- A
55 meters
Why wrong: 55 meters is the limit for 10 Gbps on Cat6, not 1 Gbps.
- B
100 meters
Cat6 supports 1 Gbps up to 100 meters, so 80 meters is within spec.
- C
150 meters
Why wrong: No twisted pair Ethernet standard supports 150 meters; the maximum is 100 meters.
- D
200 meters
Why wrong: 200 meters is beyond the limit for copper Ethernet; fiber would be needed for that distance.
Question 291 of 1,020
What is the Maximum Distance for Cat6 at 1 Gbps?
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cabling. 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.
A technician is asked to run a new network cable from a patch panel to a cubicle 80 meters away. The cable must support at least 1 Gbps. The technician has Cat6 cable on hand. What is the maximum distance this cable will support for 1 Gbps?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Quick Answer
The answer is 100 meters. Cat6 cable supports 1 Gbps Ethernet up to a maximum distance of 100 meters, which includes the combined length of horizontal cabling from the patch panel to the wall jack and the patch cords at each end. This 100-meter limit is a fundamental standard for twisted-pair copper cabling, derived from the IEEE 802.3 specification for 1000BASE-T, ensuring signal integrity and minimal attenuation over that span. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your knowledge of Ethernet distance limitations and cable categories; a common trap is confusing the 55-meter limit for Cat6 at 10 Gbps with the 100-meter limit for 1 Gbps. To remember, think of the classic “100 for 1” rule: Cat6 carries 1 Gbps for 100 meters, while 10 Gbps cuts that distance nearly in half to 55 meters.
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
✓
100 meters
Cat6 cable is rated to support 1 Gbps Ethernet (1000BASE-T) up to a maximum distance of 100 meters per the TIA/EIA-568 standard. Since the required distance is 80 meters, which is within this limit, the cable will support 1 Gbps. The 100-meter limit includes the combined length of the horizontal cable from the patch panel to the cubicle, plus any patch cords at both ends.
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.
- ✗
55 meters
Why it's wrong here
55 meters is the limit for 10 Gbps on Cat6, not 1 Gbps.
- ✓
100 meters
Why this is correct
Cat6 supports 1 Gbps up to 100 meters, so 80 meters is within spec.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
150 meters
Why it's wrong here
No twisted pair Ethernet standard supports 150 meters; the maximum is 100 meters.
- ✗
200 meters
Why it's wrong here
200 meters is beyond the limit for copper Ethernet; fiber would be needed for that distance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
In CompTIA A+ 220-1201, candidates often confuse the maximum distance for 1 Gbps (100 meters) with the distance for 10 Gbps over Cat6 (55 meters), mistakenly applying the shorter limit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 100-meter limit for 1000BASE-T is derived from the signal attenuation and timing constraints specified in IEEE 802.3ab. Cat6 cable has tighter specifications for crosstalk and return loss compared to Cat5e, but the distance limit remains 100 meters for 1 Gbps because the physical layer encoding (PAM-5 with 4 pairs) and the required signal-to-noise ratio do not change. In real-world installations, factors like poor termination, cable kinks, or electromagnetic interference can reduce the effective distance, so always test with a certifier.
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 220-1201 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Cabling — This question tests Cabling — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 100 meters — Cat6 cable is rated to support 1 Gbps Ethernet (1000BASE-T) up to a maximum distance of 100 meters per the TIA/EIA-568 standard. Since the required distance is 80 meters, which is within this limit, the cable will support 1 Gbps. The 100-meter limit includes the combined length of the horizontal cable from the patch panel to the cubicle, plus any patch cords at both ends.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 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: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1201 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 220-1201 exam.
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