Chapter 1 Mobile Devices

Question 1

our friend’s iPhone 13 will no longer charge. They have tried replacing the charging block and cable with compatible ones and tested the wall outlet. What should be done next?

A)Purchase a new phone.
B) Purchase a new battery.
C) Take the phone to a repair shop.
D) Use a wireless charging pad.

Answer 1

C. While it’s possible that the phone could be charged with a charging pad, most often phones won’t charge because the battery is worn out and needs replacing. Also, according to the Apple Support website, a phone that won’t charge likely needs servicing. Your friend should take their phone to a service center. They may be able to replace the battery or fix problems they find with the phone’s connector.

Question 2

You are on the phone talking to a technician who is trying to upgrade a laptop. The technician is having trouble identifying the Mini PCIe card. How wide should you tell the technician that the card is?

A) 27 mm
B) 30 mm
C) 51 mm
D) 60 mm

Answer 2

B. Mini PCIe cards come in two sizes. The full-size cards measure 30 mm wide and 51 mm long. Half-size cards are 30 mm wide and 27 mm long.

Question 3

Which mobile connection type allows you to share your cellular Internet connection with a Wi-Fi enabled device?

A) Hotspot
B) NFC
C) Bluetooth
D) IrDA

Answer 3

A. If you have a cellular-enabled device such as a smartphone, you may be able to turn that phone into a mobile hotspot. By doing so, you can share your cellular Internet connection with Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as laptops and tablets. Near-Field Communication (NFC) devices can communicate and send data and files but only if they are within inches of each other. Bluetooth is a common wireless technology for connecting devices such as keyboards and headsets to a computer, and IrDA (infrared) communicates using light, but requires a line-of-sight.

Question 4

You need to replace a failed hard drive in a user’s laptop, and it’s a model you are unfamiliar with. You look at the bottom of the laptop and see no obvious entrance points. Which component will you most likely need to remove to access the hard drive bay?

A) Plastics/frames
B) Battery
C) System board
D) Keyboard

Answer 4

D. As a rule of thumb, either you can access components from the bottom of a laptop, such as the memory and Mini PCIe card, or you’re going to need to remove the keyboard to access the components from the top.

Question 5

Your company is producing posters for an upcoming public relations campaign. The project leader wants to embed information into an NFC Type 4 tag in the poster. How much information can this tag hold?

A) 16 KB
B) 32 KB
C) 1.4 MB
D) 2.4 MB

Answer 5

B. Near-field communication (NFC) is a wireless technology that uses radio frequency (RF) signals with limited range, about 4″ (10 cm). To read an NFC tag in a poster, you would move your phone close to the tag. The phone would generate a small RF field that would power the tag, and data could then be read from the tag. There are five types of tags that vary in speed from 106 kbps to 2424 kbps and in maximum capacities from 2 KB to 32 KB. Type 4 holds the most data but is slower than Type 3.

Question 6

Your customer has an iPhone 8 and wants to read and write NFC tags with it. What advice will you give them? (Choose two.)

A) Their iPhone will only work with Apple Pay.
B) They need to upgrade to iPhone X to write NFC tags.
C) With iOS 13 or better on their device, they’ll be able to read and write NFC tags using a third-party app.
D) iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 can read NFC tags simply by holding the phone over the tag.

Answer 6

C, D. The only Near-field communication (NFC) capability with devices prior to the iPhone 7 is the ability to use Apple Pay; however, with iPhone 7 and newer devices, a third-party app can be used to read and write NFC tags. iPhone 12 and newer devices can natively read NFC tags.

Question 7

You’ve been asked by the company president what can be done with NFC in addition to paying for coffee. What will you tell them? (Choose three.)

A) Securely share data with someone you’re having lunch with.
B) Beam data to someone 10 feet away.
C) Transfer files, photos, and videos.
D) Add information or URLs to business cards, making it easier for customers to learn about your products or services.

