- A
Wireless uses a different MAC method that requires waiting for an acknowledgment, reducing available bandwidth.
Why wrong: While acknowledgments are used in some wireless protocols, the core overhead comes from collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), not just waiting for ACKs. This option is partially accurate but not the best description.
- B
Wireless operates at half-duplex, while wired Ethernet typically operates at full-duplex.
Why wrong: This is true, but it is an effect of the physical layer and not the primary reason for lower throughput. The MAC layer overhead in CSMA/CA is the main factor.
- C
Wireless uses CSMA/CA which involves a collision avoidance mechanism that adds overhead, whereas wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD which only responds after collision.
Correct. CSMA/CA requires proactive steps to avoid collisions, reducing the effective data rate. CSMA/CD is more efficient in wired networks because it transmits immediately and handles collisions after they occur.
- D
Wireless signals are subject to interference, but the MAC protocol is identical to Ethernet.
Why wrong: The MAC protocols are different. Wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD; wireless uses CSMA/CA. Interference does affect throughput, but the MAC protocol difference is the primary reason for the throughput disparity.
N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 network engineer is explaining to a manager why wireless networks often have lower throughput than wired Ethernet. Which of the following best describes the primary reason for this difference?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
Wireless uses CSMA/CA which involves a collision avoidance mechanism that adds overhead, whereas wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD which only responds after collision.
Option C is correct because wireless networks use CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance), which requires stations to perform a four-way handshake (RTS/CTS) and wait for an acknowledgment before transmitting. This collision avoidance mechanism introduces significant overhead, reducing effective throughput. In contrast, wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD, which detects collisions after they occur and does not require such proactive overhead, allowing higher throughput.
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.
- ✗
Wireless uses a different MAC method that requires waiting for an acknowledgment, reducing available bandwidth.
Why it's wrong here
While acknowledgments are used in some wireless protocols, the core overhead comes from collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), not just waiting for ACKs. This option is partially accurate but not the best description.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question asked: 'Which factor contributes to lower throughput in wireless networks due to the need for reliable delivery?'
- ✗
Wireless operates at half-duplex, while wired Ethernet typically operates at full-duplex.
Why it's wrong here
This is true, but it is an effect of the physical layer and not the primary reason for lower throughput. The MAC layer overhead in CSMA/CA is the main factor.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked 'Which characteristic of wireless networks contributes to lower throughput compared to full-duplex wired Ethernet?' then half-duplex operation would be a correct answer.
- ✓
Wireless uses CSMA/CA which involves a collision avoidance mechanism that adds overhead, whereas wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD which only responds after collision.
Why this is correct
Correct. CSMA/CA requires proactive steps to avoid collisions, reducing the effective data rate. CSMA/CD is more efficient in wired networks because it transmits immediately and handles collisions after they occur.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Wireless signals are subject to interference, but the MAC protocol is identical to Ethernet.
Why it's wrong here
The MAC protocols are different. Wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD; wireless uses CSMA/CA. Interference does affect throughput, but the MAC protocol difference is the primary reason for the throughput disparity.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question asked: 'Which of the following is a common cause of throughput degradation in wireless networks?' or 'What is a disadvantage of wireless compared to wired networks?'
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Wireless uses CSMA/CA which involves a collision avoidance mechanism that adds overhead, whereas wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD which only responds after collision.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. CSMA/CA requires proactive steps to avoid collisions, reducing the effective data rate. CSMA/CD is more efficient in wired networks because it transmits immediately and handles collisions after they occur.
✗Wireless uses a different MAC method that requires waiting for an acknowledgment, reducing available bandwidth.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
While wireless does use acknowledgments, the primary reason for lower throughput is the CSMA/CA overhead, not just waiting for ACKs. Wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD, which is less overhead-intensive.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question asked: 'Which factor contributes to lower throughput in wireless networks due to the need for reliable delivery?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates know wireless uses ACKs and that this consumes bandwidth, but they overlook that the fundamental MAC method difference (CSMA/CA vs CSMA/CD) is the key reason for throughput disparity.
✗Wireless operates at half-duplex, while wired Ethernet typically operates at full-duplex.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
While wireless does operate at half-duplex, this is not the primary reason for lower throughput compared to wired Ethernet; the key difference is the CSMA/CA overhead versus CSMA/CD.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked 'Which characteristic of wireless networks contributes to lower throughput compared to full-duplex wired Ethernet?' then half-duplex operation would be a correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may recall that half-duplex reduces throughput and assume that is the main factor, overlooking the more significant CSMA/CA overhead.
✗Wireless signals are subject to interference, but the MAC protocol is identical to Ethernet.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The MAC protocol is not identical; wireless uses CSMA/CA with explicit acknowledgments and collision avoidance, while wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD. Interference is a factor but not the primary reason for lower throughput.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question asked: 'Which of the following is a common cause of throughput degradation in wireless networks?' or 'What is a disadvantage of wireless compared to wired networks?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may know that interference affects wireless performance and assume the MAC protocol is the same, overlooking the fundamental difference in access methods.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume half-duplex operation (Option B) is the primary cause, but Cisco tests the deeper understanding that the MAC protocol's overhead (CSMA/CA vs. CSMA/CD) is the fundamental reason for throughput differences, not just the duplex mode.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, CSMA/CA's RTS/CTS exchange reserves the medium for a specified duration, and each data frame requires an ACK, which adds interframe spacing (SIFS, DIFS) and backoff delays. In contrast, CSMA/CD allows stations to transmit immediately if the medium is idle and only invokes a backoff after a collision, resulting in much lower per-frame overhead. In real-world scenarios, this overhead becomes especially pronounced in dense Wi-Fi environments, where contention and retransmissions further degrade throughput compared to a switched Ethernet network.
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 N10-009 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Networking Concepts — This question tests Networking Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Wireless uses CSMA/CA which involves a collision avoidance mechanism that adds overhead, whereas wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD which only responds after collision. — Option C is correct because wireless networks use CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance), which requires stations to perform a four-way handshake (RTS/CTS) and wait for an acknowledgment before transmitting. This collision avoidance mechanism introduces significant overhead, reducing effective throughput. In contrast, wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD, which detects collisions after they occur and does not require such proactive overhead, allowing higher throughput.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 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: "best", "primary". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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