Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) Exam | Linux Foundation

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Achieve the CKA today – the certification that is recognized globally, vendor-neutral, and relevant across all industries.

CKA includes:

✔ 12-months to schedule & take the exam ✔ Access to two exam simulation attempts ✔ Two exam attempts

Now Available! You can bundle CKA with an annual THRIVE subscription to get access to more than 100 educational products, including Kubernetes Fundamentals (LFS258) and SkillCreds for only $595!

PLEASE NOTE: Please see upcoming changes to the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam (changes NOT taking place prior to January 15, 2025). Bookmark the link and check back for the official release date.

How will the CKA benefit me?

• Credential Recognition
• Career Advancement
• Networking Opportunities
• Cross-industry Career Opportunities

read less read more What about AWS, Red Hat & other certs? Make sure your credentials include a strong foundation that is vendor-neutral to offer you the most career flexibility and growth. Add CKA to your portfolio today & check out our career roadmap. read less read more Not sure if you're ready? Check out these resources!

• Learning path to CKA
• Kubernetes Fundamentals e-learning Course
• Kubernetes Administration Instructor-led Course
• FREE Cloud & Containers Courses
• Unlimited Access to All e-Learning Courses

read less read more Domains & Competencies Expand All Collapse All Storage10% Understand storage classes, persistent volumes Understand volume mode, access modes and reclaim policies for volumes Understand persistent volume claims primitive Know how to configure applications with persistent storage Troubleshooting30% Evaluate cluster and node logging Understand how to monitor applications Manage container stdout & stderr logs Troubleshoot application failure Troubleshoot cluster component failure Troubleshoot networking Workloads & Scheduling15% Understand deployments and how to perform rolling update and rollbacks Use ConfigMaps and Secrets to configure applications Know how to scale applications Understand the primitives used to create robust, self-healing, application deployments Understand how resource limits can affect Pod scheduling Awareness of manifest management and common templating tools Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration25% Manage role based access control (RBAC) Use Kubeadm to install a basic cluster Manage a highly-available Kubernetes cluster Provision underlying infrastructure to deploy a Kubernetes cluster Perform a version upgrade on a Kubernetes cluster using Kubeadm Implement etcd backup and restore Services & Networking20% Understand host networking configuration on the cluster nodes Understand connectivity between Pods Understand ClusterIP, NodePort, LoadBalancer service types and endpoints Know how to use Ingress controllers and Ingress resources Know how to configure and use CoreDNS Choose an appropriate container network interface plugin Exam Details & Resources This exam is an online, proctored, performance-based test that requires solving multiple tasks from a command line running Kubernetes. Candidates have 2 hours to complete the tasks.

The exam is based on Kubernetes v1.31. The CKA exam environment will be aligned with the most recent K8s minor version within approximately 4 to 8 weeks of the K8s release date.

• Candidate Handbook
• Curriculum Overview
• Exam Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Linux Foundation Global Certification and Confidentiality Agreement
• Verify Certification
• CKA Reseller FAQs

About the CKA The CKA was created by the Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) as a part of their ongoing effort to help develop the Kubernetes ecosystem. The exam is online, proctored, performance-based test that requires solving multiple tasks from a command line running Kubernetes.