Answer 7

A, C, D. NFC can do so much more than pay for your coffee. In addition to the answers above, NFC tags can be set up to automate tasks instead of manually changing settings, such as silencing an alarm or logging into a PC. In some places they can allow your phone to be your bus pass. They’re considered secure for communication because of the short distance between devices.

Question 8

You are investigating new laptops for your company. You want the laptop displays to have a wide viewing angle. Which technology standard is best suited for your needs?

A) LED
B) SVA
C) IPS
D) TN
E) VA

Answer 8

C. There are three types of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technologies listed in the A+ exam objectives: Twisted Nematic (TN), In-Plane Switching (IPS), and Vertical Alignment (VA). IPS LCDs provide better color representation as well as wider viewing angles, so that would be the best choice for this situation. Their drawbacks are somewhat slower response times and they tend to be a bit more expensive. Considering the other two types of LCD technologies, TN displays were developed first. They use less power compared to IPS and VA; however, when you start viewing them at wider angles, the picture quality suffers greatly. VA LCDs have slower response times than either IPS or TN, but they have the best contrast and image depth. SVA, or Super Vertical Alignment, is a Samsung term, not a standard, but it claims to offer better viewing angles than VA displays. LED monitors use Light Emitting Diodes as the backlight for an LCD. There are also microLED monitors and OLED monitors that create colors using LEDs with no backlight required.

Question 9

Which type of LCD has the best contrast, meaning the darkest black and lightest white?

A) TN
B) IPS
C) VA
D) OLED

Answer 9

C. OLED (Organic LED) monitors are not LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors. Each of the other three has their advantages. TN (Twisted Nematic) displays have the fastest refresh rates, IPS (In-Plane Switching) displays have the best viewing angle, and VA (Vertical Alignment) displays have the best color contrast.

Question 10

Of the laptop LCD technologies, which consumes the least amount of power?

A) LED
B) IPS
C) TN
D) VA

Answer 10

C. There are three types of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technologies listed in the exam objectives: Twisted Nematic (TN), In-Plane Switching (IPS), and Vertical Alignment (VA). Of those three display types, TN uses the least amount of power. TN displays also have very fast refresh rates. The issue with TN LCD screens is that when you start viewing them at wider angles, the picture quality suffers greatly. IPS LCDs provide better color representation as well as wider-angle viewing, but they tend to be a bit more expensive and have somewhat slower response times. VA LCDs have slower response times than either IPS or TN, but they have the best contrast and image depth. LED (Light-Emitting Diode) refers to a type of backlighting for LCD monitors.

Question 11

What type of display uses organic materials that themselves light up so that no backlight is needed, meaning true black and greater contrasts can be achieved?

A) QLED
B) Mini-LED
C) LED
D) OLED

Answer 11

D. The Organic LED (OLED) displays have incredible color contrast ratio because they can turn individual pixels off. They also have an excellent viewing angle. The drawback is that they may not be as bright as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display. LED and mini-LED displays use LEDs for backlighting, but still need the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel. QLED is a marketing name, but QLED displays use a quantum dot layer providing more color depth than regular LED displays. Micro-LEDs use three microscopic LEDs (red, green, and blue) to make each pixel, and each pixel can be turned on or off like an OLED TV. QLED, mini-LED, and micro-LED aren’t on the CompTIA A+ objectives yet.

Question 12

You have recently purchased a laptop computer with a touchscreen. It allows you to draw images on the screen and save them on the computer. Which device is responsible for converting the input into the image that you see and save?

A) Inverter
B) Touchpad
C) Digitizer
D) Touchscreen

Answer 12

C. A digitizer is a device that can be written or drawn on and the content will be converted from analog input to digital images on the computer. Digitizers take input from a user’s finger or a writing utensil, such as a stylus. Touchscreen devices and touchpads have a digitizer built into them. An inverter changes DC (Direct Current) to AC (Alternating Current) and is needed for some types of backlighting.

