- A
usermod -f 60 jdoe
Why wrong: This sets the number of days after password expiration until account is disabled.
- B
passwd -x 60 jdoe
Why wrong: This is a legacy method; chage is recommended.
- C
chage -m 60 jdoe
Why wrong: This sets minimum password age, not maximum.
- D
chage -M 60 jdoe
Sets maximum password age to 60 days.
Question 505 of 537
Set Password Expiration with chage
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of operate running systems. 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 security policy requires user passwords to expire 60 days after last change. Which command sets this for user 'jdoe'?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
✓
chage -M 60 jdoe
Option D is correct because the `chage -M 60 jdoe` command sets the maximum number of days a password is valid for user 'jdoe' to 60 days. The `-M` flag in `chage` directly controls the password expiration period, counting from the last password change, which matches the security policy requirement.
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.
- ✗
usermod -f 60 jdoe
Why it's wrong here
This sets the number of days after password expiration until account is disabled.
- ✗
passwd -x 60 jdoe
Why it's wrong here
This is a legacy method; chage is recommended.
- ✗
chage -m 60 jdoe
Why it's wrong here
This sets minimum password age, not maximum.
- ✓
chage -M 60 jdoe
Why this is correct
Sets maximum password age to 60 days.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" 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 confusing the `-m` and `-M` flags in `chage`, where candidates often mistakenly think `-m` sets the maximum age (expiration) when it actually sets the minimum days between changes, or they incorrectly recall `usermod -f` as the password expiration command.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `chage` command manages password aging by modifying the `/etc/shadow` file's fields: the `-M` flag updates the 5th field (maximum password age in days), while `-m` updates the 4th field (minimum days). Under the hood, the system uses these values to enforce password expiration at login via PAM modules like `pam_unix.so`, which checks the last change timestamp against the maximum age. In real-world scenarios, combining `-M 60` with `-W 7` (warning days) is common to notify users before expiration.
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.
- →
Operate running systems — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Operate running systems practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All EX200 questions
537 questions across all exam domains
- →
Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
EX200 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related EX200 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Operate running systems practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to Operate running systems.
Configure local storage practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to Configure local storage.
Create and configure file systems practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to Create and configure file systems.
Deploy, configure, and maintain systems practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to Deploy, configure, and maintain systems.
Manage users and groups practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage users and groups.
Manage security practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage security.
Manage containers practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage containers.
Create simple shell scripts practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to Create simple shell scripts.
Essential Tools practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to Essential Tools.
EX200 fundamentals practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 fundamentals.
EX200 scenario practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 scenario.
EX200 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free EX200 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Operate running systems — This question tests Operate running systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: chage -M 60 jdoe — Option D is correct because the `chage -M 60 jdoe` command sets the maximum number of days a password is valid for user 'jdoe' to 60 days. The `-M` flag in `chage` directly controls the password expiration period, counting from the last password change, which matches the security policy requirement.
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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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 →
Keep practising
More EX200 practice questions
- A system administrator needs to find all regular files larger than 10MB in /var/log. Which find command should they use?
- A user needs to view the last 15 lines of a log file that is constantly being updated. Which command should they use?
- Which TWO statements about systemd journal and rsyslog are correct?
- A system administrator needs to ensure that a web server running Apache httpd starts automatically after a system reboot…
- Refer to the exhibit. The administrator wants to create a single file system that spans the entire 20 GB disk /dev/sdb.…
- A system administrator needs to ensure that the user 'jdoe' cannot log in via SSH but can still use other services like…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
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.