CKA Practice Question: Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration
This CKA practice question tests your understanding of cluster architecture, installation and configuration. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
You run 'kubectl cordon node1'. Which TWO statements describe the effect of this command? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
New pods will not be scheduled onto node1
Option D is correct because `kubectl cordon` marks a node as unschedulable, preventing the Kubernetes scheduler from placing any new pods onto that node. This is achieved by setting the `node.kubernetes.io/unschedulable` taint or the `spec.unschedulable` field to true, which the scheduler checks during pod assignment. Existing pods on the node continue to run normally and are not affected by the cordon operation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The node is removed from the cluster
Why it's wrong here
The node remains in the cluster but is unschedulable.
✗
All pods on node1 are deleted
Why it's wrong here
Pods are not deleted; they continue running.
✗
Existing pods on node1 are immediately evicted
Why it's wrong here
Cordoning does not evict pods; it only prevents new scheduling.
✓
New pods will not be scheduled onto node1
Why this is correct
Cordoning sets the node to unschedulable, so new pods will not be placed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
The node is marked as unschedulable
Why this is correct
Cordoning adds the 'node.kubernetes.io/unschedulable' taint effect.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `cordon` with `drain`, mistakenly thinking that cordon evicts or deletes existing pods, when in fact it only prevents new scheduling.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `kubectl cordon` sets the `spec.unschedulable` field of the Node object to `true`, which the kube-scheduler reads via the Kubernetes API to skip that node during pod scheduling decisions. This is distinct from taints and tolerations, which provide more granular control; cordon is a binary on/off switch for scheduling. In real-world scenarios, cordon is typically used before node maintenance (e.g., kernel upgrade) to stop new workloads while existing pods continue serving, followed by `kubectl drain` to evict pods gracefully.
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 practitioner preparing for the CKA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKA question in full detail.
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: New pods will not be scheduled onto node1 — Option D is correct because `kubectl cordon` marks a node as unschedulable, preventing the Kubernetes scheduler from placing any new pods onto that node. This is achieved by setting the `node.kubernetes.io/unschedulable` taint or the `spec.unschedulable` field to true, which the scheduler checks during pod assignment. Existing pods on the node continue to run normally and are not affected by the cordon operation.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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