- A
iostat
iostat can show historical I/O stats if sysstat logs are used.
- B
uptime
Why wrong: uptime shows current load, not historical data.
- C
free
Why wrong: free shows current memory usage, not history.
- D
sar
sar can log and report historical data via sysstat.
- E
vmstat
Why wrong: vmstat shows snapshots, not historical data by itself.
Question 941 of 981
XK0-005 Troubleshooting Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting. 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 system administrator needs to collect performance data over time to analyze CPU and memory usage trends. Which THREE of the following commands can be used to gather historical performance data? (Choose THREE.)
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
✓
iostat
sar can collect and report historical data; vmstat gives point-in-time; free shows current memory; iostat shows I/O; uptime shows load averages but not historical.
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.
- ✓
iostat
Why this is correct
iostat can show historical I/O stats if sysstat logs are used.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
uptime
Why it's wrong here
uptime shows current load, not historical data.
- ✗
free
Why it's wrong here
free shows current memory usage, not history.
- ✓
sar
Why this is correct
sar can log and report historical data via sysstat.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
vmstat
Why it's wrong here
vmstat shows snapshots, not historical data by itself.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
uptime shows current load, not historical data.
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.
- →
Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Troubleshooting practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All XK0-005 questions
981 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
XK0-005 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related XK0-005 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Security practice questions
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to Security.
Troubleshooting practice questions
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to Troubleshooting.
Scripting, Containers, and Automation practice questions
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to Scripting, Containers, and Automation.
System Management practice questions
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to System Management.
Scripting, Containers and Automation practice questions
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to Scripting, Containers and Automation.
XK0-005 fundamentals practice questions
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to XK0-005 fundamentals.
XK0-005 scenario practice questions
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to XK0-005 scenario.
XK0-005 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to XK0-005 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free XK0-005 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: iostat — sar can collect and report historical data; vmstat gives point-in-time; free shows current memory; iostat shows I/O; uptime shows load averages but not historical.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.