This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. 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 TWO commands can be used to create a new user account in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8?
adduser
adduser is a symbolic link to useradd on RHEL and also creates users.
groupadd
Why wrong: groupadd creates groups, not users.
usermod
Why wrong: usermod modifies existing user accounts, it does not create them.
passwd
Why wrong: passwd sets or changes user passwords, not create users.
useradd
useradd is the primary command to create a new user.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
adduser
Both `adduser` and `useradd` are commands that create a new user account in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8. `adduser` is a symbolic link to `useradd` in RHEL 8, so they perform the same function. The `useradd` command creates a new user with default settings from `/etc/default/useradd` and `/etc/login.defs`, while `adduser` behaves identically.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
adduser
Why this is correct
adduser is a symbolic link to useradd on RHEL and also creates users.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
groupadd
Why it's wrong here
groupadd creates groups, not users.
usermod
Why it's wrong here
usermod modifies existing user accounts, it does not create them.
passwd
Why it's wrong here
passwd sets or changes user passwords, not create users.
useradd
Why this is correct
useradd is the primary command to create a new user.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may think `adduser` is a separate, interactive command (as in Debian-based systems), but in RHEL 8 it is identical to `useradd`, and `passwd` or `groupadd` are often mistakenly chosen for user creation.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, `useradd` updates system files such as `/etc/passwd`, `/etc/shadow`, `/etc/group`, and `/etc/gshadow`, and optionally creates a home directory with skeleton files from `/etc/skel`. In RHEL 8, `adduser` is a hard link to `useradd` (not a script), ensuring identical behavior. A real-world scenario: using `useradd -m -s /bin/bash username` creates a user with a home directory and bash shell, which is common for granting interactive access.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Manage users and groups — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Manage users and groups practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All EX200 questions
527 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
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Operate running systems.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Configure local storage.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Create and configure file systems.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Deploy, configure, and maintain systems.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage users and groups.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage security.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage containers.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Create simple shell scripts.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Essential Tools.
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 fundamentals.
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 scenario.
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: adduser — Both `adduser` and `useradd` are commands that create a new user account in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8. `adduser` is a symbolic link to `useradd` in RHEL 8, so they perform the same function. The `useradd` command creates a new user with default settings from `/etc/default/useradd` and `/etc/login.defs`, while `adduser` behaves identically.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.