What the DCA is and how it works

According to Mirantis, “Docker does not publish exam passing scores because exam questions and passing scores are subject to change without notice.”^[1] Practice with the free DCA - Docker Certified Associate practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (14 questions with answer explanations).

The Docker Certified Associate certification validates professionals with a recommended 6–12 months of Docker experience. Mirantis administers the test to confirm foundational competencies in containerization and system management.

The examination is online remotely proctored on a Windows or Mac computer. Candidates have 90 minutes to answer 13 multiple choice and 42 discrete option multiple choice (DOMC) questions. The registration fee is $199 USD or €200 per attempt, which pays for that exam attempt.

Mirantis does not publish passing scores because questions and benchmarks are subject to change without notice. Candidates receive results via a score report immediately on the testing screen upon finishing the examination, with the choice to request an email copy sent to the address tied to their Docker ID profile.

If an applicant does not pass, Mirantis enforces a mandatory 14-day wait period before a subsequent attempt is allowed, requiring payment of the registration fee again. When earned, the certification remains valid for 2 years, requiring renewal every 2 years through official Mirantis channels.

Free DCA - Docker Certified Associate Exam Study Tools

Interactive DCA - Docker Certified Associate Exam resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• DCA Docker Swarm & Orchestration — 14 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
• DCA - Docker Certified Associate Exam flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• DCA - Docker Certified Associate Exam study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• DCA - Docker Certified Associate Exam cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

DCA Exam at a Glance

Facts verified Oct 27, 2026 against Mirantis. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

Worked examples: how to reason through DCA questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What does data integrity mean in DCA practice?

1. The accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data throughout its entire lifecycle
2. The physical security of computer hardware
3. The speed at which data can be processed
4. The artistic quality of data visualizations

Answer: A. The accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data throughout its entire lifecycle

Explanation:

Option A is correct because data integrity means maintaining the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of information across its entire operational lifecycle. Option B is incorrect because safeguarding physical computer equipment pertains to hardware security rather than the correctness of stored records. Option C is incorrect because processing speed measures system latency or computational performance, not data correctness. Option D is incorrect because graphic aesthetics describe visual presentation design rather than data trustworthiness. Remember the general rule: data integrity always centers on keeping information accurate, unaltered, and dependable from collection through storage and retrieval.

Example 2

Question: What does the term 'benchmark' mean in DCA quality improvement?

1. A standard of performance used for comparison against current processes or outcomes
2. A physical mark on a workbench for measurements
3. A type of software testing procedure
4. A financial accounting standard

Answer: A. A standard of performance used for comparison against current processes or outcomes

Explanation:

Option A is correct because a benchmark serves as a recognized reference point or standard against which an organization evaluates its processes, operations, and outcomes. Option B is incorrect because a literal physical notch on a workshop table confuses the metaphorical management definition with carpentry. Option C is incorrect because software testing routines validate functional code behavior rather than establishing comparative organizational standards. Option D is incorrect because accounting standards govern financial reporting rules rather than general quality improvement benchmarks. Remember the general rule: benchmarking relies on established standards of excellence to identify performance gaps and direct operational improvements.

Example 3

Question: What role does feedback play in DCA professional development?

1. It identifies strengths and areas for improvement, guiding professional growth
2. Feedback is only useful when it is entirely positive
3. Professional feedback should be given only during annual reviews
4. Only supervisors should give and receive professional feedback

Answer: A. It identifies strengths and areas for improvement, guiding professional growth

Explanation:

Option A is correct because constructive evaluation highlights both demonstrated capabilities and specific growth areas, helping individuals guide their career progress. Option B is incorrect because limiting input to positive remarks conceals developmental blind spots that need corrective action. Option C is incorrect because restricting evaluations to annual cycles prevents timely course correction during daily workflows. Option D is incorrect because peer review and upward communication provide valuable perspectives beyond supervisory input. Remember the general rule: effective professional development requires balanced, continuous input from multiple working relationships rather than isolated or exclusively positive commentary.

How to use these practice tests

Begin preparation by aligning hands-on container tasks with official Mirantis documentation. Mirantis recommends 6–12 months of Docker experience, so practicing container lifecycle commands, storage volumes, and engine configurations in a personal lab provides essential context.

Next, use targeted practice modules to identify knowledge gaps. Work through questions in DCA Docker Networking, examine cluster configurations in DCA Docker Swarm & Orchestration, and review access control topics in DCA Docker Security. Broader reviews can include DCA Docker Certified Associate MCQ and general operational reviews.

Simulate exam conditions before scheduling your session. The exam allocates 90 minutes for 13 multiple choice and 42 discrete option multiple choice questions. Practice answering items steadily without backtracking on discrete option multiple choice formats. Check every incorrect practice response against official technical references, note recurring mistakes, and repeat topical tests until container principles become clear.

Sample DCA - Docker Certified Associate Exam Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free DCA - Docker Certified Associate Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. A team plans to use Docker configs (not secrets) to distribute non-sensitive configuration to Swarm services. What is a key difference between Docker configs and Docker secrets?

   • A. Configs are encrypted at rest; secrets are stored as plain text
   • B. Configs are mounted at arbitrary paths; secrets are always mounted at /run/secrets/
   • C. Configs can be updated in place; secrets are immutable and must be versioned
   • D. Configs support binary data; secrets only support UTF-8 strings

   Answer: B. Configs are mounted at arbitrary paths; secrets are always mounted at /run/secrets/

   Secrets are always mounted under /run/secrets/ , while configs can be mounted at any path specified in the service definition.

2. A Docker Certified Associate is asked to sign off on a container deployment they have not reviewed. What is the correct professional response?

   • A. Sign off to avoid slowing down the team
   • B. Refuse to sign off without personally reviewing the deployment artifacts and security checks
   • C. Delegate sign-off to a junior team member
   • D. Sign off with a disclaimer that they did not review it

   Answer: B. Refuse to sign off without personally reviewing the deployment artifacts and security checks

   Professional certifications carry ethical responsibility; signing off on unreviewed work exposes both the individual and the organization to unnecessary risk.

3. A security audit finds that the Docker daemon socket `/var/run/docker.sock` is mounted inside several application containers. Why is this classified as a critical risk?

   • A. It exposes container logs to other containers on the same network
   • B. It gives the container full control over the Docker daemon, equivalent to root access on the host
   • C. It causes the container to restart automatically when the daemon restarts
   • D. It prevents the container from being stopped with `docker stop`

   Answer: B. It gives the container full control over the Docker daemon, equivalent to root access on the host

   Access to the Docker socket allows a container to issue any Docker API command, including spawning new privileged containers that mount the host filesystem.

4. A healthcare organization uses Docker for a telehealth platform. Under HITECH Act provisions, breach notification timelines apply when PHI is exposed. What Docker control helps detect a potential breach quickly?

   • A. Runtime security monitoring with anomaly detection for unexpected container behaviors
   • B. Weekly manual review of container logs
   • C. Using bridge networking for all containers
   • D. Setting container restart policies to 'always'

   Answer: A. Runtime security monitoring with anomaly detection for unexpected container behaviors

   Runtime monitoring with anomaly detection enables rapid detection of unauthorized access or data exfiltration, supporting the HITECH 60-day breach notification requirement.

Take the full DCA - Docker Certified Associate Exam practice test