This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of implement advanced ansible 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.
An Ansible playbook includes a role that defines default variables in 'defaults/main.yml' and role variables in 'vars/main.yml'. A playbook sets the same variable in the play's 'vars' section. Which variable value takes precedence?
Role defaults
Why wrong: Role defaults have the lowest precedence.
Inventory group vars
Why wrong: Inventory group vars have lower precedence than play vars.
Role vars
Why wrong: Role vars are overridden by play vars.
Play vars
Play vars have higher precedence than role vars.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Play vars
In Ansible, variable precedence is hierarchical, and play vars (set directly in the play's `vars` section) have a higher priority than role defaults and role vars. Specifically, play vars override role vars, which in turn override role defaults. Therefore, when the same variable is defined in all three locations, the play vars value takes precedence.
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.
Role defaults
Why it's wrong here
Role defaults have the lowest precedence.
Inventory group vars
Why it's wrong here
Inventory group vars have lower precedence than play vars.
Role vars
Why it's wrong here
Role vars are overridden by play vars.
Play vars
Why this is correct
Play vars have higher precedence than role vars.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Red Hat often tests the misconception that role vars override play vars because they are defined inside the role, but the actual precedence places play vars above role vars, so candidates must memorize the full variable precedence order to avoid this trap.
Detailed technical explanation
Ansible's variable precedence order (from lowest to highest) includes: role defaults, inventory vars, inventory group vars, inventory host vars, play vars, role vars, block vars, task vars, and extra vars. Play vars are set directly in the playbook's `vars` keyword and are evaluated after inventory sources but before role vars, making them a common choice for overriding role defaults or role vars without using extra vars. In real-world scenarios, this allows playbooks to enforce specific values (e.g., a target environment) while still leveraging reusable roles with sensible defaults.
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 EX294 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.
Implement advanced Ansible automation — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Implement advanced Ansible automation practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All EX294 questions
518 questions across all exam domains
Red Hat Certified Engineer EX294 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
EX294 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise EX294 questions linked to Deploy Ansible Automation Platform.
Practise EX294 questions linked to Manage inventories and credentials.
Practise EX294 questions linked to Manage task execution and roles.
Practise EX294 questions linked to Coordinate rolling updates.
Practise EX294 questions linked to Transform data with filters and plugins.
Practise EX294 questions linked to Create content collections and execution environments.
Practise EX294 questions linked to Implement advanced Ansible automation.
Practise EX294 questions linked to Manage automation security and operations.
Practise EX294 questions linked to EX294 fundamentals.
Practise EX294 questions linked to EX294 scenario.
Practise EX294 questions linked to EX294 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Implement advanced Ansible automation — This question tests Implement advanced Ansible automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Play vars — In Ansible, variable precedence is hierarchical, and play vars (set directly in the play's `vars` section) have a higher priority than role defaults and role vars. Specifically, play vars override role vars, which in turn override role defaults. Therefore, when the same variable is defined in all three locations, the play vars value takes precedence.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This EX294 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat 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 EX294 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.