The answer is that the service is configured with `Type=oneshot` or `simple`, and the script `/usr/local/bin/example.sh` exits immediately after completing its task. This is why `systemctl status` shows `active (exited)`—systemd reports the unit as active because the process ran and terminated cleanly, rather than remaining running as a daemon. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of oneshot service behavior and the difference between a service’s lifecycle and its process state. A common trap is assuming `active (exited)` indicates a failure, but it actually means the service completed its job successfully and then stopped. Remember the memory tip: “Oneshot runs, then stops—active (exited) means mission accomplished, not broken.”
EX200 Deploy, configure, and maintain systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of deploy, configure, and maintain systems. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
# cat /etc/systemd/system/example.service
[Unit]
Description=Example Service
After=network.target
[Service]
Type=simple
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/example.sh
Restart=on-failure
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
# systemctl daemon-reload
Refer to the exhibit. The service 'example.service' is created but fails to start. The administrator runs 'systemctl start example.service' and gets no output, but 'systemctl status example.service' shows 'active (exited)'. What is the most likely cause?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The script /usr/local/bin/example.sh exits immediately.
When a service unit is configured with `Type=oneshot` (or the default `Type=simple` with a script that exits quickly), systemd reports the service as `active (exited)` after the main process finishes. The administrator sees no error output because the command `systemctl start` succeeded in launching the process, but the process itself (the script `/usr/local/bin/example.sh`) exits immediately, which is expected behavior for a oneshot service. The service is considered 'active' because it ran and exited cleanly, not because it remains running.
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 script /usr/local/bin/example.sh exits immediately.
Why this is correct
Type=simple expects the main process to stay running.
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 Restart=on-failure directive is misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
It would restart on failure, but status shows exited.
✗
The network.target dependency is not met.
Why it's wrong here
network.target is usually met early.
✗
The administrator forgot to run systemctl daemon-reload after starting.
Why it's wrong here
daemon-reload is for unit file changes, not start.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the distinction between `active (running)` and `active (exited)` to catch candidates who assume a service must remain running to be considered active, when in fact `Type=oneshot` services are designed to exit and still be marked as active.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
It would restart on failure, but status shows exited.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, systemd tracks service state based on the `Type` directive: `Type=simple` assumes the main process forks and stays running, while `Type=oneshot` expects the process to exit after completing its task. If a script exits quickly under `Type=simple`, systemd may still report `active (exited)` because it considers the service active as long as the initial process has started, even if it exits immediately. In real-world scenarios, this often happens with legacy init scripts or misconfigured services that are intended to run as daemons but are written as one-shot tasks.
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.
Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — This question tests Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The script /usr/local/bin/example.sh exits immediately. — When a service unit is configured with `Type=oneshot` (or the default `Type=simple` with a script that exits quickly), systemd reports the service as `active (exited)` after the main process finishes. The administrator sees no error output because the command `systemctl start` succeeded in launching the process, but the process itself (the script `/usr/local/bin/example.sh`) exits immediately, which is expected behavior for a oneshot service. The service is considered 'active' because it ran and exited cleanly, not because it remains running.
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
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 →
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.
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.
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.