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Quizzes > Computers & IT

CompTIA A+ hardware practice test: components, ports, troubleshooting

Quick, free hardware practice quiz. Instant results and answer review.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Elawarasi NagarajuUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for A Hardware Quiz on teal background

This A+ hardware quiz helps you check core PC components, ports, and troubleshooting skills before the exam. Get instant results and brief explanations to reinforce key terms and specs. For deeper prep, try the CompTIA A+ 1001 practice test, a pc components quiz, and the Core 2 practice test.

What form factor is most common for desktop motherboards?
ATX
MicroATX
E-ATX
Mini-ITX
The ATX form factor, defined by Intel in 1995, has become the industry standard for desktop motherboards due to its balance of expansion slots and case compatibility. It measures 12 × 9.6 inches, offering more connectors and slots than smaller standards. Most PC cases and power supplies are designed around ATX specifications, making it the default choice. For more details, see .
Which connector does a SATA drive use for data transfer?
PATA ribbon connector
SATA data connector
RJ45 network connector
Molex power connector
SATA drives use a 7-pin data connector designed specifically for Serial ATA interfaces. This slim connector replaced the wide 40-pin ribbon cables used by PATA drives, improving airflow and transfer speeds. The separate Molex connector supplies power, while the SATA connector handles data. Learn more at .
What device modulates and demodulates signals for dial-up internet connections?
Switch
Hub
Router
Modem
A modem (modulator-demodulator) converts digital signals from a computer into analog signals suitable for telephone lines and vice versa. This enables data transmission over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Modern broadband often uses different technologies, but dial-up exclusively relies on modems. More information is available at .
Which type of RAM module is commonly used in modern desktop computers?
SDRAM SO-DIMM
DDR4 DIMM
DDR3 SIMM
EDO RAM
Modern desktop PCs predominantly use DDR4 DIMMs, which provide improved speed, capacity, and lower voltage operation compared to previous generations. DDR4 modules have 288 pins and distinct notch positions to prevent incorrect installation. Older SIMM and EDO RAM types are obsolete in current systems. Read more at .
Which tool is used to safely discharge static electricity before handling computer components?
Thermal paste applicator
ESD wrist strap
Screwdriver
Cable tester
An ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) wrist strap grounds you to the chassis or a known ground point, preventing static buildup that can damage sensitive components. It is the standard safety measure when assembling or servicing PCs. Other tools like screwdrivers do not protect against static discharge. See for more details.
What is the main function of a computer's power supply unit (PSU)?
Convert AC to regulated DC power
Process instructions
Store system settings
Manage network traffic
The PSU converts the AC voltage from the wall outlet into various DC voltages (commonly +12V, +5V, and +3.3V) required by motherboard, drives, and peripherals. It also regulates and protects against surges, overcurrent, and undervoltage conditions. Processing instructions is the role of the CPU, not the PSU. Additional information is at .
What is the maximum data transfer rate of USB 2.0?
5 Gbps
12 Mbps
10 Mbps
480 Mbps
USB 2.0, also known as Hi-Speed USB, supports a maximum raw data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second. Earlier USB 1.1 standards were limited to 12 Mbps, while later USB 3.x versions achieve multi-gigabit speeds. This makes USB 2.0 suitable for keyboards, mice, and many peripherals. Reference: .
Which cable type is used by older PATA hard drives?
USB cable
7-pin SATA cable
Molex power cable
40-pin ribbon cable
Parallel ATA (PATA) drives connect via a wide 40-pin ribbon cable that transmits data in parallel. This design was replaced by SATA cables, which use narrower 7-pin serial connections. The Molex connector provides power, not data. For further reading, see .
What is the primary role of a CPU in a computer?
Execute instructions and perform calculations
Provide backup power
Store large amounts of data
Manage external connections
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary component responsible for interpreting and executing instructions, performing arithmetic and logical operations. Memory modules store data, while power supplies manage energy, and peripherals handle connections. The CPU's performance directly impacts overall system speed. More details at .
Which PCIe slot provides the highest number of lanes for a graphics card?
PCIe x8
PCIe x4
PCIe x1
PCIe x16
PCI Express x16 slots offer the maximum of 16 lanes, providing the highest bandwidth for graphics cards and other high-performance peripherals. Smaller slots like x1, x4, and x8 have fewer lanes and lower throughput. Gaming and GPU-intensive applications typically require x16 connectivity. See for more.
What type of RAM includes error checking and correction capabilities?
DDR
ECC RAM
SDRAM
SIMM
ECC (Error-Correcting Code) RAM detects and corrects single-bit memory errors on the fly, improving system stability for servers and workstations. Standard SDRAM and DDR modules lack this feature. ECC uses extra parity bits to perform error correction. For technical details, refer to .
How many pins does a standard DDR4 DIMM module have?
184 pins
240 pins
168 pins
288 pins
DDR4 DIMMs feature 288-pin connectors, an increase over DDR3's 240 pins to support higher speeds and capacities. The unique notch location prevents incorrect insertion in incompatible slots. Mobile SO-DIMMs use a different pin count altogether. More information at .
Which firmware interface has largely replaced the traditional BIOS in modern PCs?
Legacy BIOS
UEFI
EEPROM
CMOS
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) offers a modern replacement for legacy BIOS with faster boot times, support for large drives, and a graphical interface. It resides in flash memory and includes secure boot features. CMOS refers to the battery-backed memory for settings, not the firmware interface itself. Read more at .
Which RAID level provides disk mirroring for data redundancy?
RAID 10
RAID 0
