WGU D336 – LPI Linux Essentials 010-160 exam,
aligned with the latest LPI v1.6 objectives for 2026.
=======================================================
UNIVERSITY: Western Governors University (WGU)
COURSE: D336 – Linux Foundations / LPI Linux Essentials
EXAM CODE: LPI 010-160
EXAM TITLE: LPI Linux Essentials Certificate Exam – Version 1.6
TOTAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS: 150
=======================================================
Exam Overview
The LPI Linux Essentials 010-160 certification validates foundational knowledge of the Linux
operating system and open-source software. It is an entry-level certification ideal for individuals
with little or no prior Linux experience. The exam is administered by the Linux Professional
Institute (LPI) and consists of:
- 40 questions (multiple‑choice and fill‑in‑the‑blank)
- 60 minutes to complete
- Cost: Approximately $120 (free for WGU students)
- Passing score: 500 points out of a possible 800 (scaled)
- Lifetime validity: The certification does not expire
The exam is divided into seven topics, each with a specific weight (importance) in the exam.
Topics with higher weights appear more frequently among the 40 questions.
Exam Topics and Weights
| Topic | Title | Weight |
|:|:|::|
| 1 | The Linux Community and a Career in Open Source | 2 |
| 2 | Finding Your Way on a Linux System | 2 |
| 3 | The Power of the Command Line | 3 |
| 4 | The Linux Operating System | 2 |
| 5 | Security and File Permissions | 2 |
| 6 | Working with Files and Directories | 3 |
| 7 | Archiving and Compression | 2 |
,Topic 1: The Linux Community and a Career in Open Source (Weight: 2)
1.1 Linux Evolution and Popular Operating Systems
Key Knowledge Areas:
- Major Linux distributions (Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, openSUSE, Red Hat, SUSE, Linux Mint,
Scientific Linux)
- Embedded systems (Raspberry Pi, Raspbian, Android)
- Linux in the cloud
What to Know:
| Distribution | Family | Package Manager | Typical Use |
|:|:|:|:|
| Debian | Debian | `apt` (`.deb`) | Server, desktop, foundation for many others |
| Ubuntu | Debian | `apt` (`.deb`) | Desktop, server, cloud |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) | Red Hat | `yum`/`dnf` (`.rpm`) | Enterprise servers,
commercial support |
| CentOS | Red Hat | `yum`/`dnf` (`.rpm`) | Community version of RHEL |
| Fedora | Red Hat | `dnf` (`.rpm`) | Cutting‑edge desktop and server |
| openSUSE | SUSE | `zypper` (`.rpm`) | Desktop and server |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLES) | SUSE | `zypper` (`.rpm`) | Enterprise servers |
| Linux Mint | Debian/Ubuntu | `apt` (`.deb`) | Beginner‑friendly desktop |
| Arch Linux | Independent | `pacman` (`.pkg.tar.xz`) | Rolling release, advanced users |
| Scientific Linux | Red Hat | `yum` (`.rpm`) | Academic and research institutions |
Embedded Systems:
- Raspberry Pi: Runs Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian), a Debian‑based distribution.
- Android: Linux‑based kernel, used in mobile devices.
Linux in the Cloud:
- AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform all offer Linux virtual machines.
- Containers (Docker, Kubernetes) are Linux‑based and widely used in cloud environments.
1.2 Major Open Source Applications
Key Knowledge Areas:
- Desktop applications (LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, GIMP, VLC)
- Server applications (Apache, Nginx, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Samba, BIND)
- Development tools (Git, VS Code, Eclipse, Python, GCC, Vim, Emacs)
,| Application | Category | Description |
|:|:|:|
| LibreOffice | Office suite | Microsoft Office alternative |
| Firefox | Web browser | Open‑source browser by Mozilla |
| Thunderbird | Email client | Email and news client |
| GIMP | Graphics | Photoshop alternative |
| VLC | Media player | Plays almost any media format |
| Apache HTTP Server | Web server | The most widely used web server |
| Nginx | Web server / reverse proxy | High‑performance web server |
| MySQL / MariaDB | Database | Relational database management system |
| PostgreSQL | Database | Advanced open‑source RDBMS |
| Samba | File/print sharing | Windows interoperability |
| BIND | DNS server | Domain Name System server |
| Git | Version control | Distributed version control system |
| Python | Programming language | General‑purpose, widely used |
| GCC | Compiler | GNU Compiler Collection |
| Vim | Text editor | Modal text editor, available on most Linux systems |
| Emacs | Text editor | Highly extensible text editor |
1.3 Open Source Software and Licensing
Key Knowledge Areas:
- Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) philosophy
- Major licenses (GPL, LGPL, BSD, MIT, Apache, Creative Commons)
| License | Key Characteristics |
|:|:|
| GNU GPL | Copyleft – derivative works must also be open source |
| GNU LGPL | Less restrictive copyleft, allows linking with proprietary software |
| BSD | Permissive – allows proprietary use, no copyleft |
| MIT | Very permissive – minimal restrictions |
| Apache 2.0 | Permissive with patent protection clause |
| Creative Commons | Used for creative works, not software |
FOSS Principles:
- Freedom to run, study, modify, and redistribute software.
