- A
id (idle time)
Why wrong: Idle indicates free CPU.
- B
wa (I/O wait time)
Why wrong: wa indicates wait for I/O, not CPU performance directly.
- C
sy (system CPU time)
High sy indicates CPU is busy with kernel tasks.
- D
r (run queue)
Why wrong: r indicates number of processes waiting, but not CPU usage itself.
- E
us (user CPU time)
High us indicates CPU is busy with user processes.
Question 483 of 1,000
XK0-005 Troubleshooting Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 Linux administrator is troubleshooting a slow system. They decide to use vmstat to get an overall picture. Which two of the following fields in vmstat output are most directly related to CPU performance issues? (Choose two.)
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
✓
sy (system CPU time)
The 'us' field shows user time, 'sy' shows system time, 'id' shows idle, and 'wa' shows I/O wait. High 'us' or 'sy' can indicate CPU-bound issues.
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.
- ✗
id (idle time)
Why it's wrong here
Idle indicates free CPU.
- ✗
wa (I/O wait time)
Why it's wrong here
wa indicates wait for I/O, not CPU performance directly.
- ✓
sy (system CPU time)
Why this is correct
High sy indicates CPU is busy with kernel tasks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
r (run queue)
Why it's wrong here
r indicates number of processes waiting, but not CPU usage itself.
- ✓
us (user CPU time)
Why this is correct
High us indicates CPU is busy with user processes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which XK0-005 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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Troubleshooting practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
Troubleshooting — This question tests Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: sy (system CPU time) — The 'us' field shows user time, 'sy' shows system time, 'id' shows idle, and 'wa' shows I/O wait. High 'us' or 'sy' can indicate CPU-bound issues.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which XK0-005 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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