RAID 5
RAID 1
RAID 1 duplicates all data identically on two drives, providing redundancy in case one drive fails. RAID 0 stripes data for performance but offers no redundancy. RAID 5 uses parity across multiple disks, and RAID 10 combines mirroring and striping. Further reading: .
What diagnostic tool measures voltage and current from a power supply?
Spectrum analyzer
Cable tester
Multimeter
Loopback plug
A multimeter measures DC voltages, currents, and resistance, allowing technicians to verify PSU outputs on the +12V, +5V, and +3.3V rails. Loopback plugs test serial and network ports, while spectrum analyzers are for RF signals. Cable testers check continuity and wiring. More info at .
What does POST stand for in computer boot-up process?
Peripheral Output Signal Test
Power-On System Transfer
Processor Operational Self-Test
Power-On Self-Test
POST (Power-On Self-Test) runs immediately after power is applied, checking critical hardware like CPU, memory, and peripherals before handing off to the bootloader. Errors during POST are often indicated by beep codes or on-screen messages. It ensures the system is functional before loading the OS. Details at .
Which legacy expansion slot was commonly used for graphics cards before PCIe?
AGP
PCI
VLB
ISA
The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) was introduced to provide a high-speed point-to-point channel for graphics cards, offering direct memory access to system RAM. It was phased out in favor of PCI Express, which provides greater bandwidth and flexibility. ISA and VLB are much older standards. See .
What maximum throughput does USB4 support?
40 Gbps
20 Gbps
10 Gbps
5 Gbps
USB4 integrates Thunderbolt 3 protocol, enabling up to 40 Gbps of bi-directional bandwidth over a USB-C connector. This represents a major improvement over USB 3.2's 20 Gbps cap. It also supports multiple data and display protocols on the same bus. More at .
NVMe storage devices interface directly with which bus?
PCIe bus
SATA bus
IDE bus
USB bus
NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) drives connect directly to the PCI Express bus, bypassing the SATA controller to achieve lower latency and higher throughput. This direct interface allows multiple queues and parallelism tailored for flash memory. SATA-based SSDs cannot match NVMe speeds. Learn more at .
What efficiency rating corresponds to a PSU that operates at 92% efficiency at 50% load?
80 PLUS Titanium
80 PLUS Platinum
80 PLUS Gold
80 PLUS Bronze
The 80 PLUS Platinum certification requires at least 92% efficiency at 50% load (89% at 20% and 90% at 100%). Titanium is even higher (94% at 50%), while Gold, Silver, and Bronze have lower thresholds. Higher efficiency reduces wasted heat and power consumption. See .
Which Intel technology enables hardware virtualization support?
Intel VT-x
Intel Hyper-Threading
Intel Turbo Boost
Intel Speed Shift
Intel VT-x adds CPU extensions that improve virtualization performance by allowing guest operating systems to run directly on the processor. It reduces overhead compared to software-only virtualization. Other technologies like Turbo Boost focus on frequency scaling, not virtualization. Further reading at .
What is the primary difference between NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFire?
They are GPU multi-card technologies by different vendors
SLI is for CPU scaling, CrossFire for RAM
They refer to different network protocols
One uses CPU bridging, the other uses memory bridging
SLI (Scalable Link Interface) is NVIDIA's multi-GPU scaling technology, while CrossFire serves the same purpose for AMD graphics cards. Both enable multiple GPUs to work together for improved rendering performance. Their implementations and driver support differ by vendor. For specifics, see .
Which RAID level uses block-level striping with distributed parity?
RAID 10
RAID 1
RAID 5
RAID 0
RAID 5 stripes data across multiple disks and stores parity information distributed among them. This setup provides fault tolerance, allowing one drive to fail without data loss. RAID 0 offers striping only, and RAID 1 mirrors data. Detailed explanation at .
An M.2 socket keyed with an M-key supports what type of SSD?
NVMe SSD
IDE SSD
USB SSD
SATA III SSD
M.2 connectors use keying notches; the M-key configuration provides up to four PCIe lanes for NVMe SSDs, enabling high data rates. SATA SSDs use different keying (B-key or B+M-key). M-key slots do not support IDE or USB devices. See .
What is the term for replacing a faulty component while the system is powered on?
Cold swapping
Warm booting
Restarting
Hot swapping
Hot swapping allows the removal and installation of hardware components, such as drives or power supplies, without shutting down the system. This is crucial for high-availability servers and storage arrays. Cold swapping requires power off, while warm booting involves restarting the OS. Learn more at .
How many bits of error can ECC memory correct and detect?
Corrects triple-bit and detects quadruple-bit errors
Corrects double-bit and detects triple-bit errors
Corrects single-bit and detects double-bit errors
Corrects no bits
ECC memory implements a Single Error Correction and Double Error Detection (SECDED) algorithm, allowing it to correct any single-bit error and detect double-bit errors. This enhances system reliability, particularly in servers and critical workstations. It does not correct multi-bit errors beyond single-bit. Additional details at .
Intel's QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) was replaced by which technology?
PCIe 4.0
UPI (Ultra Path Interconnect)
HyperTransport
Infinity Fabric
Intel introduced the Ultra Path Interconnect (UPI) to succeed QPI in server-grade processors, offering improved latency, throughput, and power efficiency for CPU-to-CPU communication. HyperTransport is AMD's interconnect, while Infinity Fabric is a different AMD technology. Learn more at .
What method ensures cache coherence in multi-core processors?
SCSI protocol
ECC protocol
RAID protocol
MESI protocol
The MESI (Modified, Exclusive, Shared, Invalid) cache coherence protocol maintains consistency of data stored in caches across multiple CPU cores by marking cache lines with specific states. It prevents data corruption and ensures all cores see the most recent value. Other protocols exist but MESI is widely adopted in x86 architectures. More at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Hardware Components -

