- A
renice 10 -p 1234
Correct: renice sets the nice value for the process.
- B
nice -n 10 kill 1234
Why wrong: Incorrect syntax; nice is used to start a command with a given priority, not change existing.
- C
chrt -p 10 1234
Why wrong: chrt sets real-time scheduling attributes, not nice value.
- D
kill -10 1234
Why wrong: Sends signal 10 (USR1), not related to priority.
Question 594 of 981
XK0-005 System Management Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. 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 wants to change the priority of a running process with PID 1234 to a lower priority (nicer). The current nice value is 0. Which command will set the nice value to 10?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
✓
renice 10 -p 1234
The `renice` command is used to alter the scheduling priority of an already running process. By default, a process starts with a nice value of 0. Running `renice 10 -p 1234` sets the nice value to 10, which is a lower priority (more 'nice') because the kernel adds this value to the dynamic priority calculation, giving the process less CPU time.
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.
- ✓
renice 10 -p 1234
Why this is correct
Correct: renice sets the nice value for the process.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
nice -n 10 kill 1234
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect syntax; nice is used to start a command with a given priority, not change existing.
- ✗
chrt -p 10 1234
Why it's wrong here
chrt sets real-time scheduling attributes, not nice value.
- ✗
kill -10 1234
Why it's wrong here
Sends signal 10 (USR1), not related to priority.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between `renice` (for running processes) and `nice` (for launching a new process with a modified priority), and candidates may confuse `renice` with `nice` or think `kill` can change priority via signal numbers.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect syntax; nice is used to start a command with a given priority, not change existing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The nice value in Linux ranges from -20 (highest priority, least nice) to 19 (lowest priority, most nice). The `renice` command directly modifies the `nice` field in the task_struct of the process, which the Completely Fair Scheduler (CFS) uses to calculate the virtual runtime and weight of the task. A real-world scenario is adjusting a CPU-intensive background job (e.g., a backup script) to a nice value of 10 to ensure interactive responsiveness remains unaffected.
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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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: renice 10 -p 1234 — The `renice` command is used to alter the scheduling priority of an already running process. By default, a process starts with a nice value of 0. Running `renice 10 -p 1234` sets the nice value to 10, which is a lower priority (more 'nice') because the kernel adds this value to the dynamic priority calculation, giving the process less CPU time.
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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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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