can you clone/backup your test vm during the RHCSA exam?
 

Since the exam is taken on a VM, can you clone it when you are part way through?
It seems like it would be a little too convenient if you could :)

but one of my classmates asked and I'm not sure how to figure out the answer other than sitting the exam and trying it out, I'd rather know in advance so I can plan accordingly.

Thanks!

If I had to guess I'd say no.

They are not going to make anything about taking the test easy by any stretch.

Maybe someone that has already challenged the test has tried it and if so they might chime in to talk about it.

Nope. You set down to a "blank" drive, leave the room when you're done while they run the script to check if you've done it properly, and it's wiped after the script runs.

I think the exam will keep you plenty busy enough.
However, ... if you could get down to the hipervisor, and get the authorisation to access the guest image, and get through the firewall to export it, I reckon they'd give you a pass.
After you'd been to court ... ;)

I should clarify:

I didn't mean clone it and send it out of the exam,
I just meant clone it on the host to have a backup in case I screw up a later step and hose the whole system.

But yeah, I'm assuming I will not be able to do that.

Remember, the entire point of "this little contretemps" is to demonstrate that you won't "hose the whole system!" :)

You don't get that sort of luxury in a production environment.