- A
gpasswd -a jdoe project
Correct: adds user to the specified group.
- B
groupmod -A jdoe project
Why wrong: Incorrect: groupmod does not have an -A option; the correct syntax for groupmod is different.
- C
vigr to add jdoe to project group
Why wrong: Incorrect: vigr is for editing /etc/group manually, but is not a direct command to add a user; it is error-prone and not recommended for routine group membership changes.
- D
useradd -G project jdoe
Why wrong: Incorrect: useradd is for new users; using it on an existing user would require -M and is not the standard approach.
- E
usermod -aG project jdoe
Correct: appends user to supplementary group.
Question 296 of 537
EX200 Manage users and groups Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. 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 needs to ensure that the user 'jdoe' can read files in the shared directory /project/data which is owned by group 'project'. The user 'jdoe' is currently not a member of the 'project' group. Which TWO steps should the administrator take to add 'jdoe' to the 'project' group? (Choose two.)
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
✓
gpasswd -a jdoe project
Option A is correct because `gpasswd -a jdoe project` adds the user 'jdoe' to the 'project' group by appending the user to the group's member list in /etc/group. This command is specifically designed for group membership management and does not require the user to be logged out; the change takes effect on the next login.
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.
- ✓
gpasswd -a jdoe project
Why this is correct
Correct: adds user to the specified group.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
groupmod -A jdoe project
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: groupmod does not have an -A option; the correct syntax for groupmod is different.
- ✗
vigr to add jdoe to project group
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: vigr is for editing /etc/group manually, but is not a direct command to add a user; it is error-prone and not recommended for routine group membership changes.
- ✗
useradd -G project jdoe
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: useradd is for new users; using it on an existing user would require -M and is not the standard approach.
- ✓
usermod -aG project jdoe
Why this is correct
Correct: appends user to supplementary group.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
In Red Hat RHCSA exams, a common trap is confusing `usermod -G` (which overwrites all supplementary groups) with `usermod -aG` (which appends). Also, candidates may mistakenly think `useradd` modifies an existing user, but it is only for new users. The correct commands to add a user to an existing group are `usermod -aG` or `gpasswd -a`.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect: vigr is for editing /etc/group manually, but is not a direct command to add a user; it is error-prone and not recommended for routine group membership changes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `gpasswd` command manipulates /etc/group and /etc/gshadow to manage group members and administrators. When using `gpasswd -a`, the user is appended to the group's member list, and the change is immediately written to disk. The `usermod -aG` command (option E) also modifies /etc/group but requires the `-a` (append) flag to avoid removing the user from other supplementary groups; without `-a`, `usermod -G` replaces the user's supplementary group list entirely, which is a common pitfall.
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 EX200 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 EX200 question test?
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: gpasswd -a jdoe project — Option A is correct because `gpasswd -a jdoe project` adds the user 'jdoe' to the 'project' group by appending the user to the group's member list in /etc/group. This command is specifically designed for group membership management and does not require the user to be logged out; the change takes effect on the next login.
What should I do if I get this EX200 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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