Question 1mediummultiple choice
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Quick Answer
The answer is to run 'kubeadm upgrade plan' on the first control plane node. This command is the mandatory first step because it performs a dry-run validation of the entire upgrade path, checking version compatibility, certificate expiration, and any manual intervention requirements before any changes are applied. On the Certified Kubernetes Administrator CKA exam, this tests your understanding that kubeadm enforces a strict upgrade workflow, and skipping this assessment can lead to cluster instability or version skew errors. A common trap is attempting to upgrade a worker node or running 'kubeadm upgrade apply' directly without the plan, which will fail if the control plane hasn't been evaluated first. Remember the mnemonic "Plan before Apply" — just as you wouldn't build a house without blueprints, you never upgrade a cluster without first running 'kubeadm upgrade plan' to map out the safe path from v1.28 to v1.29.
CKA Practice Question: Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration
This CKA practice question tests your understanding of cluster architecture, installation and configuration. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator needs to upgrade a Kubernetes cluster from v1.28 to v1.29 using kubeadm. Which of the following steps is performed FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run 'kubeadm upgrade plan' on the first control plane node
Before any upgrade operations, kubeadm requires an assessment of the cluster's upgrade path and potential issues. 'kubeadm upgrade plan' on the first control plane node checks the current and target versions, validates the upgrade feasibility, and displays the upgrade steps and any manual interventions needed. This must be done first to ensure the upgrade is safe and to identify any version skew or configuration problems before proceeding.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume draining or cordoning nodes is the first step, but the CKA exam emphasizes that the upgrade plan must be run first to validate the upgrade path and avoid irreversible errors.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'kubeadm upgrade plan' command queries the Kubernetes release API and compares the current cluster version against the target version, checking for version skew limits (e.g., kubelet must be within one minor version of kube-apiserver). It also validates that all control plane nodes are healthy and that the etcd cluster is in a good state. In real-world scenarios, this step can reveal issues like unsupported third-party addons or deprecated APIs that would break after the upgrade, saving administrators from a failed upgrade or cluster downtime.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKA question test?
Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration — This question tests Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run 'kubeadm upgrade plan' on the first control plane node — Before any upgrade operations, kubeadm requires an assessment of the cluster's upgrade path and potential issues. 'kubeadm upgrade plan' on the first control plane node checks the current and target versions, validates the upgrade feasibility, and displays the upgrade steps and any manual interventions needed. This must be done first to ensure the upgrade is safe and to identify any version skew or configuration problems before proceeding.
What should I do if I get this CKA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CKA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CKA exam.
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