CompTIA A+ Core 1 — Practice Exam
3.0 Hardware: practice questions
Our CompTIA A+ Core 1 bank has 66 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
What does an optical drive with the 'BD' label read?
- Blu-ray discs
- SD cards
- Floppy disks and Zip disks
- Tapes
Show the answer
A. Blu-ray discs — Blu-ray stores much more than DVD.
Question 2
What does the 24-pin connector from the power supply connect to?
- The motherboard's main power input
- The graphics card's auxiliary power connector
- The SATA drives
- The CPU fan
Show the answer
A. The motherboard's main power input — CPUs use a separate 4- or 8-pin EPS connector.
Question 3
Why should you never open a power supply unit?
- It voids the CPU warranty
- It contains capacitors that can hold a dangerous charge even when unplugged
- It is glued shut
- It contains toxic gas
Show the answer
B. It contains capacitors that can hold a dangerous charge even when unplugged — Replace faulty PSUs instead of repairing them.
Question 4
What does dual-channel memory require?
- Matched memory modules installed in the correct paired slots
- ECC memory
- Different types of RAM mixed in any slots, as long as they're the same capacity
- One module only
Show the answer
A. Matched memory modules installed in the correct paired slots — Check the motherboard manual for slot colours.
Question 5
What is the most likely use of a smart card reader?
- Reading DVDs
- Reading smart cards for authentication or payment
- Charging phones and other small devices through a contactless pad
- Scanning photos
Show the answer
B. Reading smart cards for authentication or payment — Smart cards contain a chip.