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100+ Free KCSA Practice Questions

Pass your Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate (KCSA) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: KCSA Exam

60

Exam Questions

CNCF

75%

Passing Score

CNCF

90 min

Exam Duration

CNCF

$250

Exam Fee

Includes retake

5

Content Domains

KCSA Curriculum

3 years

Certification Validity

CNCF

The KCSA exam has 60 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes with a 75% passing score. It covers cluster setup and hardening (20%), supply chain security (20%), platform security (25%), runtime security (15%), and compliance/observability (20%). KCSA is the associate-level entry point for Kubernetes security certifications.

About the KCSA Exam

The Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate (KCSA) validates foundational knowledge of Kubernetes and cloud-native security concepts including cluster hardening, supply chain security, RBAC, network policies, pod security, runtime monitoring, compliance scanning, and security observability. KCSA is an entry-level certification from CNCF.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

75%

Exam Fee

$250 (includes one free retake) (Cloud Native Computing Foundation / Linux Foundation)

KCSA Exam Content Outline

20%

Cluster Setup & Hardening

API server security, etcd encryption, kubelet authentication, certificate rotation, CIS Benchmark, and dashboard security

20%

Supply Chain Security

Image scanning, Sigstore/Cosign, SBOM, SLSA framework, private registries, distroless images, and image provenance

25%

Platform Security

RBAC, network policies, Pod Security Admission, SecurityContext, service accounts, capabilities, and service mesh mTLS

15%

Runtime Security

Falco, seccomp profiles, AppArmor, container escape prevention, runtime class, and eBPF-based monitoring

20%

Compliance & Observability

Audit logging, OPA Gatekeeper, Kyverno, kubescape, kube-bench, network observability, and regulatory compliance

How to Pass the KCSA Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75%
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam fee: $250 (includes one free retake)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

KCSA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Kubernetes RBAC concepts — Roles vs ClusterRoles, RoleBindings vs ClusterRoleBindings, and the least privilege principle
2Understand all three Pod Security Standards: Privileged, Baseline, and Restricted and what each enforces
3Know the SecurityContext fields: runAsNonRoot, allowPrivilegeEscalation, readOnlyRootFilesystem, and capabilities
4Study the CNCF Cloud Native Security Whitepaper's four lifecycle phases: Develop, Distribute, Deploy, Runtime
5Learn Sigstore components: Cosign (signing), Fulcio (certificate authority), and Rekor (transparency log)
6Understand NetworkPolicies including default deny, ingress/egress rules, and namespace selectors
7Practice with kube-bench and kubescape to understand CIS Benchmark and NSA/CISA recommendations
8Study SBOM formats (SPDX, CycloneDX) and understand the SLSA framework's four levels

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KCSA exam format?

The KCSA exam has 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes with a 75% passing score. It is an online proctored exam that tests foundational Kubernetes and cloud-native security knowledge. One free retake is included with the exam purchase.

What is the difference between KCSA and CKS?

KCSA is an associate-level multiple-choice exam testing security knowledge. CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist) is an advanced hands-on exam requiring practical demonstration of Kubernetes security skills in a live cluster. KCSA is the recommended starting point before pursuing CKS.

How much does the KCSA exam cost?

The KCSA exam costs $250 and includes one free retake if needed. No additional training purchase is required. The Linux Foundation also offers bundle deals combining the exam with training courses at discounted prices.

What Kubernetes knowledge do I need for KCSA?

KCSA requires foundational Kubernetes knowledge including understanding of pods, deployments, services, namespaces, RBAC, and basic cluster architecture. Prior hands-on experience with kubectl and Kubernetes resource definitions is recommended but not required.

Does KCSA cover supply chain security?

Yes, supply chain security is a significant portion (20%) of the KCSA exam. Topics include container image scanning, image signing with Sigstore/Cosign, SBOM (Software Bill of Materials), SLSA framework, private registries, and Dockerfile best practices.