easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: A Linux administrator needs to check which…
A Linux administrator needs to check which process is using the most memory on a system. The administrator wants to view dynamically updating list of processes sorted by memory usage. Which command should the administrator use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse static commands like `ps` with dynamic monitoring tools like `top`, or they assume `htop` is always available, when the exam expects the standard, default-installed command `top`.
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
✓
top -o %MEM
The `top` command provides a real-time, dynamically updating view of system processes. The `-o %MEM` option sorts the process list by memory usage (the %MEM column), allowing the administrator to immediately see which process is consuming the most memory. This directly meets the requirement for a dynamically updating list sorted by memory usage.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ps aux --sort=-%mem
Why it's wrong here
ps gives a one-time snapshot, not real-time updates.
- ✓
top -o %MEM
Why this is correct
top with -o sorts by the specified field and updates dynamically.
- ✗
htop -s MEM
Why it's wrong here
htop is not always installed by default and the option -s is not standard for sorting; top is more universal.
- ✗
vmstat 1 5
Why it's wrong here
vmstat provides system-wide virtual memory statistics, not per process.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
Key term
Process
In IT service management, a process is a structured set of activities designed to accomplish a specific objective, such as managing incidents or changes, by transforming inputs into defined outputs.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 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 XK0-006 exam.