Question 13

What is this device, which can be found inside an iPhone 10 along the bottom, connected with a small ribbon cable?

A) Wi-Fi antenna
B) Digitizer
C) Haptics connector
D) Stylus sensor

Answer 13

A. Smartphones will have both a cellular antenna and a Wi-Fi antenna internal to the phone. Typically they connect with a ribbon cable, and they may be shaped differently or in different places depending on the particular cell phone model. These are not considered user-replaceable parts, but as an IT technician, you may be asked to replace them. Special tools, often plastic, may be needed to open a cell phone case without causing damage. The digitizer is a thin layer of electronic material that is usually fused between the glass and the LCD. Haptics are the ability of the device to interact through touch, such as vibration when they ring or feeling like you’re pressing a physical button even though you’re not. Stylus sensors are not actual devices.

Question 14

Which type of mobile device is known for using electrophoretic ink?

A) E-reader
B) Smart watch
C) Smart glasses
D) Tablet

Answer 14

A. Most e-reader displays use a technology called electrophoretic ink, or E Ink, which is a proprietary type of electronic paper. Although E Ink is available in color, many consider its best applications to be in grayscales or pure black and white. Additionally, E Ink uses almost no power to keep print on the page until the print is changed.

Question 15

What types of networking will smart cameras often have built into them? (Choose two.)

A) Bluetooth
B) IrDA
C) RJ-45
D) Wi-Fi

Answer 15

A, D. Smart cameras have built-in wireless network connectivity for easy picture and video transfers. Many will include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC (Near-field Communication). IrDA uses infrared light for communication and is not popular, and RJ-45 is a type of networking connector.

Question 16

What three components of a mobile display are often connected in such a way that if one fails, you must replace the other two with it? (Choose three.)

A) Glass cover
B) LCD
C) Wi-Fi antenna
D) Digitizer

Answer 16

A, B, D. The digitizer on a mobile device is a thin layer of electronic material that is glued or fused onto the back of the glass. Popular new smartphones are fusing all three together, so if the ability to communicate with the smartphone through touch fails, you must replace not only the digitizer but the glass cover and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) as well. If the glass cover shatters, then the digitizer and LCD are replaced as well because it is sold as one unit. The Wi-Fi antenna is usually a discrete part inside the case.

Question 17

One of your coworkers has purchased an external Bluetooth trackpad to use with their tablet. They’ve turned to you, the company IT person, to install and configure it for them. What actions will you need to take? (Choose two.)

A) Plug the device into a USB port.
B) Install drivers.
C) Put the device in pairing mode and open Bluetooth settings on the tablet, then tap the trackpad.
D) Go to Settings to configure speed and scrolling features.

Answer 17

C, D. Configuring a new Bluetooth trackpad is a fairly simple procedure. You first need to pair the device with the tablet, then configure it for speed and clicking and such. The CompTIA A+ objectives list the steps for connecting Bluetooth devices as follows:

Enable Bluetooth.
Enable pairing.
Find a device for pairing.
Enter the appropriate PIN code.
Test connectivity.

Question 18

The company president misplaced their charging cable for their iPhone 13. You tell them it’s no problem, and hand them a new one. What type of connector does this iPhone use for charging?

A) Thunderbolt
B) Lightning
C) ApplePower
D) USB-C

Answer 18

B. The iPhone 13 series uses the proprietary connector called the Lightning connector. They can also use a compatible wireless charging pad.

Question 19

A laptop user wants to have a full-sized display and keyboard, as well as an external hard drive, and speakers available to them at their desk. Which accessory can they purchase to avoid plugging each of these devices separately into their laptop every time they return to the desk? (Choose two.)

