KCNA Kubernetes Fundamentals Practice Question
Which THREE of the following are valid fields in a Kubernetes Deployment spec (apps/v1)?
⚠ Common exam trap
CNCF often tests the distinction between fields that belong to the Deployment spec versus fields that belong to the Pod spec, so candidates mistakenly select `containers` or `nodeName` as top-level Deployment fields.
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
✓
replicas
The `replicas` field is a standard part of the Deployment spec under `apps/v1`, defining the desired number of Pod replicas. Option B is correct because the `template` field is mandatory, containing the Pod template that describes the Pods to be created. Option C is correct because the `selector` field is required to match the Pods managed by the Deployment, ensuring the ReplicaSet controls the correct Pods.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
replicas
Why this is correct
Specifies the desired number of pods.
- ✓
template
Why this is correct
Template defines the pod template used to create replicas.
- ✓
selector
Why this is correct
Label selector for the pods managed by the Deployment.
- ✗
containers
Why it's wrong here
Containers is a field inside the pod template's spec, not a top-level field of the Deployment spec.
- ✗
nodeName
Why it's wrong here
nodeName is a field in PodSpec, not in Deployment spec.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Kubernetes Overview and Core Components
Key term
ReplicaSet and Replication
A ReplicaSet ensures a specified number of identical pod instances are running at all times in Kubernetes, using replication to maintain availability and stability.
Key term
Kubernetes API Primitives
Kubernetes API Primitives are the basic building blocks that the Kubernetes API uses to represent and manage the state of a cluster, such as Pods, Services, Deployments, and Namespaces.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way 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 field in a Deployment YAML specifies the number of pod replicas?
medium- ✓ A.spec.replicas
- B.spec.template.spec.replicas
- C.spec.replicaCount
- D.spec.selector.matchLabels
Why A: In a Kubernetes Deployment YAML, the `spec.replicas` field directly defines the desired number of pod replicas that the Deployment controller should maintain. This is a top-level field under the Deployment spec, not nested under `template.spec`, because the replica count is a property of the Deployment itself, not of the Pod template.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.