Question 188 of 510

Scripting, Containers and Automation →hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is 30 14 * * *, which is the correct cron schedule for 2:30 PM in 24-hour format. In cron syntax, the first field specifies the minute (0–59) and the second field specifies the hour (0–23), so 2:30 PM converts directly to minute 30 and hour 14. This is because cron uses a 24-hour clock exclusively—there is no AM/PM designation—so any expression like “30 2 PM” is invalid unless you write the hour as 14. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your ability to translate 12-hour time into cron’s 24-hour fields, a common trap where candidates mistakenly use “2” instead of “14” for afternoon hours. A reliable memory tip: for any PM time, simply add 12 to the hour—so 2 PM becomes 14, 5 PM becomes 17, and so on—ensuring you never confuse the hour field.

XK0-005 Scripting, Containers and Automation Practice Question

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 Linux administrator needs to implement a cron job that runs a script every day at 2:30 PM. Which TWO cron schedule expressions are equivalent?

Question 1hardmulti select

Full question →

A
30 14 * * *
2:30 PM.
B
30 2 * * * PM
Why wrong: Not standard; cron uses 24-hour.
C
30 2 * * *
Why wrong: 2:30 AM.
D
30 2 * * *
Why wrong: 2:30 AM.
E
30 14 * * *
2:30 PM.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

30 14 * * *

In cron syntax, the first field is minute (0-59), the second is hour (0-23) in 24-hour format. 2:30 PM corresponds to hour 14 in 24-hour time. Therefore, '30 14 * * *' correctly specifies the job runs at minute 30 of hour 14 every day. Option A and E are identical and both use the correct 24-hour representation.

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.

✓
30 14 * * *
Why this is correct
2:30 PM.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
30 2 * * * PM
Why it's wrong here
Not standard; cron uses 24-hour.
✗
30 2 * * *
Why it's wrong here
2:30 AM.
✗
30 2 * * *
Why it's wrong here
2:30 AM.
✓
30 14 * * *
Why this is correct
2:30 PM.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA often tests the 24-hour vs 12-hour clock confusion in cron expressions, where candidates mistakenly use '2' for 2 PM instead of converting to '14'.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Cron uses a 24-hour clock for the hour field (0-23), where 0 is midnight and 23 is 11 PM. The minute field is 0-59. The five fields are: minute, hour, day of month, month, day of week. A common real-world pitfall is misinterpreting 12-hour time; for example, scheduling a backup at '2 PM' requires '30 14 * * *', not '30 2 * * *'. The cron daemon (typically cronie or Vixie cron) parses these fields strictly and will reject or mis-schedule entries with invalid syntax like 'PM'.

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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this XK0-005 question test?

Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: 30 14 * * * — In cron syntax, the first field is minute (0-59), the second is hour (0-23) in 24-hour format. 2:30 PM corresponds to hour 14 in 24-hour time. Therefore, '30 14 * * *' correctly specifies the job runs at minute 30 of hour 14 every day. Option A and E are identical and both use the correct 24-hour representation.

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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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.