This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage security. 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.
Which command sets the password maximum age for user 'bob' to 30 days?
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.
Why wrong: passwd -x also sets max days, but it is used less commonly; however the question expects one correct answer, and chage is more standard. This option is also technically correct but we need a single best answer. In an exam, both are valid but chage is the primary tool.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
chage -M 30 bob
The `chage -M 30 bob` command sets the maximum number of days a password is valid for user 'bob' to 30 days. The `-M` option in `chage` directly modifies the `PASS_MAX_DAYS` field in `/etc/shadow`, which controls password expiration. This is the standard Red Hat Enterprise Linux method for enforcing password aging policies.
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.
✓
chage -M 30 bob
Why this is correct
chage -M sets the maximum password age.
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.
✗
passwd -x 30 bob
Why it's wrong here
passwd -x also sets max days, but it is used less commonly; however the question expects one correct answer, and chage is more standard. This option is also technically correct but we need a single best answer. In an exam, both are valid but chage is the primary tool.
✗
usermod -e 30 bob
Why it's wrong here
usermod -e sets account expiry date, not password age.
✗
chage -W 30 bob
Why it's wrong here
chage -W sets warning days, not maximum age.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse `chage -M` (password max age) with `chage -W` (warning period) or `usermod -e` (account expiry), and may also mistakenly think `passwd` has a `-x` option for this purpose, when in fact `passwd` does not support `-x` on RHEL systems.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `chage` command modifies the `/etc/shadow` file, specifically the third field (last password change) and fifth field (maximum days) for a user. When `PASS_MAX_DAYS` is set to 30, the system calculates the expiration date as last_change + 30, and the user must change their password before that date or risk account lockout. In a real-world scenario, compliance frameworks like PCI-DSS often require password maximum ages of 90 days or fewer, making `chage -M` a critical tool for auditors.
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 security — This question tests Manage security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: chage -M 30 bob — The `chage -M 30 bob` command sets the maximum number of days a password is valid for user 'bob' to 30 days. The `-M` option in `chage` directly modifies the `PASS_MAX_DAYS` field in `/etc/shadow`, which controls password expiration. This is the standard Red Hat Enterprise Linux method for enforcing password aging policies.
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.
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Question Discussion
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