- A
Enable Cluster Autoscaler on the node pool
Why wrong: Cluster Autoscaler adds/removes nodes based on resource demands, but does not protect pods from disruptions during upgrades.
- B
Use a Deployment with a HorizontalPodAutoscaler
Why wrong: Deployments are for stateless applications; they do not guarantee persistent storage. HorizontalPodAutoscaler does not prevent disruptions.
- C
Use a StatefulSet with a PodDisruptionBudget
StatefulSets provide stable persistent storage for each pod, and PodDisruptionBudgets prevent voluntary disruptions during cluster upgrades.
- D
Use PersistentVolumeClaims with ReadWriteMany access mode
Why wrong: ReadWriteMany allows multiple pods to share a volume but does not prevent pod disruption. Storage is preserved, but pods may still be disrupted.
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 runs a stateful application on GKE that requires persistent storage. They want to ensure that during cluster upgrades, pods are not disrupted and storage is preserved. Which configuration should they use?
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
Use a StatefulSet with a PodDisruptionBudget
PodDisruptionBudgets (PDBs) ensure that a minimum number of pods remain available during voluntary disruptions like cluster upgrades. PersistentVolumeClaims with ReadWriteOnce access mode allow pods to persist data. Combining PDBs with StatefulSets provides ordered, graceful deployment and scaling while preserving storage. The cluster autoscaler only adjusts node count, not pod disruptions. HorizontalPodAutoscaler scales pods based on metrics but does not protect against disruptions.
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 Cluster Autoscaler on the node pool
Why it's wrong here
Cluster Autoscaler adds/removes nodes based on resource demands, but does not protect pods from disruptions during upgrades.
- ✗
Use a Deployment with a HorizontalPodAutoscaler
Why it's wrong here
Deployments are for stateless applications; they do not guarantee persistent storage. HorizontalPodAutoscaler does not prevent disruptions.
- ✓
Use a StatefulSet with a PodDisruptionBudget
Why this is correct
StatefulSets provide stable persistent storage for each pod, and PodDisruptionBudgets prevent voluntary disruptions during cluster upgrades.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use PersistentVolumeClaims with ReadWriteMany access mode
Why it's wrong here
ReadWriteMany allows multiple pods to share a volume but does not prevent pod disruption. Storage is preserved, but pods may still be disrupted.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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.
- →
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: Use a StatefulSet with a PodDisruptionBudget — PodDisruptionBudgets (PDBs) ensure that a minimum number of pods remain available during voluntary disruptions like cluster upgrades. PersistentVolumeClaims with ReadWriteOnce access mode allow pods to persist data. Combining PDBs with StatefulSets provides ordered, graceful deployment and scaling while preserving storage. The cluster autoscaler only adjusts node count, not pod disruptions. HorizontalPodAutoscaler scales pods based on metrics but does not protect against disruptions.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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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