KCNA Kubernetes Fundamentals Practice Question
You have a Deployment named 'web-app' with 3 replicas. You need to scale it to 5 replicas. Which kubectl command should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse `kubectl create` with `kubectl scale`, thinking they can reuse the create command with a different replica count to update an existing Deployment, when in fact `create` is only for initial creation and will fail or overwrite the resource.
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 scale deployment web-app --replicas=5
The `kubectl scale` command is the correct way to adjust the replica count of an existing Deployment. It directly modifies the `spec.replicas` field in the Deployment's desired state, instructing the ReplicaSet controller to create or delete Pods to match the new count. Option B uses the correct syntax `kubectl scale deployment web-app --replicas=5` to achieve this.
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 create deployment web-app --replicas=5
Why it's wrong here
This command would attempt to create a new deployment, not scale an existing one.
- ✓
kubectl scale deployment web-app --replicas=5
Why this is correct
The scale command changes the replica count of the deployment.
- ✗
kubectl edit deployment web-app --replicas=5
Why it's wrong here
kubectl edit opens an editor; the --replicas flag is not valid with edit.
- ✗
kubectl describe deployment web-app
Why it's wrong here
Describe shows details but does not modify the deployment.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on KCNA
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Variation 1. You have a Deployment named 'web-app' running three replicas. You need to scale it to five replicas. Which kubectl command accomplishes this?
medium- A.kubectl set deployment web-app replicas=5
- B.kubectl patch deployment web-app -p '{"replicas":5}'
- ✓ C.kubectl scale deployment web-app --replicas=5
- D.kubectl update deployment web-app --replicas=5
Why C: The correct command to change the number of replicas in a Deployment is `kubectl scale deployment web-app --replicas=5`. This directly instructs the Kubernetes API to update the Deployment's `.spec.replicas` field, causing the ReplicaSet controller to adjust the number of Pods to match the desired count.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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