This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. 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 system administrator needs to configure a cron job to run a script every Monday at 3:00 AM. Which two cron expressions are correct? (Select TWO).
0 3 * * 0
Why wrong: 0 is Sunday, not Monday.
0 3 1 * 1
Why wrong: Runs on the 1st of the month AND on Monday, not every Monday.
0 3 * * 1
Correct: minute 0, hour 3, any day, any month, Monday.
0 3 * * 1-5
Why wrong: Runs Monday through Friday, not just Monday.
0 3 * * Mon
Correct: uses weekday name.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
0 3 * * 1
Option C is correct because the cron expression `0 3 * * 1` schedules the script to run at minute 0, hour 3 (3:00 AM), every day of the month (`*`), every month (`*`), and on Monday (day-of-week 1, where 0=Sunday, 1=Monday). Option E is correct because cron also accepts three-letter abbreviations for days of the week, so `Mon` is equivalent to `1`.
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.
0 3 * * 0
Why it's wrong here
0 is Sunday, not Monday.
0 3 1 * 1
Why it's wrong here
Runs on the 1st of the month AND on Monday, not every Monday.
0 3 * * 1
Why this is correct
Correct: minute 0, hour 3, any day, any month, Monday.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
0 3 * * 1-5
Why it's wrong here
Runs Monday through Friday, not just Monday.
0 3 * * Mon
Why this is correct
Correct: uses weekday name.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the misconception that day-of-week `0` is Monday (it is Sunday) and that using a specific day-of-month value like `1` combined with a day-of-week value still runs every Monday (it actually runs only when both conditions are true, but cron uses OR logic, so it would run on the 1st of any month OR any Monday, not just Mondays).
Detailed technical explanation
In cron, the day-of-week field uses values 0-7 (0 and 7 both represent Sunday), and the day-of-month field is independent unless both are restricted, in which case the job runs when either condition matches (OR logic). Three-letter abbreviations (Mon, Tue, etc.) are defined in POSIX and are case-insensitive in most cron implementations. A common real-world pitfall is forgetting that cron uses OR logic between day-of-month and day-of-week when both are not `*`, leading to unexpected execution days.
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
System Management — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
System Management practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All XK0-005 questions
510 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
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to Security.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to Troubleshooting.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to Scripting, Containers and Automation.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to System Management.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to XK0-005 fundamentals.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to XK0-005 scenario.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to XK0-005 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
System Management — This question tests System Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 0 3 * * 1 — Option C is correct because the cron expression `0 3 * * 1` schedules the script to run at minute 0, hour 3 (3:00 AM), every day of the month (`*`), every month (`*`), and on Monday (day-of-week 1, where 0=Sunday, 1=Monday). Option E is correct because cron also accepts three-letter abbreviations for days of the week, so `Mon` is equivalent to `1`.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Jun 30, 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.