WorksheetsCisco IT Essentials Module 1 – 4 Practice Questions v2
Total questions: 75
Worksheet time: 38mins
Which component converts AC to DC voltages (3.3V, 5V, 12V) for internal parts?
Motherboard
Power supply
CPU
Expansion card
In which socket type are the pins located in the socket rather than on the CPU package?
PGA
LGA
ZIF
BGA
Which memory is volatile working storage for data/programs in use by the CPU?
ROM
RAM
EEPROM
Flash
Which cooling method is passive (no power required)?
(a)
Which optical format has the highest capacity per disc listed?
CD
DVD
Blu-ray
Zip disk
Which statement about power-supply rails is TRUE?
12V lines feed digital logic only
3.3V/5V typically feed digital logic, 12V powers motors/fans
5V powers only GPUs
3.3V powers only fans
Which PSU form factor is most common in modern desktops?
AT
ATX12V
EIDE
ITX
Which interface is the legacy parallel predecessor to SATA for internal drives?
NVMe
IDE/EIDE (PATA)
USB
SCSI-3
What benefit does NVMe provide for SSDs?
Uses VGA port
Lets SSDs attach to PCIe without special drivers
Only for optical drives
Requires IDE cables
Which memory type can detect multi-bit errors and correct single-bit errors?
Non-parity
Parity
ECC
SRAM
The fastest cache used closest to the CPU core is typically:
DRAM
SRAM (cache)
GDDR
Which statement best distinguishes an adapter from a converter?
Adapters change signals; converters only change shapes
Adapters physically connect different formats; converters also translate signals
Converters are passive; adapters are active
They are identical
Which legacy analog video port is commonly the oldest still seen on PCs?
DisplayPort
HDMI
VGA
DVI-D
In a traditional chipset design, which component managed high-speed access to RAM and video?
Southbridge
Northbridge
Super I/O
TPM
Q15. Select the motherboard form factor from the options below:
ATX
USB
HDMI
DDR4
Which module type is commonly used in laptops?
SIMM
DIMM
SODIMM
DIP
People generally begin to feel an ESD shock at approximately:
30 V
300 V
3,000 V
30,000 V
Which two PS/2 port colors historically mapped to keyboard and mouse?
Blue/pink
Purple/green
Black/yellow
Orange/white
Which storage technology uses magnetized domains to represent bits?
SSD
HDD
NVMe
UFS
Which voltage rail primarily powers motors and cooling fans?
1.8 V
3.3 V
5 V
12 V
What hardware prevents the motherboard from shorting against the case?
I/O shield
Standoffs
Thermal pads
Zip ties
When installing a CPU, what must be applied between the CPU heat spreader and the heat sink?
Thermal compound
Dielectric grease
Thread locker
Isopropyl alcohol
Which action confirms a RAM module is fully seated?
Module sits flush but latches open
Press until latches click closed
Tighten two screws
Add thermal pads
For airflow, when installing multiple 3.5" drives, it is recommended to:
Pack them tightly
Leave space between drives
Install upside-down
Use IDE cables
Front-panel internal USB cables commonly connect to headers with how many pins?
4 or 5
7
9 or 10
12
A newly built PC’s HDD LED doesn’t light. After power off and unplugging, the most likely fix is to:
Reverse the LED connector orientation
Replace the LED
Replace the motherboard
Replace the power supply
Many modern GPUs require which extra connection from the power supply?
SATA power
6- or 8-pin PCIe power
Molex to Berg
USB-C PD
Which statement about SATA vs eSATA cables is correct?
They are identical and interchangeable
eSATA is only for optical drives
They are similar but not interchangeable
SATA is slower than IDE
Which connector provides supplemental power to the CPU socket on the motherboard?
24-pin ATX
4/8-pin EPS/CPU power
SATA power
PCIe power
Which build tip helps align components before final tightening?
Tighten the first screw fully
Hand-tighten all screws first
Use thread locker
Only install two screws
Case fans should be oriented to:
Blow hot air into the PSU
Move cooler air in and heat out
Blow in only
Blow out only
When selecting a replacement motherboard, which is LEAST relevant?
CPU/socket/chipset compatibility
RAM and expansion slots
Power connectors and case fit
Printer driver availability
If the FSB is 400 MHz and CPU core runs 3,200 MHz, the multiplier is:
4×
6×
8×
Which memory type is typically used in servers for large RAM capacities?
Unbuffered
Buffered/registered
VRAM
EEPROM
What aids correct placement of cables on the tiny system panel connector?
Printed labels on the motherboard
BIOS setup screen
PSU switch
Windows Device Manager
How is ‘pin 1’ often indicated on front-panel connectors?
Red wire only
Arrow on the plug and '+' on LED pins
Triangular bracket
It’s always the bottom-left pin
When selecting a power supply for a computer, which of the following is the best practice?
