CKA study guide

CKA Certified Kubernetes Administrator study guide

About this Guide

subjectLast updated Jul 2, 2022
account_circleWritten by www.ShareLearn.net

1. Overview

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The CKA program was created by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), in collaboration with The Linux Foundation

CKA is not an easy exam, the exam has tasks instead of questions like other exams.

Questions provide details on what needs to be implemented, candidates are expected to configure it in the provided environment.

Candidates should have hands-on experience with Kubernetes.

This guide will help you prepare for CKA exam.

2. CKA exam June 22 changes?

On June 25, 2022, The Linux Foundation migrated the CKA, CKAD and CKS programs from PSI’s ExamsLocal proctoring platform to PSI Bridge, as candidates were notified about beginning last year, and reminded of last month.

There were no changes to the exam content. The major changes are that candidates:

  • No longer need to share their desktop with the proctor
  • Check themselves in without having to wait for a proctor
  • Can only have one active monitor (either built in or external)
  • Will now use the PSI Secure Browser instead of Chrome

The introduction of the secure browser improves privacy (candidates no longer have to share their desktop), promotes equity (all candidates now take the exam using identical environments) and enhances the integrity of the exam by requiring the candidates to remain in the secure browser for the entirety of their session (instead of having access to local services, personal bookmarks, etc.).

Within the secure browser candidates will see a new user interface, with a Linux (XFCE) Remote Desktop within which they can access allowed documentation, open multiple terminals (without having to rely on tmux), change font sizes and colors, etc.

In the days following the migration, some candidates encountered issues which are outlined below.

Linux Foundation engineers and support team have resolved the issues flagged to date.

Linux Foundation continue to improve the exam user interface and resolve problems reported to our support team.

To report an issue or make a request please open a ticket at: https://trainingsupport.linuxfoundation.org .

Copy/Paste and Keyboard Shortcuts

The Terminal is a Linux Terminal, and candidates need to use Linux Terminal keyboard shortcuts :

Copy = CTRL+SHIFT+C

Paste = CTRL+SHIFT+V for Paste

OR Use the Right Click Context Menu and select Copy or Paste

YAML Formatting Issues when Copy/Paste from CNCF Documentation into VIM

This is a known VIM configuration behavior, and candidates need to :set paste before pasting the content into VIM.

Linux Foundations has implemented a VIM configuration change on 06/29 to mitigate this behavior.

Personal Bookmarks/ Chrome Browser Not Available

The Linux Remote Desktop includes a Firefox Browser; candidates are prohibited from accessing all sites except those listed in our Resources Allowed Policy.

Personal browser bookmarks (such as bookmarked links to YAML files) are not accessible within the PSI Secure Browser.

All Exam items have been updated with “Documentation Quick Links”, which provide links to the official Kubernetes documentation related to a handful of Kubernetes topics that might be required to solve a task.

The Kubernetes documentation pages have been carefully selected to fit the topics and typically provide one or more YAML files that might help kickstart working on a task.

PSI Check-in Process

Instead of relying on a proctor, Candidates now perform self check-in at Exam launch time (or up to 30 minutes prior to exam time). These steps are documented in our Candidate Handbook.

A PSI Check In Specialist will review and approve check-in assets (files uploaded by the candidate) and where necessary request that candidates resubmit photos or videos as needed.

New Exam UI

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The remote desktop is configured with all the tools and software needed to complete the tasks. This includes:

  • Terminal Emulator
  • Firefox browser to access “Resources Allowed”
  • Virtual Keyboard

Guidelines and Tips for using the Remote Desktop

  • The ExamUI Tour will commence when the exam is first released to the candidate.
  • The exam timer will not begin until the tour ends (either when the candidate watches the complete tour, or when the candidate clicks on the “Hide” option)
  • A virtual keyboard is provided on the remote desktop in the event of special characters not functioning correctly on some international keyboards.
  • The candidate can click on “Reset Desktop” in the event of any technical issues loading the remote desktop.
  • The timer bar indicates the testing time remaining (in minutes). A visible alert will be presented at 30mins, 15mins and 5mins remaining.
  • There are 2 tabs presented as default on the remote desktop.
  • The “ReadMe” tab includes important instructions regarding the exam environment.
  • The Remote Desktop tab contains the workstation configured with the necessary applications and tools.
  • The exam can be ended, by clicking on “End Exam” - this will close the ExamUI and the candidate will be prompted to “End Proctoring Session” to close out their exam session.
  • The Terminal Emulator (where you will complete the exam items) can be found in the “Applications” menu OR as an icon on the remote desktop.