    Recognize vital PC parts covered in the A+ Hardware Quiz and describe their core functions.

  2. Differentiate Storage and Memory Technologies -

    Compare features of various storage devices and memory modules using CompTIA A+ hardware questions.

  3. Analyze Troubleshooting Scenarios -

    Walk through realistic hardware failure situations to determine root causes and corrective actions.

  4. Apply Hardware Installation Best Practices -

    Use insights from the A+ hardware practice test to follow proper setup and safety procedures.

  5. Evaluate Your Certification Readiness -

    Use instant scored feedback from the hardware fundamentals quiz to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in your knowledge.

  6. Develop Targeted Study Strategies -

    Create a focused review plan for A+ hardware certification topics based on quiz performance.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Motherboard Form Factors & Chipsets -

    Review ATX, mATX, and ITX form factors to ensure component compatibility; for example, ATX boards support up to seven PCIe slots, while Mini-ITX only supports one. Understand how the chipset (e.g., Intel Z690 vs. B660) dictates CPU compatibility, I/O lanes, and overclocking features, per Intel's official documentation. A quick way to remember: "ATX Is eXpansive, ITX Is Tiny" helps distinguish sizes.

  2. CPU Sockets & Thermal Management -

    Identify LGA vs. PGA and newer socket types like AM4 vs. LGA 1200 to match processors correctly, as outlined in AMD and Intel spec sheets. Learn to calculate cooler requirements using the rule of thumb "CFM ≈ TDP × 1.5" for estimating fan airflow per Intel's thermal design guide. Remember "Cool CPU, Cool Crew" to reinforce matching cooler specs to TDP ratings.

  3. Memory Types & Channel Configurations -

    Differentiate between DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5 modules by pin count and voltage (e.g., DDR4 uses 288-pin DIMMs at 1.2 V), referencing Crucial's technical resources. Understand dual-channel vs. quad-channel setups; pairing DIMMs in matching slots doubles bandwidth (e.g., A1+B1 for dual-channel). Use the mnemonic "Two is Better than One" for dual-channel and "Quad Quick" for four-module configurations.

  4. Storage Interfaces & RAID Levels -

    Contrast SATA (1.5 Gbps - 6 Gbps) with NVMe (up to 32 Gbps) M.2 drives to optimize performance; NVMe uses PCIe lanes for lower latency, as noted in Samsung's whitepapers. Review common RAID levels: RAID 0 (striping for speed), RAID 1 (mirroring for redundancy), RAID 5 (striping with parity); mnemonic "0 for Zip, 1 for Mirror, 5 Survives" helps recall. Always verify controller support and maintain backups before deploying any RAID array.

  5. Power Supply Specs & Connector Standards -

    Check PSU wattage and efficiency ratings (80 Plus Bronze, Silver, Gold) to ensure stable power delivery; a 500 W Bronze unit typically sustains ~450 W continuous load at ~82% efficiency. Familiarize yourself with ATX main (24-pin), EPS (8-pin CPU), PCIe (6+2-pin), and SATA power connectors per the official ATX12V specification. Tip: "24+8+(6+2)xGPU = Power Parade" can help recall common connector counts.

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