- A
The user is locked due to expired password
Why wrong: Password expiration prevents login only if PAM is configured, but the shell is the immediate issue.
- B
The home directory does not exist
Why wrong: While missing home directory can cause issues, it does not prevent login entirely; the shell is the key.
- C
The user is not in any supplementary groups
Why wrong: Group membership does not affect login ability.
- D
The user's shell is set to /sbin/nologin which prevents login
/sbin/nologin shell disables login.
Question 115 of 537
If a User's Shell Is /sbin/nologin, They Cannot Log In Interactively
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user reports they cannot log in to a Linux system. Their account was recently created. The administrator checks /etc/passwd and sees the entry: jsmith:x:1001:1001::/home/jsmith:/sbin/nologin. What is the likely issue?
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
✓
The user's shell is set to /sbin/nologin which prevents login
The user's shell is set to /sbin/nologin, which is a shell that displays a message and exits immediately, preventing interactive login. This is the direct cause of the login failure, as the system uses the shell field in /etc/passwd to determine the login program.
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.
- ✗
The user is locked due to expired password
Why it's wrong here
Password expiration prevents login only if PAM is configured, but the shell is the immediate issue.
- ✗
The home directory does not exist
Why it's wrong here
While missing home directory can cause issues, it does not prevent login entirely; the shell is the key.
- ✗
The user is not in any supplementary groups
Why it's wrong here
Group membership does not affect login ability.
- ✓
The user's shell is set to /sbin/nologin which prevents login
Why this is correct
/sbin/nologin shell disables login.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the shell field with account lockout mechanisms (like using 'passwd -l' or setting the password expiration) or assume that a missing home directory is the cause. In Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the shell field in /etc/passwd directly controls whether an interactive login is allowed; /sbin/nologin explicitly denies login.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The /sbin/nologin shell is a standard system shell that returns exit code 1 and prints a message like 'This account is currently not available.' It is commonly used for system accounts (e.g., daemon, sshd) that should not allow interactive logins. Administrators can also use /usr/sbin/nologin or /bin/false to achieve similar effects, but /sbin/nologin provides a user-friendly message instead of silent failure.
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: The user's shell is set to /sbin/nologin which prevents login — The user's shell is set to /sbin/nologin, which is a shell that displays a message and exits immediately, preventing interactive login. This is the direct cause of the login failure, as the system uses the shell field in /etc/passwd to determine the login program.
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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