CompTIA · FC0-U71
CompTIA Tech+ validates foundational IT knowledge and skills for individuals exploring a career in technology, covering core concepts in infrastructure, software, databases, and security. It is an entry-level, lifetime certification designed for those with no prior IT experience.
Practice Questions
599
≈ 6 practice exams
Duration
60 minutes
Passing Score
650/900
Difficulty
FoundationalLast Updated
Apr 2026
Use this FC0-U71 practice exam to prepare for CompTIA Tech+ IT Fundamentals (FC0-U71) with realistic questions, detailed explanations, and focused study modes. The practice bank includes 599 questions for CompTIA FC0-U71, so you can review the exam steadily instead of relying on one long cram session.
As you practice, pay extra attention to recurring topics such as IT Concepts and Terminology, Infrastructure, Applications and Software, Software Development Concepts, and Database Fundamentals. Start with short sessions to identify weak areas, then move into timed quizzes once your accuracy is consistent.
The explanations are especially useful when you want to connect exam wording to the responsibilities and scenarios described in the official certification guidance. Use the free preview first, then unlock the full question bank when you are ready to build a complete study routine.
CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) is an entry-level, vendor-neutral certification that validates foundational IT knowledge and skills across six core domains: infrastructure, applications and software, software development concepts, data and database fundamentals, security, and tech concepts and terminology. Launched in July 2024 as the successor to CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+), the updated exam incorporates modern topics such as artificial intelligence tools, cloud basics, and contemporary security practices, making it relevant to the current technology landscape. It is the only CompTIA certification designated as a lifetime credential — it does not expire and requires no continuing education for renewal.
The certification is designed for individuals at the very start of their technology journey. It covers computing basics including notational systems (binary, hexadecimal, octal), units of measure for storage and throughput, internal hardware components (CPU, RAM, SSD/NVMe, GPU), networking and wireless fundamentals, virtualization, operating systems, programming concepts, database structures, and security principles such as encryption and password best practices. Rather than testing rote memorization, the exam assesses the ability to apply these foundational concepts in practical contexts.
CompTIA Tech+ is intended for individuals with no prior formal IT experience who are exploring whether a technology career is the right path for them. Ideal candidates include high school and college students considering IT as a profession, career changers transitioning from non-technical fields, and non-IT professionals — such as those in marketing, business operations, or administration — who want to formalize and demonstrate a working understanding of technology used in their day-to-day roles.
The certification is also appropriate as a pre-requisite stepping stone before pursuing more advanced CompTIA credentials such as A+, Network+, or Security+. Individuals who already have hands-on PC experience or a basic technical background would likely benefit more from starting directly with the CompTIA A+ rather than Tech+.
CompTIA officially states that no prior experience is necessary to sit for the FC0-U71 exam, and there are no formal prerequisite certifications required. The exam is explicitly designed as a starting point for individuals with no IT background.
That said, candidates will benefit from basic comfort with everyday technology — such as using a smartphone, laptop, or web browser — before attempting the exam. Familiarity with common software applications and a general curiosity about how computers and networks function will make the study material more approachable. No programming experience or hardware troubleshooting background is expected.
The FC0-U71 exam consists of a maximum of 70 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes. All questions are multiple-choice format; unlike some other CompTIA exams, there are no performance-based or drag-and-drop question types on this version. The exam is available in English and Japanese and can be taken at a Pearson VUE testing center or via online proctoring.
Scoring is on a scale of 100 to 900, with a passing score of 650. Because Tech+ is a lifetime certification, there is no renewal requirement once passed — candidates do not need to retake or earn continuing education units to maintain the credential.
CompTIA Tech+ serves primarily as a career entry point and a stepping stone rather than a standalone professional credential. Holding the certification signals to employers that a candidate has a verified, baseline understanding of IT across hardware, software, networking, security, and data — making them a more competitive applicant for entry-level roles such as IT Support Technician, Help Desk Analyst, Desktop Support Specialist, and IT Assistant. For non-IT professionals, it formalizes digital literacy that is increasingly expected across roles in business operations, marketing, and administration.
According to Skillsoft's IT Skills & Salary Report, CompTIA-certified professionals earn up to 16% more than non-certified peers. While Tech+ itself is typically a prerequisite to further credentials rather than a terminal certification, it provides a clear pathway to the CompTIA A+, which is associated with help desk and support technician salaries in the $50,000–$60,000/year range in the United States. Candidates who continue along the CompTIA certification roadmap — progressing to Network+, Security+, or specialized credentials — can access significantly higher compensation bands exceeding $100,000 annually.
5 sample questions with answers and explanations. The full bank has 599 questions, enough for 6 full-length practice exams.
