- A
Bluetooth 5.0
Why wrong: Bluetooth 5.0 maxes out at about 2 Mbps, far too slow for large files.
- B
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Why wrong: Wi-Fi 5 can reach 1.3 Gbps in ideal conditions but is often slower and less reliable than wired USB-C.
- C
USB 3.1 Gen 2 over USB-C
USB 3.1 Gen 2 supports up to 10 Gbps, making it the fastest widely available wired connection for file transfers.
- D
NFC
Why wrong: NFC is for very short-range, low-speed data like contactless payments, not file transfers.
Question 359 of 1,020
Fastest Data Transfer: USB-C vs Wi-Fi vs Bluetooth
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device connection methods. 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 configuring a tablet for field workers who need to transfer large files to a central server. The tablet has a USB-C port. Which connection method provides the fastest data transfer speed?
Quick Answer
The answer is USB 3.1 Gen 2 over USB-C, which provides the fastest data transfer method among USB-C, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. This is because USB 3.1 Gen 2 supports a theoretical maximum speed of 10 Gbps, far exceeding Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) at roughly 1.3 Gbps and Bluetooth 5.0 at just 2 Mbps. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of wired versus wireless throughput and the specific capabilities of USB standards, often appearing in scenarios where a technician must choose the best connection for large file transfers. A common trap is assuming any USB-C port is equally fast, but the exam expects you to know that the underlying generation—like 3.1 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt—determines the speed. For a quick memory tip, remember “Gen 2 gives you 10 to do,” linking USB 3.1 Gen 2 to its 10 Gbps ceiling.
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
✓
USB 3.1 Gen 2 over USB-C
USB 3.1 Gen 2 over USB-C supports a maximum signaling rate of 10 Gbps, which is significantly faster than any wireless or NFC option. For transferring large files to a central server, this wired connection provides the highest throughput and lowest latency, making it the optimal choice for the scenario.
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.
- ✗
Bluetooth 5.0
Why it's wrong here
Bluetooth 5.0 maxes out at about 2 Mbps, far too slow for large files.
- ✗
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Why it's wrong here
Wi-Fi 5 can reach 1.3 Gbps in ideal conditions but is often slower and less reliable than wired USB-C.
- ✓
USB 3.1 Gen 2 over USB-C
Why this is correct
USB 3.1 Gen 2 supports up to 10 Gbps, making it the fastest widely available wired connection for file transfers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
NFC
Why it's wrong here
NFC is for very short-range, low-speed data like contactless payments, not file transfers.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) is faster than wired USB connections, but the trap here is that even the fastest Wi-Fi 5 speeds (1.3 Gbps theoretical) are still far slower than USB 3.1 Gen 2's 10 Gbps, and real-world Wi-Fi throughput is even lower due to overhead and interference.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
USB 3.1 Gen 2 uses 128b/132b encoding to achieve 10 Gbps, doubling the throughput of USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps). The USB-C connector supports alternate modes like DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 3, but in this context, the USB 3.1 Gen 2 protocol provides the fastest data transfer for file storage. In a real-world scenario, a field worker transferring a 10 GB video file would complete the transfer in about 8 seconds over USB 3.1 Gen 2, versus over a minute on Wi-Fi 5.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Mobile Device Connection Methods — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Connection Methods — This question tests Mobile Device Connection Methods — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: USB 3.1 Gen 2 over USB-C — USB 3.1 Gen 2 over USB-C supports a maximum signaling rate of 10 Gbps, which is significantly faster than any wireless or NFC option. For transferring large files to a central server, this wired connection provides the highest throughput and lowest latency, making it the optimal choice for the scenario.
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.
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
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