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3. What are tips for the CKA exam?

4. What is the CKA Certification?

The CKA certification is designed to ensure that certification holders have the skills, knowledge, and competency to perform the responsibilities of Kubernetes Administrators.

The CKA certification allows certified administrators to quickly establish their credibility and value in the job market, and also allowing companies to more quickly hire high-quality teams to support their growth.

5. Is CKA exam worth it?

As one of the highest velocity projects in the history of open source, Kubernetes use is exploding.


The Cloud Native Computing Foundation is committed to growing the community of Kubernetes application developers, thereby enabling continued growth across the broad set of organizations
using the technology.

Kubernetes adaption is growing very fast.

It provide power to administrator over how infrastructure resources are used.

CKA is one of the best devops certification with practical exam environment.

You can make above $100K annual salary,

6. How much does the CKA exam cost? (Discount code)

CKA exam cost $375 with one free retake.

You can book exam at here

7. Where can I practice the CKA exam?

Check Kubernetes labs

You get free access to Killer.sh (CKA exam simulator)

You can also try tasks at Kubernetes.io

8. How long is CKA exam?

Candidates get 2 hrs to complete CKA exam.

9. How long is the CKA certification valid?

CKA certification is valid for 3 years and successfully completing the exam.

10. Which version of Kubernetes will be used in the CKA exam?

candidates will be test on Kubernetes v1.23 and etcd v3.5

11. When can I retake the CKA exam?

Candidates can take one Free retake within 12 months of purchase

Candidates have the option to repurchase the exam at any time from the course catalog

Only one exam order will be “active” for each purchased exam.

When the Active purchase has been used (the candidate has taken the exam and passed OR you has taken both the first and second attempt and achieved “no pass”) the Claim Your Next Order button will be enabled in the exam checklist.

When you click the Claim Your Next Order button, the current exam data will be stored as a history and the candidate a new Exam Preparation Checklist will be displayed in the candidate’s portal.

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12. How many questions are there in the CKA exam?

Candidates will get 15-20 performance based tasks.

13. what is the CKA exam syllabus?

DomainWeight
Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration25%
Workloads & Scheduling15%
Services & Networking20%
Storage10%
Troubleshooting30%

14. What courses one can enroll in to prepare for the CKA exam?

Check Free LABS at https://www.sharelearn.net/practice/k8slabs/


KodeKloud:

Udemy:

Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) with Practice Tests
It is one of the best self paced course for CKA

EDx:

This is free course by EDX and Linux Foundation

CNCF:

Kubernetes Fundamentals (LFS258)
This is a $299 course offered by CNCF

You can also consider buying a bundle of this course and exam from CNCF for $575 and save $100

Use offer code SHARELEARN15 to get 15% discount .

15. What is the passing score for the CKA exam?

Candidate need 66% or above must be earned to pass.

Exams are scored automatically, usually within 24 hours of completion.

Results will be emailed within 24 hours from the time that the Exam was completed.

Exams are graded for results.

There may be more than one way to perform a task on an Exam and unless otherwise specified,
the candidate can pick any available path to complete the task as long as it produces the correct result.

16. Is CKA open book exam?

Candidate can use browser to open one additional tab in order to access assets at:

The following tools and resources are allowed during the exam as long as they are used by candidates to work independently on exam tasks (i.e. not used for 3rd party assistance or research) and are accessed from within the Linux server terminal on which the Exam is delivered.

During the exam, candidates may:

Review the Exam content instructions that are presented in the command line terminal.

Review Documents installed by the distribution (i.e. /usr/share and its subdirectories)

Use the browser within the VM to access the following documentation:

https://helm.sh/docs/

https://kubernetes.io/docs/

https://kubernetes.io/blog/

and their subdomains.

