Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) Exam

 

Introduction

The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam is a performance-based exam to certify an individual’s proficiency in administering Kubernetes clusters. It tests your ability to design, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot Kubernetes clusters. The CKA exam is programmatically driven and is based on the Kubernetes Contributor’s documentation and the curriculum developed by the Linux Foundation and The Cloud Native Computing Foundation.

This exam is for IT professionals in roles such as cloud administrator, cloud engineer, container platform engineer, system administrator, system integrator, architects, software engineers, and DevOps engineers who want to gain the skills and accreditation necessary to operate and manage a Kubernetes cluster.

The benefits of obtaining a CKA certification

• Recognition as an expert in the field of Kubernetes

• Demonstrate proficiency in operating and managing a Kubernetes cluster

• Shows commitment to gaining skills and knowledge in the area of Kubernetes and cloud infrastructure

• Demonstrates ability to operate in a cloud environment

• Increases career prospects and earning potential.

Exam Syllabus and Format

Topics of the CKA Exam:

• Core Concepts

• Configuration

• Multi-Container Pods

• Observability

• Pod Design

• Services and Networking

• Storage

• Security

• Cluster Maintenace

Exam Format and Duration:

• The CKA Exam is a computer-based, hands-on, live environment exam. It must be taken at an approved testing center.

• It is composed of 24 practical tasks that require candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of Kubernetes operations and administration. The exam lasts up to 3 hours.

Tips for Preparing for the Exam:

• Take practice exams or participate in practice labs to familiarize yourself with the exam and the environment.

• Take the time to understand the tasks required as explained in the CKA exam competencies.

• Download and install a Kubernetes distribution of your choice to your laptop. — Read/watch tutorials and reference materials on the topics covered in the Exam.

• Work with an existing Kubernetes cluster as much as possible.

• Use the provided documentation to familiarize yourself with the Kubernetes distributions.

• Join study groups and practice online with others.

• Review the CKA exam competencies and practice the tasks associated with each competency.

• Take part in events hosted by the Linux Foundation and other Kubernetes communities.

Preparation for CKA Exam

• The Kubernetes Certified Administrator (CKA) exam by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation: https://www.cncf.io/certification/cka/

• Linux Academy Kubernetes Essentials: https://linuxacademy.com/kubernetes-essentials/

• The CKA Exam Primer from the Kubernetes blog: https://kubernetes.io/blog/2018/07/13/cka-exam-primer/

• Kubernetes by Example: https://github.com/kubernetes-by-example/kubernetes-by-example

• Kubernetes Documentation: https://kubernetes.io/docs/

Best Practices for Studying and Practicing for the Exam

• Be familiar with the CKA exam objectives and the types of questions.

• Build familiarity with the command line interface and Kubernetes tools.

• Read and understand Kubernetes docs and blog posts.

• Attend a Kubernetes training course and ask lots of questions.

• Utilize resources such as the CKA Exam Primer & Kubernetes by Example to practice with real-world applications.

• Use interactive learning platforms such as Linux Academy & practice services like Katacoda.

• Follow key industry news and developments around Kubernetes and related topics.

Strategies for tackling the more challenging topics

• Create an environment to practice the topics where you have more difficulty.

• Organize a time to focus on studying or working on projects and set objectives.

• Work with experienced people in the Kubernetes community.

• Break down the big topics into smaller chunks and target them one by one.

• Participate in online forums and ask questions when you have difficulties.

• Take practice exams and read up on sample questions.

• Make sure to review the topics you find challenging after you finish reading and studying them so you can retain the information.

Exam Results and What’s Next

The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam is made up of multiple, performance-based tasks that assess an individual’s knowledge and ability to solve a given problem. The exam results are scored on a scale of 0–100 points, with a passing score of 74 points or higher. Besides passing or failing, the exam result can also indicate the proficiency level of an applicant, by grouping the results into three categories: Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. A minimum of 74 points is required to pass the exam, but receiving a score in the Proficient or Advanced categories will also require higher points: Basic is awarded for 74–83 points, Proficient for 84–93 points, and Advanced is given for 94 points and higher. Additionally, CKA exam results will also provide a breakdown of scores in each section of the exam, so applicants have a better understanding of which areas need improvement.

After passing the exam, you can take advantage of continued education and professional development through CKA-specific events, webinars, and training programs provided by various organizations such as the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). Several organizations offer Kubernetes certifications after you pass the CKA certification. These certifications can validate your expertise in specific areas of Kubernetes. They include the CKS Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist certification, the CKAD Certified Kubernetes Application Developer certification, and the CKF Certified Kubernetes Foundation certification.

Success Stories

1.John Jelinek — CKA Certified

John Jelinek is an experienced infrastructure engineer, with over 7 years of experience in DevOps and system automation. He is also a Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA).

John was excited to become a CKA-certified professional, stating “The CKA certification was something I wanted to pursue for a long time to validate my knowledge of Kubernetes. I knew it was the right certification to help open up more opportunities and grow my career.”

When asked about his preparation for the exam, John said, “I was already quite familiar with Kubernetes, so I focused mostly on the books and resources that I found online. Between that and my experience of using Kubernetes in my day-to-day work, I was sure I was ready for the exam.”

John is currently working as a principal consultant with Kubernetes onsite and in multiple AWS, Azure, and GCP environments. He credits the CKA certification for having a direct impact on his career growth. “The certification has definitely opened up more doors for me, and allowed me to take on larger and more challenging roles,” he says.

2. Rebecca Richards — CKA Certified

Rebecca Richards is a certified Kubernetes Administrator with over ten years of experience working in DevOps engineering.

Rebecca found the CKA exam to be a valuable learning experience. “It was the perfect opportunity to test my knowledge of Kubernetes. I was already very familiar with the platform, but the exam really pushed my understanding and helped me get up to speed on the more technical aspects,” she said.

When asked how she prepared for the exam, Rebecca explained, “I studied the official CKA guide as well as a few other online tutorials. I also read a lot of Kubernetes-related blog posts to gain a better understanding of the system.”

Rebecca has been able to use the CKA certification to her advantage in the workplace, saying “The credential has helped me stand out from the competition and position myself better for job opportunities. I’m now more confident when working with Kubernetes in my own projects.”