In short: RHCSA is not a multiple-choice exam. You get a real Red Hat Enterprise Linux system and a list of tasks, and you pass only if the system is configured correctly at the end. Practice on a real system is the only way to prepare.
RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator) is one of the most respected Linux certifications, and the first step towards RHCE, OpenShift and many DevOps roles.
How the exam works
- It is performance-based: you complete real administration tasks on live systems.
- Tasks are checked by inspecting the final state of the system, often after a reboot. A setting that does not survive a reboot does not count.
- You have no internet access, but the system's own documentation (man pages and docs) is available.
Check Red Hat's EX200 page for the current duration, delivery options and the RHEL version the exam is based on.
Skill areas tested
Red Hat publishes the objectives for each RHEL version. They cover areas such as:
| Area | Examples of tasks |
|---|---|
| Essential tools | Shell, redirection, grep, archives, file permissions, documentation |
| Shell scripts | Simple scripts with conditions and loops |
| Operating running systems | Boot targets, processes, logs, tuning, resetting the root password |
| Local storage | Partitions, LVM, swap |
| File systems | Create, mount and mount persistently; NFS and autofs |
| Deploy and maintain systems | Software repositories, packages, scheduled jobs, time services |
| Networking | IP configuration, hostname resolution, firewall |
| Users and groups | Accounts, password policies, sudo |
| Security | Permissions, SELinux modes, contexts and booleans, SSH keys |
Always check the current objective list on Red Hat's site, because it changes with RHEL releases.
The mistakes that cost the most
- Forgetting persistence. Mounting a file system without adding it to
/etc/fstab, or starting a service without enabling it. - Breaking the boot. A typo in
/etc/fstabcan stop the system booting. Test withmount -abefore you reboot. - Ignoring SELinux. If a service cannot read its files, check contexts and booleans instead of disabling SELinux.
- Running out of time. Do quick tasks first and come back to long ones.
A 10-week preparation plan
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Shell, files, permissions, users and groups |
| 3–4 | Storage: partitions, LVM, file systems, swap, NFS, autofs |
| 5 | Boot process, targets, root password reset, logs |
| 6 | Software, repositories, scheduled jobs, time |
| 7 | Networking and firewall |
| 8 | SELinux and SSH |
| 9 | Shell scripts and full practice runs |
| 10 | Timed mock exams: reboot and verify after every attempt |
Check your knowledge
The free Red Hat practice test checks the concepts behind the tasks. For the hands-on part, practice in a lab.
Learn it with real labs
The RHCSA course at INFOTICS is taught on real Linux systems with exam-style tasks every week. After RHCSA, continue with RHCE (Ansible) or OpenShift.
Frequently asked questions
Is RHCSA hard?
It is practical rather than theoretical. People who practice every task several times on a real system usually pass; people who only watch videos often fail.
Can I use Rocky Linux or AlmaLinux to practice?
Yes. They are compatible with RHEL and work well for practice, although the exam itself runs on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Do I need RHCSA for DevOps?
Not strictly, but strong Linux skills are essential for DevOps, and RHCSA is a well-known proof of them.