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220-1102 Practice Question: A technician is configuring a new workstation for…
A technician is configuring a new workstation for an executive who requested specific software. The executive's assistant says the executive is very busy and wants the setup done quickly without any questions. What is the most professional response?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume 'respecting time' means immediate action (Option A), but CompTIA tests that professionalism requires verification to prevent costly errors, not blind compliance.
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
✓
Ask the assistant to confirm the exact software list and any version requirements before starting.
It demonstrates professional due diligence: confirming the exact software list and version requirements prevents misconfigurations that could waste the executive's time later. A technician must verify requirements before installation to avoid compatibility issues or missing critical features, which is a core communication skill in the CompTIA A+ 220-1202 domain.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Proceed with the installation as requested to respect the executive's time.
Why it's wrong here
This approach is unprofessional and technically unsound. Installing software without a confirmed list of applications and their specific versions can lead to significant compatibility issues, missing critical dependencies, or deploying incorrect licenses. Such errors necessitate extensive rework, ultimately wasting more of the executive's time and potentially causing data loss or system instability, directly contradicting the goal of efficiency.
- ✓
Ask the assistant to confirm the exact software list and any version requirements before starting.
Why this is correct
This is the most professional and technically responsible course of action. By requesting a precise software list, including specific versions and any licensing details, the technician ensures that the workstation is configured exactly to the executive's operational needs. This proactive verification prevents costly rework, minimizes potential compatibility conflicts, and demonstrates a commitment to accuracy and efficient resource deployment, aligning with best practices for system configuration.
- ✗
Install the software that is most commonly used by other executives.
Why it's wrong here
Basing software installation on assumptions about common usage among other executives is a flawed technical strategy. Each user, especially an executive, often has unique application requirements, specific version preferences, or specialized tools necessary for their role. Deploying a generic software suite without explicit confirmation risks installing irrelevant applications, omitting essential ones, or creating compatibility issues, leading to user dissatisfaction and inefficient resource allocation.
- ✗
Tell the assistant that you cannot proceed without talking to the executive directly.
Why it's wrong here
Demanding direct communication with the executive before proceeding is an inflexible and potentially inefficient approach. The executive's assistant is often the designated point of contact for administrative and technical requests, possessing the necessary information regarding software requirements, licensing, and user preferences. Bypassing this established communication channel can create unnecessary delays and demonstrate a lack of trust in the assistant's ability to relay accurate specifications, hindering the timely completion of the task.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.