This includes all available language translations of these pages (e.g. https://kubernetes.io/zh/docs/ )

use the search function provided on https://kubernetes.io/docs/ however, they may only open search results that have a domain matching the sites listed above

17. Where can I find resources for individual topics of the CKA exam?

Check Next pages for resoruces for specific topic in CKA exam

Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration
Workloads & Scheduling
Services & Networking
Storage
Troubleshooting

18. What are topics covered under Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration section on the CKA exam?

19. What are topics covered under Workloads & Scheduling section on the CKA exam?

20. What are topics covered under Services & Networking section on the CKA exam?

21. What are topics covered under Storage section on the CKA exam?

22. What are topics covered under Troubleshooting section on the CKA exam?

23. What are system requirement for CKA exam?

CKA Exams is delivered online and Candidates must provide their own computer with current version of Chrome browser.

Make sure you have third party cookies turned on for the duration of the exam.

you don’t need to install a virtual machine, use a client machine, or anything beyond a Chrome or Chromium browser

Make sure you have third party cookies turned on for the duration of the exam.

Candidates should run the PSI Online System Security Check to verify that their machine meets the technical requirements for taking a proctored exam.

The online proctored exam is taken on PSI’s Proctoring Platform “Bridge”, using the PSI Secure Browser (a web browser created to guarantee a secure exam delivery over a virtual connection).

The PSI Secure Browser download/installation will being when you Select “Launch exam” from the PSI Dashboard.

Candidates must provide their own computer with:

Reliable internet access

Ensure others on the same internet connection are not performing activities that use excessive bandwidth (i.e. holding conference calls, streaming content, gaming, etc.)

A wired connection is often more stable and robust than a wireless connectionTurn off bandwidth-intensive services (e.g. file sync, dropbox, BitTorrent)

Microphone

Please check to make sure it is working before you start your exam session.

Webcam

Ensure the webcam is capable of being moved as the proctor may ask you to pan your surroundings to check for potential violations of exam policy.

Try holding up your ID while viewing your webcam feed to ensure your placement and resolution are sufficient for the person viewing your feed to read your ID.

If you will be testing from an employer-provide ISP or will use an employer provided machine, please ensure that streaming will be allowed using WebRTC.

Candidates are not allowed to have other applications or browser windows running except the one on which the Exam is being shown.

Candidates should run the compatibility check tool to verify that their hardware meets the minimum requirements.

24. What kind of access will I have to environment during CKA exam?

  • Root privileges can be obtained by running ‘sudo −i’.
  • Rebooting of your server IS permitted at any time.
  • Do not stop or tamper with the certerminal process as this will END YOUR EXAM SESSION.
  • Do not block incoming ports 8080/tcp, 4505/tcp and 4506/tcp. This includes firewall rules that are found within the distribution’s default firewall configuration * files as well as interactive firewall commands.
  • Use Ctrl+Alt+W instead of Ctrl+W.
  • Ctrl+W is a keyboard shortcut that will close the current tab in Google Chrome.
  • Ctrl+C & and Ctrl+V are not supported in your exam terminal.
  • To copy and paste text, please use
  • For Linux: select text for copy and middle button for paste (or both left and right simultaneously if you have no middle button).
  • For Mac: ⌘+C to copy and ⌘+V to paste.
  • For Windows: Ctrl+Insert to copy and Shift+Insert to paste.
  • In addition, you might find it helpful to use the Notepad (see top menu under ‘Exam Controls’) to manipulate text before pasting to the command line.
  • Installation of services and applications included in this exam may require modification of system security policies to successfully complete.
  • Only a single terminal console is available during the exam. Terminal multiplexers such as GNU Screen and tmux can be used to create virtual consoles.

25. How many kubernetes clusters are there in CKA exam environment?

  • Each task on this exam must be completed on a designated cluster/configuration context.
  • To minimize switching, the tasks are grouped so that all questions on a given cluster appear consecutively.
  • There are six clusters (CKA) that comprise the exam environment, made up of varying numbers of containers, as follows:
ClusterMembersCNIDescription
k8s1 master, 2 workerflannelk8s cluster
hk8s1 master, 2 workercalicok8s cluster
bk8s1 master, 1 workerflannelk8s cluster
wk8s1 master, 2 workerflannelk8s cluster
ek8s1 master, 2 workerflannelk8s cluster
ik8s1 master, 1 base nodeloopbackk8s cluster − missing worker node

26. How will I know which cluster to use for a task in CKA exam environment?

  • At the start of each task you’ll be provided with the command to ensure you are on the correct cluster to complete the task.

