CKA

CKA, CKAD, CKS - Frequently Asked Questions

According to recent statistics, there has been a 127% increase in the number of Kubernetes clusters hosted in the cloud in 2022. The increase has also resulted in higher salaries and abundant job opportunities for Kubernetes experts.

See our blog: Salaries for Kubernetes jobs in Q1 2023

In this article, we'll look at the most frequently asked questions about Kubernetes certifications offered by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF).

Kubernetes Certification – Section Introduction

Kubernetes certifications are very important in today's competitive job market. They validate a candidate's proficiency in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Kubernetes clusters. Obtaining a certification can be an excellent way to demonstrate to potential employers that you possess the necessary expertise to work with Kubernetes, thereby enhancing your job prospects.

Moreover, Kubernetes certifications are updated regularly to reflect the latest developments in the Kubernetes ecosystem. Therefore, it is an effective way to stay up-to-date with the latest features and best practices.

Below are the Kubernetes certifications offered by CNCF:

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Kubernetes Pods Lab
Kubernetes Pods Lab

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I register for the exam?

Go here to register for the exam.

CKA – Click here

CKAD – Click here

CKS – Click here

How long do I have to take the exam?

  • Once purchased, you can take the exam within 12 months, enough time to prepare and attempt your CKA, CKAD, and CKS exams.

How many attempts do I get?

  • You get 1 free retake for each of these exams. A total of 2 attempts can be taken for these exams.
  • The second attempt can be taken only if you fail the first attempt.

Should I go for CKA or CKAD, or CKS?

  • If you need to try Kubernetes Certification and get one quickly, I’d say go for CKAD as it’s easy to prepare and crack, compared to CKA.
  • If you want to learn Kubernetes well, go for CKA. I think all system administrators and operations engineers should target CKA.
  • If you are preparing for CKA, CKAD is an easy add-on. You can target to achieve CKAD 2-3 weeks after CKA.
  • Before taking the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam, applicants must have completed and passed the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam. CKS can be purchased but cannot be booked until CKA certification is obtained.

I am not a developer. So is CKAD for me?

  • You don’t need to be a developer to attempt CKAD. No coding experience is required. You will be focusing on deploying a given application.

Do I need any coding or programming knowledge to learn Kubernetes?

  • No, you do not need any scripting or programming knowledge to do CKA or CKAD.

What is the score needed to pass the exam?

  • CKA – above 66% score
  • CKAD – above 66% score
  • CKS – above 67% score

What are the exam and system requirements for CKA, CKAD, and CKS exams?

Exam Requirements

  • Government-issued IDs with candidates’ full name, photo, and signature.
  • A well-lit room with a clear background is suggested as this exam is proctored.

System Requirements

  • The current version of Chrome or Chromium
  • Stable Internet connection
  • Webcam
  • Microphone

How do I prepare for the exam?

One of the best ways to prepare for exams is to learn and practice what you are learning. This will help you internalize the materials. Consider taking exam preparation courses like the ones offered by KodeKloud: CKAD, CKA, and CKS.

Once you enroll, you will get access to our Slack Channel where our instructors and experts will help in answering your doubts and help you in getting through the practical lab exercises. Learn from others and by helping others.

Shafaq Khan

• 3 min read