RHCSA EX200 Exam Guide 2026: Complete Preparation Strategy

Key Facts: The EX200 exam costs approximately $450 (USD). Duration is 2.5 hours. It is a hands-on, performance-based exam — no multiple choice. You need a score of 210 out of 300 (70%) to pass. The certification is valid for 3 years.

Exam Tip: You will NOT have internet access during the exam. The man pages are your only documentation. Practice using man extensively — learn to quickly find what you need with man -k (keyword search) and navigate with /pattern search.

#!/bin/bash
# Example: Script that checks if a user exists
# This is the type of script expected on the EX200

USERNAME=$1

if id "$USERNAME" &> /dev/null; then
    echo "User $USERNAME exists"
    echo "UID: $(id -u $USERNAME)"
    echo "Groups: $(id -Gn $USERNAME)"
else
    echo "User $USERNAME does not exist"
    exit 1
fi

Critical Skill — Root Password Recovery: You must know how to reset the root password using rd.break. This is almost guaranteed to appear on the exam. Practice it until you can do it from memory: interrupt GRUB → append rd.break → mount -o remount,rw /sysroot → chroot /sysroot → passwd root → touch /.autorelabel → exit → exit.

Exam Tip: Always test your /etc/fstab entries before rebooting! Run mount -a to verify. A misconfigured fstab entry can prevent the system from booting — and that means failing the entire exam. Also remember: xfs cannot be shrunk, only extended.

# LVM workflow — memorize this sequence
# Step 1: Create physical volume
pvcreate /dev/sdb1

# Step 2: Create volume group
vgcreate vg_data /dev/sdb1

# Step 3: Create logical volume (500MB)
lvcreate -L 500M -n lv_data vg_data

# Step 4: Create filesystem
mkfs.xfs /dev/vg_data/lv_data

# Step 5: Create mount point and mount
mkdir /mnt/data
echo "/dev/vg_data/lv_data /mnt/data xfs defaults 0 0" >> /etc/fstab
mount -a

# Extend LV by 200MB
lvextend -L +200M /dev/vg_data/lv_data
xfs_growfs /mnt/data

# Configure static IP with nmcli
nmcli con mod "System eth0" ipv4.addresses 192.168.1.100/24
nmcli con mod "System eth0" ipv4.gateway 192.168.1.1
nmcli con mod "System eth0" ipv4.dns "8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4"
nmcli con mod "System eth0" ipv4.method manual
nmcli con up "System eth0"

# Configure hostname
hostnamectl set-hostname server1.example.com

# Configure firewall
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=8080/tcp
firewall-cmd --reload

Warning: Never disable SELinux on the exam! If a service doesn't work, don't switch to permissive mode as a workaround. The exam expects you to properly troubleshoot and fix SELinux issues — context labels, booleans, and port labels. Disabling SELinux will cost you points.

# Podman container management (rootless)
podman search httpd
podman pull registry.access.redhat.com/ubi9/httpd-24
podman run -d --name web -p 8080:8080 httpd-24
podman ps
podman logs web

# Create systemd unit for container auto-start
podman generate systemd --name web --files --new
mkdir -p ~/.config/systemd/user/
mv container-web.service ~/.config/systemd/user/
systemctl --user daemon-reload
systemctl --user enable --now container-web.service
loginctl enable-linger $USER

1. Read every task twice — Misreading a task is the #1 reason people fail. Pay attention to exact specifications: user names, mount points, sizes, services.

2. Do easy tasks first — Skim all tasks, do the ones you know immediately. Build confidence and bank points before tackling harder tasks.

3. Verify everything — After completing each task, verify it works. mount -a after fstab changes. systemctl status after service changes. reboot and check persistence if time allows.

4. Use man pages — Don't waste time trying to remember exact syntax. man nmcli-examples, man semanage-port, and man 5 fstab are extremely helpful.

5. Don't panic on difficult tasks — If a task seems impossible, skip it and come back later. Partial credit is possible on some tasks.

6. Time management — You have 150 minutes. Aim to complete 80% of tasks in 100 minutes, leaving 50 minutes for review and difficult tasks.

7. Check reboot persistence — The system will be rebooted before grading. If your fstab, services, or firewall rules don't persist, you get zero points for those tasks.

8. Don't break the system — A misconfigured /etc/fstab can prevent boot. Always run mount -a before rebooting. If the system can't boot, you fail all remaining tasks.

Essential Books for RHCSA Preparation:

• RHCSA EX200 Exam Prep 2026 — €12.90
• RHCSA EX200 Bonus Practice Book — €12.90
• Linux System Administration Masterclass — €16.90
• Linux Administration Fundamentals — €9.90
• Linux System Hardening — €13.90
• SELinux & AppArmor Guide — €16.90
• Bash Mastery 2026 — €14.90
• Linux System Administration for Beginners — €10.90
• Introduction to Linux Shell Scripting — €9.90
• Linux System Administration Handbook — €13.90

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The RHCSA EX200 is the single best Linux certification you can get. It proves to employers that you can actually do the work — not just answer questions about it. The performance-based format means there is no shortcut: you either have the skills or you don't.

Is it hard? Yes. The pass rate is estimated at 50-60%. But that's exactly why it carries so much weight. With proper preparation — 8 weeks of focused study, hands-on lab practice, and mock exams — you can absolutely pass it.

Start your preparation today. Our RHCSA EX200 Complete Exam Bundle gives you the study guide and practice book together at a 23% discount — everything you need to walk into the exam with confidence.

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