The answer is Task Manager. This is the correct choice because Task Manager provides real-time performance monitoring, displaying CPU usage per process in the Processes tab, which allows you to quickly sort by CPU column to identify high CPU usage processes and pinpoint resource hogs like a newly installed program. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to select the right administrative tool for performance troubleshooting, and a common trap is choosing Event Viewer (for logs) or Services.msc (for service configuration) instead of the direct monitoring tool. To remember, think of Task Manager as your “task force” for spotting CPU hogs—just press Ctrl+Shift+Esc and sort by CPU.
220-1102 Windows Administrative Tools Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. 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 user reports that their Windows 10 PC is running slowly after they installed a new program. You need to identify which service or startup program is consuming the most CPU resources to troubleshoot the issue. Which administrative tool should you use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Task Manager
Task Manager provides real-time performance monitoring, including CPU usage per process. This makes it the ideal tool for quickly identifying resource hogs. Other tools like Event Viewer or Services.msc are for different purposes.
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.
✗
Event Viewer
Why it's wrong here
Event Viewer logs system events but does not show real-time CPU usage per process.
✓
Task Manager
Why this is correct
Task Manager's Processes tab shows CPU, memory, and disk usage for each running process, allowing you to pinpoint the culprit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Services.msc
Why it's wrong here
Services.msc manages Windows services but does not display real-time CPU usage.
✗
Performance Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Performance Monitor can track performance over time but is overkill for a quick check of current CPU usage.
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
Command / output trap
Event Viewer logs system events but does not show real-time CPU usage per process.
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 220-1202 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1202 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.
Windows Administrative Tools — This question tests Windows Administrative Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Task Manager — Task Manager provides real-time performance monitoring, including CPU usage per process. This makes it the ideal tool for quickly identifying resource hogs. Other tools like Event Viewer or Services.msc are for different purposes.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1202 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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