- A
Hold the Option (⌥) key.
Why wrong: Option key opens Startup Manager, which lets you choose a boot volume, but does not directly provide recovery tools like Disk Utility.
- B
Hold Command (⌘) + R.
This boots into macOS Recovery, where Disk Utility is available. Running First Aid can repair disk errors that may be preventing the system from booting.
- C
Hold the Shift key.
Why wrong: Shift boots into Safe Mode, which loads only essential extensions and checks the startup disk. However, if the system hangs at the Apple logo, Safe Mode may not be accessible. Recovery mode is the appropriate choice.
- D
Hold Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + P + R.
Why wrong: This combination resets NVRAM/PRAM, which stores certain hardware settings. It does not provide access to Disk Utility or recovery tools.
Booting into macOS Recovery Mode with Command+R to Run Disk Utility First Aid
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of macos features and tools. 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 reports that their MacBook Pro running macOS Big Sur will not boot past the Apple logo. You suspect a corrupted system file. You need to boot into a special mode to run Disk Utility's First Aid on the startup volume. Which key combination should you hold during startup?
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 Command (⌘) + R. This key combination boots a Mac into macOS Recovery mode, a special environment that provides access to Disk Utility, Terminal, and the option to reinstall macOS, making it the correct choice when you need to run First Aid on a corrupted startup volume. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your knowledge of macOS troubleshooting tools and boot modes, often appearing alongside traps like Option (⌥) for Startup Manager or Shift for Safe Mode. A common memory tip is to think of “R for Recovery” and remember that Command+R is your go-to for disk repairs, while Option lets you choose a startup disk.
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
Hold Command (⌘) + R.
Holding Command (⌘) + R during startup boots macOS into the built-in macOS Recovery system, which includes Disk Utility. From there, you can run First Aid on the startup volume to repair a corrupted system file. This is the standard recovery mode for Intel-based Macs running macOS Big Sur.
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.
- ✗
Hold the Option (⌥) key.
Why it's wrong here
Option key opens Startup Manager, which lets you choose a boot volume, but does not directly provide recovery tools like Disk Utility.
- ✓
Hold Command (⌘) + R.
Why this is correct
This boots into macOS Recovery, where Disk Utility is available. Running First Aid can repair disk errors that may be preventing the system from booting.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Hold the Shift key.
Why it's wrong here
Shift boots into Safe Mode, which loads only essential extensions and checks the startup disk. However, if the system hangs at the Apple logo, Safe Mode may not be accessible. Recovery mode is the appropriate choice.
- ✗
Hold Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + P + R.
Why it's wrong here
This combination resets NVRAM/PRAM, which stores certain hardware settings. It does not provide access to Disk Utility or recovery tools.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The CompTIA A+ exam often tests the distinction between recovery modes (Command+R) and other startup key combinations (like Option for Startup Manager or Shift for Safe Mode), expecting candidates to confuse the purpose of each key combination.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
macOS Recovery is stored on a separate, hidden APFS volume (Recovery HD) or in the firmware for Apple Silicon Macs. When you hold Command+R, the Mac's boot.efi looks for the Recovery volume and loads a minimal macOS environment with utilities like Disk Utility, Terminal, and macOS Reinstall. First Aid uses the fsck_apfs tool to verify and repair the APFS container and its volumes, checking the filesystem's integrity and fixing issues like corrupted metadata or directory structures.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
macOS Features and Tools — This question tests macOS Features and Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Hold Command (⌘) + R. — Holding Command (⌘) + R during startup boots macOS into the built-in macOS Recovery system, which includes Disk Utility. From there, you can run First Aid on the startup volume to repair a corrupted system file. This is the standard recovery mode for Intel-based Macs running macOS Big Sur.
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.
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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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