You must have master-level access for either the user catalog being examined or for the master catalog. If you have master-level access for the master catalog, the self-describing records in the user catalog will not be read during open. If you have master-level access only for the user catalog being examined, the catalog self-describing records will be read during open.
If the master catalog is protected by RACF or an equivalent product and you do not have alter authority for the catalog, a message can be issued indicating an authorization failure when the check indicated previously is made. This is normal, and, if you have master level access to the catalog being examined, the examination can continue.
Recommendation: When you analyze a catalog, use the VERIFY command before you use the EXAMINE command.