells that weaken the signal. D would place the antennas low in the chassis where the user's hands and metal parts block the signal.
Mobile Devices
Sample question 4
Which laptop component provides a biometric authentication factor?
Webcam privacy shutter
Smart card reader
Fingerprint reader
Privacy screen filter
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Fingerprint reader
C is correct because a fingerprint is a physical characteristic of the user, which makes it a biometric (something you are) factor. A physically covers the camera lens and does not authenticate the user. B reads a card the user carries, which is a possession (something you have) factor. D narrows the viewing angle to prevent shoulder surfing but does not authenticate the user.
Mobile Devices
Sample question 5
A technician wants to check how much a Windows laptop's battery capacity has degraded compared with its original design capacity. Which command generates this information?
powercfg /batteryreport
chkdsk /f /r
ipconfig /displaydns
sfc /verifyonly
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. powercfg /batteryreport
A is correct because this command creates a report showing the battery's design capacity, current full-charge capacity, and usage history. B checks and repairs file system errors on a drive and has nothing to do with the battery. C displays the DNS resolver cache and does not report battery health. D scans protected Windows system files for integrity problems and does not report battery health.
Mobile Devices
Sample question 6
A technician has shut down a laptop, unplugged the AC adapter, and removed the bottom panel to replace the internal M.2 SSD. What should the technician do NEXT?
Remove the retention screw holding the SSD
Update the UEFI firmware to the latest version
Disconnect the internal battery connector
Remove the keyboard assembly from the chassis
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Disconnect the internal battery connector
C is correct because the internal battery still supplies power to the system board even when the laptop is off and unplugged, so disconnecting it prevents shorts and component damage. A should be done only after the battery is disconnected, because the board is still energized by the battery. B is not part of a drive replacement and cannot be done with the bottom panel removed and power disconnected. D is unnecessary, because the M.2 slot is reached through the bottom panel on this laptop.
Mobile Devices
Sample question 7
After replacing a laptop's internal wireless card, a technician finds that the laptop detects only one or two weak Wi-Fi networks. The old card worked normally. What should the technician check FIRST?
Whether the laptop's display panel is properly seated
Whether the antenna leads are connected to the new card
Whether the router's firmware needs to be updated
Whether the battery is fully charged before testing
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Whether the antenna leads are connected to the new card
B is correct because the antenna cables must be moved from the old card to the new one, and a missing or loose lead causes very weak or no reception. A affects the screen image, not the wireless card's reception. C is unlikely to be the cause, because the old card received the same networks normally. D has no effect on how many wireless networks the card can detect.
Mobile Devices
Sample question 8
A company already uses contactless ID badges for building access. It wants employees to sign in to their laptops by tapping the same badge. Which laptop feature is required?
An infrared face-login webcam
A Bluetooth 5.0 adapter
A biometric fingerprint reader
A near-field badge scanner
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. A near-field badge scanner
D is correct because a near-field scanner reads contactless badges held a few centimeters away, allowing the same badge to be used for laptop sign-in. A supports facial recognition and cannot read a contactless badge. B connects wireless peripherals and is not used to read contactless ID badges. C authenticates with a biometric factor and cannot read a contactless badge.
Mobile Devices
Sample question 9
Several keys on a laptop keyboard stopped responding after a liquid spill, and cleaning the keyboard did not help. The rest of the laptop works normally. What is the BEST repair?
Replace the display assembly and hinges
Replace the laptop's keyboard assembly
Reinstall the keyboard driver in Windows
Replace the laptop's system board
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Replace the laptop's keyboard assembly
B is correct because damaged keys that do not recover after cleaning indicate a failed keyboard, which is a replaceable part in laptops. A has nothing to do with keyboard input failures. C will not fix keys that were physically damaged by liquid. D is unnecessary, because the rest of the laptop works and the fault is limited to the keyboard.
Mobile Devices
Sample question 10
A user's laptop battery now lasts only 40 minutes. A battery report shows that its full-charge capacity is 45% of its design capacity. What is the BEST action?
Replace the AC adapter with a higher-wattage model
Replace the battery with one rated for the laptop model
Update the laptop's BIOS and chipset drivers
Lower the screen brightness to its minimum level
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Replace the battery with one rated for the laptop model
B is correct because a large drop in full-charge capacity means the battery cells have degraded, and only a replacement restores runtime. A affects charging but cannot restore the battery's lost capacity. C cannot reverse the chemical wear of the battery cells. D extends runtime slightly but does not address the degraded battery.