All certifications / Compare / Linux+ vs RHCSA
Linux+ vs RHCSA: which should you take?
Which first?
Either order works. Linux+ is a good structured start; RHCSA proves you can do the work, so many people take it once they are comfortable at the command line.
Who each one is for
Linux+ (XK0-006): People who want to prove Linux administration knowledge across distributions.
RHCSA (EX200 (RHEL 10)): Administrators who work with Red Hat or similar distributions and want the most practical, respected Linux credential.
Key differences
- The RHCSA exam is entirely practical: you configure a real system and are graded on the result. Linux+ uses multiple-choice and performance-based questions.
- RHCSA uses Red Hat tools such as dnf, firewalld and SELinux; Linux+ covers several distributions' tools.
- The practice VMs on this site cover skills both exams test: users, permissions, systemd, storage and firewalls.
Side by side
| Item | Linux+ | RHCSA |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | CompTIA | Red Hat |
| Exam | XK0-006 | EX200 (RHEL 10) |
| Questions | Up to 90 (multiple choice and performance-based) | Performance-based: about 15–20 hands-on tasks on live RHEL 10 systems (count not published) |
| Time | 90 minutes | 180 minutes |
| To pass | 720 on a 100–900 scale | 210 of 300 points (70%) |
| Free study plan here | – | – |
| Career tracks | System Administrator | System Administrator |
Exam domains
Linux+ (XK0-006)
- System management 23%
- Services and user management 20%
- Security 18%
- Automation, orchestration, and scripting 17%
- Troubleshooting 22%
RHCSA (EX200 (RHEL 10))
- Understand and use essential tools 12%
- Manage software 7%
- Create simple shell scripts 7%
- Operate running systems 12%
- Configure local storage 12%
- Create and configure file systems 10%
- Deploy, configure and maintain systems 10%
- Manage basic networking 8%
- Manage users and groups 8%
- Manage security 14%
Exam details come from each vendor's published objectives as recorded in the study plans; confirm them on the vendor's page before you book.
Study either one for free
Week-by-week lessons, quizzes, exam simulations and hands-on labs.
Linux+ plan RHCSA planWeek-by-week lessons, quizzes, exam simulations and hands-on labs.