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Red Hat exam day

The RHCSA is a fully hands-on exam. There are no multiple-choice questions: you are given a set of systems and a list of tasks, and you are graded on the final state of those systems.

Covers: RHCSA EX200 (RHEL 10)

How scoring works

RHCSA is scored out of 300 points, and the passing score is 210.
Grading is done after the exam by checking the systems. What matters is the configuration you leave behind, and that it survives a reboot.
You receive a results email, usually within a few business days, showing your score and performance by objective area.

What the exam looks like

You work in a real Red Hat Enterprise Linux environment, usually on virtual machines, completing tasks such as managing users and permissions, storage and LVM, networking, services, SELinux, containers and scheduled jobs.
There is no internet access. The documentation installed on the system, such as man pages, --help output and files under /usr/share/doc, is available and worth practising with.
Tasks can depend on each other. If you break networking or the ability to log in, later tasks may become impossible, so be careful with changes that could lock you out.
Some tasks include resetting access or fixing a system that does not boot cleanly. Practise these under time pressure before the exam.

Time and pacing

Read the whole task list first and do the tasks you are sure of quickly. Leave the fiddly ones for later.
After finishing several tasks, reboot and check that everything still works: mounts come up, services start, SELinux contexts and firewall rules persist.
Leave time at the end for a final reboot and verification. Many failures come from changes that worked live but were not made persistent.

Test center vs remote

Red Hat exams can be taken remotely on your own computer, booted from a special live USB image that Red Hat provides, or at an approved testing location. Check the current options when you book.
Remote exams have specific hardware requirements, and you need an external webcam as well as a room check. Run the compatibility check well in advance.
Follow the proctor's instructions on breaks. Check the current rules in your confirmation.

Booking, retakes and next steps

Exams are booked through Red Hat, often bundled with training or a subscription that includes a retake. Check what your purchase includes.
RHCSA is current for three years. You keep it current by passing a newer RHCSA exam or earning further Red Hat certifications, such as RHCE, within that time.
RHCSA is the prerequisite for RHCE, which focuses on automation with Ansible.

Policies change. Check the vendor's candidate handbook and your booking confirmation for the current rules.