This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. 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 security policy requires that user passwords must expire every 90 days. Which command can enforce this policy for user 'jsmith'?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
usermod -e 90 jsmith
Why wrong: Sets the account expiry date, not password age.
chage -M 90 jsmith
Sets the maximum password age to 90 days.
passwd -x 90 jsmith
Why wrong: Sets the maximum number of days before a password change is required, but chage is the preferred tool.
chfn -f 90 jsmith
Why wrong: Modifies finger information, not password aging.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
chage -M 90 jsmith
The `chage -M 90 jsmith` command sets the maximum number of days a password is valid for user 'jsmith' to 90, which enforces the 90-day expiration policy. The `-M` option directly modifies the `PASS_MAX_DAYS` field in `/etc/shadow`, and `chage` is the standard tool for managing password aging on Linux systems.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
usermod -e 90 jsmith
Why it's wrong here
Sets the account expiry date, not password age.
chage -M 90 jsmith
Why this is correct
Sets the maximum password age to 90 days.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
passwd -x 90 jsmith
Why it's wrong here
Sets the maximum number of days before a password change is required, but chage is the preferred tool.
chfn -f 90 jsmith
Why it's wrong here
Modifies finger information, not password aging.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse `usermod -e` (account expiry) with `chage -M` (password expiry), or assume `passwd -x` works without the correct syntax, leading them to pick a command that either targets the wrong attribute or has an invalid option order.
Detailed technical explanation
Password aging is managed via the `/etc/shadow` file, where the third field (last change date) and fifth field (maximum days) determine expiration. The `chage` command interacts with the PAM `pam_unix.so` module, which reads these fields during authentication; setting `-M 90` ensures that after 90 days from the last password change, the account is forced to reset the password. A subtle behavior: if the last change date is in the future (e.g., due to system clock drift), the expiration calculation can be incorrect, so administrators should verify with `chage -l jsmith`.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: chage -M 90 jsmith — The `chage -M 90 jsmith` command sets the maximum number of days a password is valid for user 'jsmith' to 90, which enforces the 90-day expiration policy. The `-M` option directly modifies the `PASS_MAX_DAYS` field in `/etc/shadow`, and `chage` is the standard tool for managing password aging on Linux systems.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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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