Question 1

How many EX442 practice questions are there?

Accepted Answer

135 questions across 1 version, each with the correct answer and an explanation.

Question 2

Are there free EX442 sample questions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 12 sample questions are free; 6 are open to everyone and the rest unlock with a free account.

Question 3

What does full access include?

Accepted Answer

Every EX442 question in study, timed and flashcard modes, explanations for each answer, and progress that saves so you can resume.

Question 4

What topics does EX442 cover?

Accepted Answer

Use Utilities to Analyze System Behavior (20%), Monitor and Alter Kernel Behavior (15%), Analyze System and Application Performance (20%), Tune Running Systems (20%), Tune Memory Utilization (10%), Configure Disk and File Subsystems (10%), Tune Network Performance (5%).

Question 5

What is the Red Hat EX442 exam?

Accepted Answer

The Red Hat EX442 is a performance-based, hands-on certification exam that tests your ability to analyze, monitor, and tune the performance of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems using standard system tools. It is officially titled the Red Hat Certified Specialist in Performance Tuning exam. Unlike multiple-choice exams, EX442 requires candidates to perform actual tasks on live RHEL systems over a 4-hour period, with all configurations evaluated against objective criteria.

Question 6

How much does the EX442 exam cost and where can I take it?

Accepted Answer

The EX442 exam costs $500 USD. You can take it at Red Hat authorized testing centers via a kiosk-based delivery, or remotely via Pearson VUE online proctoring. Red Hat offers testing in numerous countries worldwide. You can register through the official Red Hat training page at redhat.com.

Question 7

What is the passing score for EX442?

Accepted Answer

The passing score for the EX442 exam is 210 out of 300, which is 70%. The total score range is 0 to 300. Results are typically reported within 3 U.S. business days. Red Hat provides only the total score and does not break down performance by individual items or objectives.

Question 8

What are the prerequisites for the EX442 exam?

Accepted Answer

Red Hat requires candidates to hold a Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) certification or have comparable work experience. RHCE certification is recommended for even better preparation. Red Hat also recommends taking the RH442 course (Red Hat Performance Tuning: Linux in Physical, Virtual, and Cloud) or having extensive hands-on experience with Linux performance tuning.

Question 9

How long is the EX442 exam and what is the format?

Accepted Answer

The EX442 exam is 4 hours long (240 minutes) and consists entirely of hands-on, performance-based tasks on live Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. There are no multiple-choice questions. Candidates must perform real system administration tasks such as configuring kernel parameters, selecting I/O schedulers, creating tuned profiles, setting up cgroups, and tuning network buffers. All changes must persist after a reboot.

Question 10

Does the EX442 count toward RHCA certification?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Passing the EX442 earns you the Red Hat Certified Specialist in Performance Tuning credential, which counts as one of the five specialist certifications required to become a Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA). To earn RHCA, you must first hold an RHCE and then pass five additional specialist or certificate-of-expertise level exams.

Question 11

How long is the EX442 certification valid?

Accepted Answer

The Red Hat Certified Specialist in Performance Tuning certification is valid for 3 years from the date you passed the exam. However, passing any Red Hat exam during that period will extend all of your current Red Hat certifications by 3 years from the date of the new exam.

Question 12

What tools and technologies should I know for the EX442?

Accepted Answer

Key tools and technologies tested on the EX442 include: system monitoring tools (vmstat, iostat, mpstat, sar, top, powertop), Performance Co-Pilot (PCP) with pmcd, pmlogger, pminfo, and pmval, hardware profiling (dmesg, dmidecode, sosreport), kernel tuning (sysctl, /proc/sys/, /sys/), application profiling (Valgrind, SystemTap, eBPF/BCC tools like syscount and gethostlatency), system tuning (nice, renice, chrt, tuned, cgroups v2), memory tuning (huge pages, THP), disk tuning (I/O schedulers:…

Question 13

What is the best way to prepare for the EX442 exam?

Accepted Answer

The best preparation is the official RH442 course (Red Hat Performance Tuning: Linux in Physical, Virtual, and Cloud), which is a 4-day instructor-led or virtual classroom course based on RHEL 8. In addition, extensive hands-on practice on a RHEL 8 environment is essential since this is a performance-based exam. Practice all exam objectives: use monitoring tools, configure kernel parameters persistently, set up tuned profiles, work with cgroups, configure I/O schedulers, calculate network BDP,…

Question 14

Can I retake the EX442 if I fail?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Red Hat provides one free retake if you are unsuccessful on your first attempt. After the free retake, additional attempts require purchasing a new exam voucher at full price ($500 USD). For more details on retake policies, refer to the official Red Hat training policies page.

EX442Red Hat Certified Specialist in Performance Tuning exam practice test

Full access

Practice EX442 in the simulator.

EX442, by the numbers.

Everything about EX442.

Exam information

What EX442 covers

How do I earn this certification?

How to study for this exam?

What's changed on this exam?

Who should take this exam?

Three ways to practise

Study mode

Timed mode

Flashcards

EX442 questions, answered

EX442Red Hat Certified Specialist in Performance Tuning exam practice test

Full access

Practice EX442 in the simulator.

EX442, by the numbers.

Everything about EX442.

Exam information

01Exam format240 min · 210 out of 300 (70%)4

02Registration$5004

03Validity3 years2

04In our question bankv1 (135)

What EX442 covers

01Use Utilities to Analyze System Behavior20%3 topics

1.1System performance monitoring utilitiesUse utilities such as vmstat, iostat, mpstat, sar, gnome-system-monitor, top, powertop, and others to analyze and report system and application behavior6 obj.

1.2Performance Co-Pilot (PCP)Use utilities such as Performance Co-Pilot (PCP) to analyze system behaviour2 obj.

1.3Hardware profiling utilitiesUse utilities such as dmesg, dmidecode, and sosreport to profile system hardware configurations2 obj.

Hands-on skills & common mistakesRun vmstat, iostat, mpstat, sar with appropriate flags and interpret output · Confusing vmstat memory columns (free vs. available)

02Monitor and Alter Kernel Behavior15%2 topics

03Analyze System and Application Performance20%5 topics

04Tune Running Systems20%3 topics

05Tune Memory Utilization10%1 topic

06Configure Disk and File Subsystems10%2 topics

07Tune Network Performance5%2 topics

How do I earn this certification?

01PrerequisitesEX200, EX2942

02Current levelEX4421

03Next level optionsRed Hat Certified Architect (RHCA)1

04Alternative pathsEX200, EX294, EX280 +36