This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 notices that the system clock is consistently 5 minutes behind the actual time. The administrator runs 'timedatectl' and sees 'NTP service: active'. Which of the following commands should be used to force an immediate time synchronization?
Option D is correct because it first disables NTP to stop the automatic synchronization, then runs chronyd in one-shot query mode (-q) to force an immediate sync with the configured NTP servers, and finally re-enables NTP to resume normal service. This approach works with chronyd, which is the default NTP implementation on modern RHEL/CentOS 8+ and many other distributions, and directly addresses the need for an immediate synchronization without waiting for the periodic polling interval.
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.
✗
systemctl restart ntp
Why it's wrong here
Similar to A, restarting does not force an immediate sync.
✗
ntpdate -s time.google.com
Why it's wrong here
ntpdate is deprecated and may not be installed; chronyd is the default NTP client on modern systems.
✗
systemctl restart chronyd
Why it's wrong here
Restarting the service does not force an immediate sync; it just restarts the daemon.
Disabling NTP, forcing a one-time sync with chronyd -q, then re-enabling NTP is the correct procedure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume 'systemctl restart chronyd' (Option C) will immediately sync the clock, but it only restarts the daemon without forcing a poll, so the 5-minute lag remains until the next scheduled update; CompTIA often tests the distinction between restarting a service and triggering an immediate action.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Similar to A, restarting does not force an immediate sync.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The chronyd daemon uses a sophisticated algorithm to gradually adjust the clock (slewing) to avoid abrupt time jumps, which can cause issues with database transactions and log timestamps. The '-q' option forces chronyd to perform a one-shot query and then exit, effectively overriding the normal polling interval; this is equivalent to running 'chronyc -a makestep' but in a non-interactive, scriptable manner. In real-world scenarios, administrators often combine this with 'timedatectl set-ntp false' to prevent the daemon from interfering during the manual sync, then re-enable it afterward to resume normal disciplined synchronization.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this XK0-005 question in full detail.
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: timedatectl set-ntp false && chronyd -q && timedatectl set-ntp true — Option D is correct because it first disables NTP to stop the automatic synchronization, then runs chronyd in one-shot query mode (-q) to force an immediate sync with the configured NTP servers, and finally re-enables NTP to resume normal service. This approach works with chronyd, which is the default NTP implementation on modern RHEL/CentOS 8+ and many other distributions, and directly addresses the need for an immediate synchronization without waiting for the periodic polling interval.
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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Question Discussion
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