- A
Use a spudger to pry the screen off starting from the bottom.
Why wrong: Prying without heating the adhesive first can crack the glass or damage the display. Heat softens the adhesive, making removal safer.
- B
Apply heat to the edges of the screen to soften the adhesive.
Heating the edges softens the adhesive, allowing the screen to be lifted with minimal force and reducing the risk of further damage.
- C
Remove the battery using a plastic pry tool.
Why wrong: Removing the battery is not the immediate next step; the screen must be detached first. Battery removal may be needed later for access, but not before heating.
- D
Insert a guitar pick under the screen to separate it from the frame.
Why wrong: Inserting a pick without heating first can cause the screen to crack. Heat must be applied to loosen the adhesive before any prying.
220-1201 Mobile Device Hardware Servicing Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device hardware servicing. 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 user brings in a smartphone with a cracked screen that is still responsive to touch. The device is an older model, and the user wants the screen replaced rather than buying a new phone. After powering off the device and removing the SIM and SD cards, what is the next step in the screen replacement process?
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
Apply heat to the edges of the screen to soften the adhesive.
Applying heat to the edges of the screen softens the adhesive that secures the display to the frame, which is a critical step before any prying action. On older smartphone models, the screen is typically bonded with a strong adhesive that can crack the glass further or damage the LCD if pried without softening. This step reduces the risk of breaking the digitizer or LCD during removal.
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.
- ✗
Use a spudger to pry the screen off starting from the bottom.
Why it's wrong here
Prying without heating the adhesive first can crack the glass or damage the display. Heat softens the adhesive, making removal safer.
- ✓
Apply heat to the edges of the screen to soften the adhesive.
Why this is correct
Heating the edges softens the adhesive, allowing the screen to be lifted with minimal force and reducing the risk of further damage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Remove the battery using a plastic pry tool.
Why it's wrong here
Removing the battery is not the immediate next step; the screen must be detached first. Battery removal may be needed later for access, but not before heating.
- ✗
Insert a guitar pick under the screen to separate it from the frame.
Why it's wrong here
Inserting a pick without heating first can cause the screen to crack. Heat must be applied to loosen the adhesive before any prying.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that you can immediately pry the screen off with a tool, but the correct sequence requires softening the adhesive first to prevent damage to the display and frame.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The adhesive used in smartphone screens is often a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) or a B-staged epoxy that softens at temperatures between 60-80°C. Applying heat for 2-3 minutes along the edges reduces the bond strength, allowing a plastic pry tool or suction cup to lift the screen without excessive force. In real-world scenarios, using a heat gun or iOpener is preferred over a hair dryer to avoid overheating the battery or other components.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing — This question tests Mobile Device Hardware Servicing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Apply heat to the edges of the screen to soften the adhesive. — Applying heat to the edges of the screen softens the adhesive that secures the display to the frame, which is a critical step before any prying action. On older smartphone models, the screen is typically bonded with a strong adhesive that can crack the glass further or damage the LCD if pried without softening. This step reduces the risk of breaking the digitizer or LCD during removal.
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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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: Jul 4, 2026
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