Quick Answer
The answer is START /WAIT, as this command launches an installer and pauses the batch script until that process fully completes before moving to the next line. The technical concept here is process synchronization: without the /WAIT flag, START launches the installer as a separate, non-blocking process, allowing the script to continue immediately—which defeats the purpose of sequential automation. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this tests your understanding of batch scripting for deployment tasks, often appearing in scenario-based questions about automating software rollouts. A common trap is choosing just START (which runs the program asynchronously) or using CALL (which works for other batch files but not executables). To remember: think of START /WAIT as “Start and Wait”—the script politely holds its place until the installer finishes its job.
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of scripting basics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 writes a batch script to automate software installation across multiple workstations. The script needs to wait for the installer to finish before proceeding to the next line. Which command should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
PAUSE
Why wrong: PAUSE halts the script until a key is pressed, not until a process finishes.
TIMEOUT
Why wrong: TIMEOUT waits for a set number of seconds, not until a specific process ends.
START /WAIT
START /WAIT launches the installer and waits for it to exit before continuing.
CALL
Why wrong: CALL runs another batch file but does not wait for a separate executable to finish.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
START /WAIT
The START /WAIT command launches a specified program or script and pauses execution of the batch file until that process terminates. This is exactly what is needed to ensure the installer completes before the next line runs, making it the correct choice for sequential automation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
PAUSE
Why it's wrong here
PAUSE halts the script until a key is pressed, not until a process finishes.
TIMEOUT
Why it's wrong here
TIMEOUT waits for a set number of seconds, not until a specific process ends.
START /WAIT
Why this is correct
START /WAIT launches the installer and waits for it to exit before continuing.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
CALL
Why it's wrong here
CALL runs another batch file but does not wait for a separate executable to finish.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the distinction between PAUSE (user input wait), TIMEOUT (fixed delay), and START /WAIT (process-aware wait), trapping candidates who confuse a simple delay with true process synchronization.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, START /WAIT uses the CreateProcess API with the dwCreationFlags set to 0 (no special flags) and then calls WaitForSingleObject on the process handle, blocking the batch interpreter until the process exits. A subtle behavior is that if the installer spawns child processes (e.g., a wrapper that launches the real setup), START /WAIT only waits for the immediate process, not its children, which can cause premature continuation in some enterprise deployment scenarios.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Scripting Basics — This question tests Scripting Basics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: START /WAIT — The START /WAIT command launches a specified program or script and pauses execution of the batch file until that process terminates. This is exactly what is needed to ensure the installer completes before the next line runs, making it the correct choice for sequential automation.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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.
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