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Exam Review

Key Facts: CCST IT Support Exam

6

Blueprint Sections

Cisco 100-140 exam topics

7

Exam Languages

Cisco exam page

50 min

Exam Duration

Cisco

$125

Exam Fee

Cisco / Certiport

Entry

Level

Help desk / Tier 1

3 years

Validity

Cisco (or upgrade path)

The CCST IT Support exam (100-140) lasts 50 minutes; Cisco does not publish the number of questions or the passing score. The exam blueprint has six sections: IT support job tasks and responsibilities, hardware issues, connectivity and resource access issues, operating system and application issues, common threats and preventions, and job tools. No formal prerequisites. Exam fee is $125 USD. Certification is typically valid for 3 years.

Sample CCST IT Support Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CCST IT Support exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 171+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A user reports that their desktop computer will not power on. No lights or fan activity occur when pressing the power button. Which hardware component should the technician check FIRST?
A.RAM modules
B.Power supply unit (PSU) and power cable
C.CPU
D.Hard drive
Explanation: When there are no signs of power at all (no lights, no fans), the most likely cause is the power supply unit (PSU) or the power cable itself. The technician should first confirm the wall outlet has power, then check the cable connection, and finally test or replace the PSU. RAM, CPU, and hard drive issues would typically produce POST beeps, error messages, or partial startup activity rather than a completely dead system.
2Which component is considered the primary 'brain' of a computer, responsible for executing instructions?
A.RAM
B.GPU
C.CPU
D.Motherboard chipset
Explanation: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary component that executes program instructions, performs arithmetic and logic operations, and controls data flow. RAM provides temporary working memory, the GPU handles graphics rendering, and the motherboard chipset coordinates communication between components but does not execute general-purpose instructions.
3A user wants fast storage for their laptop with no moving parts. Which storage type best meets this requirement?
A.Traditional HDD (hard disk drive)
B.SSD (solid-state drive)
C.Optical drive
D.Tape drive
Explanation: An SSD (solid-state drive) uses flash memory with no moving parts, resulting in faster read/write speeds, lower power consumption, better shock resistance, and silent operation compared to traditional HDDs. HDDs use spinning platters and mechanical read/write heads. Optical and tape drives are slower and used for archival or media purposes.
4Which type of RAM is most commonly used in modern desktop and laptop computers as of 2026?
A.DDR2
B.DDR3
C.DDR4 and DDR5
D.SDRAM
Explanation: DDR4 remains very common in existing systems, and DDR5 has become the standard for new builds by 2026 thanks to its higher bandwidth and lower voltage. DDR2 and DDR3 are legacy technologies, and generic SDRAM without the DDR prefix is obsolete for new hardware.
5A technician needs to connect multiple computers to one monitor, keyboard, and mouse at a workstation. Which device should they use?
A.USB hub
B.KVM switch
C.Docking station
D.Network switch
Explanation: A KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch allows one set of input/output peripherals to control multiple computers, with the user selecting the active machine via a button or hotkey. A USB hub expands USB ports, a docking station extends a single laptop, and a network switch connects network devices but does not share peripherals.
6Which Windows utility displays real-time information about CPU, memory, disk, and network usage?
A.Control Panel
B.Task Manager
C.Device Manager
D.Registry Editor
Explanation: Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) shows real-time performance data for CPU, memory, disk, network, and GPU, and lets users end unresponsive processes. Control Panel is a legacy configuration hub, Device Manager lists hardware devices, and Registry Editor (regedit) edits the Windows Registry.
7A user on Windows 11 needs to stop a non-responding application. Which key combination opens Task Manager directly?
A.Ctrl + Alt + Delete
B.Ctrl + Shift + Esc
C.Alt + F4
D.Windows + R
Explanation: Ctrl + Shift + Esc opens Task Manager directly without showing the security screen. Ctrl + Alt + Delete opens the security options screen from which Task Manager can be launched. Alt + F4 closes the active window, and Windows + R opens the Run dialog.
8Which Windows command-line tool scans and attempts to repair corrupted system files?
A.chkdsk
B.sfc /scannow
C.ipconfig /all
D.netstat
Explanation: The System File Checker (sfc /scannow) scans protected Windows system files and replaces corrupted ones using cached copies. chkdsk checks disk volumes for file system errors, ipconfig /all shows IP configuration, and netstat displays network connections.
9A user reports bad sectors on a hard drive. Which Windows command checks a disk volume and attempts to repair errors?
A.diskpart
B.chkdsk /f /r
C.format
D.sfc
Explanation: The chkdsk command with /f fixes file system errors and /r locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. diskpart is used for partition management, format erases a volume, and sfc scans system files rather than the disk structure.
10Which Windows tool logs system, application, and security events for troubleshooting?
A.Event Viewer
B.Performance Monitor
C.Task Scheduler
D.Resource Monitor
Explanation: Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) is the Windows tool that captures and displays logs for system, application, security, setup, and forwarded events. Performance Monitor graphs performance counters, Task Scheduler runs scheduled tasks, and Resource Monitor drills into real-time resource usage.