Preview — answers shown1. A Litware technician is replacing a failed hard drive in a workstation and must select the correct storage type based on the system's specifications. The motherboard has an available M.2 slot. The technician wants the fastest possible read speeds. Which storage solution should be selected? (Select one!)
Explanation
NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) SSDs installed in an M.2 slot using the PCIe interface provide the fastest consumer storage speeds available, with typical sequential read speeds of 3,500 to 7,000+ MB/s depending on the PCIe generation. NVMe is a protocol specifically designed for flash storage, replacing the legacy AHCI protocol used by SATA. A SATA SSD is limited to the SATA III interface maximum of 6 Gbps, yielding typical reads of 500-550 MB/s. HDDs cannot physically fit in or use an M.2 slot. A USB 3.0 external SSD is limited to 5 Gbps and adds overhead from the external interface. The M.2 form factor can support both SATA and NVMe protocols, but NVMe delivers significantly higher performance.
2. Contoso Ltd. is evaluating cloud deployment models for a new application. The application processes sensitive patient health data subject to HIPAA regulations. The legal team requires that all data remain on infrastructure exclusively controlled by Contoso. However, the marketing department needs access to a public-facing web portal that handles non-sensitive data. Which deployment model BEST satisfies both requirements? (Select one!)
Explanation
Hybrid cloud combines private and public cloud infrastructure, making it ideal when an organization has workloads with different sensitivity and compliance requirements. The HIPAA-regulated patient health data runs on the private cloud where Contoso maintains exclusive control and meets regulatory requirements, while the non-sensitive public-facing marketing portal leverages the scalability and cost efficiency of public cloud. Public cloud alone fails the legal team's requirement because data would reside on shared infrastructure not exclusively controlled by Contoso. Private cloud for all workloads would work for compliance but is unnecessarily expensive and limits scalability for the public-facing portal. Community cloud is shared among organizations with similar regulatory needs, but the data would still not be exclusively controlled by Contoso, violating the stated legal requirement.
3. Fabrikam Inc. is a healthcare organization that recently experienced a ransomware attack. The security team determines that the ransomware entered through a phishing email, encrypted files on multiple servers, and then exfiltrated a copy of patient records to an external server before triggering the encryption. Which elements of the CIA triad were violated in this attack? (Select three!)
Multiple correct answersExplanation
This ransomware attack violated all three elements of the CIA triad. Confidentiality was violated when patient records were exfiltrated to an external server, meaning unauthorized parties gained access to sensitive protected health information. Integrity was violated when the ransomware encrypted and modified files without authorization, altering the data so it no longer accurately reflects the original state. Availability was violated when the encrypted files could no longer be accessed by authorized users such as clinicians and administrators who need patient records to provide care. Ransomware is particularly dangerous from a security standpoint precisely because it simultaneously attacks all three CIA pillars. Authenticity, non-repudiation, and accountability are security concepts but are not part of the CIA triad framework that the question tests.
4. Northwind Traders is implementing a new HR platform and the CISO is reviewing data governance policies. The company operates offices in the United States and Germany. A consultant warns that customer data stored on German servers is subject to different legal requirements than data stored in the US, even when accessed by US-based employees. Which data governance concept does this scenario BEST describe? (Select one!)
Explanation
Data sovereignty refers to the principle that data is subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which it is physically stored. Data stored in Germany falls under EU regulations including GDPR, regardless of who owns or accesses it. This is distinct from data classification, which is the process of labeling data by sensitivity level such as public, internal, or confidential. Data stewardship refers to the responsibility for managing data quality and access controls. Data retention defines how long data must be kept before it can be archived or destroyed. Data sovereignty is particularly relevant for multinational organizations that must comply with multiple regulatory jurisdictions.
5. A teacher is explaining AI ethics to students. The teacher describes a scenario where a hiring algorithm trained on historical employee data consistently ranks candidates from certain universities higher than others, even when those candidates have weaker qualifications. Which AI concern does this scenario BEST illustrate? (Select one!)
Explanation
AI bias occurs when a machine learning model produces outputs that systematically favor or disadvantage particular groups due to patterns embedded in the training data or the design of the algorithm. In this scenario, historical hiring data may reflect past preferences for certain universities, and the model learns and perpetuates those preferences. This can result in discriminatory outcomes even when the model is performing accurately on its training objective. AI hallucination refers to a model generating plausible-sounding but factually incorrect or fabricated information, which is a different problem unrelated to biased rankings. Lack of explainability relates to the inability to understand the reasoning behind a specific decision, which is a related but distinct concern. Prompt engineering involves crafting effective queries for generative AI systems and does not apply to a trained classification model.
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