A) KVM switch
B) Port replicator
C) Desktop station
D) Docking station

Answer 19

B, D. A docking station often replicates the functions of the ports on the back of a laptop so that peripherals such as displays, keyboards, printers, and so on that don’t travel with the laptop can remain connected to the dock and don’t all have to be unplugged physically each time the laptop is taken away. Docking stations effectively turn a laptop computer into a desktop computer, and the docking station may offer its own devices, such as an optical drive and speakers. It may have a generic connector such as USB-C or a proprietary connector. Docking station can also mean a charging cradle for a smartphone or tablet to plug in vertically that provides other functions such as built-in speakers for music playback or a clock. Two examples are Android Radio and Music Dock or Apple’s Universal Dock. This differs from a port replicator, whose main function is to let the user connect several devices at once and doesn’t require the laptop to be connected to offer connectivity between the devices. A KVM switch enables you to use one keyboard, video device, and mouse (hence the name, KVM) with two or more system units. Desktop station is not an actual term.

Question 20

A user needs ports for external devices in addition to what their laptop is capable of connecting. The user would like these devices to have connectivity with each other whether or not the laptop is there. Which of the following will provide that option?

A) Docking station
B) Port replicator
C) KVM switch
D) Docking port

Answer 20

B. A port replicator is an attachment that provides the same ports as or additional ports to a laptop. The devices can communicate with each other via the port replicator whether or not the laptop is there. Docking stations are similar to port replicators because they provide a single connection to a laptop that will connect several devices, but the point of the docking station is to effectively make a laptop function as a desktop PC. Whereas a docking station may (or may not) be a proprietary device, a port replicator is not, and will generally provide a connection to the external devices via a USB or similar port. Docking station can also mean a charging cradle for a smartphone or tablet. KVM switches allow multiple system units to share a keyboard, video and mouse. Docking port is not an actual term.

Question 21

Which laptop expansion port technology was developed by Apple and Intel and supports a wide variety of peripheral devices?

A) USB
B) DisplayPort
C) eSATA
D) Thunderbolt

Answer 21

D. Thunderbolt was co-developed by Apple and Intel as an offshoot of the DisplayPort technology. Apple added support for PCIe and launched it in 2011. In terms of versatility, it’s second only to USB. You will find video devices, hard drives (both HDD and SSD), printers, laptop docking stations, audio devices, and PCIe expansion enclosures that use Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt 3 is compatible with USB-C.

Question 22

You’re upgrading a user’s laptop from 802.11n to 802.11ac. What port will you most likely use inside the laptop?

A) PCI
B) PCIe
C) Mini PCIe
D) Mini PCIe x16

Answer 22

C. Mini PCIe is just for small devices like laptops. PCI and PCIe are found on desktop PCs. PCIe x16 (x16 is pronounced as by 16) is often used for video at blazing speeds. PCIe x1 is popular for all sorts of devices. There is no Mini PCIe x16.

Question 23

What is the likely type of Wi-Fi antenna connector you will find as an external connector on a laptop?

A) SMA-female-RP
B) N-male
C) SMA-male-RP
D) N-female

Answer 23

A. The overwhelming majority of Wi-Fi antenna connectors for indoor-rated antennas found on laptops are type SMA (SubMiniature version A). On the device will be an SMA-female. What makes a connector “male” is the center pin and threads on the inside, while a “female” connector will have a receptor for the pin and threads on the outside. RP (reverse polarity) means that the pin and receptor are in opposite positions with regard to connector gender while the outside housing remains the same. SMA-RP and SMA are therefore not compatible with each other. N-type connectors look similar but are weatherproof and larger than SMA connectors.

Question 24

After enabling your device for communication using the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, what is the next step?

A) Enter the PIN code.
B) Find a device for pairing.
C) Enable pairing.
D) Open port 802.15.1.

Answer 24

C. The IEEE standard 802.15.1 is commonly known as Bluetooth. The CompTIA A+ objectives list the steps for connecting Bluetooth devices as follows:

1 Enable Bluetooth.
2 Enable pairing.
3 Find a device for pairing.
4 Enter the appropriate PIN code.
5 Test connectivity.

Not all Bluetooth devices require entering a pin. Opening a port is done on a router to allow a particular type of traffic to pass through the router to a connected network.

