The answer is the user’s upload speed is insufficient for RDP. Remote Desktop Protocol is heavily dependent on upstream bandwidth because the client must continuously send screen changes, keyboard strokes, mouse movements, and clipboard data back to the host server. With only 10 Mbps upload at home versus the office’s symmetrical 100 Mbps, the user’s limited upstream capacity creates a bottleneck that degrades responsiveness, especially with high-resolution or graphics-heavy sessions. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that RDP performance is often constrained by the client’s upload speed, not the download—a common trap where students focus on the faster download number. Remember the memory tip: “RDP sends up, not down”—the upload is the critical path for real-time interaction.
220-1102 Remote Access Technologies Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of remote access technologies. 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 technician is troubleshooting a slow Remote Desktop connection for a user working from home. The user's internet speed test shows 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload. The office network has a 100 Mbps symmetrical connection. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the slowness?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Why wrong: The office has 100 Mbps symmetrical, which is more than enough; the bottleneck is at the user's end.
B
The user's internet connection has high latency
Why wrong: High latency can cause lag, but the speed test shows good throughput; the issue is more likely limited upload bandwidth.
C
The user's upload speed is insufficient for RDP
RDP sends screen updates from the host to the client, so the host's upload speed (user's upload) is critical. 10 Mbps may be too low for a good experience.
D
The VPN is using an outdated encryption protocol
Why wrong: Outdated encryption could cause performance issues, but the scenario does not mention VPN; even if present, the bandwidth mismatch is a more direct cause.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The user's upload speed is insufficient for RDP
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is highly sensitive to upload bandwidth because it transmits screen updates, keyboard/mouse input, and clipboard data from the client to the server. With only 10 Mbps upload at the user's home, the bottleneck is the user's upstream capacity, which is insufficient to handle the continuous screen refresh and input data required for a smooth RDP session, especially if the remote desktop is graphics-intensive or has high resolution.
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.
✗
The office network is oversubscribed
Why it's wrong here
The office has 100 Mbps symmetrical, which is more than enough; the bottleneck is at the user's end.
✗
The user's internet connection has high latency
Why it's wrong here
High latency can cause lag, but the speed test shows good throughput; the issue is more likely limited upload bandwidth.
✓
The user's upload speed is insufficient for RDP
Why this is correct
RDP sends screen updates from the host to the client, so the host's upload speed (user's upload) is critical. 10 Mbps may be too low for a good experience.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The VPN is using an outdated encryption protocol
Why it's wrong here
Outdated encryption could cause performance issues, but the scenario does not mention VPN; even if present, the bandwidth mismatch is a more direct cause.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that download speed is the primary factor for RDP performance, when in reality the user's upload speed is the bottleneck because RDP sends client input and screen updates upstream.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
High latency can cause lag, but the speed test shows good throughput; the issue is more likely limited upload bandwidth.
Scenario analysis trap
Outdated encryption could cause performance issues, but the scenario does not mention VPN; even if present, the bandwidth mismatch is a more direct cause.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RDP uses a virtual channel architecture where the client sends compressed screen updates and input data over TCP port 3389. The upload bandwidth is critical because every mouse movement, keystroke, and screen change must be sent from the client to the server; with only 10 Mbps upload, the RDP session may experience frame drops or choppy responsiveness. In real-world scenarios, even 5 Mbps upload can be marginal for a single 1080p RDP session, and multiple monitors or video playback can require 15-30 Mbps upload.
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.
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
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.
Remote Access Technologies — This question tests Remote Access Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The user's upload speed is insufficient for RDP — Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is highly sensitive to upload bandwidth because it transmits screen updates, keyboard/mouse input, and clipboard data from the client to the server. With only 10 Mbps upload at the user's home, the bottleneck is the user's upstream capacity, which is insufficient to handle the continuous screen refresh and input data required for a smooth RDP session, especially if the remote desktop is graphics-intensive or has high resolution.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.