The correct approach is to write a script that runs `chage -M 90` for each user in the finance group. This command directly sets the maximum password age to 90 days for existing users, which is essential because the `/etc/login.defs` file only applies password aging defaults to newly created accounts, not to users already on the system. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the `chage` command versus configuration files, and a common trap is assuming that modifying `login.defs` will retroactively affect current users. To enforce password aging for an entire group, you must combine `chage` with user enumeration from the group, typically via `getent group finance` or a loop with `members`. A helpful memory tip: think of `chage` as "change age" for individual accounts, while `login.defs` is only for the "defaults" of future logins.
EX200 Manage users and groups Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 server has a requirement that all users in the 'finance' group must have a password aging policy that forces password change every 90 days. Which approach best achieves this for existing users?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Write a script to run 'chage -M 90' for each user in the finance group
Option D is correct because `chage -M 90` sets the maximum password age for a specific user, and by scripting it to apply to all members of the 'finance' group, you directly enforce the 90-day policy on existing users. This approach works regardless of the default settings in `/etc/login.defs`, which only affect new users, and avoids the manual and error-prone editing of `/etc/shadow`.
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.
✗
Set PASS_MAX_DAYS 90 in /etc/login.defs
Why it's wrong here
This only affects new users created after the change, not existing users.
✗
Edit /etc/shadow and change the fifth field for all users
Why it's wrong here
Editing /etc/shadow manually is error-prone and not best practice; also it would affect all users, not just finance.
✗
Configure pam_pwquality.so to enforce password age
Why it's wrong here
pam_pwquality enforces password strength, not aging (max days).
✓
Write a script to run 'chage -M 90' for each user in the finance group
Why this is correct
This directly sets the maximum password age for each existing user in the group.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
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 often confuse `/etc/login.defs` as applying to all users (including existing ones), when in fact it only sets defaults for new user creation via `useradd`.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `chage` command modifies the `/etc/shadow` file's aging fields (specifically the 5th field, which stores `PASS_MAX_DAYS`) in a safe, atomic manner. Under the hood, the PAM module `pam_unix.so` reads these fields during authentication to determine if a password has expired, while `pam_pwquality.so` only validates the new password's strength. In a real-world scenario, a sysadmin would combine `getent group finance` with a loop to apply `chage -M 90` to each user, ensuring the policy is consistently applied without manual shadow file edits.
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.
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: Write a script to run 'chage -M 90' for each user in the finance group — Option D is correct because `chage -M 90` sets the maximum password age for a specific user, and by scripting it to apply to all members of the 'finance' group, you directly enforce the 90-day policy on existing users. This approach works regardless of the default settings in `/etc/login.defs`, which only affect new users, and avoids the manual and error-prone editing of `/etc/shadow`.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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