RHCSA
Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
The Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA, exam EX200) is a performance-based certification that tests the ability to perform essential RHEL system administration tasks in a live environment. Candidates complete real tasks on a running RHEL system with no multiple-choice questions, results are auto-graded. RHCSA is the foundational Red Hat credential and a prerequisite for all higher Red Hat certifications including RHCE and RHCA.
Study Materials in C3RT
RHCSA Exam Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) |
| Governing Body | Red Hat |
| Category | IT Certifications |
| C3RT App Available On | iPhone, iPad, and Mac |
| Official Source | Red Hat official website ↗ |
RHCSA Content Areas and Domains
Domain areas are sourced from the Red Hat content outline.
Topics Covered
- ✓ Linux Essential Tools, file management, text processing, grep, awk, sed
- ✓ Bash Shell Scripting, conditionals, loops, functions, cron jobs
- ✓ System Boot Process, GRUB2, targets, emergency mode troubleshooting
- ✓ Partition Management, fdisk, parted, LVM (pvcreate, vgcreate, lvcreate, lvextend)
- ✓ File System Creation, mkfs, mount, /etc/fstab, swap space
- ✓ Service Management with systemd, enable, start, stop, journal
- ✓ Network Configuration, nmcli, nmtui, static IPs, hostname
- ✓ Firewall and SELinux, firewall-cmd, getenforce, semanage, restorecon
- ✓ User and Group Management, useradd, groupadd, sudo, password policies
- ✓ Container Management, podman, skopeo, systemd container units
How C3RT Helps You Pass the RHCSA
Adaptive Practice
Questions adapt to your weak areas automatically so every study session on the RHCSA is time well spent.
Diagnostic Mocks
Full-length mock exams timed to the real RHCSA format with detailed score breakdowns by topic.
Mistake Bank
Every wrong answer is saved for targeted re-drill. The system resurfaces your mistakes until they stick.
Native on iOS & Mac
Built with SwiftUI, not a web wrapper. Instant load, offline support, hardware-speed rendering.
Sample RHCSA Practice Questions
Q1.You want to edit a configuration file /etc/myapp.conf using 'sed' to replace all occurrences of 'timeout=30' with 'timeout=60' and save changes in-place. Which command is correct?
- sed -i 's/timeout=30/timeout=60/g' /etc/myapp.confCorrect
- sed 's/timeout=30/timeout=60/g' /etc/myapp.conf > /etc/myapp.conf
- sed -e 's/timeout=30/timeout=60/g' /etc/myapp.conf
- sed --replace 'timeout=60' /etc/myapp.conf
The correct answer is 'sed -i 's/timeout=30/timeout=60/g' /etc/myapp.conf' which performs an in-place substitution on the file. Option 1 redirects output to the same file which can corrupt it. Option 2 runs sed but does not save changes in-place. Option 3 uses an invalid sed option '--replace'.
Q2.You must update all installed packages on a RHEL 8 system and ensure that only security-related updates are applied. Which dnf command option correctly filters updates to security-only?
- dnf update --securityCorrect
- dnf upgrade --sec
- dnf update --only-security
- dnf upgrade --security-only
The correct command is 'dnf update --security' which filters updates to only those flagged as security updates. Options B, C, and D use incorrect or non-existent flags and would result in errors or no filtering. The '--security' flag is well documented for dnf to apply security updates only.
Q3.You have a directory with complex ACLs, but you want to remove all ACL entries and revert to standard Unix permissions. Which command will accomplish this completely?
- setfacl -b /path/to/directory
- chmod 700 /path/to/directory
- setfacl --remove-all /path/to/directoryCorrect
- aclctl -r /path/to/directory
'setfacl --remove-all' removes all ACL entries including default ACLs, reverting to basic Unix permissions. Option 2 is correct. Option 0 ('setfacl -b') removes only named ACL entries but may leave default ACLs intact. Option 1 changes permissions but does not remove ACLs. Option 3 uses a nonexistent command 'aclctl'.
RHCSA Frequently Asked Questions
What does RHCSA stand for?
RHCSA stands for Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA). It is administered by Red Hat.
Who administers the RHCSA?
The Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is administered by Red Hat. For official information, visit the Red Hat website.
How many practice questions does C3RT have for the RHCSA?
The C3RT app includes 5,500 practice questions for the RHCSA, along with 1,500 flashcards, 300 concept reels, and 400 concept cards.
How is the RHCSA exam graded?
The RHCSA is auto-graded, Red Hat's automated system checks whether each task was completed correctly on the live RHEL system after the exam. There are no multiple-choice questions. You need a score of 210 out of 300 points (70%) to pass. Results are delivered within 3 business days.
What RHEL version does the RHCSA exam use?
The current RHCSA exam (EX200) uses Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9. Red Hat periodically updates the exam to the current major RHEL version. Preparation should focus on RHEL 9 commands and features including dnf package management, podman containers, and nmcli network configuration.
How long should I study for RHCSA?
Most candidates spend 60–120 hours preparing, with the majority of time in hands-on lab practice. A free RHEL Developer Subscription (from developers.redhat.com) provides full access to RHEL 9 for practice. Understanding LVM management, SELinux troubleshooting, and firewalld configuration is critical.
Is RHCSA harder than Linux+?
Yes, RHCSA is a performance-based exam on a live system, while CompTIA Linux+ is multiple choice and multiple response. RHCSA is RHEL-specific and requires hands-on task completion under time pressure. However, RHCSA is highly valued by employers and commands a significant salary premium over Linux+.
How many questions are on the RHCSA exam?
RHCSA is a fully hands-on, performance-based exam completed on a live Red Hat Enterprise Linux system rather than multiple-choice questions. Red Hat does not publish a fixed task count, time limit, or flat fee; pricing is dynamic and region-specific. Check redhat.com for current registration details.
C3RT is a native iOS and macOS exam preparation platform covering the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), a IT Certifications certification, administered by Red Hat. C3RT is not affiliated with or endorsed by Red Hat. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective organisations. For official exam registration, eligibility requirements, and content outlines, visit the Red Hat official website ↗ .