- A
A USB-C to USB-C cable
Why wrong: A direct cable connects the SSD but does not provide a charging path for the tablet.
- B
A USB-C hub with power delivery pass-through
This hub allows the tablet to charge via the hub's PD port while the SSD connects at USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds.
- C
A USB-C to USB-A adapter
Why wrong: USB-A is limited to USB 3.0 speeds (5 Gbps), not the 10 Gbps of USB 3.1 Gen 2, and does not support charging.
- D
A wireless SSD with Bluetooth 5.0
Why wrong: Wireless SSDs have slower transfer speeds and require separate power, not meeting the need for fast wired transfers and charging.
Question 853 of 1,020
USB-C Hub with Power Delivery for SSD and Charging
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device accessories. 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 wants to use a portable SSD with their tablet for video editing. The tablet has a USB-C port that supports USB 3.1 Gen 2. They need to transfer large files quickly and also charge the tablet simultaneously. Which accessory should they use?
Quick Answer
The correct accessory is a USB-C hub with power delivery pass-through, because it enables simultaneous high-speed data transfer and device charging through a single port. This hub leverages the USB-C Power Delivery (PD) standard to negotiate power and data lanes independently, allowing the tablet to charge at up to 100W while the portable SSD operates at the full 10 Gbps speed of USB 3.1 Gen 2. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of USB-C alternate modes and power negotiation, often appearing as a trap where students mistakenly choose a simple USB-C cable or a USB-A adapter—both of which either block charging or throttle bandwidth. A common memory tip: think “PD = Power and Data together,” or recall the mnemonic “Hub Passes Power, Cable Passes Only Data.”
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
✓
A USB-C hub with power delivery pass-through
A USB-C hub with power delivery (PD) pass-through is the correct accessory because it allows the tablet to simultaneously charge via the hub's PD input while providing a dedicated USB-C data port for the portable SSD. USB 3.1 Gen 2 supports up to 10 Gbps, which is sufficient for fast video file transfers, and PD pass-through ensures the tablet's battery is replenished during use. Without PD pass-through, a standard hub would split power and data, potentially starving the tablet of charge.
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.
- ✗
A USB-C to USB-C cable
Why it's wrong here
A direct cable connects the SSD but does not provide a charging path for the tablet.
- ✓
A USB-C hub with power delivery pass-through
Why this is correct
This hub allows the tablet to charge via the hub's PD port while the SSD connects at USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A USB-C to USB-A adapter
Why it's wrong here
USB-A is limited to USB 3.0 speeds (5 Gbps), not the 10 Gbps of USB 3.1 Gen 2, and does not support charging.
- ✗
A wireless SSD with Bluetooth 5.0
Why it's wrong here
Wireless SSDs have slower transfer speeds and require separate power, not meeting the need for fast wired transfers and charging.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that a simple cable or adapter can handle simultaneous charging and high-speed data transfer, when in reality a hub with PD pass-through is required to separate the power and data paths on a single USB-C port.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
USB-C hubs with PD pass-through use a dedicated power delivery controller to negotiate up to 100W (20V/5A) via the USB PD 3.0 specification, allowing the host device to draw power while the hub's downstream ports maintain full data bandwidth. In practice, this setup is critical for video editors using tablets like the iPad Pro, where the single USB-C port must handle both high-speed storage (e.g., NVMe SSDs) and charging to avoid battery drain during long editing sessions. A subtle behavior: if the hub does not support PD pass-through, the tablet may enter a 'low power' mode that throttles the SSD's performance.
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?
Mobile Device Accessories — This question tests Mobile Device Accessories — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A USB-C hub with power delivery pass-through — A USB-C hub with power delivery (PD) pass-through is the correct accessory because it allows the tablet to simultaneously charge via the hub's PD input while providing a dedicated USB-C data port for the portable SSD. USB 3.1 Gen 2 supports up to 10 Gbps, which is sufficient for fast video file transfers, and PD pass-through ensures the tablet's battery is replenished during use. Without PD pass-through, a standard hub would split power and data, potentially starving the tablet of charge.
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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