FC0-U71 Practice Test

The CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) is a foundational-level CompTIA certification. The exam has 70 questions, runs 60 minutes, costs $146, and requires a passing score of 650/900. CertSharp provides 500 exam-style FC0-U71 practice questions — 30 free with no credit card — each with a detailed explanation.

1. Question 2IT Concepts and TerminologyEasy

   A user saves a completed spreadsheet to an internal solid-state drive so it can be reopened next week. Which computing stage does saving the file represent?

   • A

     Storage, because the drive retains the data for later retrieval

   • B

     Input, because saving sends new data into the keyboard buffer

   • C

     Output, because saving displays the data to the user on screen

   • D

     Processing, because saving recomputes the formulas in the sheet

   Show answer & explanation

   Correct answer: A — Storage, because the drive retains the data for later retrieval

   Storage is the stage that retains data so it persists beyond the current session, such as writing a file to an SSD or HDD. Input captures data, output presents it, and processing computes with it. Saving for later retrieval is the storage function.

2. Question 3IT Concepts and TerminologyMedium

   A technician explains the basic computing model to a new hire. Which sequence correctly orders the four fundamental stages of computing?

   • A

     Input, processing, output, and storage of the resulting data

   • B

     Output, input, storage, and processing of the supplied data

   • C

     Processing, storage, input, and output of the supplied data

   • D

     Storage, output, processing, and input of the supplied data

   Show answer & explanation

   Correct answer: A — Input, processing, output, and storage of the resulting data

   The standard computing model flows from input, where data enters, to processing, where the CPU acts on it, to output, where results are presented, and storage, where data is retained. The other orderings break the logical flow of how data moves through a system.

3. Question 4IT Concepts and TerminologyEasy

   During a video call, the webcam captures the speaker while the speakers play remote audio. Which pairing correctly classifies these two devices?

   • A

     Webcam is output and speakers are input in the computing model

   • B

     Webcam is storage and speakers are processing components

   • C

     Webcam is input and speakers are output in the computing model

   • D

     Webcam is processing and speakers are storage components

   Show answer & explanation

   Correct answer: C — Webcam is input and speakers are output in the computing model

   A webcam captures external images and is therefore an input device, while speakers convert data into sound and are an output device. Neither retains data long term nor executes instructions, so storage and processing classifications do not apply to them.

4. Question 5IT Concepts and TerminologyMedium

   A fitness tracker reads a user's heart rate, computes calories burned, and vibrates to alert the user. The vibration alert represents which computing stage?

   • A

     Input, because the vibration records the user's activity level

   • B

     Processing, because the vibration calculates the calorie total

   • C

     Storage, because the vibration saves the workout for later review

   • D

     Output, because the device communicates a result back to the user

   Show answer & explanation

   Correct answer: D — Output, because the device communicates a result back to the user

   The vibration delivers information from the device to the user, which is the output stage. Reading the heart rate is input and computing calories is processing. Output can take many forms, including haptic feedback, not just visual or audio display.

5. Question 6IT Concepts and TerminologyEasy

   In a self-checkout kiosk, which action is best classified as input within the computing model?

   • A

     The shopper placing an item on the weight-sensing bagging area

   • B

     The kiosk displaying the running total on its touchscreen

   • C

     The kiosk printing the final itemized purchase receipt

   • D

     The kiosk computing tax based on the local tax rate

   Show answer & explanation

   Correct answer: A — The shopper placing an item on the weight-sensing bagging area

   Placing an item on a weight sensor feeds data into the system and is therefore input. Displaying the total and printing the receipt are output, and computing tax is processing. Sensors are common input sources in self-service kiosks.

6. Question 7IT Concepts and TerminologyMedium

   A digital thermostat reads room temperature, compares it to the setpoint, and turns on the heater. Comparing the reading to the setpoint is an example of which stage?

   • A

     Input, because the comparison gathers the room temperature value

   • B

     Processing, because the system evaluates data to make a decision

   • C

     Output, because the comparison turns the heating element on

   • D

     Storage, because the comparison records the setpoint for later

   Show answer & explanation

   Correct answer: B — Processing, because the system evaluates data to make a decision

   Comparing a sensor reading against a setpoint is a computation that drives a decision, which is the processing stage. Reading the temperature is input and switching the heater on is output. Decision logic based on data is a hallmark of processing.

7. Question 8IT Concepts and TerminologyEasy

   Which notational system uses base 16 and is commonly used to express memory addresses and color values?

   • A

     Octal, which uses the digits 0 through 7 for compact grouping

   • B

     Hexadecimal, which uses digits 0 through 9 and letters A through F

   • C

     Binary, which uses the digits 0 and 1 for two-state circuits

   • D

     Decimal, which uses the digits 0 through 9 for everyday counting

   Show answer & explanation

   Correct answer: B — Hexadecimal, which uses digits 0 through 9 and letters A through F

   Hexadecimal is base 16 and uses A through F to represent values 10 through 15, making it compact for memory addresses and color codes since one hex digit equals four bits. Octal is base 8, binary is base 2, and decimal is base 10.

8. Question 9IT Concepts and TerminologyMedium

   Which decimal number equals the hexadecimal value 10?

   • A

     10, because hexadecimal 10 and decimal 10 share the same value

   • B

     8, because hexadecimal 10 maps to the octal eights place

   • C

     2, because the single set digit represents the base itself

   • D

     16, because the 1 occupies the sixteens place in base 16

   Show answer & explanation

   Correct answer: D — 16, because the 1 occupies the sixteens place in base 16

   Hexadecimal 10 means 1 times 16 plus 0, which equals decimal 16. A common error is assuming the digits look the same so the values match, but the base changes the place values. Each notational system weights positions by its own base.

9. Question 10IT Concepts and TerminologyEasy

   Which characteristic defines the binary notational system used natively by digital computers?

   • A

     It uses base 2 with the digits 0 and 1 to represent values

   • B

     It uses base 8 with the digits 0 through 7 to represent values

   • C

     It uses base 10 with the digits 0 through 9 to represent values

   • D

     It uses base 16 with digits 0 through 9 and letters A through F

   Show answer & explanation

   Correct answer: A — It uses base 2 with the digits 0 and 1 to represent values

   Binary is a base-2 system using two symbols, 0 and 1, which map directly to the off and on states of digital circuits. Octal is base 8, decimal is base 10, and hexadecimal is base 16. The two-state nature of binary is why computers use it natively.