- A
top
top provides real-time per-process CPU and memory usage.
- B
free -h
Why wrong: free shows total memory usage, not per-process.
- C
iostat -x
Why wrong: iostat shows disk I/O, not process CPU or memory.
- D
vmstat 1 5
Why wrong: vmstat shows system-wide CPU and memory stats, not per-process.
- E
ps aux --sort=-%mem
ps aux with sorting shows per-process memory and CPU usage.
Question 400 of 1,000
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.
An administrator needs to identify which processes are consuming the most CPU and memory resources. Which two commands can provide this information? (Choose two.)
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
✓
top
The `top` command provides a real-time, dynamic view of running processes, displaying CPU and memory usage by default and allowing sorting by resource consumption. The `ps aux --sort=-%mem` command lists all processes with detailed memory and CPU statistics, sorted by memory usage in descending order, making it easy to identify the most resource-intensive processes.
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.
- ✓
top
Why this is correct
top provides real-time per-process CPU and memory usage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
free -h
Why it's wrong here
free shows total memory usage, not per-process.
- ✗
iostat -x
Why it's wrong here
iostat shows disk I/O, not process CPU or memory.
- ✗
vmstat 1 5
Why it's wrong here
vmstat shows system-wide CPU and memory stats, not per-process.
- ✓
ps aux --sort=-%mem
Why this is correct
ps aux with sorting shows per-process memory and CPU usage.
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 system-wide monitoring commands (like `free`, `vmstat`, `iostat`) and per-process commands (like `top`, `ps`), so candidates mistakenly choose `free -h` or `vmstat` thinking they show per-process CPU/memory details.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
free shows total memory usage, not per-process.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `top` command reads data from the `/proc` filesystem, specifically `/proc/[pid]/stat` and `/proc/[pid]/status`, to calculate per-process CPU and memory usage in real time. The `ps` command with `--sort=-%mem` sorts processes by the `%MEM` field, which is derived from the resident set size (RSS) divided by total physical memory; this can be misleading in environments with shared memory or huge pages, as RSS may overcount memory shared among processes.
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.
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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Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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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: top — The `top` command provides a real-time, dynamic view of running processes, displaying CPU and memory usage by default and allowing sorting by resource consumption. The `ps aux --sort=-%mem` command lists all processes with detailed memory and CPU statistics, sorted by memory usage in descending order, making it easy to identify the most resource-intensive processes.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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