I’m sharing my experience so others know they’re not alone - and to expose how this system is failing candidates. This isn’t just about technical issues; it’s about the emotional and financial toll of a process that feels rigged against us.
My Three Attempts, Zero Fairness
- First attempt (June 2025, CKS): Scored 64% - my fault, no complaints. PSI worked fine on Debian 12 (same as my CKA in Nov 2024 or my KCSA few weeks after).
- Second attempt (July 8): Blocked at launch - PSI suddenly rejected Debian as “unsupported,” despite their own “compatibility check” falsely claiming OS compatibility. Linux Foundation waived the attempt. Thanks.
- Third attempt (July 14): Followed every rule - clean Ubuntu 24.04, X11/Gnome, no extras. Crashed at 50 minutes while I was acing it. Weeks of mocks, wasted. I ended up calling +1 617-564-9052 (PSI support) crying (for real…) after ~1h trying to log back to my session discovering 3min left.
The Real Cost
Financial: As a French SRE (~€32k/year), exam fees are a big part of a month’s savings. LF’s US-centric pricing ignores global realities.
Emotional: Debugging your OS 30 minutes pre-exam is insanity. Crashing mid-test after thinking “This time I’ll make it!” is soul-crushing.
Trust: PSI’s “requirements” change arbitrarily. Support tickets close with useless replies (“contact Linux Foundation”). Compliant setups fail. No refunds.
The Betrayal
Why would anyone continue with LF certifications - or contribute to their community - after this? They’ve created a system where:
- Their own “compatibility check” lies.
- Their partner’s software fails even when we follow every rule.
- Candidates bear all the risk (financial, emotional, career).
This isn’t just incompetence - it feels like a scam.
Linux Foundation, you must:
- Ditch PSI - their platform is unfit for purpose.
- Offer real compensation - refunds when your system fails.
- Fix transparency - no more fake “compatibility” checks.
To fellow victims: Share your stories. The only way this changes apparently.