easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A user complains that their tablet's battery…
A user complains that their tablet's battery drains very quickly, even when not in use. The device is one year old and was working normally until last week. Which hardware component is most likely failing?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the distinction between hardware failure and user-configurable settings, so the trap here is that candidates may confuse a high screen brightness setting (a software/user issue) with a hardware battery failure, even though the symptom occurs when the device is not in use.
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 battery has degraded or is failing.
A battery that drains quickly even when the device is idle typically indicates that the battery's internal chemistry has degraded, leading to increased self-discharge and reduced capacity. After one year of use, lithium-ion batteries naturally lose about 20% of their capacity, and a sudden failure can occur due to a defective cell or internal short. This matches the symptom of normal operation followed by rapid drain, as the battery can no longer hold a charge effectively.
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 charging port is loose.
Why it's wrong here
A loose charging port primarily affects the device's ability to receive and maintain a charge. This issue typically manifests as intermittent charging, where the device only charges when held at a specific angle, or fails to charge altogether. It would not directly cause rapid battery drain when the tablet is idle and disconnected from power, as the port's function is input, not output.
- ✓
The battery has degraded or is failing.
Why this is correct
A degraded or failing lithium-ion battery experiences a significant reduction in its overall charge capacity and an increase in internal resistance. This degradation prevents the battery from holding a charge effectively, leading to rapid discharge even when the tablet is in standby mode or not actively being used. Over time, chemical changes within the battery cells diminish their ability to store energy efficiently.
- ✗
The power management IC is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
A faulty Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) is responsible for regulating power distribution, charging, and overall power efficiency within the tablet. While a malfunctioning PMIC could potentially contribute to battery issues, its failure often presents with more severe symptoms, such as the device not powering on, overheating, or erratic charging behavior. Rapid battery drain specifically when idle is less commonly attributed solely to a PMIC failure compared to a degraded battery, especially after typical usage periods.
- ✗
The screen brightness is set too high.
Why it's wrong here
Setting the screen brightness too high significantly increases power consumption primarily when the tablet's display is actively in use. However, when a tablet is idle, its screen typically turns off or enters a low-power state, minimizing the display's impact on battery life. Therefore, high screen brightness would not be the primary cause of rapid battery drain when the device is not actively being used and is in standby.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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.