- A
Phishing
Why wrong: Phishing involves digital communication, not a direct phone call with a fabricated story.
- B
Pretexting
Pretexting is the correct term, as the attacker created a false identity and scenario to gain the help desk's trust.
- C
Tailgating
Why wrong: Tailgating is physical access, not a phone-based social engineering attack.
- D
Shoulder surfing
Why wrong: Shoulder surfing requires visual observation, not applicable here.
Question 556 of 750
Pretexting: Fabricated Scenarios for Access
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of social engineering attacks. 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.
During a security incident investigation, a technician finds that an attacker called the help desk, pretended to be a new employee who forgot their password, and successfully reset it. The attacker knew the employee's name and department. Which social engineering technique was used?
Quick Answer
The answer is pretexting, the correct choice because this social engineering technique relies on a fabricated scenario—the pretext—to manipulate a target into granting access or information. In this case, the attacker built credibility by using the employee’s name and department, then posed as a new employee needing a password reset, which is a classic pretexting attack example. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish pretexting from other attacks like phishing or baiting; a common trap is confusing it with phishing, but remember that pretexting always involves a false story or role-play, not just a deceptive message. The key takeaway is that pretexting exploits trust in a constructed identity, so verifying callers through out-of-band methods is critical. A useful memory tip: think “pretext equals pretext” as in the script or excuse the attacker rehearses to gain your confidence.
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
✓
Pretexting
Pretexting is a social engineering technique where the attacker fabricates a scenario (pretext) to manipulate a target into performing an action. In this case, the attacker called the help desk, assumed the identity of a new employee, and used the known details (name and department) to create a believable story, convincing the help desk to reset the password. This relies on psychological manipulation rather than technical exploitation.
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.
- ✗
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing involves digital communication, not a direct phone call with a fabricated story.
- ✓
Pretexting
Why this is correct
Pretexting is the correct term, as the attacker created a false identity and scenario to gain the help desk's trust.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Tailgating
Why it's wrong here
Tailgating is physical access, not a phone-based social engineering attack.
- ✗
Shoulder surfing
Why it's wrong here
Shoulder surfing requires visual observation, not applicable here.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between pretexting and phishing by emphasizing that pretexting involves direct impersonation and a fabricated scenario (often via phone or in person), while phishing relies on electronic communication like email or text messages.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Pretexting often relies on OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) to gather personal details (e.g., employee names, departments from LinkedIn or corporate directories) to build credibility. In a real-world scenario, an attacker might use a spoofed caller ID to match the company's internal number, making the pretext more convincing. The help desk's lack of a callback verification process (e.g., calling the employee's known number or using a one-time code) is the vulnerability exploited here.
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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Social Engineering Attacks — This question tests Social Engineering Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Pretexting — Pretexting is a social engineering technique where the attacker fabricates a scenario (pretext) to manipulate a target into performing an action. In this case, the attacker called the help desk, assumed the identity of a new employee, and used the known details (name and department) to create a believable story, convincing the help desk to reset the password. This relies on psychological manipulation rather than technical exploitation.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During a security audit, a technician discovers that an unauthorized person accessed a restricted server room by pretending to be a fire inspector. The person had a fake ID and clipboard. Which social engineering technique was used, and what is the best mitigation?
hard- A.Tailgating; install mantraps at entrances.
- B.Phishing; implement email filtering.
- ✓ C.Pretexting; enforce visitor check-in and verification procedures.
- D.Baiting; disable USB ports on workstations.
Why C: The attacker used a fabricated identity (fake ID and clipboard) to create a false scenario—pretending to be a fire inspector—which is the hallmark of pretexting. The best mitigation is to enforce visitor check-in and verification procedures, such as requiring government-issued ID validation and escort policies, to prevent unauthorized access based on fabricated roles.
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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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