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220-1201 Practice Question: A company deploys tablets for field workers to…
A company deploys tablets for field workers to capture signatures on glass screens using a capacitive stylus. Several workers complain that the stylus does not register consistently. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that pressure or calibration is the primary factor in capacitive touch issues, when in fact the core requirement is conductivity for capacitive coupling.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The stylus tip is not conductive.
Capacitive styluses work by transferring a small electrical charge from the user's hand through the conductive tip to the touchscreen, mimicking a finger's touch. If the tip is not conductive, it cannot complete the capacitive coupling, causing inconsistent or no registration. This is the most likely cause given the specific use case of signature capture on glass screens.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The screen protector is too thick.
Why it's wrong here
Capacitive touchscreens detect changes in an electrical field. A very thick screen protector can attenuate this field, making it harder for the screen to register a touch, especially if the stylus is already marginally conductive or the user's touch is light. However, if the stylus is fundamentally non-conductive, even a thin protector would prevent detection, and a thick one wouldn't be the root cause of inconsistent detection if other conductive objects work.
- ✓
The stylus tip is not conductive.
Why this is correct
Capacitive touchscreens operate by detecting changes in the electrical field generated by the screen when a conductive object, like a finger or a specialized stylus, makes contact. If the stylus tip lacks the necessary electrical conductivity, it cannot interact with the screen's electrostatic field to register a touch input. This directly explains why the tablet would not consistently detect the stylus, as it fails to complete the required electrical circuit or alter the field sufficiently.
- ✗
The tablet's touch calibration is off.
Why it's wrong here
Touch calibration corrects the mapping between where a user touches the screen and where the device registers that touch. If calibration were off, all touch inputs—whether from a finger or any functional stylus—would be registered inaccurately or offset from the actual point of contact. The problem described, where the stylus works inconsistently rather than inaccurately, points away from a general calibration issue and towards a specific interaction problem with the stylus itself.
- ✗
The workers are pressing too lightly.
Why it's wrong here
Capacitive touchscreens detect input by sensing changes in their electrical field, which occurs when a conductive object, such as a finger or a conductive stylus, comes into close proximity or contact. Unlike resistive touchscreens, capacitive screens do not rely on physical pressure to register a touch. Therefore, pressing harder with a non-conductive or incompatible stylus will not improve detection, as the fundamental mechanism for input is not being met.
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Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.