The correct approach is to use cron to schedule the script for weekdays at 9:00 AM and then include a test within the script that checks a holiday list. This works because cron’s day-of-week field (e.g., `0 9 * * 1-5`) reliably handles weekday scheduling, but cron itself has no built-in awareness of holidays; by adding a conditional exit in the script that references a holiday file or API, you cleanly separate scheduling from holiday logic. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your understanding of cron’s limitations and the principle of combining system scheduling with script-level logic—a common trap is trying to force cron to handle holidays directly with complex date expressions, which is impractical. Remember the memory tip: “Cron for time, script for logic” to keep the separation clear.
XK0-005 Scripting, Containers and Automation Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 sysadmin is tasked with creating a script that will run only on weekdays at 9:00 AM using cron. The script should not run on holidays. Which approach best achieves this requirement?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use cron to run at 9:00 on weekdays, and include a test in the script that checks a holiday list
Option B is correct because cron can schedule the script to run at 9:00 AM on weekdays using the day-of-week field (e.g., `0 9 * * 1-5`), and the script itself can check a holiday list (e.g., a file or API) to exit early on holidays. This approach cleanly separates scheduling from holiday logic, avoiding cron's lack of built-in holiday awareness.
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.
✗
Use systemd timers with a calendar specification that excludes holidays
Use cron to run at 9:00 on weekdays, and include a test in the script that checks a holiday list
Why this is correct
This ensures the script runs on weekdays but can skip holidays by checking within the script.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use cron to run at 9:00 every day, and include conditional logic to abort on weekends
Why it's wrong here
This runs every day and adds unnecessary execution on weekends; it's better to limit cron to weekdays.
✗
Use `at` to schedule the job individually each weekday morning
Why it's wrong here
Using `at` is not sustainable for recurring scheduling.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that cron can directly handle holidays, when in fact cron has no concept of holidays and requires external logic (like a script check) to skip them.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cron's day-of-week field accepts numeric values (0-7, where 0 and 7 are Sunday) or three-letter abbreviations, and ranges like `1-5` for Monday-Friday. The holiday check in the script can be implemented by reading a local file (e.g., `/etc/holidays`) or querying an external API, and using `date +%Y%m%d` to compare against the list. This pattern is common in production environments where holiday schedules change yearly and cannot be hardcoded into cron expressions.
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.
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use cron to run at 9:00 on weekdays, and include a test in the script that checks a holiday list — Option B is correct because cron can schedule the script to run at 9:00 AM on weekdays using the day-of-week field (e.g., `0 9 * * 1-5`), and the script itself can check a holiday list (e.g., a file or API) to exit early on holidays. This approach cleanly separates scheduling from holiday logic, avoiding cron's lack of built-in holiday awareness.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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