KCSA Mock Exam and Practice Questions
Practise for the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate exam with mock exams in its real format: 60 multi-choice questions, 90 minutes and a 75% pass mark, with an explanation for every option. Kubernetes security, threat modeling, and compliance.
KCSA is one of the 5 Kubestronaut certifications and one of the 16 required for Golden Kubestronaut. See the full Golden Kubestronaut list →
KCSA exam domains and topics
The official KCSA curriculum splits the exam into 6 weighted domains. Under each are the competencies it lists — the topics the mock exams here are written against.
-
Overview of Cloud Native Security 14% · ~8 questions
- The 4Cs of Cloud Native Security
- Cloud Provider and Infrastructure Security
- Controls and Frameworks
- Isolation Techniques
- Artifact Repository and Image Security
- Workload and Application Code Security
-
Kubernetes Cluster Component Security 22% · ~13 questions
- API Server
- Controller Manager
- Scheduler
- Kubelet
- Container Runtime
- KubeProxy
- Pod
- Etcd
- Container Networking
- Client Security
- Storage
-
Kubernetes Security Fundamentals 22% · ~13 questions
- Pod Security Standards
- Pod Security Admissions
- Authentication
- Authorization
- Secrets
- Isolation and Segmentation
- Audit Logging
- Network Policy
-
Kubernetes Threat Model 16% · ~10 questions
- Kubernetes Trust Boundaries and Data Flow
- Persistence
- Denial of Service
- Malicious Code Execution and Compromised Applications in Containers
- Attacker on the Network
- Access to Sensitive Data
- Privilege Escalation
-
Platform Security 16% · ~10 questions
- Supply Chain Security
- Image Repository
- Observability
- Service Mesh
- PKI
- Connectivity
- Admission Control
-
Compliance and Security Frameworks 10% · ~6 questions
- Compliance Frameworks
- Threat Modelling Frameworks
- Supply Chain Compliance
- Automation and Tooling
Questions per domain are the official weight applied to the exam's 60 questions, rounded.
A free KCSA sample question
What is in the KCSA mock exams
- 3 full mock exams of 60 questions each: 180 original questions across all 6 domains.
- Exam simulation on the real 90-minute timer, with your score and a breakdown by domain at the end.
- Practice mode with the explanation after every answer, plus domain drills and a review of the questions you missed.
- The full mocks need a paid plan; the sample question on this page is free.
Prerequisites and background knowledge
KCNA or equivalent Kubernetes knowledge. Familiarity with basic security concepts (TLS, RBAC, network policies).
Official reference: cncf.io/training/certification/kcsa.
More KCSA practice resources
Where to go after KCSA
Once you pass KCSA, these certs are natural next steps on the Golden Kubestronaut path:
Frequently asked questions about KCSA
How many questions are on the KCSA exam?
60 multi-choice questions in 90 minutes. Each KCSA mock exam here matches that: 60 questions on a 90-minute timer.
What is the passing score for KCSA?
75%.
How long is the KCSA exam?
90 minutes.
What topics does the KCSA exam cover?
The KCSA curriculum has 6 domains: Overview of Cloud Native Security (14%), Kubernetes Cluster Component Security (22%), Kubernetes Security Fundamentals (22%), Kubernetes Threat Model (16%), Platform Security (16%) and Compliance and Security Frameworks (10%).
How difficult is the KCSA exam?
Rated intermediate. Plan 2–8 weeks depending on your background.
How much does the KCSA exam cost?
Pricing changes periodically — check the official CNCF KCSA page at https://www.cncf.io/training/certification/kcsa/.
Are these KCSA mock exams free?
The sample question on this page is free with no account. Full timed KCSA mocks require a paid plan.
How is this mock exam different from the real KCSA exam?
Original questions written against the official CNCF curriculum — not scraped dumps. Format mirrors the real exam; the real one is proctored, these are self-paced.
How current are the KCSA questions?
The KCSA question bank is checked every month against the official curriculum: the Linux Foundation and CNCF certification pages and the curriculum PDF. The last check was in October 2026. When the curriculum changes, the questions are revised.
Is KCSA required for Golden Kubestronaut?
Yes. KCSA is one of the 5 Kubestronaut certifications and one of the 16 required for Golden Kubestronaut.
What is the best way to study for KCSA?
Work through the official curriculum in order of domain weight (heaviest first), then run full timed mocks until you hit 85%+ consistently.