The answer is drilling holes through the platters of each drive, as this is the lowest cost data destruction method that guarantees data cannot be recovered. Physical destruction works by directly damaging the magnetic platters where data is stored, making it impossible for any recovery tool or cleanroom service to read the remnants. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of disposal methods under budget constraints, often contrasting low-cost physical destruction with more expensive options like degaussing or industrial shredding. A common trap is choosing software wiping or formatting, but those are slower and less reliable for confidential payroll records since they can be bypassed with forensic tools. Remember the memory tip: “Drill for the thrill of zero recovery”—if you need cheap and certain destruction, a simple drill bit through the platters is the CompTIA-approved low-cost solution.
220-1202 Data Destruction and Disposal Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of data destruction and disposal. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 small business is upgrading its workstations and needs to dispose of 20 old hard drives that contain confidential payroll records. The company wants the lowest-cost method that ensures data cannot be recovered. Which disposal method should be recommended?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Drill holes through the platters of each drive.
For cost-sensitive environments with sensitive data, physical destruction is often the most reliable and inexpensive method. Drilling through the platters is a low-cost way to render the drive unreadable without specialized equipment.
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.
✗
Use a degausser on each drive.
Why it's wrong here
Degaussing is effective but requires expensive equipment and may not be the lowest-cost option for 20 drives.
✗
Perform a standard format on each drive.
Why it's wrong here
A standard format does not overwrite data; it only marks sectors as available. Data remains recoverable.
✓
Drill holes through the platters of each drive.
Why this is correct
Drilling physically damages the platters, making data unrecoverable at very low cost. This is a common low-budget disposal method.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reformat the drives and install a fresh OS.
Why it's wrong here
Reformatting and reinstalling does not securely erase old data; residual data can still be recovered.
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 220-1202 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1202 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.
Data Destruction and Disposal — This question tests Data Destruction and Disposal — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Drill holes through the platters of each drive. — For cost-sensitive environments with sensitive data, physical destruction is often the most reliable and inexpensive method. Drilling through the platters is a low-cost way to render the drive unreadable without specialized equipment.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1202 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
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 →
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 company is relocating and needs to dispose of 50 old desktop computers with HDDs that contain sensitive client data. The policy requires data destruction to be verifiable and the drives to be physically destroyed. Which method meets these requirements?
medium
A.Use a degausser and then donate the drives to a school.
B.Overwrite each drive with three passes of random data.
✓ C.Send the drives to a certified e-waste recycler for shredding.
D.Reformat each drive and install a fresh OS for reuse.
Why C: Physical destruction methods like shredding or crushing provide verifiable destruction (e.g., through a certificate of destruction) and ensure the drives cannot be reused, meeting strict security policies. Degaussing also destroys data but may not physically destroy the drive.
Variation 2. A company is migrating to new laptops and needs to dispose of 50 old hard drives securely. The drives contain proprietary software and client data. The IT manager wants a method that is both environmentally friendly and compliant with data protection laws. Which disposal method should be chosen?
medium
A.Donate the drives to a local charity after wiping them with a free tool.
✓ B.Use a certified e-waste recycler that offers secure destruction and recycling.
C.Physically break the drives with a drill and dispose of them in the regular trash.
D.Perform a quick format and sell the drives online.
Why B: The correct answer is to use a certified e-waste recycler that performs secure data destruction. This ensures data is destroyed (often via shredding or degaussing) and the materials are recycled responsibly. Simple wiping may not be sufficient for all drives, and donating without destruction risks data exposure.
Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
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.
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 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.