About the CCST IT Support Exam

The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) IT Support exam validates the skills needed for a Tier 1 help desk or IT support technician role. It covers IT support fundamentals (hardware, peripherals, operating systems), networking basics for support, software installation and user management, printer and mobile device support, security awareness, remote support tools, troubleshooting methodology, and customer service. The CCST IT Support is an entry-level credential that can lead into CCNA, CCST Networking, and CCST Cybersecurity.

Exam sponsor: Cisco / Certiport. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

50 minutes

Passing Score

Not published by Cisco

Exam / Certification Fees

$125

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. Cisco does not publish exam-level pass rates. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Not published

IT Support Job Tasks and Responsibilities

Help desk concepts (queue and time management, ticketing systems, SLA, KPIs), documenting a customer interaction, and the problem-solving process

Not published

Hardware Issues

Electrical, ESD, fire and personal safety; device information tools; video, USB, serial and network ports and cables; processor, RAM and storage (SATA, SSD, NVMe, M2) upgrades; Device Manager and firmware updates

Not published

Connectivity and Resource Access Issues

Active Directory, Entra ID and AWS IAM basics, MFA, mapped SMB and cloud drives, gpupdate, password resets and permissions; printers and other peripherals; LAN vs WLAN, DNS, DHCP and APIPA, DHCPv6, subnets, default gateway, SSID, connectivity commands and firewalls

Not published

Operating System and Application Issues

Windows and macOS issues (display, BitLocker codes, updates, browser cache, ending processes, cloud backup, safe mode, power and accessibility); mobile devices and MDM; virtualization and cloud terms; application installation

Not published

Common Threats and Preventions

Phishing, malware, spam, unauthorized access attempts and spoofing; malware scans and strong passwords; social engineering; confidential, proprietary and PII data

Not published

Job Tools

Remote access software (Remote Desktop, Remote Assistance, Webex, TeamViewer, VNC, PC Anywhere); AI queries and their limits, search engines, technical forums and knowledge base articles

Preparing for the CCST IT Support Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Not published by Cisco
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: 50 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $125 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 171 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CCST IT Support: Suggested Study Strategy

1Practice Windows CLI commands: ipconfig, sfc, chkdsk, dism, netstat, tasklist, taskkill, gpupdate
2Know the 7-step troubleshooting methodology and where each tool fits in each step
3Learn NTFS vs share permissions and how OneDrive recovery/Version History works
4Study phishing indicators, MFA, BitLocker/FileVault, and ransomware first-response steps
5Understand Wi-Fi basics: WPA2/WPA3, SSIDs, and 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz channel issues
6Memorize common ports: 443 HTTPS, 80 HTTP, 22 SSH, 3389 RDP, 53 DNS, 67/68 DHCP
7Practice professional communication: active listening, empathy, and clean ticket documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CCST IT Support exam?

The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) IT Support is an entry-level Cisco certification that validates the skills required for a Tier 1 help desk or IT support technician. It covers hardware, operating systems, networking basics, software management, security awareness, printers, mobile devices, remote support, ticketing, and customer service.

How many questions are on the CCST IT Support exam?

Cisco does not publish the number of questions or the passing score for the CCST IT Support exam (100-140). The exam lasts 50 minutes and tests entry-level IT support tasks such as queue and time management, documentation, troubleshooting, assisting end users, managing computer components and identifying security threats.

Are there prerequisites for the CCST IT Support exam?

There are no formal prerequisites. Cisco recommends some hands-on experience supporting end users or completing introductory IT coursework. The certification is designed to validate foundational skills for new help desk and support roles.

How much does the CCST IT Support exam cost?

The exam fee is approximately $125 USD and is delivered through Certiport test centers (in-person or online-proctored, where available). Pricing and delivery options may vary by country and proctoring method.

How should I prepare for the CCST IT Support exam?

Plan for 30-60 hours of study over 4-6 weeks. Focus on real help-desk scenarios: Windows/macOS troubleshooting, networking basics, permissions, backups, printers, Wi-Fi, phishing awareness, and customer service. Complete 100+ practice questions and aim for 80%+ on mocks before scheduling.

What jobs can I get with CCST IT Support certification?

CCST IT Support helps with roles including: Help Desk Technician (Tier 1), IT Support Specialist, Desktop Support Technician, Service Desk Analyst, and Technical Support Representative. Many candidates then pursue CCST Networking, CCST Cybersecurity, or CCNA as the next step.