- A
path "secret/dev/*" { capabilities = ["create", "read", "update", "delete", "list"] }
Why wrong: This allows delete on all secrets, not just the user's own.
- B
path "secret/dev/*" { capabilities = ["read", "list"] }
Why wrong: This only allows read and list, not write or delete.
- C
path "secret/dev/+/{{identity.entity.name}}" { capabilities = ["create", "read", "update", "delete"] }
Why wrong: The '+' wildcard matches a single directory level, but the path pattern may not cover all desired paths; also missing 'list'.
- D
path "secret/dev/*" { capabilities = ["create", "read", "update", "delete", "list"] } path "secret/dev/{{identity.entity.name}}/*" { capabilities = ["delete"] }
Correctly grants full access to the dev path, but delete is only allowed on the user's own sub-path using entity name.
Quick Answer
The correct policy design uses a two-part approach: a broad path granting full CRUDL access to `secret/dev/*` for reading and writing, paired with a more specific path `secret/dev/{{identity.entity.name}}/*` that restricts delete capabilities to only the developer’s own sub-path. This works because Vault’s identity template `{{identity.entity.name}}` dynamically resolves to the authenticated user’s entity name at runtime, ensuring that a developer can only delete secrets within their personal namespace under `secret/dev/`. On the HashiCorp Vault Associate VA-003 exam, this question tests your understanding of policy templating and least-privilege scoping—a common trap is forgetting that a broader delete permission would override the restriction, or misusing `{{identity.entity.metadata}}` instead of the entity name. A helpful memory tip: think of it as “read and write everywhere, but delete only in your own folder”—the identity template acts like a personalized key that locks the delete action to the user’s unique path.
VA-003 Create Vault policies Practice Question
This VA-003 practice question tests your understanding of create vault policies. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 wants to grant developers the ability to read and write secrets under the path 'secret/dev/*', but only they should be able to delete their own secrets. Which policy design best meets this requirement?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
path "secret/dev/*" { capabilities = ["create", "read", "update", "delete", "list"] } path "secret/dev/{{identity.entity.name}}/*" { capabilities = ["delete"] }
Option D is correct because it grants full CRUDL access to 'secret/dev/*' for reading and writing, but then restricts delete to only the path 'secret/dev/{{identity.entity.name}}/*', which uses the entity's name to ensure developers can only delete secrets under their own sub-path. This leverages Vault's identity entity name templating to enforce per-developer delete scoping.
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.
- ✗
path "secret/dev/*" { capabilities = ["create", "read", "update", "delete", "list"] }
Why it's wrong here
This allows delete on all secrets, not just the user's own.
- ✗
path "secret/dev/*" { capabilities = ["read", "list"] }
Why it's wrong here
This only allows read and list, not write or delete.
- ✗
path "secret/dev/+/{{identity.entity.name}}" { capabilities = ["create", "read", "update", "delete"] }
Why it's wrong here
The '+' wildcard matches a single directory level, but the path pattern may not cover all desired paths; also missing 'list'.
- ✓
path "secret/dev/*" { capabilities = ["create", "read", "update", "delete", "list"] } path "secret/dev/{{identity.entity.name}}/*" { capabilities = ["delete"] }
Why this is correct
Correctly grants full access to the dev path, but delete is only allowed on the user's own sub-path using entity name.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
HashiCorp often tests the distinction between wildcard '*' (matches any number of segments) and '+' (matches exactly one segment), and the use of identity template variables to scope permissions per entity, which candidates may overlook by choosing a broad delete permission.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Vault policies use glob patterns and path templating with {{identity.entity.name}} to dynamically bind permissions to the authenticated entity's name. The 'delete' capability is separate from 'create' and 'update', allowing fine-grained control. In real-world scenarios, this prevents a developer from accidentally or maliciously deleting another team's secrets while still allowing full write access to their own area.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this VA-003 question test?
Create Vault policies — This question tests Create Vault policies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: path "secret/dev/*" { capabilities = ["create", "read", "update", "delete", "list"] } path "secret/dev/{{identity.entity.name}}/*" { capabilities = ["delete"] } — Option D is correct because it grants full CRUDL access to 'secret/dev/*' for reading and writing, but then restricts delete to only the path 'secret/dev/{{identity.entity.name}}/*', which uses the entity's name to ensure developers can only delete secrets under their own sub-path. This leverages Vault's identity entity name templating to enforce per-developer delete scoping.
What should I do if I get this VA-003 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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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: Jun 30, 2026
This VA-003 practice question is part of Courseiva's free HashiCorp 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 VA-003 exam.
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