CSLB General Building (B) Trade Practice Test
Frequently asked questions
How many CompTIA A+ Core 2 practice questions are here?+
A full bank of original CompTIA A+ Core 2 practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
What is the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam like?+
About 100 questions. Practice by topic here, then take the full timed mock exam to gauge readiness.
Are these the real exam questions?+
No. Every question is 100% original, written from public primary sources with explanations. We never copy real exam questions or paid prep material.
Can I study in Chinese or Spanish?+
PrepPass practice is in English, 中文 and Español. The official exam is in English — switch the question language to English any time to rehearse the exact terminology you'll see on test day.
Sample practice questions
A few real questions from this free bank, with full explanations. Use the practice tool above for the whole set.
- 1. Operating Systems
Which Windows edition is designed for large enterprises and is the only one that supports joining an on-premises Active Directory domain as well as BitLocker, but is licensed through volume agreements rather than retail?
- a.Windows Home
- b.Windows Education
- c.Windows Enterprise
- d.Windows Pro for Workstations
Answer: c
Explanation: Windows Enterprise is aimed at large organizations and is distributed through volume licensing rather than retail. It supports domain join, BitLocker, and advanced management features. Home lacks domain join and BitLocker.
- 2. Operating Systems
Which macOS utility is used to install applications simply by dragging their bundle into a specific folder, and where are most applications stored?
- a.The Dock; /System
- b.Finder; the Applications folder
- c.Launchpad; /Users
- d.Terminal; /bin
Answer: b
Explanation: In macOS, most apps are self-contained bundles installed by dragging them into the Applications folder using Finder. Launchpad only launches apps, and the Dock is a shortcut bar. System binaries live elsewhere.
- 3. Operating Systems
A macOS user wants to force an unresponsive application to close. Which method accomplishes this?
- a.Press Command+Option+Esc to open Force Quit
- b.Press Command+Q once
- c.Restart the router
- d.Delete the app from Applications
Answer: a
Explanation: Command+Option+Esc opens the Force Quit Applications window, letting the user end a frozen app. Command+Q requests a normal quit that a hung app may ignore. Deleting the app is unnecessary for a temporary hang.
- 4. Security
An attacker follows an authorized employee through a secured door before it closes, without presenting their own badge. What is this physical technique called?
- a.Phishing
- b.Shoulder surfing
- c.Tailgating
- d.Whaling
Answer: c
Explanation: Tailgating (piggybacking) is when an unauthorized person follows an authorized one through a controlled entrance. Shoulder surfing is watching someone enter credentials. Whaling is phishing that targets executives.
- 5. Security
Which best practice reduces the risk that a stolen password alone can compromise an account?
- a.Requiring multifactor authentication
- b.Reusing one password everywhere
- c.Disabling account lockout
- d.Writing passwords on a sticky note
Answer: a
Explanation: Requiring MFA means a stolen password is not enough because an additional factor is needed. Reusing passwords and disabling lockout increase exposure, and writing passwords down risks disclosure.
- 6. Security
Which practice helps protect users from entering credentials on a fraudulent website that mimics a real one?
- a.Disabling the firewall
- b.Turning off automatic updates
- c.Verifying the site's URL and valid HTTPS certificate
- d.Reusing the same password everywhere
Answer: c
Explanation: Checking the exact domain and confirming a valid HTTPS certificate helps users detect lookalike phishing sites before entering credentials. Disabling the firewall or reusing passwords increases risk rather than reducing it.
- 7. Software Troubleshooting
A user cannot install updates and sees low-disk-space warnings on the Windows system drive. Which action most directly addresses the root cause?
- a.Free up space with Disk Cleanup and remove unneeded files
- b.Increase the monitor brightness
- c.Disable the network adapter
- d.Change the desktop wallpaper
Answer: a
Explanation: Update failures tied to low disk space are resolved by freeing storage, for example with Disk Cleanup or by removing unneeded files. The other actions do not affect available disk space.
- 8. Software Troubleshooting
During malware remediation best practices, when should the technician re-enable System Restore and create a fresh restore point?
- a.Before scanning, so restore points are preserved
- b.Never, System Restore must stay off
- c.After the system is verified clean, to establish a new known-good point
- d.Only if the antivirus fails
Answer: c
Explanation: Best practice is to disable System Restore during cleanup so infected restore points are purged, then re-enable it and create a new restore point once the system is confirmed clean. Preserving infected restore points risks reinfection.
- 9. Operational Procedures
Which scripting file type is native to Windows and commonly used to automate administrative tasks with cmdlets?
- a..sh (Bash)
- b..py (Python) only
- c.VBScript only
- d..ps1 (PowerShell)
Answer: d
Explanation: PowerShell scripts (.ps1) use cmdlets and are the native automation language for Windows administration. Bash (.sh) is native to Linux/Unix. Python and VBScript can be used but .ps1 is the Windows-native choice described.
- 10. Operational Procedures
Which purpose does a 'bill of materials' (BOM) or asset inventory serve in IT operations?
- a.It measures Wi-Fi signal strength
- b.It lists components or assets and their details for tracking and procurement
- c.It encrypts the hard drive
- d.It configures the firewall
Answer: b
Explanation: A bill of materials or asset inventory itemizes components or devices with relevant details, supporting tracking, procurement, and lifecycle management. It does not measure signal strength or configure security controls.