- A
Log
Why wrong: Log is not a Prometheus metric type.
- B
Counter
Counter is a valid Prometheus metric type.
- C
Event
Why wrong: Event is not a Prometheus metric type.
- D
Histogram
Histogram is a valid Prometheus metric type.
- E
Trace
Why wrong: Trace is not a Prometheus metric type.
Question 924 of 997
Prometheus Metric Types: Counter, Gauge, Histogram, Summary
This KCNA practice question tests your understanding of cloud native observability. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: counter. 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 TWO of the following are valid Prometheus metric types? (Select two.)
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
✓
Counter
Counter and Histogram are two of the four valid Prometheus metric types. Counter is a cumulative metric that only increases, while Histogram samples observations and counts them in configurable buckets. The other options are not valid Prometheus metric types: Log, Event, and Trace are not metric types in Prometheus (they relate to logging, events, and tracing). Gauge and Summary are also valid metric types, but they are not listed as correct options here because only Counter and Histogram are marked correct in this question.
Key principle: Counter
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Log
Why it's wrong here
Log is not a Prometheus metric type.
- ✓
Counter
Why this is correct
Counter is a valid Prometheus metric type.
Related concept
Counter
- ✗
Event
Why it's wrong here
Event is not a Prometheus metric type.
- ✓
Histogram
Why this is correct
Histogram is a valid Prometheus metric type.
Related concept
Counter
- ✗
Trace
Why it's wrong here
Trace is not a Prometheus metric type.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Counter
- Histogram
- Gauge
- Summary
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
Counter
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. Counter 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.
Review counter, then practise related KCNA questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Cloud Native Observability — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Cloud Native Observability practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
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Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate KCNA study guide
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KCNA practice test guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this KCNA question test?
Cloud Native Observability — This question tests Cloud Native Observability — Counter.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Counter — Counter and Histogram are two of the four valid Prometheus metric types. Counter is a cumulative metric that only increases, while Histogram samples observations and counts them in configurable buckets. The other options are not valid Prometheus metric types: Log, Event, and Trace are not metric types in Prometheus (they relate to logging, events, and tracing). Gauge and Summary are also valid metric types, but they are not listed as correct options here because only Counter and Histogram are marked correct in this question.
What should I do if I get this KCNA question wrong?
Review counter, then practise related KCNA questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Counter
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
3 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. Which TWO of the following are valid Prometheus metric types? (Select two)
medium- A.Set
- ✓ B.Counter
- C.Timer
- D.Meter
- ✓ E.Gauge
Why B: Prometheus has four metric types: Counter, Gauge, Histogram, and Summary. Counter and Gauge are two of them.
Variation 2. Which TWO of the following are Prometheus metric types? (Select two.)
medium- A.Event
- ✓ B.Gauge
- C.Set
- ✓ D.Counter
- E.Timer
Why B: Prometheus metric types include Counter, Gauge, Histogram, and Summary. The correct answers are B (Gauge) and D (Counter). Options A (Event), C (Set), and E (Timer) are not Prometheus metric types.
Variation 3. Which TWO of the following are valid Prometheus metric types?
medium- A.Quantile
- ✓ B.Counter
- C.Timer
- D.Meter
- ✓ E.Gauge
Why B: Prometheus supports four metric types: Counter, Gauge, Histogram, and Summary. Among the given options, Counter (B) and Gauge (E) are valid. Quantile (A) is not a metric type; it is a statistical measure derived from Summary or Histogram. Timer (C) is not a Prometheus metric type; timers are often used in other systems like Dropwizard metrics. Meter (D) is a metric type from OpenTelemetry, not Prometheus.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 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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