hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: That their NFC-enabled smartphone cannot make…
A user reports that their NFC-enabled smartphone cannot make contactless payments at a terminal that works with other phones. The user has a thick wallet case with metal credit cards. What is the most likely issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume the phone's hardware is damaged or the terminal is faulty, overlooking how common accessories like metal cases or credit card holders can physically disrupt the short-range NFC signal.
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
✓
The wallet case is interfering with the NFC signal.
The thick wallet case with metal credit cards is the most likely cause because metal can block or attenuate the NFC (Near Field Communication) signal, which operates at 13.56 MHz. The case creates a physical barrier that prevents the phone's NFC antenna from establishing the short-range inductive coupling needed for contactless payments, even though the terminal and phone hardware are functional.
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 payment terminal's NFC reader is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
If the payment terminal's NFC reader were faulty, it would consistently fail to process transactions for all NFC-enabled devices, not just a single user's smartphone. The fact that the terminal successfully works with other phones indicates its NFC hardware is functional and capable of establishing communication. Therefore, the problem is specific to the user's device setup rather than the terminal itself.
- ✗
The phone's NFC antenna is damaged.
Why it's wrong here
A damaged NFC antenna within the phone would typically result in a complete failure of all Near Field Communication functionalities, making it impossible to perform any NFC-related tasks. Since the issue is described as environment-specific (related to a case) and not a total NFC failure, it suggests the antenna itself is physically intact and capable of transmitting and receiving signals under optimal conditions.
- ✓
The wallet case is interfering with the NFC signal.
Why this is correct
Wallet cases, particularly those containing metallic elements like magnetic clasps, RFID-blocking materials, or even multiple credit cards, can significantly interfere with the phone's NFC signal. These materials can absorb or reflect the electromagnetic field required for NFC communication, effectively creating a localized Faraday cage effect that prevents the phone from establishing a connection with the payment terminal.
- ✗
The phone's payment app is not configured correctly.
Why it's wrong here
If the phone's payment application were incorrectly configured, the issue would manifest consistently across all payment attempts, regardless of the terminal or the physical environment. Problems such as incorrect card details, disabled payment methods, or insufficient app permissions would prevent transactions universally. The scenario implying a specific environmental factor (the case) suggests the app's internal setup is likely not the primary cause of the failure.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Laptop Hardware and Components
Key term
Near-field Communication
Near-field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless technology that allows two devices to exchange data when they are touched or brought within a few centimeters of each other.
Key term
CAN
A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.