Question 25

You’ve enabled Bluetooth on your new headset and your laptop and enabled pairing on both. They have discovered each other, so what is the typical next step?

A) Pressing and holding a Bluetooth button
B) Entering the Bluetooth password
C) Entering the Bluetooth PIN code
D) Exiting out of any running Bluetooth applications

Answer 25

C. When pairing two Bluetooth devices, depending on the security settings, it is sometimes necessary to enter a Bluetooth PIN code. In security configuration menus, the PIN is sometimes referred to as the Bluetooth passcode or passkey. The CompTIA A+ objectives list the steps for connecting Bluetooth devices as follows:

Enable Bluetooth.
Enable pairing.
Find a device for pairing.
Enter the appropriate PIN code.
Test connectivity.

Question 26

You’re configuring private email on a coworker’s cell phone. They want to make sure all of their mail will be only on their phone. Which mail protocol keeps all emails stored on a single device and can only be accessed from one device?

A) IMAP
B) SMTP
C) POP3
D) S/MIME

Answer 26

C. POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) keeps emails stored on one device. This means both sent and received messages are stored on that one device, so all email is accessed from that device. The IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) downloads mail but leaves a copy on the server. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a protocol for sending (not receiving) mail. S/MIME (Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is an encryption standard for securing email.

Question 27

You’re configuring company email on a coworker’s phone. The company needs to keep a copy of every email on their server, even after it’s accessed by the user. Which mail protocol keeps all emails stored on the server, allowing messages to be synchronized between multiple devices?

A) IMAP
B) SMTP
C) POP3
D) S/MIME

Answer 27

A. Internet Messaging Access Protocol (IMAP) keeps a copy of emails on the server. This allows someone to view and work with their email from more than one device. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a protocol for sending (not receiving) mail. POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) downloads mail to a device and does not leave a copy on a server. Once downloaded, mail can only be read on that device. S/MIME (Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is an encryption standard for securing email.

Question 28

What is the hosted messaging version of Microsoft’s Exchange mail server that saves customers email off-site?

A) Google Inbox
B) Exchange Online
C) iExchange
D) On-Prem Exchange

Answer 28

B. Exchange Online is the cloud service version of Microsoft Exchange and part of Microsoft Office 365.

Question 29

What configuration settings are commonly used when setting up email from an online provider on a device?

A) Active Directory domain name
B) Port and TLS settings
C) Email server name
D) Username and password

Answer 29

D. If you use a common email provider such as Google, Yahoo, Outlook, or iCloud, then setting up email on a device should be simple. Often all you need is your username and password. If setting up a corporate account or if you must manually configure email, then you’ll need more information such as the protocol (IMAP [Internet Message Access Protocol] or POP3 [Post Office Protocol version 3]) and the server names for sending and receiving email. You may also need the port number and security settings.

Question 30

Which unique mobile number identifies you as a user and is coded into the SIM card if you’re on a GSM network, or otherwise linked to your account, allowing you to transition from one phone to another?

A) PRI
B) IMSI
C) IMEI
D) MAC

Answer 30

B. The International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is a unique number that identifies you, the user, to the cellular service. If you’re on a GSM network, it is on your SIM card and can easily be transferred from one phone to another. If you’re on a CDMA network, you must transfer from one phone to another by activating the phone on your account. The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique number assigned to the physical phone. This unique identifier is hard-coded into the device. The Product Release Instructions (PRI) describe how your device connects to the network, and a MAC (Media Access Control) address uniquely identifies a network interface card.

Question 31

When two parents wish to share appointment dates and times between devices, what is their best option?

A) Synchronizing calendars
B) Sharing calendar passwords
C) Texting calendar data to each other
D) Emailing calendar invites to each other

Answer 31

A. Synchronizing calendars between devices and users is an easy and reliable option for ensuring that all parties have the same information.

