- A
rwxrwxr-x (775)
Why wrong: That would be umask 002.
- B
rwxrwxrwx (777)
Why wrong: That would be umask 000.
- C
rw-rw-r-- (664)
Why wrong: That is typical for files, not directories.
- D
rwxr-x--- (750)
Correct: 777 - 027 = 750.
Question 360 of 1,000
XK0-005 System Management Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. 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 system administrator runs 'umask 027' in a Bash shell. What will be the default permissions for a new directory created in that shell? (Assume no other umask changes.)
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
✓
rwxr-x--- (750)
The umask value 027 subtracts permissions from the base 777 for directories. 777 minus 027 equals 750, which translates to rwxr-x---. The owner gets full permissions (rwx), the group gets read and execute (r-x), and others get no permissions (---).
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.
- ✗
rwxrwxr-x (775)
Why it's wrong here
That would be umask 002.
- ✗
rwxrwxrwx (777)
Why it's wrong here
That would be umask 000.
- ✗
rw-rw-r-- (664)
Why it's wrong here
That is typical for files, not directories.
- ✓
rwxr-x--- (750)
Why this is correct
Correct: 777 - 027 = 750.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between file and directory base permissions (666 vs 777) and the fact that umask subtracts from the base, not from a fixed value like 755.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Linux, the default base permissions for a directory are 777 (rwxrwxrwx), and the umask is subtracted bitwise to determine the final permissions. The umask 027 in binary is 000 010 111; applying it to 777 (111 111 111) yields 111 101 000, which is 750 (rwxr-x---). This is a common configuration for shared directories where the owner needs full control, the group needs read and execute access, and others are denied any access.
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 network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
System Management — This question tests System Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: rwxr-x--- (750) — The umask value 027 subtracts permissions from the base 777 for directories. 777 minus 027 equals 750, which translates to rwxr-x---. The owner gets full permissions (rwx), the group gets read and execute (r-x), and others get no permissions (---).
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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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.
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