easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: Uses smart cards combined with a PIN to access…
An organization uses smart cards combined with a PIN to access secure facilities. This is an example of which type of authentication factor?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'something you have' (possession factor) with 'something you know' (knowledge factor) and mistakenly classify the combination as single-factor because they think the smart card alone is the authentication, ignoring that the PIN adds a second distinct factor.
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
✓
Two-factor authentication
Smart cards are a possession factor (something you have), and the PIN is a knowledge factor (something you know). Combining both satisfies the requirement for two distinct authentication factors, making this a textbook example of two-factor authentication (2FA). This is not single-factor because two separate categories of credentials are used, and it is not biometric because no physical characteristic is measured.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Token-based authentication
Why it's wrong here
Token-based typically refers to one-time password tokens; this scenario uses a smart card and PIN, not a token.
- ✗
Single-factor authentication
Why it's wrong here
Single-factor uses only one type of credential; this scenario uses two different factors.
- ✓
Two-factor authentication
Why this is correct
Combining something you have (smart card) with something you know (PIN) is a classic definition of two-factor authentication.
- ✗
Biometric authentication
Why it's wrong here
Biometric uses physical characteristics; smart card and PIN are not biometric.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 SSCP exam.