The answer is that the calendar app needs to be re-authorized for the Exchange account. This is the most likely cause because a major iOS update can reset app-specific permissions or account authentication tokens, breaking sync for individual apps like Calendar while leaving core services like email and contacts intact. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of post-update app-level configuration issues, a common trap where technicians mistakenly blame the server or network when only one app is affected. Remember that after an OS update, if email and contacts sync correctly but the calendar does not, the fix is to remove and re-add the Exchange account within the Calendar settings or toggle the Calendar sync toggle off and back on. A handy memory tip: “Calendar’s token got broken; re-auth is the token spoken.”
220-1201 Mobile Device Application Support Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device application support. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 customer complains that their iOS device's calendar app no longer syncs with their work Exchange account after a recent iOS update. Other email and contacts sync correctly. What is the most likely cause?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The calendar app needs to be re-authorized for the Exchange account.
This scenario focuses on app-specific sync issues after an OS update. The most common cause is that the app's permissions or account settings were reset during the update, requiring re-authorization or re-configuration of the Exchange account within the calendar app.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 Exchange server is down.
Why it's wrong here
If the server were down, email and contacts would also fail to sync, but the user reports those work fine.
✗
The iOS update removed the Exchange account from the device.
Why it's wrong here
Updates rarely remove entire accounts; they may reset permissions but not delete the account configuration.
✓
The calendar app needs to be re-authorized for the Exchange account.
Why this is correct
iOS updates can reset app-specific permissions, requiring the user to re-authorize the calendar app to access the Exchange account.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
The calendar app is corrupted and must be reinstalled.
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the calendar app is not possible on iOS without jailbreaking, and corruption is unlikely to affect only one account type.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 220-1201 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Mobile Device Application Support — This question tests Mobile Device Application Support — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The calendar app needs to be re-authorized for the Exchange account. — This scenario focuses on app-specific sync issues after an OS update. The most common cause is that the app's permissions or account settings were reset during the update, requiring re-authorization or re-configuration of the Exchange account within the calendar app.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 220-1201 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.