- A
RAID 0
Why wrong: RAID 0 stripes data across all drives for maximum performance, but it offers no fault tolerance. If one drive fails, all data is lost.
- B
RAID 1
Why wrong: RAID 1 mirrors data across two drives, providing fault tolerance but no performance gain. With four drives, RAID 1 would only use two drives, wasting capacity.
- C
RAID 5
Why wrong: RAID 5 stripes data with parity across three or more drives, offering fault tolerance and good read performance. However, write performance is slower due to parity calculations, and it does not provide the same level of fault tolerance as RAID 10 (can only survive one drive failure).
- D
RAID 10
RAID 10 combines striping and mirroring, offering both high performance and fault tolerance. With four drives, it creates two mirrored pairs striped together, allowing up to two drive failures (one per mirror) without data loss.
Quick Answer
The answer is RAID 10, as it is the only RAID level that delivers both high performance and fault tolerance with four drives. RAID 10 combines disk striping for speed with mirroring for redundancy, so if one drive fails, its mirror continues operating without data loss, while the striped layout boosts read and write throughput. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to weigh trade-offs: RAID 5 offers fault tolerance but suffers from slower write performance due to parity calculations, RAID 0 has no fault tolerance, and RAID 1 provides only mirroring without a performance gain. A common trap is choosing RAID 5 because it seems balanced, but remember that RAID 10 is the only nested level that requires at least four drives and explicitly combines both benefits. To recall this, think “10 for two-in-one”—the number 10 itself suggests a blend of RAID 1 and RAID 0, giving you the best of both worlds.
220-1201 Storage Devices Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of storage devices. 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 configuring a RAID array in a server that requires both high performance and fault tolerance. The server has four identical 2TB SATA HDDs. The RAID controller supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10. Which RAID level should the technician choose to meet both requirements?
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
RAID 10
This question tests understanding of RAID levels and their trade-offs. RAID 10 (striping + mirroring) provides both performance (striping) and fault tolerance (mirroring), but requires at least 4 drives. RAID 5 offers fault tolerance with parity but has slower write performance. RAID 0 has no fault tolerance, and RAID 1 only provides fault tolerance with no performance gain.
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.
- ✗
RAID 0
Why it's wrong here
RAID 0 stripes data across all drives for maximum performance, but it offers no fault tolerance. If one drive fails, all data is lost.
- ✗
RAID 1
Why it's wrong here
RAID 1 mirrors data across two drives, providing fault tolerance but no performance gain. With four drives, RAID 1 would only use two drives, wasting capacity.
- ✗
RAID 5
Why it's wrong here
RAID 5 stripes data with parity across three or more drives, offering fault tolerance and good read performance. However, write performance is slower due to parity calculations, and it does not provide the same level of fault tolerance as RAID 10 (can only survive one drive failure).
- ✓
RAID 10
Why this is correct
RAID 10 combines striping and mirroring, offering both high performance and fault tolerance. With four drives, it creates two mirrored pairs striped together, allowing up to two drive failures (one per mirror) without data loss.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
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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Storage Devices — study guide chapter
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Storage Devices practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Storage Devices — This question tests Storage Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: RAID 10 — This question tests understanding of RAID levels and their trade-offs. RAID 10 (striping + mirroring) provides both performance (striping) and fault tolerance (mirroring), but requires at least 4 drives. RAID 5 offers fault tolerance with parity but has slower write performance. RAID 0 has no fault tolerance, and RAID 1 only provides fault tolerance with no performance gain.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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