Quick Answer
The correct OnCalendar format for Monday at 15:00 is `Mon *-*-* 15:00:00`. This works because systemd timer units use a calendar event syntax that combines a day-of-week abbreviation with a date-time wildcard pattern, where the asterisks act as placeholders for any year, month, and day, ensuring the timer fires every Monday at exactly 3:00 PM regardless of the date. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this tests your ability to distinguish the correct `OnCalendar=` directive from common traps like omitting the asterisks, using a comma-separated list, or misplacing the time before the day. A frequent mistake is writing `Mon 15:00:00` without the wildcard segment, which systemd would reject as invalid. To remember the order, think of it as reading a calendar: first the day of the week, then the date wildcards (year-month-day), then the time—like saying “Monday, any date, at 3 PM sharp.”
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 run a script every Monday at 3:00 PM using a systemd timer. Which unit file configuration is correct for the timer?
OnCalendar=Mon *-*-* 15:00:00
Correct syntax for Monday at 3 PM.
OnCalendar=weekly Monday 15:00
Why wrong: Invalid format for OnCalendar.
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/script.sh
Why wrong: This belongs in the service unit, not timer.
OnCalendar=daily 15:00
Why wrong: Runs daily, not just Mondays.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
OnCalendar=Mon *-*-* 15:00:00
Option A is correct because systemd timer units use the `OnCalendar=` directive with a calendar event format that follows `DayOfWeek Year-Month-Day Hour:Minute:Second`. The pattern `Mon *-*-* 15:00:00` specifies every Monday at 15:00:00, where the asterisks act as wildcards for any year, month, and day. This matches the requirement to run a script every Monday at 3:00 PM.
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.
OnCalendar=Mon *-*-* 15:00:00
Why this is correct
Correct syntax for Monday at 3 PM.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
OnCalendar=weekly Monday 15:00
Why it's wrong here
Invalid format for OnCalendar.
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/script.sh
Why it's wrong here
This belongs in the service unit, not timer.
OnCalendar=daily 15:00
Why it's wrong here
Runs daily, not just Mondays.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the distinction between timer unit directives and service unit directives, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly think `ExecStart=` belongs in the timer file or confuse the `OnCalendar=` syntax with cron-style or human-readable formats like 'weekly Monday 15:00'.
Detailed technical explanation
Systemd timer units use the `OnCalendar=` directive with a format derived from the `systemd.time` man page, which supports expressions like `Mon *-*-* 15:00:00` where the day-of-week field is validated against locale-specific abbreviations. Under the hood, systemd parses this into a `usec` timestamp using the `sd_event_add_time` API, and the timer fires at the next matching instant, handling edge cases like DST transitions by using monotonic time adjustments. In real-world scenarios, administrators often pair a timer unit with a service unit of the same base name (e.g., `script.timer` and `script.service`), where the service unit contains the `ExecStart=` directive.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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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: OnCalendar=Mon *-*-* 15:00:00 — Option A is correct because systemd timer units use the `OnCalendar=` directive with a calendar event format that follows `DayOfWeek Year-Month-Day Hour:Minute:Second`. The pattern `Mon *-*-* 15:00:00` specifies every Monday at 15:00:00, where the asterisks act as wildcards for any year, month, and day. This matches the requirement to run a script every Monday at 3:00 PM.
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 30, 2026
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