- The four essential freedoms (FSF definition):
1. Freedom to run the program as you wish.
2. Freedom to study and change the source code.
3. Freedom to redistribute copies.
4. Freedom to distribute modified versions.
, 1.4 ICT Skills and Working in Linux
Key Knowledge Areas:
- Job roles that require Linux skills (developer, system administrator, cloud engineer, DevOps,
security analyst)
- Soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem‑solving)
Why Linux Skills Are in Demand:
- Linux powers the majority of web servers, cloud infrastructure, and supercomputers.
- Open‑source skills are highly sought after in DevOps and cloud roles.
Topic 2: Finding Your Way on a Linux System (Weight: 2)
2.1 Command Line Basics
Key Knowledge Areas:
- What is a shell? (Bash is the default on most Linux systems)
- Opening a terminal (GUI terminal emulator)
- Structure of a command: `command [options] [arguments]`
2.1.1 Using the Command Line to Get Help
| Command | Purpose |
|:|:|
| `man` | Display the manual page for a command |
| `info` | Display more detailed, hyperlinked documentation |
| `whatis` | Display a one‑line description of a command |
| `apropos` | Search manual pages for a keyword (useful if you don't know the command name)
|
Examples:
```bash
man ls Show manual for 'ls'
whatis ls Show brief description: "list directory contents"
apropos "copy" Find commands related to copying
info coreutils View detailed documentation
```
aligned with the latest LPI v1.6 objectives for 2026.
=======================================================
UNIVERSITY: Western Governors University (WGU)
COURSE: D336 – Linux Foundations / LPI Linux Essentials
EXAM CODE: LPI 010-160
EXAM TITLE: LPI Linux Essentials Certificate Exam – Version 1.6
TOTAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS: 150
=======================================================
Exam Overview
The LPI Linux Essentials 010-160 certification validates foundational knowledge of the Linux
operating system and open-source software. It is an entry-level certification ideal for individuals
with little or no prior Linux experience. The exam is administered by the Linux Professional
Institute (LPI) and consists of:
- 40 questions (multiple‑choice and fill‑in‑the‑blank)
- 60 minutes to complete
- Cost: Approximately $120 (free for WGU students)
- Passing score: 500 points out of a possible 800 (scaled)
- Lifetime validity: The certification does not expire
The exam is divided into seven topics, each with a specific weight (importance) in the exam.
Topics with higher weights appear more frequently among the 40 questions.
Exam Topics and Weights
| Topic | Title | Weight |
|:|:|::|
| 1 | The Linux Community and a Career in Open Source | 2 |
| 2 | Finding Your Way on a Linux System | 2 |
| 3 | The Power of the Command Line | 3 |
| 4 | The Linux Operating System | 2 |
| 5 | Security and File Permissions | 2 |
| 6 | Working with Files and Directories | 3 |
| 7 | Archiving and Compression | 2 |
,Topic 1: The Linux Community and a Career in Open Source (Weight: 2)
1.1 Linux Evolution and Popular Operating Systems
Key Knowledge Areas:
- Major Linux distributions (Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, openSUSE, Red Hat, SUSE, Linux Mint,
Scientific Linux)
- Embedded systems (Raspberry Pi, Raspbian, Android)
- Linux in the cloud
What to Know:
| Distribution | Family | Package Manager | Typical Use |
|:|:|:|:|
| Debian | Debian | `apt` (`.deb`) | Server, desktop, foundation for many others |
| Ubuntu | Debian | `apt` (`.deb`) | Desktop, server, cloud |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) | Red Hat | `yum`/`dnf` (`.rpm`) | Enterprise servers,
commercial support |
| CentOS | Red Hat | `yum`/`dnf` (`.rpm`) | Community version of RHEL |
| Fedora | Red Hat | `dnf` (`.rpm`) | Cutting‑edge desktop and server |
| openSUSE | SUSE | `zypper` (`.rpm`) | Desktop and server |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLES) | SUSE | `zypper` (`.rpm`) | Enterprise servers |
| Linux Mint | Debian/Ubuntu | `apt` (`.deb`) | Beginner‑friendly desktop |
| Arch Linux | Independent | `pacman` (`.pkg.tar.xz`) | Rolling release, advanced users |
| Scientific Linux | Red Hat | `yum` (`.rpm`) | Academic and research institutions |
Embedded Systems:
- Raspberry Pi: Runs Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian), a Debian‑based distribution.
