- A
Update the smart card reader firmware
Why wrong: Firmware updates are less likely to be the cause of intermittent physical failures; the issue appears hardware-related.
- B
Replace the smart cards for all users
Why wrong: If the problem is with the reader, replacing cards will not solve it; the issue is likely at the reader end.
- C
Check the cabling and connections to the reader
Intermittent connectivity often points to loose or damaged cables; verifying physical connections is a quick and effective first step.
- D
Reconfigure the access control software
Why wrong: Software reconfiguration is premature without ruling out physical hardware issues first.
Question 516 of 750
Check Cabling for Intermittent Smart Card Reader Failure
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of physical security controls. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 troubleshooting why a smart card reader at a secure entrance fails intermittently. Users can sometimes enter, but other times the reader does not respond. What should the technician check first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Quick Answer
The answer is to check the cabling and connections to the reader first. This is correct because intermittent failures in physical access systems are almost always caused by loose, damaged, or corroded wiring that breaks the circuit only when the cable is jostled or under environmental stress, whereas a fully dead device points to a power or hardware fault. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this tests your understanding of the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology, which mandates checking physical connections before diving into drivers, software, or configuration settings—a common trap is to immediately suspect a bad driver or certificate when the real issue is a loose RJ45 or USB connector. Remember the mnemonic “Cable before config” to lock in the priority: always verify the physical layer first for any intermittent smart card reader failure.
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
✓
Check the cabling and connections to the reader
Intermittent failures in a smart card reader are most often caused by physical connection issues, such as loose or damaged cabling, rather than software or firmware problems. Checking cabling and connections is the first step in a structured troubleshooting approach because it addresses the most common and easily verifiable cause of intermittent behavior.
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.
- ✗
Update the smart card reader firmware
Why it's wrong here
Firmware updates are less likely to be the cause of intermittent physical failures; the issue appears hardware-related.
- ✗
Replace the smart cards for all users
Why it's wrong here
If the problem is with the reader, replacing cards will not solve it; the issue is likely at the reader end.
- ✓
Check the cabling and connections to the reader
Why this is correct
Intermittent connectivity often points to loose or damaged cables; verifying physical connections is a quick and effective first step.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Reconfigure the access control software
Why it's wrong here
Software reconfiguration is premature without ruling out physical hardware issues first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the principle of 'starting with the simplest and most likely cause' in troubleshooting scenarios, and the trap here is that candidates jump to firmware or software fixes without first verifying the physical layer.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Smart card readers communicate with the access control panel via protocols like Wiegand or OSDP over twisted-pair cabling. Intermittent breaks or corrosion in these wires can cause signal degradation that leads to sporadic reader failures, which is why a physical inspection and continuity test with a multimeter is the recommended first diagnostic step.
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 220-1202 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.
- →
Physical Security Controls — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Physical Security Controls practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1202 questions
750 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1202 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1202 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows OS Features and Tools.
Windows Settings and Control Panel practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Settings and Control Panel.
Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Command-Line Tools.
Windows Administrative Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Administrative Tools.
macOS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to macOS Features and Tools.
Linux Commands and File Permissions practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Linux Commands and File Permissions.
Mobile OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Mobile OS Features and Tools.
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Virtualization and Cloud Technologies.
Physical Security Controls practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Physical Security Controls.
Logical Security Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Logical Security Concepts.
Wireless Security Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Wireless Security Protocols.
Malware Types and Removal practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Malware Types and Removal.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1202 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Physical Security Controls — This question tests Physical Security Controls — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check the cabling and connections to the reader — Intermittent failures in a smart card reader are most often caused by physical connection issues, such as loose or damaged cabling, rather than software or firmware problems. Checking cabling and connections is the first step in a structured troubleshooting approach because it addresses the most common and easily verifiable cause of intermittent behavior.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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 →
Keep practising
More 220-1202 practice questions
- During a Windows 10 deployment, you need to ensure that a specific Group Policy setting is applied to a computer before…
- After installing a new printer driver, a user's Windows 11 computer crashes with a blue screen error every time they try…
- A user reports that their Windows 10 computer is infected with a virus that keeps reinstalling itself after removal. Wha…
- A customer reports that their Windows 10 laptop is displaying pop-up ads even when no browser is open. They suspect a ma…
- A technician is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation for a user who handles sensitive financial data. The company po…
- A technician is responding to a security incident where an employee's credentials were used to access a server without a…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.