- A
SGID; new files in the directory inherit the group
Correct: SGID on directories.
- B
No special permission; it is just octal 755
Why wrong: The leading 2 indicates SGID.
- C
Sticky bit; only file owners can delete their files
Why wrong: Sticky bit would be 1xxx.
- D
SUID; the file runs with the owner's privileges
Why wrong: SUID would be 4xxx.
Question 974 of 981
XK0-005 System Management Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A file has permissions set to 2755. Which special permission is enabled, and what does it do?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SGID; new files in the directory inherit the group
The permission 2755 includes the SGID (Set Group ID) special permission, indicated by the leading digit '2'. When SGID is set on a directory, new files and subdirectories created within it inherit the group ownership of the directory, rather than the primary group of the user who creates them. This is critical for collaborative environments where multiple users need shared group access.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SGID; new files in the directory inherit the group
Why this is correct
Correct: SGID on directories.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
No special permission; it is just octal 755
Why it's wrong here
The leading 2 indicates SGID.
- ✗
Sticky bit; only file owners can delete their files
Why it's wrong here
Sticky bit would be 1xxx.
- ✗
SUID; the file runs with the owner's privileges
Why it's wrong here
SUID would be 4xxx.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between the numeric representations of special permissions (1=sticky, 2=SGID, 4=SUID) and their specific effects on directories versus files, leading candidates to confuse SGID with SUID or the sticky bit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The SGID bit on a directory is implemented at the filesystem level via the inode's mode field; when a new file is created, the kernel copies the directory's group ID (gid) to the file's gid instead of the process's effective gid. This behavior is defined in POSIX and is commonly used in shared project directories (e.g., /var/www) to ensure consistent group ownership without manual chgrp commands. A subtle behavior: if the directory has both SGID and the group execute bit missing, the SGID may appear as a capital 'S' in `ls -l` output, indicating the special permission is set but ineffective.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
System Management — This question tests System Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SGID; new files in the directory inherit the group — The permission 2755 includes the SGID (Set Group ID) special permission, indicated by the leading digit '2'. When SGID is set on a directory, new files and subdirectories created within it inherit the group ownership of the directory, rather than the primary group of the user who creates them. This is critical for collaborative environments where multiple users need shared group access.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This XK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-005 exam.
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