KCNA Cloud Native Architecture Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are principles of the 12-factor app? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
CNCF often tests the 12-factor app principles by pairing a correct principle like 'Config' with a plausible-sounding but incorrect option like 'Stateful sessions', exploiting the common misconception that statefulness is acceptable in cloud-native apps when in fact it must be externalized.
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
✓
Config
Config is a core principle of the 12-factor app methodology, which mandates strict separation of configuration from code. Configuration (such as database URLs, credentials, or hostnames) must be stored in environment variables, not hardcoded in the application source. This allows the same codebase to be deployed across different environments (development, staging, production) without modification, adhering to the principle of config-driven behavior.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Monolithic deployment
Why it's wrong here
Not a principle.
- ✗
Stateful sessions
Why it's wrong here
Statelessness is preferred.
- ✓
Config
Why this is correct
Config is a 12-factor principle.
- ✓
Disposability
Why this is correct
Disposability is a 12-factor principle.
- ✗
Manual provisioning
Why it's wrong here
Automation is preferred.
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Same concept, more angles
2 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 core principles of the 12-factor app? (Choose 2.)
medium- A.Shared state
- B.Manual deployment
- ✓ C.Dependencies
- D.Singleton processes
- ✓ E.Config
Why C: The 12-factor app includes principles such as explicit dependency declaration (Dependencies) and strict separation of config from code (Config).
Variation 2. Which TWO of the following are principles of the 12-factor app methodology? (Choose two.)
medium- A.Perform manual deployment to avoid automation errors
- B.Maximize robustness through stateful sessions
- ✓ C.Ensure fast startup and graceful shutdown (disposability)
- D.Build monolithic applications for simplicity
- ✓ E.Store configuration in environment variables
Why C: The 12-factor app includes 'Config' (store config in environment variables) and 'Disposability' (start fast and shut down gracefully). 'Monolithic architecture' is not a principle; 12-factor encourages microservices. 'Stateful sessions' are discouraged; apps should be stateless. 'Manual deployment' is not a principle; CI/CD is recommended.
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.