- A
gcloud auth revoke [ACCOUNT_EMAIL]
Why wrong: `gcloud auth revoke` revokes OAuth tokens for the gcloud CLI — not the application default credentials (ADC) used by application code.
- B
gcloud auth application-default revoke
This command specifically revokes the application default credentials (the ADC file used by client libraries), not the standard gcloud CLI credentials.
- C
Delete the ~/.config/gcloud/application_default_credentials.json file manually
Why wrong: Deleting the file removes local credentials but doesn't revoke the OAuth token on Google's servers — the token remains valid until it expires or is revoked via the API.
- D
gcloud config unset auth/application_default_credentials
Why wrong: There is no `auth/application_default_credentials` config property — ADC revocation is done via `gcloud auth application-default revoke`.
Quick Answer
The answer is `gcloud auth application-default revoke`. This command is correct because it specifically targets and invalidates the OAuth 2.0 refresh token stored in the ADC file, which was created by `gcloud auth application-default login`. When a developer accidentally exposes their gcloud application default credentials, running this command immediately revokes the active credentials, preventing any further API calls from using that token. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this tests your understanding of the distinction between user credentials (`gcloud auth revoke`) and application default credentials (`gcloud auth application-default revoke`). A common trap is confusing the two, as candidates often reach for the general `gcloud auth revoke` command, which only revokes user credentials used by the gcloud CLI itself, not the ADC file. To remember: think of “application-default” as the credentials your code uses, so you must revoke them with the full phrase. A helpful mnemonic is “ADC needs its own revoke”—if you see ADC in the scenario, always include `application-default` in the command.
Google ACE Setting up a cloud solution environment Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of setting up a cloud solution environment. 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.
A developer accidentally exposed their gcloud application default credentials (ADC) file. They need to immediately revoke these credentials. Which command revokes the active application default credentials?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Clue:
"immediately / without restart"Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
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
gcloud auth application-default revoke
Option B is correct because `gcloud auth application-default revoke` is the specific command designed to revoke the Application Default Credentials (ADC) that were set via `gcloud auth application-default login`. This command invalidates the OAuth 2.0 refresh token stored in the ADC file, ensuring the credentials can no longer be used for authentication to Google Cloud APIs.
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.
- ✗
gcloud auth revoke [ACCOUNT_EMAIL]
Why it's wrong here
`gcloud auth revoke` revokes OAuth tokens for the gcloud CLI — not the application default credentials (ADC) used by application code.
- ✓
gcloud auth application-default revoke
Why this is correct
This command specifically revokes the application default credentials (the ADC file used by client libraries), not the standard gcloud CLI credentials.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "which command", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Delete the ~/.config/gcloud/application_default_credentials.json file manually
Why it's wrong here
Deleting the file removes local credentials but doesn't revoke the OAuth token on Google's servers — the token remains valid until it expires or is revoked via the API.
- ✗
gcloud config unset auth/application_default_credentials
Why it's wrong here
There is no `auth/application_default_credentials` config property — ADC revocation is done via `gcloud auth application-default revoke`.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between user credentials (`gcloud auth`) and application credentials (`gcloud auth application-default`), and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly think deleting the file or using a general revoke command is sufficient, overlooking the need to explicitly revoke the OAuth refresh token server-side.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Application Default Credentials (ADC) use a JSON file containing an OAuth 2.0 refresh token, typically stored at `~/.config/gcloud/application_default_credentials.json`. The `gcloud auth application-default revoke` command contacts the Google OAuth 2.0 token endpoint to revoke the refresh token server-side, ensuring it cannot be used to obtain new access tokens. In a real-world scenario, if a developer accidentally commits this file to a public repository, simply deleting the file from disk is insufficient; the token must be revoked to prevent unauthorized access, and the command also removes the local file as part of the process.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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.
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Setting up a cloud solution environment — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Setting up a cloud solution environment — This question tests Setting up a cloud solution environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: gcloud auth application-default revoke — Option B is correct because `gcloud auth application-default revoke` is the specific command designed to revoke the Application Default Credentials (ADC) that were set via `gcloud auth application-default login`. This command invalidates the OAuth 2.0 refresh token stored in the ADC file, ensuring the credentials can no longer be used for authentication to Google Cloud APIs.
What should I do if I get this ACE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command", "immediately / without restart". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This ACE practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 ACE exam.
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