Match exact current load with no headroom
Choose wattage with headroom for future upgrades
Use the cheapest available unit
Ignore connector count
Completing assembly typically ends with:
Flashing the BIOS
Closing side panel and connecting external cables
Installing GPU first
Formatting the drive
To connect to a wired network you should attach the cable to:
RJ-11
RJ-45 Ethernet port
VGA
eSATA
Which device reads SD/microSD/CompactFlash cards?
Optical drive
Media card reader
Floppy drive
Tape drive
Secure Boot in UEFI helps ensure that:
RAM runs at rated speed
Only trusted OS bootloaders are executed
CPU temperatures stay low
SSDs use NVMe
A PC that loses its date/time each shutdown likely has a failing:
PSU fan
CMOS battery
GPU
NIC
Which device provides the best protection during brownouts/blackouts?
Surge protector
UPS
SPS
Power strip
A sudden short-duration increase well above normal line voltage is called a:
Brownout
Spike
Noise
Blackout
Which CPU feature allows multiple threads to execute on one core?
Hyper-Threading
HyperTransport
Virtualization
Throttling
Which technology is an AMD high-speed interconnect (historically CPU–northbridge)?
Hyper-Threading
HyperTransport
VT-x
SSE2
CPU virtualization support enables:
Faster RAM installs
Multiple OSes to run in parallel on VMs
Lower power consumption always
BIOS password recovery
Which action can permanently damage a CPU and is NOT recommended?
(a)
Which RAID level provides mirroring of data across drives?
RAID 0
RAID 1
RAID 5
RAID 6
Which RAID level stripes data with single-disk parity for fault tolerance?
RAID 0
RAID 1
RAID 5
JBOD
Which connector terminates UTP for Ethernet?
RJ-45
RJ-11
BNC
F-type
The coax type typically used for high-bandwidth Internet/cable TV feeds is:
RG-6
RG-59
RG-11
RG-8
Which cable type is heavier gauge with better shielding for high-frequency applications?
RG-59
RG-6
Twinax
STP
Which display term identifies the best resolution for a specific monitor panel?
Aspect ratio
Native resolution
Refresh rate
Response time
Monitor brightness is measured in:
Hertz (Hz)
Candela per square meter (cd/m²)
Watts (W)
Volts (V)
Refresh rate is measured in:
Hertz (Hz)
Frames (F)
Lumens (Lm)
Bytes (B)
Full HD (FHD/1080p) corresponds to:
1280×720
1920×1080
2560×1440
3840×2160
Which port was designed to replace VGA/DVI for PC monitors and also carries audio?
HDMI
DisplayPort
DVI-D
VGA
Adding multiple monitors primarily allows you to:
Increase CPU speed
Expand desktop space or mirror display
Increase RAM capacity
Lower GPU temps
Which connector is commonly used for external SATA devices?
SATA
eSATA
IDE
Which environment needs more frequent preventive maintenance?
Clean office
Climate-controlled lab
Dusty construction site
Library
When cleaning the exterior case you should:
Spray cleaner directly on the case
Apply cleaner to a cloth, then wipe
Use compressed air only
Use water
Why is interior dust removal critical?
Dust improves conductivity
Dust reduces airflow and cooling
Dust absorbs shocks
Dust protects components
Which item is NOT on a basic internal inspection checklist?
CPU heat sink/fan
RAM modules
Software maintenance should include:
Ignoring driver updates
Removing unused apps, updating OS, AV scans
Disabling security patches
Skipping virus definition updates
What is the FIRST step in the six-step troubleshooting process?
Establish a theory
Identify the problem
Test the theory
Document findings
After establishing a theory, the next step is to:
Document findings
Test the theory
Replace the motherboard
Format the drive
After implementing a fix, you should:
Test the system to ensure the fix works
Ship the PC immediately
Ignore further testing
Remove all previous backups
The final troubleshooting step is to:
Reboot twice
Document findings, actions, outcomes
Run disk defrag
Update GPU drivers
Common PSU problems are often due to:
Loose connections or inadequate wattage
Faulty keyboard
Wrong browser
RAID level
A PC repeatedly forgets BIOS settings. Likely cause?
GPU throttling
Weak CMOS battery
Damaged USB header
Outdated printer driver
A newly installed HDD isn’t detected. What is the MOST likely cause?
Loose or disconnected data cable
Faulty power supply
Incorrect file system format
Overheating of the HDD
A display shows no signal intermittently. Common causes include:
Loose video cable or corrupted driver
Low microphone volume
Wrong keyboard layout
Missing printer tray
Which personal reference tool helps avoid repeating mistakes?
Repair journal with notes/history
Wallpaper library
Screenshot folder
Keyboard layout list
Which Internet resource is most authoritative for hardware updates?
Random forum post
Manufacturer FAQs and manuals
Social media poll
Video comments
