Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Concepts
Matches
11 Mbps
54 Mbps
600 Mbps
1.3 Gbps (or up to 6.9 Gbps with multi-user MIMO)
N10-009 Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
Match each wireless standard to its maximum theoretical speed.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
802.11b: Maximum speed of 11 Mbps
Common Wi-Fi standards: 802.11b (11 Mbps), 802.11g (54 Mbps), 802.11ac (1.3 Gbps). Note that 802.11a also runs at 54 Mbps, and 802.11n at up to 600 Mbps.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
802.11b: Maximum speed of 11 Mbps
Why this is correct
The 802.11b standard, ratified in 1999, was the first widely adopted Wi-Fi protocol. Operating exclusively in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, it utilized Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) modulation to achieve a maximum theoretical data rate of 11 Mbps. While slow by modern standards, it laid the groundwork for widespread wireless networking.
- ✓
802.11g: Maximum speed of 54 Mbps
Why this is correct
Introduced in 2003, 802.11g significantly improved upon its predecessor by boosting the maximum theoretical speed to 54 Mbps. It also operates in the 2.4 GHz band, making it backward compatible with 802.11b devices. This standard achieved higher speeds by adopting Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation, similar to 802.11a.
- ✓
802.11ac: Maximum speed of 1.3 Gbps
Why this is correct
The 802.11ac standard, also known as Wi-Fi 5, delivers a substantial increase in throughput, reaching maximum theoretical speeds of up to 1.3 Gbps for a single link. It operates exclusively in the less congested 5 GHz frequency band, leveraging technologies like wider channels (up to 160 MHz) and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) to achieve these gigabit speeds. This standard was designed for high-density environments and demanding applications.
- ✗
802.11a: Maximum speed of 11 Mbps
Why it's wrong here
The claim that 802.11a has a maximum speed of 11 Mbps is incorrect. This standard, ratified concurrently with 802.11b, actually operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and utilizes Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) to achieve a maximum theoretical speed of 54 Mbps. Its higher frequency band generally provides less range but greater throughput potential compared to 2.4 GHz.
- ✗
802.11n: Maximum speed of 54 Mbps
Why it's wrong here
Stating that 802.11n has a maximum speed of 54 Mbps is inaccurate. The 802.11n standard, also known as Wi-Fi 4, significantly advanced wireless technology by introducing Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) and channel bonding, allowing it to achieve theoretical speeds up to 600 Mbps. It operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, offering greater flexibility and performance.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 464 original N10-009 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This N10-009 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 N10-009 exam.