- Android: Linux‑based kernel, used in mobile devices.
Linux in the Cloud:
- AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform all offer Linux virtual machines.
- Containers (Docker, Kubernetes) are Linux‑based and widely used in cloud environments.
1.2 Major Open Source Applications
Key Knowledge Areas:
- Desktop applications (LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, GIMP, VLC)
- Server applications (Apache, Nginx, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Samba, BIND)
- Development tools (Git, VS Code, Eclipse, Python, GCC, Vim, Emacs)
,| Application | Category | Description |
|:|:|:|
| LibreOffice | Office suite | Microsoft Office alternative |
| Firefox | Web browser | Open‑source browser by Mozilla |
| Thunderbird | Email client | Email and news client |
| GIMP | Graphics | Photoshop alternative |
| VLC | Media player | Plays almost any media format |
| Apache HTTP Server | Web server | The most widely used web server |
| Nginx | Web server / reverse proxy | High‑performance web server |
| MySQL / MariaDB | Database | Relational database management system |
| PostgreSQL | Database | Advanced open‑source RDBMS |
| Samba | File/print sharing | Windows interoperability |
| BIND | DNS server | Domain Name System server |
| Git | Version control | Distributed version control system |
| Python | Programming language | General‑purpose, widely used |
| GCC | Compiler | GNU Compiler Collection |
| Vim | Text editor | Modal text editor, available on most Linux systems |
| Emacs | Text editor | Highly extensible text editor |
1.3 Open Source Software and Licensing
Key Knowledge Areas:
- Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) philosophy
- Major licenses (GPL, LGPL, BSD, MIT, Apache, Creative Commons)
| License | Key Characteristics |
|:|:|
| GNU GPL | Copyleft – derivative works must also be open source |
| GNU LGPL | Less restrictive copyleft, allows linking with proprietary software |
| BSD | Permissive – allows proprietary use, no copyleft |
| MIT | Very permissive – minimal restrictions |
| Apache 2.0 | Permissive with patent protection clause |
| Creative Commons | Used for creative works, not software |
FOSS Principles:
- Freedom to run, study, modify, and redistribute software.
- The four essential freedoms (FSF definition):
1. Freedom to run the program as you wish.
2. Freedom to study and change the source code.
3. Freedom to redistribute copies.
4. Freedom to distribute modified versions.
, 1.4 ICT Skills and Working in Linux
Key Knowledge Areas:
- Job roles that require Linux skills (developer, system administrator, cloud engineer, DevOps,
security analyst)
- Soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem‑solving)
Why Linux Skills Are in Demand:
- Linux powers the majority of web servers, cloud infrastructure, and supercomputers.
- Open‑source skills are highly sought after in DevOps and cloud roles.
Topic 2: Finding Your Way on a Linux System (Weight: 2)
2.1 Command Line Basics
Key Knowledge Areas:
- What is a shell? (Bash is the default on most Linux systems)
- Opening a terminal (GUI terminal emulator)
- Structure of a command: `command [options] [arguments]`
2.1.1 Using the Command Line to Get Help
| Command | Purpose |
|:|:|
| `man` | Display the manual page for a command |
| `info` | Display more detailed, hyperlinked documentation |
| `whatis` | Display a one‑line description of a command |
| `apropos` | Search manual pages for a keyword (useful if you don't know the command name)
|
Examples:
```bash
man ls Show manual for 'ls'
whatis ls Show brief description: "list directory contents"
apropos "copy" Find commands related to copying
info coreutils View detailed documentation
```
