The answer is wevtutil qe Security /q:"*[System[TimeCreated[timediff(@SystemTime) <= 86400000]]]". This command is correct because wevtutil allows you to query security event logs using structured XML filters, enabling precise extraction of events like user creation (event ID 4720) within a specific time window—here, the last 24 hours (86,400,000 milliseconds). On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this tests your ability to perform security log analysis using native Windows tools, often contrasting wevtutil with commands like Get-WinEvent or net user, which either lack filtering or manage accounts rather than logs. A common trap is confusing wevtutil with disk partition tools like diskpart, so remember: wevtutil is for event logs, not drives. Memory tip: think “wevtutil = Windows Event Viewer Utility, the log detective.”
220-1102 Windows Command-Line Tools Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows command-line tools. 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.
During a security audit, you need to identify all user accounts that have been created or modified in the last 24 hours on a Windows Server. Which command-line tool can parse security event logs to extract this information?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
wevtutil qe Security /q:"*[System[TimeCreated[timediff(@SystemTime) <= 86400000]]]"
The wevtutil command can query event logs using structured XML queries, allowing you to filter events by time and ID (e.g., 4720 for user creation). It is a powerful tool for log analysis. Other commands either display logs without filtering or manage disk partitions.
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.
✓
wevtutil qe Security /q:"*[System[TimeCreated[timediff(@SystemTime) <= 86400000]]]"
Why this is correct
This command queries the Security log for events created in the last 24 hours (86400000 ms), enabling precise filtering for account changes.
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.
✗
eventvwr
Why it's wrong here
eventvwr opens the graphical Event Viewer, not a command-line tool suitable for scripting.
✗
net user
Why it's wrong here
net user displays current user accounts but does not show when they were created or modified.
✗
diskpart
Why it's wrong here
diskpart manages disk partitions, unrelated to user account auditing.
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
eventvwr opens the graphical Event Viewer, not a command-line tool suitable for scripting.
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 Command-Line Tools — This question tests Windows Command-Line Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: wevtutil qe Security /q:"*[System[TimeCreated[timediff(@SystemTime) <= 86400000]]]" — The wevtutil command can query event logs using structured XML queries, allowing you to filter events by time and ID (e.g., 4720 for user creation). It is a powerful tool for log analysis. Other commands either display logs without filtering or manage disk partitions.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
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.
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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