- A
The RAID 10 array is not fast enough for database I/O.
Why wrong: RAID 10 provides good performance; the issue is more likely CPU-related since all VMs have equal vCPU counts.
- B
The database server VM should have more virtual CPUs allocated, such as 4 vCPUs.
Database workloads are often CPU-intensive. With only 2 vCPUs, the VM may be competing with others; increasing vCPUs for the database server can improve performance.
- C
The hypervisor is using a Type 2 hypervisor, causing overhead.
Why wrong: The scenario does not specify the hypervisor type, but a single server deployment typically uses a Type 1 hypervisor for performance.
- D
The virtual switch is configured for 100 Mbps instead of 1 Gbps.
Why wrong: Network speed would affect network throughput, not general database performance; the problem is likely CPU-bound.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the database server VM should have more virtual CPUs allocated, such as 4 vCPUs, because it is experiencing VM CPU contention and poor performance due to being under-provisioned relative to its workload. In a virtualized environment, each VM’s virtual CPUs are scheduled onto physical cores by the hypervisor; when every VM has only 2 vCPUs, the database server—which handles more intensive processing—must compete equally for the same limited physical cores, leading to CPU starvation. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of CPU scheduling and resource allocation in virtualization, often appearing as a trap where test-takers overlook workload-specific requirements and assume equal vCPU distribution is sufficient. A common memory tip is to think of vCPUs like lanes on a highway: a database server is a heavy truck needing more lanes (vCPUs) to avoid traffic jams, while lighter VMs like a domain controller can share the same road without issue.
220-1201 Virtualization Concepts Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of virtualization concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is tasked with deploying a virtualized environment for a small office using a single server. The server has 64 GB RAM, two 6-core CPUs, and a RAID 10 array. The technician needs to run four VMs: a domain controller (4 GB), a file server (8 GB), a web server (4 GB), and a database server (16 GB). After deployment, the database server is performing poorly. The technician notices that the hypervisor has allocated 2 virtual CPUs to each VM. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the database server’s poor performance?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 database server VM should have more virtual CPUs allocated, such as 4 vCPUs.
The database server is likely CPU-starved because it has only 2 vCPUs while other VMs also have 2 vCPUs, leading to contention on the physical cores. The correct answer involves adjusting CPU allocation to match workload demands. This tests understanding of CPU scheduling in virtualization.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 RAID 10 array is not fast enough for database I/O.
Why it's wrong here
RAID 10 provides good performance; the issue is more likely CPU-related since all VMs have equal vCPU counts.
- ✓
The database server VM should have more virtual CPUs allocated, such as 4 vCPUs.
Why this is correct
Database workloads are often CPU-intensive. With only 2 vCPUs, the VM may be competing with others; increasing vCPUs for the database server can improve performance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The hypervisor is using a Type 2 hypervisor, causing overhead.
Why it's wrong here
The scenario does not specify the hypervisor type, but a single server deployment typically uses a Type 1 hypervisor for performance.
- ✗
The virtual switch is configured for 100 Mbps instead of 1 Gbps.
Why it's wrong here
Network speed would affect network throughput, not general database performance; the problem is likely CPU-bound.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
The scenario does not specify the hypervisor type, but a single server deployment typically uses a Type 1 hypervisor for performance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Virtualization Concepts — This question tests Virtualization Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The database server VM should have more virtual CPUs allocated, such as 4 vCPUs. — The database server is likely CPU-starved because it has only 2 vCPUs while other VMs also have 2 vCPUs, leading to contention on the physical cores. The correct answer involves adjusting CPU allocation to match workload demands. This tests understanding of CPU scheduling in virtualization.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that a virtual machine running on a workstation is extremely slow, especially during high I/O operations. The host has 16 GB of RAM, an SSD, and a quad-core CPU. The VM is configured with 8 GB RAM and 4 vCPUs. What is the most likely cause of the performance issue?
medium- A.The host does not have enough RAM for the VM
- ✓ B.The VM has too many virtual CPUs assigned
- C.The SSD is too slow for virtualization
- D.The VM is using a dynamic disk instead of a fixed-size disk
Why B: This question tests resource allocation awareness. Over-allocating vCPUs can cause contention as the hypervisor tries to schedule multiple virtual CPUs on limited physical cores, leading to performance degradation. The correct answer is to reduce the vCPU count.
Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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