CompTIA Linux+ exam-day guide
CompTIA Linux+ · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid government-issued photo ID
Bring at least one unexpired government-issued photo ID with signature. The name must match your registration exactly - if your registration name differs (nickname, maiden name, missing middle name), fix it with the provider before test day. Some providers require two forms of ID; confirm with the provider what your specific appointment requires.
Appointment confirmation / registration number
Have your exam appointment confirmation, registration ID, and the exam code (CompTIA Linux+ is XK0-005) available. For online proctoring, keep the email/link handy so you can launch the check-in process.
Account credentials for the testing platform
Know the username and password for your Pearson VUE (or provider) account. Password resets on test morning are a common cause of missed appointments.
A quiet, private room (online proctored only)
If testing remotely: private room, door closed, desk cleared of everything except permitted items, no second monitor, no notes, no phone within reach. You will typically be asked to do a room scan with the webcam.
Working webcam, microphone, and stable internet (online proctored only)
Run the provider's system test at least 24–48 hours ahead so you have time to fix audio, camera, or bandwidth problems. Wired internet is safer than Wi-Fi when available.
Confirm the scratch-material policy
Test centers commonly supply an erasable board or paper; online proctoring has its own rules about physical whiteboards versus an on-screen notepad. Confirm with the provider which is allowed for your delivery method before you rely on it.
Bag and personal items plan
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags generally must be stored away or left outside the testing room. Plan where they will go so you are not fumbling at check-in.
Travel and arrival plan
Know the test center address, parking, and door location. Aim to arrive well before your appointment slot - arriving late can mean forfeiting the seat and the fee. Confirm the provider's specific arrival/late-arrival window.
Command-syntax refresher sheet (to study, not to bring)
In the final days, drill the things you cannot look up during the exam: systemd unit management, firewall and SELinux modes, storage/LVM commands, permissions and ACLs, package management, and log/journal locations. Leave it at home on test day.
Time-budget plan memorized
The Linux+ exam is 90 minutes for a maximum of 90 questions, which averages roughly one minute per question. Decide in advance how long you will allow per performance-based question before moving on.
Water and a light snack for after
Eat normally beforehand; keep snacks for after the exam rather than relying on them mid-session, since break rules vary by delivery method.
A rest plan for the night before
Protect sleep over last-minute cramming. Fatigue costs more points than one extra hour of review gains.
Plan the day
Re-confirm your appointment date, time, delivery method (test center vs. online), and the test center address or online check-in instructions. Verify the name on your registration matches your ID exactly and correct it now if it does not.
If testing online, run the full system test (camera, mic, speakers, internet speed, browser) and do a dry run of the check-in flow so test morning is routine.
Stop learning new topics. Review your weak domains and re-read your own notes on command syntax, service management, and troubleshooting order-of-operations.
Practice performance-based tasks by hand in a lab: create and mount a filesystem, extend an LVM volume, fix a permissions/ownership problem, manage a systemd unit, adjust firewall rules, and change SELinux modes. Fluency with commands matters more than trivia recall.
Do one timed practice set end-to-end without pausing, to calibrate your per-question pace and practice flag-and-move-on behavior.
Light review only: your command cheat sheet, common config file locations, and a short list of mistakes you keep making. No new material, no marathon sessions.
Pack what you need: ID, appointment confirmation, confirmation of any approved accommodations, and directions or transit plan. Charge devices if testing online.
Confirm the provider's rules on breaks, permitted scratch materials, and what happens if you arrive late, so nothing surprises you at check-in. Confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Set two alarms, go to bed at a normal hour, and avoid heavy cramming. Sleep is worth more than one more practice test.
Eat a normal meal, dress comfortably, and leave with buffer time. Do not do heavy last-minute studying in the waiting area - a quick skim of your command list at most.
Present your ID, complete any signature/photo/room-scan steps, store personal items as instructed, and listen carefully to the proctor or on-screen instructions about allowed materials and behavior.
Read the instructions on the first performance-based question carefully before typing. If a task is taking far longer than your planned budget, capture partial progress if the interface allows, flag it, and move on.
Answer every question. There is no credit lost for a wrong answer on a standard multiple-choice item, so a reasoned guess beats a blank. Mark uncertain items for review if your delivery method permits returning to them.
If review is allowed, revisit flagged items and confirm no question is left unanswered. Otherwise, keep working steadily to the end rather than submitting early.
In most cases your result and scaled score are displayed or issued at the end of the session; confirm how and when your score will be delivered for your delivery method. If you did not pass, review the score report domains before scheduling a retake, and check the provider's retake waiting period.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with a signature, and make sure the name matches your registration exactly. If you have any doubt about which ID forms are accepted or whether a second ID is required, confirm with the provider before test day.
No notes, books, phones, smartwatches, earbuds, or other materials are permitted in the testing area. Store them as instructed; unauthorized items can void your score.
Breaks are limited and their rules differ between test-center and online-proctored delivery. Unscheduled breaks typically cost you exam time and may require re-verification on return - confirm the exact break policy with the provider in advance.
Treat the exam content as confidential. Do not reproduce, discuss, or share exam questions or performance-based scenarios with anyone; doing so violates the candidate agreement and can result in score invalidation or a ban.
Stay within proctor instructions at all times. For online delivery, remain in camera view, keep your face visible, and do not talk, read aloud, or leave the desk without permission - flagged behavior can lead to a revoked exam.
Scoring is on a scaled range with a passing score of 720 on the 100–900 scale for Linux+ (XK0-005). There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so never leave a question blank.
Time management is a rule, not a suggestion: the exam allows 90 minutes for a maximum of 90 questions. Do not let a single performance-based task consume a disproportionate share of the clock.
Report any technical problem or interruption to the proctor immediately so it is documented in the session record; unresolved issues raised after the fact are harder to remediate.