CKAD Application Deployment Practice Question
Which THREE of the following are correct statements about Helm?
⚠ Common exam trap
CKAD often tests Helm version differences — candidates incorrectly assume Helm 2's two-way patch or Tiller-based architecture still applies in Helm 3.
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
✓
Values defined in a 'values.yaml' file can be referenced in templates using '{{ .Values.key }}'.
Option A is correct because Helm's templating engine exposes the merged values from values.yaml (and overrides) under the .Values object, so a key defined there is referenced in a template as {{ .Values.key }}. Option B is correct because 'helm rollback RELEASE REVISION' reverts a named release to the specified revision number, restoring the Kubernetes resources to that prior state. Option E is correct because charts are packaged artifacts that can be pushed to and pulled from a Helm repository (an HTTP server hosting an index.yaml plus .tgz chart files), enabling sharing and versioned distribution. Option C is not correct because Helm manages applications deployed into a Kubernetes cluster, not the cluster's own lifecycle (that is the role of tools like kubeadm, kops, or Cluster API). Option D is not correct because Helm 3 uses a three-way strategic merge patch during upgrades (comparing the old manifest, the new manifest, and the live state), not a two-way merge.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Values defined in a 'values.yaml' file can be referenced in templates using '{{ .Values.key }}'.
Why this is correct
values.yaml is the default source of user-supplied configuration for a Helm chart. During chart rendering, the template engine merges values.yaml with any --set or -f overrides, and the resulting object is exposed as .Values in Go templates.
- ✓
The command 'helm rollback RELEASE REVISION' can undo a release to a previous revision.
Why this is correct
Every helm install/upgrade increments the release revision. helm rollback RELEASE REVISION instructs Helm to redeploy the manifests from the specified revision as a new release revision, effectively undoing changes made after that revision. This is useful for recovering from a bad upgrade.
- ✗
Helm can be used to manage the lifecycle of a Kubernetes cluster itself.
Why it's wrong here
Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes applications; it only reconciles Kubernetes resources such as Deployments, Services, and ConfigMaps that are declared in charts. It has no ability to provision, upgrade, or delete cluster nodes or control-plane components; tools like kubeadm, kops, or EKS are used for that.
- ✗
Helm uses a two-way strategic merge patch during upgrades.
Why it's wrong here
During an upgrade, Helm computes a three-way merge among the live state, the previous manifest (from the previous release revision), and the new manifest. This patch strategy ensures that changes made by other controllers or users since the last release are preserved where appropriate, whereas a naive two-way merge would simply overwrite the current state with the new manifest.
- ✓
Helm charts can be stored in a Helm repository and shared.
Why this is correct
A Helm repository is an HTTP(S) location that hosts an index.yaml file and packaged charts (.tgz files). Users can add such a repo with helm repo add and then install charts from it, enabling distribution and versioning of application packages across teams.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CNCF exam blueprint
This CKAD 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 CKAD exam.