Question 32

Your coworker wants to be able to use maps with their phone but is unhappy that other applications are also tracking their physical location. They ask for your help. Which of the following is not true?

A) If location services are turned off for one purpose, they are turned off for all services.
B) When you’re installing an application, most likely it will ask you when it is allowed to use location services.
C) Some applications won’t work without location services.
D) You can turn location services on or off for applications in the settings of your device.

Answer 32

A. Some applications need to know your location to work properly. Others don’t. Luckily turning off location services is not an “all or nothing” situation. You can turn location services off and on by application, and maintain discrete control over who is allowed to see where you are and who is not in the privacy settings of your phone.

Question 33

You’re at home binging on a popular Internet movie service and suddenly notice that the spinning wheel is showing up often, taking more time to download the movie than normal. What is likely the problem?

A) Your router needs to be reset.
B) You have reached your data cap.
C) Your laptop is overheating.
D) The service is overwhelmed with requests.

Answer 33

B. While it’s possible that the server has too many requests, the more likely culprit to your slow downloads is that you’ve reached your Internet service’s data cap and your service has slowed down. This can happen whether it’s a home service or a cell phone. Some services may cut you off completely and others merely send you a text message that you’ve reached your limit so they’ll be slowing your connection or billing you more. If the router needed to be reset, the symptoms would be different. If the laptop was overheating, it would most likely shut down.

Question 34

Which cellular communication technology is known as Long-Term Evolution (LTE)?

A) 2G
B) 3G
C) 4G
D) 5G

Answer 34

C. The fourth generation of cellular services (4G) also known as LTE, was introduced to the world in the 2000s. It boasted downstream rates as fast as 53.3 Mbps. Prior to that, 2G came out in 1991 and added text-based SMS services (messaging). 3G was released in 2001 and transmits up to 7.2 Mbps. 5G, which is still being implemented, employs the use of different software and radio transmitters, is backward compatible, and is estimated that it will be able to reach transmission rates of 20 Gbps.

Question 35

Which of the following display types refers not to how the liquid crystals are arranged, but rather to the type of backlight being used?

A) LED
B) OLED
C) IPS
D) TN

Answer 35

A. LED (Light-Emitting Diode) refers to the light source used as backlighting for an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). OLED displays do not need backlighting because their carbon-based diodes emit both light and colors. IPS, TN, and VA are all types of LCD monitors that need a backlight. Not on the CompTIA A+ exam yet are micro-LED displays, where the LED produces the color and the light similar to an OLED, and mini-LED monitors that provide backlighting for LCDs but use a much smaller LED, allowing for better color specificity.

Question 36

Tech support has recommended that you update the OS on your iPad to resolve a problem you’re having with it. What OS will you be updating?

A) iPadOS
B) OS X mobile
C) watchOS
D) iOS

Answer 36

A. Apple iPads use iPadOS. Its features are similar to iOS, but it includes additional features such as keyboard support and multitasking capabilities, such as Split View. watchOS is for Apple Watches and OS X mobile doesn’t exist.

Question 37

Your client is frustrated that their Bluetooth earpiece that was working yesterday is no longer working, and they’ve asked for your help. What is the likely source of the problem?

A) The earpiece has paired to a different device.
B) The earpiece is broken.
C) The Wi-Fi signal is weak.
D) Bluetooth connectivity was lost.

Answer 37

D. It’s most likely that Bluetooth connectivity was lost between the earpiece and the once-paired device, probably a phone. You’ll examine the phone and troubleshoot connectivity between the phone and the earpiece.

Question 38

A technician needs to replace a hard drive that failed in their new laptop. What type of drive will they likely need? (Choose two.)

A) M.2
B) mSATA
C) 2.5^2
D) 3.5^2

Answer 38

A, B. Modern laptops most likely use either mSATA or M.2 drives, which are thinner than a RAM module and much smaller. Legacy laptops used 1.8” or 2.5” drives, and desktop computers have historically used 3.5^² hard drives.