- A
kubectl attach <pod-name>
Why wrong: Attach connects to the container's stdin/stdout, not logs.
- B
kubectl logs <pod-name>
Correct command.
- C
kubectl exec <pod-name> -- cat /var/log/app.log
Why wrong: This could work but is not the standard way; logs command is simpler.
- D
kubectl describe pod <pod-name>
Why wrong: This shows pod details, not logs.
Question 824 of 997
How to Use kubectl logs to View Pod Logs
This KCNA practice question tests your understanding of kubernetes fundamentals. 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.
Which kubectl command is used to see the logs of a container in a pod?
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
✓
kubectl logs <pod-name>
Option B is correct because `kubectl logs <pod-name>` is the dedicated command to retrieve and display the logs from the default container in a specified pod. This command directly accesses the container's stdout and stderr streams, which are captured by the container runtime (e.g., containerd or CRI-O) and stored by the kubelet, making it the standard and simplest way to view application logs.
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.
- ✗
kubectl attach <pod-name>
Why it's wrong here
Attach connects to the container's stdin/stdout, not logs.
- ✓
kubectl logs <pod-name>
Why this is correct
Correct command.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
kubectl exec <pod-name> -- cat /var/log/app.log
Why it's wrong here
This could work but is not the standard way; logs command is simpler.
- ✗
kubectl describe pod <pod-name>
Why it's wrong here
This shows pod details, not logs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse `kubectl logs` with `kubectl exec` for log retrieval, mistakenly thinking that accessing a log file inside the container is the standard approach, when Kubernetes expects logs to be captured from stdout/stderr and accessed via `kubectl logs`.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This could work but is not the standard way; logs command is simpler.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `kubectl logs` communicates with the kubelet API on the node hosting the pod, which retrieves log entries from the container runtime's logging driver (e.g., the `json-file` or `journald` driver). The kubelet stores these logs in a rotation-managed directory (typically `/var/log/pods/`), and the command can also fetch logs from a specific container in a multi-container pod using `-c <container-name>`. A subtle behavior is that `kubectl logs --tail=50` limits output to the last 50 lines, which is useful for debugging without overwhelming the terminal.
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 KCNA 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.
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.
- →
Kubernetes Fundamentals — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this KCNA question test?
Kubernetes Fundamentals — This question tests Kubernetes Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: kubectl logs <pod-name> — Option B is correct because `kubectl logs <pod-name>` is the dedicated command to retrieve and display the logs from the default container in a specified pod. This command directly accesses the container's stdout and stderr streams, which are captured by the container runtime (e.g., containerd or CRI-O) and stored by the kubelet, making it the standard and simplest way to view application logs.
What should I do if I get this KCNA 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on KCNA
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You want to view the logs of a running pod named 'my-pod'. Which kubectl command should you use?
easy- A.kubectl exec my-pod -- cat /var/log/container.log
- ✓ B.kubectl logs my-pod
- C.kubectl get pod my-pod -o yaml
- D.kubectl describe pod my-pod
Why B: The `kubectl logs my-pod` command is the correct way to retrieve the standard output and standard error logs from a running pod in Kubernetes. It directly fetches the container logs from the kubelet, which are stored on the node and rotated by the container runtime (e.g., containerd or CRI-O). This is the dedicated command for log inspection, as defined in the Kubernetes CLI documentation.
Keep practising
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This KCNA 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 KCNA exam.
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