- A
kind: RoleBinding apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 metadata: name: read-pods subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa roleRef: kind: ClusterRole name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Why wrong: The roleRef should reference a Role, not a ClusterRole, because the Role is namespaced.
- B
kind: RoleBinding apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 metadata: name: read-pods subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa apiGroup: '' roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Correct structure: RoleBinding binds a ServiceAccount to a Role.
- C
kind: RoleBinding apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 metadata: name: read-pods subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa roleRef: kind: ClusterRole name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Why wrong: Same as A; must reference a Role, not a ClusterRole.
- D
kind: ClusterRoleBinding apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 metadata: name: read-pods subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa namespace: default roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Why wrong: ClusterRoleBinding cannot bind to a namespaced Role; it must bind to a ClusterRole.
CKAD Practice Question: Application Environment, Configuration and Security
This CKAD practice question tests your understanding of application environment, configuration and security. 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 create a Role named 'pod-reader' in the 'default' namespace with rules to get, list, and watch pods. A ServiceAccount 'app-sa' in the same namespace needs to be bound to this role. Which YAML snippet correctly creates the RoleBinding?
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
kind: RoleBinding apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 metadata: name: read-pods subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa apiGroup: '' roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Option B is correct because it creates a RoleBinding in the 'default' namespace that binds the ServiceAccount 'app-sa' to the Role 'pod-reader' using the correct 'kind: Role' in the roleRef. The RoleBinding must reference a Role (not a ClusterRole) when the Role exists in the same namespace, and the apiGroup for the roleRef must be 'rbac.authorization.k8s.io'.
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.
- ✗
kind: RoleBinding apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 metadata: name: read-pods subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa roleRef: kind: ClusterRole name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Why it's wrong here
The roleRef should reference a Role, not a ClusterRole, because the Role is namespaced.
- ✓
kind: RoleBinding apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 metadata: name: read-pods subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa apiGroup: '' roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Why this is correct
Correct structure: RoleBinding binds a ServiceAccount to a Role.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
kind: RoleBinding apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 metadata: name: read-pods subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa roleRef: kind: ClusterRole name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Why it's wrong here
Same as A; must reference a Role, not a ClusterRole.
- ✗
kind: ClusterRoleBinding apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 metadata: name: read-pods subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa namespace: default roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Why it's wrong here
ClusterRoleBinding cannot bind to a namespaced Role; it must bind to a ClusterRole.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the distinction between Role and ClusterRole in the roleRef of a RoleBinding, where candidates mistakenly use 'kind: ClusterRole' when the actual resource is a namespaced Role, or use 'kind: ClusterRoleBinding' for a namespaced binding.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RoleBindings are namespace-scoped and bind subjects to Roles within the same namespace, while ClusterRoleBindings are cluster-scoped and bind subjects to ClusterRoles across all namespaces. When a RoleBinding references a ClusterRole, it grants only the permissions defined in that ClusterRole within the RoleBinding's namespace, but here the Role 'pod-reader' is a namespaced Role, so the roleRef must use 'kind: Role'. The apiGroup field in the roleRef is required and must be set to 'rbac.authorization.k8s.io' for both Roles and ClusterRoles.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKAD question test?
Application Environment, Configuration and Security — This question tests Application Environment, Configuration and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: kind: RoleBinding apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 metadata: name: read-pods subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa apiGroup: '' roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io — Option B is correct because it creates a RoleBinding in the 'default' namespace that binds the ServiceAccount 'app-sa' to the Role 'pod-reader' using the correct 'kind: Role' in the roleRef. The RoleBinding must reference a Role (not a ClusterRole) when the Role exists in the same namespace, and the apiGroup for the roleRef must be 'rbac.authorization.k8s.io'.
What should I do if I get this CKAD 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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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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.
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