Once enrolled you will receive access to an exam simulator, provided by Killer.sh, allowing you to experience the exam environment. You will have two simulation attempts (36 hours of access for each attempt from the start of activation). The simulation includes 20-25 questions that are exactly the same for every attempt and every user, unlike the actual exam. The simulation will provide graded results. Prerequisites There are no pre-requisites for this exam. Reviews Sep 2024 I knew what to expect, because I took the test exam as well. I loved it, it is challenging but not superficially overcomplicated. Sep 2024 I love the hands-on experience of the exam. The knowledge I gained from the exam can easily translate into a job scenario, due to the practical implementation of the content the exam tests on. Aug 2024 I love that these exams are practical. I will always recommend Linux Foundation practical exams, and I will always hold the certification in higher esteem than any multiple-choice exam. Jul 2024 It was a fair test. I was happy to find that there weren't any seriously picky questions, and the time given was on point. The added copy-paste blocks in each question were much appreciated. I'd say the experience overall is well-refined. Jul 2024 The technical environment is well setup, so you don't waste time with technical details before digging into the exam, Jul 2024 The questions are well-structured in order to evaluate the candidates' understanding, which reflects the credibility of the person who can clear it. Jul 2024 I absolutely love how the Linux Foundation's Kubernetes exams are hands-on! It's like getting the green light to unleash your Kubernetes skills in a real-world professional environment. Jun 2024 Very clear instructions on questions, but especially direct link to relevant documentation, that saved a couple minutes of searching. Thank you! Jun 2024 Questions are to the point. I really enjoyed it, and it seems like a game! I encourage everybody to pass the exam and get things done. Jun 2024 What I liked best about the CKA exam was the hands-on, practical nature of the assessment. The exam was structured to closely simulate real-world scenarios, which allowed me to apply the knowledge and skills I had gained from the Linux and Cloud Native Foundation's online course in a meaningful and engaging way. I particularly enjoyed the interactive lab environment, where I could demonstrate my competency in managing Kubernetes clusters under realistic conditions. The tasks were challenging yet fair, and they provided a comprehensive test of my abilities across a wide range of topics, from setting up clusters to troubleshooting and optimizing Kubernetes deployments. Moreover, the exam's format encouraged a deep understanding of Kubernetes concepts, rather than rote memorization. This approach not only tested my technical skills but also reinforced my confidence in managing Kubernetes clusters in actual production environments. Overall, the exam was a rewarding and enjoyable experience that validated my hard work and preparation. Jun 2024 It has a very comprehensive test for Kubernetes. Well done for the design of the exam and certification. May 2024 I love the interactive nature of the LF exams. Tests like this make you feel like you have a real grasp on the content you are expected to learn, and provide a great means of displaying that knowledge. May 2024 This exam is very practical and relevant. The questions relate directly to real-world tasks we need to perform as a Kubernetes administrator. May 2024 The exam process, from start to end, was so comfortable. I liked the exam simulator as it was a seamless experience. The questions are well articulated to test the individual's in-depth experience and hands-on knowledge of the various components of Kubernetes. I highly recommend individuals taking this exam who work on Kubernetes daily. It will help to enhance your knowledge and confidence in using Kubernetes in the work. Apr 2024 It's a practical exam with real-world implementation; I'm not expected to remember commands and optional switches. In real life, I'm going to open the documentation and check. Excellent exam; and more should run with this format. Feb 2024 Amazing Exam. Tough but covers all aspects for great learning, must for every DevOps, SRE & Cloud Professionals. Dec 2023 The exam tests for relevant skills. If I see someone with CKA, I can be sure that the person is up to par with the skills to manage Kubernetes clusters. Oct 2023 Unlike many other exams, this exam is fully hands-on; you don't need to memorize non-sense information that you will never use! Almost everything you learn for the exam improves your knowledge significantly and prepares you for a proper real environment where you can handle a Kubernetes cluster by yourself. Aug 2023 The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam was an invigorating and rewarding experience that allowed me to demonstrate my comprehensive understanding and practical proficiency in managing Kubernetes clusters. The challenging nature of the exam, with its real-world scenarios and hands-on tasks, tested my ability to troubleshoot, make critical decisions, and deploy applications effectively within a Kubernetes environment. The well-structured and thorough certification process covered various essential concepts, including Kubernetes architecture, networking, security, and storage mechanisms, enabling me to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices. Overall, achieving the CKA certification has provided me with the confidence and validation needed to excel in the fast-paced world of cloud-native technologies, positively impacting cutting-edge projects and driving innovation in the field. Jun 2023 There's a pretty rich ecosystem of support around the exam, which made it feel familiar by the time I took it. I like the hands-on approach of the exam compared to other certificates, which use multiple-choice tests. I feel like I really learned and demonstrated something by taking the test in this format. May 2023 I love that the exam is practical. Candidates still have to memorize things, but you just need to know commands, syntax, and where to find certain files. This keeps the test relevant since Kubernetes changes and updates so often--if the test were multiple-choice then it'd be a lot of overhead for preparation to ensure the facts you have to memorize are still applicable. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 $395 Exam only Enroll Today Get a Quote Add Unlimited Access to e-Learning Courses + SkillCreds with the THRIVE Subscription for just $200 more $595 Exam + THRIVE Subscription Buy Bundle 100% Money Back Guarantee Includes Online Duration of Exam 2 hours Certification Valid for 2 Years Includes 12 Month Exam Eligibility One Retake PDF Certificate and Digital Badge Software Version: Kubernetes v1.31 Performance-Based Exam Exam Simulator Get a Quote Get help to convince your boss. Experience Level: Intermediate Gift this certification Certifying more than 10 people?Get a corporate quote. How has the CKA helped others?Check out Ben Cramer's story! Learn more about Kubernetes, cloud native, security, open source, career profiles, and more—check out our blog! Follow us onLinkedIn Popular Courses and Certifications CKAD - Kubernetes Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) Intermediate

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