- A
Increase the number of virtual CPUs assigned to the VM.
Why wrong: Adding more vCPUs would not help if the bottleneck is memory; it could even worsen performance due to scheduling overhead.
- B
Reduce the amount of RAM allocated to the VM to 4 GB.
Reducing the VM's RAM frees up memory for the host, alleviating the memory pressure and improving overall performance.
- C
Change the virtual disk from thin to thick provisioning.
Why wrong: Disk provisioning type affects storage, not memory performance, and would not address the high memory usage.
- D
Enable hyper-threading on the host CPU.
Why wrong: Hyper-threading is a CPU feature that may improve multi-threading but does not directly solve a memory shortage.
Question 272 of 750
Troubleshooting Slow Virtual Machines: Host Memory Pressure
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of virtualization and cloud technologies. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 reports that their virtual machine running on a Type 2 hypervisor is extremely slow. The host machine has 16 GB of RAM, and the VM is configured with 8 GB. The host's task manager shows 90% memory usage. What should the technician do to improve the VM's performance?
Quick Answer
The answer is to reduce the amount of RAM allocated to the VM to 4 GB. This is correct because when a host machine experiences memory pressure—as indicated by 90% usage in Task Manager—the hypervisor cannot efficiently allocate resources to the virtual machine, causing severe slowdowns. By lowering the VM’s RAM from 8 GB to 4 GB, you free up physical memory for the host operating system and the hypervisor itself, directly addressing the bottleneck. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of resource allocation in Type 2 virtualization, where the host OS must balance its own needs with those of the VM. A common trap is to assume more RAM for the VM is always better, but when the host is starved, the VM actually suffers. Remember the memory tip: “Host first, VM last—if the host is gasping, the VM won’t last.”
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
✓
Reduce the amount of RAM allocated to the VM to 4 GB.
The host is experiencing 90% memory pressure, meaning the host OS is starved of RAM. A Type 2 hypervisor (like VMware Workstation or VirtualBox) relies on the host OS to manage memory; if the host is paging heavily, the VM will also suffer. Reducing the VM’s allocated RAM from 8 GB to 4 GB frees memory for the host, reducing swapping and improving overall VM performance.
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.
- ✗
Increase the number of virtual CPUs assigned to the VM.
Why it's wrong here
Adding more vCPUs would not help if the bottleneck is memory; it could even worsen performance due to scheduling overhead.
- ✓
Reduce the amount of RAM allocated to the VM to 4 GB.
Why this is correct
Reducing the VM's RAM frees up memory for the host, alleviating the memory pressure and improving overall performance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Change the virtual disk from thin to thick provisioning.
Why it's wrong here
Disk provisioning type affects storage, not memory performance, and would not address the high memory usage.
- ✗
Enable hyper-threading on the host CPU.
Why it's wrong here
Hyper-threading is a CPU feature that may improve multi-threading but does not directly solve a memory shortage.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common mistake is the misconception that adding more virtual resources (vCPUs or disk provisioning changes) always improves performance, when in reality the root cause is host memory starvation, and the correct fix is to reduce the VM's allocated RAM.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Type 2 hypervisors run as applications on top of a host OS, so the host’s memory management (including paging and caching) directly impacts VM performance. When the host is at 90% memory usage, the OS begins to swap memory to disk, causing severe latency for all processes, including the hypervisor. Reducing the VM’s RAM allocation is the quickest way to relieve host memory pressure; other optimizations like adjusting the VM’s memory reservation or enabling memory ballooning (if supported) could also help but are not listed as options.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — This question tests Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Reduce the amount of RAM allocated to the VM to 4 GB. — The host is experiencing 90% memory pressure, meaning the host OS is starved of RAM. A Type 2 hypervisor (like VMware Workstation or VirtualBox) relies on the host OS to manage memory; if the host is paging heavily, the VM will also suffer. Reducing the VM’s allocated RAM from 8 GB to 4 GB frees memory for the host, reducing swapping and improving overall VM performance.
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.
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 220-1202 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.
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