The answer is that the tablets are missing the root CA certificate in their trusted store. This is correct because 802.1X certificate authentication requires the client device to validate the server’s identity by checking the server certificate against a trusted root certificate authority; without the CA certificate installed, the tablet cannot complete the trust chain and will reject the connection. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of PKI fundamentals and how certificate-based network authentication works, often appearing as a trap where you might mistakenly blame the SSID or security settings. A common memory tip is “No root, no route”—if the root CA is missing, the device has no trusted anchor to verify the server, so authentication fails.
220-1101 Mobile Device Network Connectivity Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device network connectivity. 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 technician is deploying a fleet of tablets that must connect to a corporate network using 802.1X authentication with certificates. After configuring the Wi-Fi profile, some tablets fail to connect. The technician verifies the SSID and security settings are correct. What is the most likely missing configuration?
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 tablets are missing the root CA certificate in their trusted store.
802.1X with certificates requires the device to trust the certificate authority (CA) that issued the server certificate. Without the CA certificate installed, the device cannot validate the server, causing authentication failure.
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 tablets have the wrong date and time set.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect date/time can cause certificate validation failures, but the most direct missing piece is the CA certificate itself.
✓
The tablets are missing the root CA certificate in their trusted store.
Why this is correct
For 802.1X with certificates, the device must trust the CA that signed the server certificate; without it, the handshake fails.
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 tablets are using WPA2-Personal instead of WPA2-Enterprise.
Why it's wrong here
The technician already verified security settings, so this is unlikely.
✗
The tablets have a static IP configured that conflicts with the DHCP scope.
Why it's wrong here
IP configuration issues would occur after authentication, not prevent the initial connection.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
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.
Mobile Device Network Connectivity — This question tests Mobile Device Network Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The tablets are missing the root CA certificate in their trusted store. — 802.1X with certificates requires the device to trust the certificate authority (CA) that issued the server certificate. Without the CA certificate installed, the device cannot validate the server, causing authentication failure.
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.
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Question Discussion
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