220-1102 Practice Question: A technician is following the CompTIA A+…
This 220-1102 practice question tests your understanding of a technician is following the comptia a+…. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: testing the theory is the third step in the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology.. 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 following the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology to resolve a computer issue. After establishing a theory of probable cause, which step should the technician perform NEXT?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Best answer
Test the theory to determine the cause.
Testing the theory is the third step, confirming or disproving the suspected cause.
Distractor review
Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem.
A plan is developed after the theory is confirmed.
Distractor review
Implement the solution.
Implementation occurs after testing and planning.
Distractor review
Document findings, actions, and outcomes.
Documentation is the final step after verification.
Answer analysis
Why the other options are wrong
Understanding why incorrect options are tempting is as important as knowing the correct answer.
- ✗
Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem.
A plan is developed after the theory is confirmed.
- ✗
Implement the solution.
Implementation occurs after testing and planning.
- ✗
Document findings, actions, and outcomes.
Documentation is the final step after verification.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often mistakenly jump to establishing a plan of action (B) before confirming their theory, skipping the critical verification step.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
The CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology is a structured approach designed to efficiently and effectively resolve technical issues. After a technician has identified the problem and established a theory of probable cause, the crucial next step is to test that theory to determine the actual cause. This step is vital because a theory, by definition, is an educated guess. Without empirical testing, a technician risks pursuing an incorrect solution, which can waste time, resources, and potentially introduce new problems. Testing the theory often involves performing specific diagnostic actions that either confirm or disprove the suspected cause. For example, if the theory is a loose cable, the test might be to reseat the cable and observe if the issue resolves. If the theory points to a software conflict, testing might involve booting into safe mode or disabling specific services. This step is distinct from establishing a plan of action (Option B), which is developed *after* the theory has been confirmed as the root cause. Similarly, implementing the solution (Option C) is the execution of that plan, which logically follows testing and planning. Documentation (Option D) is the final step, performed after the solution has been verified, to record the entire process for future reference and knowledge sharing. By rigorously testing the theory, the technician ensures they are addressing the actual problem, leading to a more reliable and lasting resolution.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Testing the theory is the third step in the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology.
- This step aims to confirm or disprove the established theory of probable cause.
- It prevents wasted effort on incorrect solutions by verifying the root cause.
- Involves specific diagnostic actions to validate the suspected issue.
TExam Day Tips
- 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
Testing the theory is the third step in the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A change advisory board (CAB) approved a standard change to update antivirus definitions on all servers. The technician completes the update on a file server and verifies the server is functioning normally. According to change management best practices, what documentation should the technician complete?
Question 2
A company's change management policy requires all server changes to be approved by the Change Advisory Board (CAB). A technician discovers that a critical database server's operating system needs a security patch to comply with a new regulatory requirement that takes effect in one week. The patch has a known risk of causing service downtime. The next scheduled CAB meeting is in two weeks. What should the technician do FIRST?
Question 3
A company is implementing a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy and needs to ensure that corporate data on employee mobile devices is protected. Which of the following is the MOST important technical control to implement?
Question 4
A company requires employees to present both a smart card and a PIN to log into their workstations. Which authentication principle is being implemented?
Question 5
A company requires all Windows 10 workstations to be able to join an Active Directory domain. Which edition of Windows 10 must be installed on these workstations?
Question 6
A company wants to allow employees to securely access internal resources from home via the internet. Which method provides the highest level of security for remote desktop connections?
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1102 question test?
Testing the theory is the third step in the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Test the theory to determine the cause. — The CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology consists of seven steps: (1) Identify the problem, (2) Establish a theory of probable cause, (3) Test the theory to determine the cause, (4) Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution, (5) Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures, (6) Document findings, actions, and outcomes. Therefore, after establishing a theory, the next step is to test that theory.
What should I do if I get this 220-1102 question wrong?
Review testing the theory is the third step in the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology., then practise related 220-1102 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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