Microservices Architecture Test
Tests microservices architecture — when to choose microservices over a monolith, decomposing by business capability and bounded context, synchronous and event-driven communication, data ownership and sagas, deployment on containers and Kubernetes, and resilience, security and observability. Pass to earn Microservices Architecture SOA-MICA.
- Advanced difficulty.Assumes years in the role or deep specialist knowledge.
- 25 scenario questions
- 25 minutes, timed
- 70% to pass · 90% for distinction
- Free no sign-up needed
- LinkedIn-ready · add it to your profile in one clickSee how ↓
What is the Microservices Architecture Test?
The Microservices Architecture Test is a free advanced-level, 25-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests microservices architecture — when to choose microservices over a monolith, decomposing by business capability and bounded context, synchronous and event-driven communication, data ownership and sagas, deployment on containers and Kubernetes, and resilience, security and observability. Score 70% or more on its 25 questions to earn a verifiable Microservices Architecture certificate (SOA-MICA). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Microservice architecture patterns (Chris Richardson), Microservices (James Lewis and Martin Fowler), Cloud Design Patterns (Microsoft Azure Architecture Center) — and each answer is explained with its source.
Built for your job title
Software architect, Senior backend engineer, Platform engineer, DevOps engineer and Engineering lead — and anyone who wants quick, verifiable proof of Microservices Architecture skills for a CV or LinkedIn.
- Software architect
- Senior backend engineer
- Platform engineer
- DevOps engineer
- Engineering lead
What the test covers
Five skill areas with 5 questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area, so a retake brings questions you haven't seen.
- 01
Principles and Decomposition
20%- Monolith versus microservices
- Bounded contexts
- Service boundaries
- 02
Communication and APIs
20%- Synchronous calls
- Asynchronous messaging
- API gateways and contracts
- 03
Data Management
20%- Database per service
- Sagas
- Querying across services
- 04
Deployment and Platform
20%- Containers and Kubernetes
- CI/CD
- Configuration
- 05
Resilience, Security and Observability
20%- Fault tolerance
- Service-to-service security
- Distributed tracing and monitoring
Based on published standards
The questions are original scenarios, and each one names the public standard, official guide or research it draws on — shown under the question while you answer, and linked in your review. These are the sources behind this test:
- Microservice architecture patternsChris Richardson23 questions
- MicroservicesJames Lewis and Martin Fowler7 questions
- Cloud Design PatternsMicrosoft Azure Architecture Center5 questions
- Site Reliability EngineeringGoogle4 questions
- Kubernetes conceptskubernetes.io (CNCF)3 questions
- OWASP Cheat Sheet SeriesOWASP2 questions
- Designing Data-Intensive ApplicationsMartin Kleppmann (O'Reilly)1 question
- Docker: Get startedDocker Docs1 question
- The Twelve-Factor AppAdam Wiggins (Heroku)1 question
- What is Terraform?HashiCorp1 question
- SP 800-207: Zero Trust ArchitectureNIST1 question
- OpenTelemetry documentationOpenTelemetry (CNCF)1 question
Try a sample question
A key characteristic of a well-designed microservice is that it
- must be released together with all other services every time
- owns its own data and can be deployed independently of other services
- is defined by a technical layer such as "the database service"
- shares one database schema with every other service in the system
Show the answer
B. owns its own data and can be deployed independently of other services — Loose coupling and high cohesion. The real test has 25 questions like this.
How the test works
25 minutes, 25 questions
One question per screen, with a progress bar and a countdown. Your progress is saved on this device if you need to pause.
Graded on our server
Answers reach the page only after you submit, so the certificate can only be earned by passing.
Every answer explained
Pass or not, you see every question with the right answer, why, and the source behind it. Pass mark 70%, distinction 90%.
Your certificate
Founder-signed, with a QR code and credential ID. Download PDF or PNG, add to LinkedIn, and it's emailed to you.
What you earn

Pass, then add it to LinkedIn in one click
No typing. The Add to LinkedIn button opens your profile’s Licenses & certifications form already filled in: the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and a link recruiters can use to verify it.
- 1Take the 25-minute test
- 2Score 70% or more
- 3Click Add to LinkedIn

Microservices Architecture
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Microservices Architecture Test?
The Microservices Architecture Test is a free advanced-level, 25-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests microservices architecture — when to choose microservices over a monolith, decomposing by business capability and bounded context, synchronous and event-driven communication, data ownership and sagas, deployment on containers and Kubernetes, and resilience, security and observability. Score 70% or more on its 25 questions to earn a verifiable Microservices Architecture certificate (SOA-MICA). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Microservice architecture patterns (Chris Richardson), Microservices (James Lewis and Martin Fowler), Cloud Design Patterns (Microsoft Azure Architecture Center) — and each answer is explained with its source.
How do I take the Microservices Architecture Test for free?
Read the five skill areas on this page, then take the 25-minute test online — no fee, course or sign-up. You see every answer explained when you finish. Score 70% or more and you get a Microservices Architecture certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.
Are the Microservices Architecture Test questions based on real standards?
Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: Microservice architecture patterns (Chris Richardson); Microservices (James Lewis and Martin Fowler); Cloud Design Patterns (Microsoft Azure Architecture Center); Site Reliability Engineering (Google); Kubernetes concepts (kubernetes.io (CNCF)); OWASP Cheat Sheet Series (OWASP). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.
What does the Microservices Architecture Test cover?
Five skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Principles and Decomposition (Monolith versus microservices, Bounded contexts and Service boundaries); Communication and APIs (Synchronous calls, Asynchronous messaging and API gateways and contracts); Data Management (Database per service, Sagas and Querying across services); Deployment and Platform (Containers and Kubernetes, CI/CD and Configuration); Resilience, Security and Observability (Fault tolerance, Service-to-service security and Distributed tracing and monitoring). Every question is an original scenario based on a published standard, official documentation or research, named under the question.
Who should take the Microservices Architecture Test?
Software architect, Senior backend engineer, Platform engineer, DevOps engineer and Engineering lead. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show Microservices Architecture skills, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.
Can I use this for microservices interview questions, microservices certification or microservices quiz?
Yes. The Microservices Architecture Test is free and covers all of these: 25 scenario questions in 25 minutes, each answer explained with the source it comes from, so it works as interview and exam practice. It isn't a full course, so use the areas you miss as your study list. Scoring 70% or more earns a verifiable certificate.
Can I take the Microservices Architecture Test from any country?
Yes. The test is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.
How long is the Microservices Architecture Test?
25 questions — 5 from each of 5 skill areas — with a 25-minute limit. You need 70% (18 of 25) to pass and 90% for distinction.
How hard is the Microservices Architecture Test?
We rate it Advanced: assumes years in the role or deep specialist knowledge. It has 25 scenario questions — 5 from each of 5 skill areas — and a 25-minute limit. You need 70% (18 of 25) to pass and 90% for distinction.
How much do Science of Apps certifications cost?
Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.
How are the tests graded?
On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.
What happens if I don't pass?
You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.
Do the certificates expire?
No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.
Can I add the certificate to LinkedIn?
Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.
How can an employer verify my certificate?
Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.
Are these accredited qualifications?
No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.
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