- A
Enable Workload Identity for the service account
Why wrong: Workload Identity is used for pod-to-GCP authentication, not for availability.
- B
Configure a PodDisruptionBudget for the deployment
PDB ensures that voluntary disruptions (e.g., upgrades) do not bring all pods down.
- C
Create a multi-zonal node pool to spread nodes across multiple zones
Multi-zonal node pools provide resilience against zone failures.
- D
Use a HorizontalPodAutoscaler with high target utilization
Why wrong: HPA scales pods horizontally based on metrics; it does not protect against node failures or upgrades.
- E
Enable Cluster Autoscaler on the node pool
Why wrong: Cluster Autoscaler adjusts node count based on resource demands, but does not directly improve availability during disruptions.
Google PCA Practice Question: Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of managing and provisioning a solution infrastructure. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 company is deploying a critical application on GKE and wants to ensure high availability during node upgrades and failures. Which TWO configurations should they implement? (Choose 2.)
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
Configure a PodDisruptionBudget for the deployment
PodDisruptionBudgets (PDBs) ensure that a minimum number of pods remain available during voluntary disruptions like node upgrades. Multi-zonal node pools distribute pods across zones, protecting against zone failures. Cluster Autoscaler adds nodes when needed but does not directly ensure availability. HPA scales pods but does not handle disruptions. Workload Identity is for authentication, not availability.
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.
- ✗
Enable Workload Identity for the service account
Why it's wrong here
Workload Identity is used for pod-to-GCP authentication, not for availability.
- ✓
Configure a PodDisruptionBudget for the deployment
Why this is correct
PDB ensures that voluntary disruptions (e.g., upgrades) do not bring all pods down.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Create a multi-zonal node pool to spread nodes across multiple zones
Why this is correct
Multi-zonal node pools provide resilience against zone failures.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a HorizontalPodAutoscaler with high target utilization
Why it's wrong here
HPA scales pods horizontally based on metrics; it does not protect against node failures or upgrades.
- ✗
Enable Cluster Autoscaler on the node pool
Why it's wrong here
Cluster Autoscaler adjusts node count based on resource demands, but does not directly improve availability during disruptions.
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
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 PCA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure — This question tests Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure a PodDisruptionBudget for the deployment — PodDisruptionBudgets (PDBs) ensure that a minimum number of pods remain available during voluntary disruptions like node upgrades. Multi-zonal node pools distribute pods across zones, protecting against zone failures. Cluster Autoscaler adds nodes when needed but does not directly ensure availability. HPA scales pods but does not handle disruptions. Workload Identity is for authentication, not availability.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Identify which PCA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCA 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 PCA exam.
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