LFCS Certification Overview

Welcome to your interactive guide for the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) exam. This dashboard is designed to help you navigate the core concepts, compare essential commands, and build a successful study plan. Start here to get a high-level view of the exam structure and its key domains.

Exam Format

Online, proctored, performance-based CLI

Duration & Cost

2 Hours / $445 USD

Validity

2 Years (with 1 free retake)

Exam Domain Weightings

Exam Domains In-Depth

The LFCS exam is broken down into five core domains, each testing a critical area of Linux system administration. This section provides a detailed look at the official competencies for each domain. Click on a domain title to expand its contents and see the specific skills you'll need to master.

Distribution-Agnostic Cheatsheet

Success on the LFCS exam requires fluency in both Debian-based (like Ubuntu) and RHEL-based (like Rocky Linux) systems. This interactive cheatsheet helps you translate common tasks between the two major Linux families. Use the search bar to quickly filter for the command you need.

Task Debian / Ubuntu RHEL / Rocky / CentOS

Curated Study Resources

Building a solid study plan requires leveraging the right resources. This section provides a curated list of high-quality courses, official documentation, and community guides to support your learning. These resources are recommended by past candidates and cover all the necessary topics for the exam.

Hands-On Practice Labs

Theoretical knowledge is not enough to pass the LFCS; you must have practical, hands-on skills. This section provides key information on setting up your own lab, making the most of the Killer.sh simulator, and provides a set of practice scenarios. Use the interactive checklists to track your progress through each lab.

Your Most Important Tool: Killer.sh

Your exam purchase includes two attempts at the Killer.sh simulator. It is intentionally harder than the real exam. Use it as a diagnostic tool, not a pass/fail test.

  • Attempt 1 (Diagnostic): 1-2 weeks before the exam. Identify your weak areas.
  • Attempt 2 (Confidence): 2-3 days before the exam. Reinforce skills and build speed.

Exam Day Strategy

Technical knowledge combined with a solid exam strategy is the key to passing. This section contains crucial advice synthesized from successful candidates. Internalize these tips to manage your time effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and approach the exam with confidence.

Do ✅

  • Manage Time: Tackle easy questions first to bank points.
  • Check Your Host: Always verify you're on the correct machine for each task.
  • Use `man` & `apropos`: Practice finding help offline, quickly.
  • Work in Silence: Get used to the proctoring environment rules.

Don't ❌

  • Don't Get Stuck: If a question is too hard, flag it and move on.
  • Don't Panic on Killer.sh: It's supposed to be harder than the real exam.
  • Don't Neglect Fundamentals: Easy questions are still worth points.
  • Don't Forget the Retake: You have a safety net if the first attempt fails.