- A
The cron job line uses absolute path to the script but the script requires an environment variable that is not set in cron's minimal environment.
Cron runs with a sparse environment. The script may depend on variables like PATH or custom variables that are not exported.
- B
The script is not executable by the root user.
Why wrong: The permissions 755 give execute permission to the owner (root), so this is not the issue.
- C
The cron daemon is not running.
Why wrong: If the cron daemon were not running, no cron jobs would run, but the administrator would likely see errors or no logs. The manual execution success suggests the daemon is running.
- D
The /etc/crontab file does not allow running scripts from /root.
Why wrong: There is no such restriction; crontab can run scripts from any location as long as permissions allow.
EX200 Essential Tools Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of essential tools. 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 system administrator is troubleshooting a cron job that runs a script as root. The script is located at /root/scripts/backup.sh and has permissions 755. The cron job is defined in /etc/crontab with the line: 0 2 * * * root /root/scripts/backup.sh. However, the script does not run at the scheduled time. The administrator checks the cron logs and finds no errors. The administrator then runs the script manually as root and it executes successfully. What is the most likely cause of the cron job not running?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 cron job line uses absolute path to the script but the script requires an environment variable that is not set in cron's minimal environment.
Option A is correct because cron jobs run with a minimal environment, typically lacking user-specific environment variables like PATH, HOME, or custom variables set in shell startup files. The script at /root/scripts/backup.sh may rely on an environment variable (e.g., a database password or directory path) that is defined in root's interactive shell but not in cron's environment. When run manually as root, the variable is available, but cron does not source /root/.bashrc or /root/.bash_profile, causing the script to fail silently or not execute as expected.
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 cron job line uses absolute path to the script but the script requires an environment variable that is not set in cron's minimal environment.
Why this is correct
Cron runs with a sparse environment. The script may depend on variables like PATH or custom variables that are not exported.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The script is not executable by the root user.
Why it's wrong here
The permissions 755 give execute permission to the owner (root), so this is not the issue.
- ✗
The cron daemon is not running.
Why it's wrong here
If the cron daemon were not running, no cron jobs would run, but the administrator would likely see errors or no logs. The manual execution success suggests the daemon is running.
- ✗
The /etc/crontab file does not allow running scripts from /root.
Why it's wrong here
There is no such restriction; crontab can run scripts from any location as long as permissions allow.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the misconception that file permissions or cron daemon status are the primary causes of cron job failures, when in reality the minimal cron environment and missing environment variables are the subtle but frequent issue.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cron jobs execute in a non-interactive, non-login shell with a sparse environment, often only setting a few variables like HOME, LOGNAME, and SHELL (usually /bin/sh). To ensure scripts run correctly, administrators should either set required environment variables directly in the crontab file (e.g., VAR=value before the job line) or source a profile script within the job command. This is a common pitfall when scripts depend on variables defined in /etc/profile, ~/.bash_profile, or ~/.bashrc, which are not sourced by cron.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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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Essential Tools — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Essential Tools — This question tests Essential Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The cron job line uses absolute path to the script but the script requires an environment variable that is not set in cron's minimal environment. — Option A is correct because cron jobs run with a minimal environment, typically lacking user-specific environment variables like PATH, HOME, or custom variables set in shell startup files. The script at /root/scripts/backup.sh may rely on an environment variable (e.g., a database password or directory path) that is defined in root's interactive shell but not in cron's environment. When run manually as root, the variable is available, but cron does not source /root/.bashrc or /root/.bash_profile, causing the script to fail silently or not execute as expected.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This EX200 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 EX200 exam.
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