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Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294)
This exam is for experienced Linux administrators seeking to validate their ability to automate system administration tasks. Passing this exam earns the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification, a core credential for automation specialists.
About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294) questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by Red Hat. Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
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Try 3 real Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294) questions
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Q1. In a default Ansible installation on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system, where is the primary, system-wide inventory file located?
A. /etc/ansible/inventory
B. /etc/ansible/hosts
C. ~/.ansible/hosts
D. /var/lib/ansible/hosts
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. /etc/ansible/hosts
The default system-wide inventory file is located at /etc/ansible/hosts, which is used to define the managed nodes Ansible can connect to.
Q2. Ansible searches for its configuration file, `ansible.cfg`, in several locations. Which of the following has the highest precedence?
A. The `ansible.cfg` file in `/etc/ansible/`
B. The `ansible.cfg` file in the user's home directory (`~/.ansible.cfg`)
C. The path specified by the `ANSIBLE_CONFIG` environment variable
D. The `ansible.cfg` file in the current working directory
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. The path specified by the `ANSIBLE_CONFIG` environment variable
The `ANSIBLE_CONFIG` environment variable always takes the highest precedence, allowing a user to explicitly override all other configuration file locations.
Q3. What is the purpose of running `ansible-playbook my_playbook.yml --check`?
A. It validates the YAML syntax of the playbook without connecting to hosts.
B. It executes the playbook but pauses for confirmation before each task.
C. It connects to hosts and reports what changes would be made, without actually making them.
D. It runs the playbook only on the hosts that are currently reachable.
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. It connects to hosts and reports what changes would be made, without actually making them.
The `--check` flag (or `-C`) enables 'dry run' mode. Ansible connects to the hosts and simulates the execution, reporting potential changes without modifying the target systems.
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Who has to sit the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294)
Who needs a Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294)?
Experienced Red Hat Enterprise Linux system administrators and IT professionals with RHCSA seeking to validate Ansible automation skills.
The real Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294): format
How many questions are in the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294)?
The real Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294) has 15 questions and lasts 240 minutes. Our mock uses 18 questions in 240 minutes.
What is the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294) pass mark?
Real exam pass mark: 210 out of 300 (70%). Our mock marks you at 13 out of 18, the threshold we mark against.
What it costs, and what a resit costs
How much does the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294) cost?
Real exam fee: £400-£500 (excl. VAT). Rebooking after a fail: After first exam results are reported.
How hard is it
How hard is the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294)?
Difficulty: Advanced, performance-based, hands-on exam requiring comprehensive understanding and practical application of Ansible automation skills.
Why people fail it
Why do people fail the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294)?
Slow typing/typos and inefficient use of Ansible documentation.
Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294): common questions
Frequently asked
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 240 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with Red Hat.