Red Hat EX200 Exam Guide

What is Red Hat EX200?

The Red Hat EX200 is the official exam for earning the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) credential. It is a hands-on, performance-based exam that tests practical skills in Linux administration rather than multiple-choice questions. Candidates must complete real-world tasks on a live Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) system, proving their ability to manage, configure, and troubleshoot Linux environments effectively.

The exam typically runs on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (latest version), focusing on core system administration tasks that are essential for IT professionals working in enterprise environments.

Who Should Take This Exam?

The EX200 exam is designed for:

• Junior system administrators looking to validate foundational Linux skills.
• IT professionals who want to move into Linux-based infrastructure roles.
• DevOps engineers, cloud administrators, and support engineers who need Linux administration knowledge.
• Students or career changers aiming to enter system administration with a recognized credential.

Typical candidates include:

• Job roles: Linux Administrator, Junior DevOps Engineer, Cloud Support Engineer, IT Support Specialist.
• Experience level: 1–2 years of Linux exposure, either in academic, lab, or work environments.

Prerequisites and Recommendations

Official Prerequisites

• None. Red Hat does not require prior certifications to attempt EX200.

Practical Recommendations

• Knowledge of basic Linux commands and navigation.
• Experience (6–12 months) with Red Hat Enterprise Linux or a similar distribution (CentOS, Fedora, Ubuntu).
• Prior Red Hat training such as RH124 (Red Hat System Administration I) and RH134 (System Administration II) is strongly recommended.
• Familiarity with virtualization or cloud environments (e.g., AWS, VMware, KVM) is helpful but not mandatory.

Exam Objectives and Domains

The EX200 exam covers system administration essentials. Key domains include:

• Essential Tools – Accessing command line, managing files, using text editors.
• Operating Running Systems – Booting, shutting down, process management.
• Configuring Local Storage – Partitions, volumes, file systems.
• Creating and Configuring File Systems – Mounts, permissions, access control.
• Deploying and Managing Systems – Software installation and services.
• Managing Users and Groups – User accounts, sudo, security basics.
• Security and Networking – Firewalls, SELinux, networking services.
• Containers – Podman basics and container management (newer versions).

Objective Details by Domain

Essential Tools

• Access a shell prompt and execute commands.
• Use input/output redirection (>, >>, |, etc.).
• Archive, compress, unpack, and uncompress files.
• Create and edit text files using vim or nano.

Operating Running Systems

• Boot, reboot, and shut down systems safely.
• Manage system services with systemctl.
• Identify and manage processes.
• Configure logging and analyze log files.

Configuring Local Storage

• Partition storage devices.
• Create, list, and delete logical volumes (LVM).
• Configure swap space.
• Manage persistent mounts.

Creating and Configuring File Systems

• Create, mount, unmount, and extend file systems.
• Set access permissions and ownership.
• Configure ACLs (Access Control Lists).
• Enforce quotas for users and groups.

Deploying and Managing Systems

• Install and update software packages using dnf.
• Enable and disable repositories.
• Configure services to start at boot.

Managing Users and Groups

• Create, modify, and delete local users and groups.
• Configure password aging policies.
• Assign sudo privileges.

Security and Networking

• Configure basic IPv4/IPv6 networking.
• Start, stop, and configure network services.
• Set up firewall rules with firewalld.
• Configure and troubleshoot SELinux.

Containers (Newer versions, RHEL 8/9)

• Manage containers with Podman.
• Run, list, and stop containers.
• Work with container images.

What Changed in This Version

• Containers with Podman were added, replacing Docker (RHEL 8 onwards).
• Expanded coverage of firewalld and SELinux.
• De-emphasis on legacy tools (like iptables).
• Slightly more weight on storage and LVM management.
• Updated to align with RHEL 9 features and package management improvements.

Registration and Scheduling

• Register through the Red Hat website or authorized training partners.
• Exams can be scheduled as:
  • In-person (testing centers, Red Hat facilities).
  • Remote exam with live proctoring at home.

Pricing and Vouchers

• Typical exam cost: $400–$450 USD (varies by region).
• Regional pricing: Cheaper in Asia, higher in North America/Europe.
• Discounts available:
  • Student discounts.
  • Military/veteran discounts.
  • Enterprise vouchers (for companies purchasing bulk certifications).

Policies You Should Know

• Reschedule up to 24 hours before the exam.
• No open book – external resources are not allowed.
• One retake policy – some vouchers include a free retake.
• Strict ID verification is required.

Scoring and Results

• Scoring scale: 0–300 points.
• Passing score: 210 (70%).
• Partial credit is awarded (tasks are graded individually).
• Result delivery: Emailed within 3 U.S. business days.
• Score report: Lists domains with pass/fail indicators (but not detailed breakdowns).

Exam Day and Test Experience

• On-site exam: Check-in at test center, valid ID required, secure environment.
• Remote exam:
  • Webcam and mic required.
  • Clean desk policy (no external items allowed).
  • Technical check before exam.
• No breaks allowed unless specified by proctor.
• Interface: A live RHEL system, terminal-based tasks.
• Time management: 2.5 hours; complete easier tasks first, leave complex LVM/networking tasks for later.

Study Plan and Resources

Beginners (8–10 weeks)

• Weeks 1–2: Learn basic Linux commands, navigation, and file management.
• Weeks 3–4: Study storage (LVM, partitions), user management.
• Weeks 5–6: Practice networking, firewalld, SELinux.
• Weeks 7–8: Hands-on container practice with Podman.
• Final 2 weeks: Mock exams, review weak areas, focus on speed.

Experienced Candidates (3–4 weeks)

• Week 1: Refresh core commands, LVM, and storage.
• Week 2: Containers, firewalld, SELinux.
• Week 3: Do timed practice exams, simulate a 2.5-hour test.
• Week 4: Focus on troubleshooting and optimizing workflow.

Resources:

• Official Red Hat courses (RH124, RH134).
• Practice labs using VirtualBox/VMware with RHEL or CentOS Stream.
• Community forums, GitHub RHCSA practice repos, and Cert Mage dumps for exam-style practice.

If you’re serious about passing the Red Hat EX200 (RHCSA) exam on your first try, the right preparation materials make all the difference. 

One of the most trusted resources candidates use is CertEmpire, which provides updated and reliable EX200 exam dumps to help you practice with real exam-style questions. Pairing hands-on labs with these practice dumps gives you the confidence and speed you need on exam day.

Certification Validity and Renewal

• Validity: 3 years.
• Renewal options:
  • Retake the EX200 exam.
  • Earn a higher-level certification (e.g., RHCE).
  • Complete Red Hat training courses and certification tracks.

Career Outcomes

• Job titles: Linux Administrator, IT Systems Engineer, Cloud Support Engineer, DevOps Associate.
• Industry use: Red Hat certifications are highly regarded in enterprises, government, and cloud providers.

Job Roles and Average Salaries for RHCSA (EX200) Certified Professionals

Related or Next-Step Certifications

• RHCE (EX294) – Red Hat Certified Engineer.
• RHCA (Red Hat Certified Architect) – advanced specialization.
• Cloud-focused certs: Red Hat OpenShift Administrator.
• Consider pairing with AWS or Azure Administrator certifications for hybrid cloud careers.

How This Exam Compares to Similar Certifications

• CompTIA Linux+: Broader Linux coverage but multiple-choice format; RHCSA is more practical.
• LPIC-1: Vendor-neutral but less hands-on; RHCSA is enterprise-focused with Red Hat.
• Difficulty: RHCSA is harder than Linux+ but slightly easier than RHCE.
• Audience: RHCSA is aimed at professionals who want practical, job-ready Linux administration skills.