easyMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: Ensure a critical monitoring script runs every…
An administrator wants to ensure a critical monitoring script runs every day at 2 AM and sends output to a log file. Which THREE items are essential in the crontab entry? (Select THREE.)
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that MAILTO is required for logging output, when in fact output redirection (e.g., >> /var/log/script.log 2>&1) is what sends output to a file, and MAILTO is only for email delivery.
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
✓
SHELL=/bin/bash
The SHELL variable in a crontab entry defines which shell interpreter is used to execute the cron job. By default, cron uses /bin/sh, but setting SHELL=/bin/bash ensures that bash-specific syntax, aliases, and features (such as [[ ]] or source) are available for the monitoring script. Without this, the script might fail if it relies on bash extensions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SHELL=/bin/bash
Why this is correct
If the script uses bash-specific features, setting SHELL is required; otherwise, cron uses /bin/sh.
- ✗
RUNLEVEL=3
Why it's wrong here
RUNLEVEL is not a cron-related variable; it is used by init systems.
- ✓
0 2 * * * /usr/local/bin/script.sh
Why this is correct
This is the cron schedule and command; it is essential.
- ✗
MAILTO=admin@example.com
Why it's wrong here
MAILTO is optional; the output can be redirected to a log file instead.
- ✓
PATH=/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin
Why this is correct
A proper PATH ensures commands in the script are found without absolute paths.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
File Permissions and Ownership
Key term
Output
In IT service management, output is the result or deliverable produced by a process, system, or component, such as data, reports, or services delivered to a customer.
Key term
crontab
Crontab is a time-based job scheduler in Unix-like operating systems that allows users to automate the execution of scripts or commands at specified intervals.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 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 XK0-006 exam.