220-1201 · Original practice content · Last reviewed October 3, 2026
Virtualization & Cloud A+ Core 1 Practice Questions
Distinguish virtualization requirements and cloud models using realistic support scenarios.
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 11% of Core 1. Topics: client virtualization, hypervisors, virtual-machine requirements, cloud service models, and cloud deployment models.
A company wants to run several virtual machines directly on server hardware, without a host operating system, for the best performance. Which type of hypervisor should be used?
Type 2 hypervisor
Hardware emulator
Container engine
Type 1 hypervisor
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Type 1 hypervisor
D is correct because a Type 1 (bare-metal) hypervisor runs directly on the hardware without a host OS. A runs as an application on top of a host operating system. B imitates different hardware in software and is much slower than a hypervisor. C shares the host OS kernel and does not run full virtual machines.
Virtualization & Cloud
Sample question 2
Which statement BEST describes a Type 2 hypervisor?
It runs directly on the hardware with no host OS
It streams single applications to client computers
It shares the host kernel among isolated app packages
It runs as an application on a host operating system
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. It runs as an application on a host operating system
D is correct because a Type 2 (hosted) hypervisor is installed like other software on an existing OS such as Windows, macOS, or Linux. A describes a Type 1 (bare-metal) hypervisor. B describes application virtualization, not a hypervisor. C describes containers, which do not run separate guest operating systems.
Virtualization & Cloud
Sample question 3
A technician is preparing a new desktop to run virtual machines. Which UEFI setting must be enabled for the hypervisor to use the processor's virtualization support?
Intel VT-x or AMD-V
Secure Boot
Fast Boot
Hyper-Threading
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Intel VT-x or AMD-V
A is correct because these CPU virtualization extensions provide hardware-assisted virtualization and are often disabled by default in UEFI. B verifies that boot loaders are signed and trusted but does not enable virtualization support. C shortens POST by skipping some hardware checks and has no effect on virtualization support. D lets each core run two threads but is not required for running virtual machines.
Virtualization & Cloud
Sample question 4
A security analyst wants to open a suspicious email attachment inside an isolated virtual machine that can be discarded afterward. Which purpose of virtualization does this describe?
Desktop virtualization
Cross-platform virtualization
Sandbox
Application virtualization
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Sandbox
C is correct because a sandbox is an isolated environment where untrusted code can run without affecting the host or the network. A hosts user desktops on central servers and delivers them over the network. B runs an operating system different from the host's in order to use its software. D delivers an application to users without installing it locally on each computer.
Virtualization & Cloud
Sample question 5
Which virtualization technology packages an application with its libraries and dependencies and shares the host operating system's kernel?
Virtual switch
Type 1 hypervisor
Virtual desktop
Container
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Container
D is correct because containers bundle an app with what it needs to run but use the host's kernel instead of a full guest OS. A connects virtual machines to each other and to physical networks rather than packaging apps. B runs complete virtual machines, each with its own guest operating system and kernel. C delivers a complete hosted desktop operating system to a user over the network.
Virtualization & Cloud
Sample question 6
A QA tester runs destructive tests against a new build inside a virtual machine and needs to return the VM to the same clean state before every test run. Which VM feature BEST meets this need?
Dynamic memory
Bridged networking
Snapshots
USB pass-through
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Snapshots
C is correct because a snapshot captures the VM's state at a point in time so the tester can revert to it after each run. A adjusts the RAM assigned to a VM as demand changes and does not restore earlier states. B connects the VM directly to the physical network and does not preserve or restore its state. D gives the VM access to a physical USB device and does not restore earlier states.
Virtualization & Cloud
Sample question 7
A manufacturing plant's machine-control software runs only on Windows XP, and the old PC running it is failing. New PCs do not have Windows XP drivers, and the vendor no longer offers any updated or cloud version. What is the BEST way to keep the software running?
Run the software in a container on Windows 11
Move the software to a public SaaS offering
Run Windows XP in a VM on a new PC
Install Windows XP directly on a new PC
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Run Windows XP in a VM on a new PC
C is correct because virtualization presents generic virtual hardware that the legacy OS supports, so the legacy software keeps running on modern hardware. A cannot work because containers share the host kernel and cannot provide a Windows XP environment. B is not possible because the vendor's legacy desktop software is not delivered as a cloud service. D would fail or be unstable because the new hardware has no Windows XP drivers.
Virtualization & Cloud
Sample question 8
A graphic designer uses a Mac but needs to run a Windows-only accounting application. The technician installs a hypervisor on the Mac and creates a Windows virtual machine. Which use of virtualization is this?
Cross-platform virtualization
Sandbox
Test development
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Cross-platform virtualization
A is correct because running a different operating system than the host's in order to use software written for that OS is cross-platform virtualization. B isolates untrusted code for testing, which is not the goal here. C uses VMs to build and test software, while this user only needs to run an existing application. D hosts desktops on central servers, while this VM runs locally on the user's Mac.
Virtualization & Cloud
Sample question 9
An IT department wants a CAD viewer to run on 300 office PCs in an isolated environment, delivered from a central server instead of being installed locally on each PC. Which approach meets this goal?
A Type 1 hypervisor on each PC
Application virtualization
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Cross-platform virtualization
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Application virtualization
B is correct because application virtualization delivers individual apps from a central server and runs them isolated from the local OS without a traditional install. A would replace each PC's OS with a bare-metal hypervisor, which does not deliver one app centrally. C delivers an entire desktop OS rather than a single application. D runs a different OS locally to use its software and does not centralize app delivery.
Virtualization & Cloud
Sample question 10
A call center replaces its desktop PCs with thin clients. Each agent's full Windows desktop now runs on servers in the data center and is displayed over the network. Which technology is this?
Type 2 hypervisor
Containerization
Application virtualization
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Show correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
D is correct because VDI hosts complete user desktops as VMs on central servers and delivers them to client devices over the network. A runs VMs locally on a user's own computer rather than on central servers. B packages applications that share a host kernel and does not deliver full desktops to users. C delivers individual applications rather than a complete desktop.