7.1. Exam Strategy and Time Management

Time Management (90 minutes, up to 90 questions)

• Pace: 1 minute per question. Flag uncertain questions and return.
• Performance-based questions: May take 3–5 minutes each. Attempt them, don't skip.
• Scenario questions (~70% of exam): Read the scenario carefully. Identify what is being asked: the command, the tool, the option, or the concept.
• Eliminate: Narrow to 2 options, then use first principles to decide.

Pre-Exam Checklist

• Practiced on both RHEL-family and Debian-family distros
• Can navigate vi/vim (insert, save, quit, search)
• Memorized octal permission values (7=rwx, 6=rw-, 5=r-x, 4=r--)
• Know the boot sequence: Firmware → GRUB → kernel → initramfs → systemd
• Know the storage stack: disk → partition → LVM → filesystem → mount
• Know OSI troubleshooting order: link → IP → routing → DNS → firewall → app
• Understand the systemctl enable vs start distinction
• Can read and write basic cron expressions
• Know firewalld runtime vs permanent rule distinction
• Understand SELinux modes and the restorecon workflow
• Know the difference between Docker and Podman architectures
• Can interpret vmstat and iostat output