- A
Set the Config Sync policy to 'allow-drift'
Why wrong: This would permit drift, not remediate it.
- B
Enable 'sync' and set 'sync-repo' to the desired repository
Why wrong: This is the basic setup but does not automatically overwrite manual changes.
- C
Configure 'source-format' as 'structured'
Why wrong: Source format determines directory structure, not drift remediation.
- D
Use a GitOps tool like Config Sync with 'sync-mode' set to 'force'
Config Sync's force mode automatically reverts any manual changes to match the repo.
Question 848 of 1,000
PCDE Practice Question: Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service
This PCDE practice question tests your understanding of building and implementing ci/cd pipelines for a service. 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.
An organization uses Config Sync to manage Kubernetes resources across multiple GKE clusters. They want to automatically remediate configuration drift. What must they ensure?
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 GitOps tool like Config Sync with 'sync-mode' set to 'force'
Config Sync's 'sync-mode' set to 'force' ensures that any manual changes to the cluster (configuration drift) are automatically reverted to match the desired state defined in the Git repository. This mode overwrites any modifications made outside of Config Sync, enforcing strict reconciliation. Without 'force', Config Sync may detect drift but not automatically correct it, leaving the cluster in a non-compliant state.
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.
- ✗
Set the Config Sync policy to 'allow-drift'
Why it's wrong here
This would permit drift, not remediate it.
- ✗
Enable 'sync' and set 'sync-repo' to the desired repository
Why it's wrong here
This is the basic setup but does not automatically overwrite manual changes.
- ✗
Configure 'source-format' as 'structured'
Why it's wrong here
Source format determines directory structure, not drift remediation.
- ✓
Use a GitOps tool like Config Sync with 'sync-mode' set to 'force'
Why this is correct
Config Sync's force mode automatically reverts any manual changes to match the repo.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that simply enabling Config Sync with a repository (Option B) is sufficient for drift remediation, but candidates must recognize that the 'sync-mode' parameter must be explicitly set to 'force' to enforce automatic correction of unauthorized changes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Config Sync uses the 'sync-mode' parameter to control how it handles conflicts between the desired state in Git and the current state in the cluster. When set to 'force', Config Sync performs a hard reset, deleting any resources not defined in Git and overwriting any modifications, effectively acting as a continuous reconciliation loop. In contrast, 'sync-mode' set to 'none' (default) only applies changes from Git but does not revert manual changes, which is why 'force' is critical for automatic drift remediation in security-sensitive environments.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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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Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDE question test?
Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service — This question tests Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a GitOps tool like Config Sync with 'sync-mode' set to 'force' — Config Sync's 'sync-mode' set to 'force' ensures that any manual changes to the cluster (configuration drift) are automatically reverted to match the desired state defined in the Git repository. This mode overwrites any modifications made outside of Config Sync, enforcing strict reconciliation. Without 'force', Config Sync may detect drift but not automatically correct it, leaving the cluster in a non-compliant state.
What should I do if I get this PCDE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 PCDE 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 PCDE exam.
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