- A
The new drives are not the same capacity as the originals.
Why wrong: RAID arrays typically use the smallest drive capacity, so if the new drives are larger, they would be underutilized but still functional. This would not cause rebuild failure.
- B
The RAID controller firmware is outdated.
Why wrong: Outdated firmware could cause issues, but it is less likely to cause a specific rebuild failure after a double drive failure. The more immediate cause is usually a hardware problem.
- C
A third drive has developed bad sectors.
During rebuild, the controller reads all remaining drives. If a third drive has bad sectors, the rebuild cannot complete, leading to failure. This is a common issue in aging arrays.
- D
The rebuild process was interrupted by a power outage.
Why wrong: A power outage could interrupt the rebuild, but the scenario does not mention power issues. The failure is likely due to a hardware fault rather than an external event.
220-1101 Storage and RAID Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of storage and raid troubleshooting. 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 server with a RAID 6 array of six 2 TB drives experiences a double drive failure. After replacing both drives, the technician starts the rebuild process, but the array status shows 'Degraded' and the rebuild fails. 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 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
A third drive has developed bad sectors.
RAID 6 can tolerate two drive failures, but if a third drive fails or has bad sectors during rebuild, the array may fail. The most likely cause is that a third drive developed bad sectors during the rebuild, preventing successful reconstruction. This highlights the risk of rebuild stress on older drives.
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 new drives are not the same capacity as the originals.
Why it's wrong here
RAID arrays typically use the smallest drive capacity, so if the new drives are larger, they would be underutilized but still functional. This would not cause rebuild failure.
- ✗
The RAID controller firmware is outdated.
Why it's wrong here
Outdated firmware could cause issues, but it is less likely to cause a specific rebuild failure after a double drive failure. The more immediate cause is usually a hardware problem.
- ✓
A third drive has developed bad sectors.
Why this is correct
During rebuild, the controller reads all remaining drives. If a third drive has bad sectors, the rebuild cannot complete, leading to failure. This is a common issue in aging arrays.
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 rebuild process was interrupted by a power outage.
Why it's wrong here
A power outage could interrupt the rebuild, but the scenario does not mention power issues. The failure is likely due to a hardware fault rather than an external event.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
A power outage could interrupt the rebuild, but the scenario does not mention power issues. The failure is likely due to a hardware fault rather than an external event.
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 and RAID Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Storage and RAID Troubleshooting — This question tests Storage and RAID Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A third drive has developed bad sectors. — RAID 6 can tolerate two drive failures, but if a third drive fails or has bad sectors during rebuild, the array may fail. The most likely cause is that a third drive developed bad sectors during the rebuild, preventing successful reconstruction. This highlights the risk of rebuild stress on older drives.
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.
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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