How to Pass the LFCS Exam: 2025 Edition

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Serious About Your Linux Career?

Launching your Linux career, the LFCS exam (Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator) is one of the best certifications to prove your skills. But how do you pass this performance-based test and stand out in the job market?

In this 2025 edition guide, you’ll get a complete strategy to prepare, practice, and pass the LFCS exam with confidence. Whether you’re new to Linux or sharpening your admin skills, this guide will help you map your study plan, avoid common mistakes, and hit the ground running.

What Is the LFCS Exam?

The Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) exam tests your ability to perform real-world tasks on a Linux system. This is a hands-on, performance-based exam with no multiple choice questions.

You’ll work on a live command-line server environment to prove your skills across topics like:

  • User and group management
  • Network configuration
  • File system management
  • Service and process control
  • Shell scripting basics

Main keyword: How to pass the LFCS exam

Related Keywords: Linux system administrator certification, LFCS study plan, Linux command line skills

LFCS Exam Overview (2025 Update)

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Format: Performance-based, live environment
  • Delivery: Online with proctor monitoring
  • Passing Score: 74%
  • Cost: $395 (includes one free retake)
  • Validity: 3 years

The exam is distribution-flexible. You can choose between Ubuntu, CentOS, or openSUSE.

🔗 Official LFCS Exam Page

Step-by-Step Plan to Pass the LFCS Exam

Step 1: Know What You Need to Learn

Download the official LFCS Domains & Competencies PDF. These are the exact areas you’ll be tested on.

The domains include:

  • Essential Commands
  • User and Group Management
  • Networking
  • Storage Management
  • Security
  • System Services

Step 2: Set a Study Timeline

Break down your study plan into weekly sprints:

  • Week 1-2: Linux shell, permissions, users and groups
  • Week 3-4: Networking and firewalls
  • Week 5: File systems, partitions, logical volume management (LVM)
  • Week 6: System services and troubleshooting
  • Week 7: Full-length practice exams
  • Week 8: Review weak spots + exam prep checklist

“Consistency beats cramming. 60–90 minutes a day can take you all the way.”

Step 3: Build a Practice Lab

You’ll need to work in a live environment to mimic the exam.

Options:

  • VirtualBox + Ubuntu Server ISO
  • VMware Workstation with CentOS or openSUSE
  • Free cloud instances (AWS free tier, GCP)
  • Katacoda or Codecademy CLI sandboxes

Make sure your setup lets you:

  • Create and delete users
  • Configure network interfaces
  • Set permissions and ownership
  • Start and stop services
  • Mount disks and manage file systems

Best Resources to Prepare for the LFCS Exam

🔹 Free Resources:

🔹 Paid Courses:

🔹 Books:

  • How Linux Works, 3rd Edition by Brian Ward
  • The Linux Command Line by William Shotts

🔹 GitHub Practice Repos:

Top 10 Tips to Pass the LFCS Exam

  1. Practice in a live CLI environment – avoid GUI tools
  2. Read the man pages – exam tasks won’t tell you how
  3. Don’t memorize—understand each command’s purpose
  4. Use aliases and keyboard shortcuts to save time
  5. Stick to one distro (the one you’ll use for the exam)
  6. Take notes as you study; they’ll be gold in your review week
  7. Time yourself doing sample tasks (10–15 minutes each)
  8. Double-check before submitting tasks in the exam
  9. Stay calm under pressure – you can flag and revisit tasks
  10. Use your free retake wisely – treat your first attempt as practice

LFCS Exam Day Checklist

  • ✅ Quiet, well-lit room
  • ✅ Wired internet (if possible)
  • ✅ Valid government ID
  • ✅ Webcam + microphone working
  • ✅ Disable auto-updates or popups
  • ✅ Familiar with PSI exam platform

Read: LF Candidate Handbook

 

Internal & External Links

Internal Links:

External Links:

Conclusion: You’ve Got This

Passing the LFCS exam isn’t just about memorizing commands—it’s about building real, usable Linux skills. With the right resources and a structured study plan, you can walk into the exam with confidence.

Start early, practice often, and stay focused. Your Linux certification journey starts here.

Call to Action:

🎯 Enroll in the official LFCS course today (Affiliate link)

 

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