  • Nodes making up each cluster can be reached via ssh, using a command such as the following: ssh

  • You can assume elevated privileges on any node by issuing the following command: sudo -i

  • You can also use sudo to execute commands with elevated privileges at any time

  • You must return to the base node (hostname node-1) after completing each task.

  • Nested−ssh is not supported.

  • You can use kubectl and the appropriate context to work on any cluster from the base node.

  • When connected to a cluster member via ssh, you will only be able to work on that particular cluster via kubectl.

  • For your convenience, all environments, in other words, the base system and the cluster nodes, have the following additional command-line tools pre-installed and * pre-configured:

    • kubectl with kalias and Bash autocompletion
    • jq for YAML/JSON processing
    • tmux for terminal multiplexing
    • curl and wget for testing web services
    • man and man pages for further documentation

  • Further instructions for connecting to cluster nodes will be provided in the appropriate tasks

  • Where no explicit namespace is specified, the default namespace should be acted upon.

  • If you need to destroy/recreate a resource to perform a certain task, it is your responsibility to back up the resource definition appropriately prior to destroying * the resource.The CKA environments are currently running Kubernetes v1.22.

  • 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.

27. What are location requirement for CKA exam?

Clutter-free work area

No objects such as paper, writing implements, electronic devices, or other objects on top of surface

No objects such as paper, trash bins, or other objects below the testing surface

Clear walls

No paper/print outs hanging on walls

Paintings and other wall décor is acceptable

Candidates will be asked to remove non-décor items prior to the exam being released

Lighting

Space must be well lit so that proctor is able to see candidate’s face, hands, and surrounding work area

No bright lights or windows behind the examinee

Other

Candidate must remain within the camera frame during the examinationSpace must be private where there is no excessive noise.

Public spaces such as coffee shops, stores, open office environments, etc. are not allowed.

Please see the Candidate Handbook for additional information covering policies, procedures and rules during the exam

28. What are ID requirement for CKA exam?

Candidates are required to provide a non-expired Primary ID that contains Candidate’s photograph, signature and full name (see acceptable forms of ID in the table below)
The name on your Primary ID must exactly match the verified name on your exam checklist.
If the Candidate’s full name on their Primary ID contains non-latin characters, then the Candidate must ALSO provide a non-expired Secondary ID containing their full name in Latin Characters and signature, OR a notarized English translation of their Primary ID along with the non-latin character Primary ID

Primary ID

(non-expired and including photograph and signature):

  • Passport
  • Government-issued driver’s license/permit
  • Government-Issued local language ID (with photo and signature)
  • National Identity card
  • State or province-issued identity card
  • 住民基本台帳 (Basic resident register with Photo) or マイナンバーカード(My number card)

Secondary ID

  • (non-expired and including signature with Candidate name in Latin characters)
  • Debit (ATM) Card
  • Credit Card
  • Health Insurance Card
  • U.S. Social Security Card
  • Employee ID Card
  • Student ID Card
  • Japanese Health Insurance Card

Additional Allowances:

Some government issued ID such as a passport, driver’s license, military ID or state/country card may be a biometric type and may or may not contain a signature.

In these cases Primary ID will be accepted without a signature on condition that you also present a Secondary ID which does contain your signature (e.g. bank, credit or debit card)

For candidates testing in Japan, a Driver’s License (with name and recent recognizable photo) is acceptable as a primary ID as long as it is accompanied with a Japanese health insurance card (健康保険証).

In Japan, the Japanese health insurance card (健康保険証) is an acceptable form of secondary ID

29. How is the CKA exam proctored?

The certification exam is proctored remotely via streaming audio, video, and screen sharing feeds. The screen sharing feed allows proctors to view candidates’ desktops (including all monitors).

The audio, video, and screen sharing feeds will be stored for a limited period of time in the event that there is a subsequent need for review.

30. How do I renew CKA certification?

Candidates have the option to retake and pass the exam to renew their certification.

Certification Renewal must be completed prior to the certification expiration date.

The CKA renewed certification will be valid for a further 3 years effective from the date the exam is passed.

31. Conclusion

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