Quick Answer
The correct answer is to change the fifth field to `1-5`, resulting in the crontab entry `*/5 * * * 1-5 /usr/local/bin/script.sh`. This works because the fifth field in a cron schedule controls the day of the week, with 0 and 7 representing Sunday and 1 through 6 representing Monday through Saturday; by specifying `1-5`, you create a weekday-only restriction that limits execution to Monday through Friday. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your understanding of cron time field syntax, particularly the day-of-week field, and a common trap is confusing the day-of-month field (third position) with the day-of-week field (fifth position). A helpful memory tip is to remember that weekdays are the last field, so "last field, last day of the week" — and since cron counts Monday as 1, the range `1-5` cleanly excludes weekends.
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. 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.
A system administrator notices that a cron job runs every 5 minutes but should run only on weekdays. The current crontab entry is: */5 * * * * /usr/local/bin/script.sh. Which change to the time fields will restrict execution to Monday through Friday?
*/5 9-17 * * 1-5 /usr/local/bin/script.sh
Why wrong: Limits hours to 9-17, not the requirement.
*/5 * * * 1-6 /usr/local/bin/script.sh
Why wrong: 1-6 includes Saturday (6).
*/5 * * * 1-5 /usr/local/bin/script.sh
Runs every 5 minutes, every hour, every day of month, every month, on weekdays (1-5).
5 * * * 1-5 /usr/local/bin/script.sh
Why wrong: Runs once per hour at minute 5, not every 5 minutes.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
*/5 * * * 1-5 /usr/local/bin/script.sh
Option C is correct because the fifth field in a crontab entry specifies the day of the week, where 1 represents Monday and 5 represents Friday. By setting this field to `1-5`, the cron job will only execute on weekdays, while the `*/5` in the minute field ensures it still runs every 5 minutes. The other fields remain as `*` to allow execution at any hour and any day of the month.
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.
*/5 9-17 * * 1-5 /usr/local/bin/script.sh
Why it's wrong here
Limits hours to 9-17, not the requirement.
*/5 * * * 1-6 /usr/local/bin/script.sh
Why it's wrong here
1-6 includes Saturday (6).
*/5 * * * 1-5 /usr/local/bin/script.sh
Why this is correct
Runs every 5 minutes, every hour, every day of month, every month, on weekdays (1-5).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
5 * * * 1-5 /usr/local/bin/script.sh
Why it's wrong here
Runs once per hour at minute 5, not every 5 minutes.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the day-of-week field with the day-of-month field, or incorrectly assume that `1-5` excludes weekends without realizing that cron's day-of-week numbering starts with Sunday as 0, so `1-5` correctly maps to Monday-Friday.
Detailed technical explanation
In cron syntax, the day-of-week field (5th field) accepts values 0-7, where 0 and 7 both represent Sunday, and 1-6 represent Monday through Saturday. Using a range like `1-5` is a standard way to specify Monday through Friday. The `*/5` notation in the minute field is a step value that means 'every 5 minutes', which is equivalent to `0,5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55`. This is a common pattern for periodic tasks like monitoring scripts or log rotations.
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.
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FAQ
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: */5 * * * 1-5 /usr/local/bin/script.sh — Option C is correct because the fifth field in a crontab entry specifies the day of the week, where 1 represents Monday and 5 represents Friday. By setting this field to `1-5`, the cron job will only execute on weekdays, while the `*/5` in the minute field ensures it still runs every 5 minutes. The other fields remain as `*` to allow execution at any hour and any day of the month.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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