Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
The CKA is a performance-based exam, meaning you operate a live cluster from a command line rather than answering multiple-choice questions. We review its difficulty and industry standing.
Exam Overview
Created by the Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), the CKA is designed to ensure that certification holders have the skills, knowledge, and competency to perform the responsibilities of Kubernetes administrators.
The Reality of the Exam
Because the exam is 100% practical, you cannot guess your way through it. You are given a browser-based terminal and must solve tasks across multiple clusters. Time management and familiarity with `kubectl` imperative commands are the primary failure points.
| Exam Code | CKA |
| Format | Performance-based (Command Line) |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Cost | $395 USD |
| Passing Score | 66% |
Domain Breakdown
- Cluster Architecture & Setup 25%
- Workloads & Scheduling 15%
- Services & Networking 20%
- Storage 10%
- Troubleshooting 30%
Estimated Prep Time
60 - 100 Hours
(Assuming basic container knowledge)
FAQ
Is the CKAD (Developer) or CKA better?
The CKAD focuses heavily on deploying applications (Pod design, config maps), while the CKA focuses on cluster administration (etcd backups, kubeadm, troubleshooting node failures). The CKA is generally considered more rigorous and carries more weight for infrastructure roles.
What are common mistakes during the exam?
Working in the wrong cluster context. You must explicitly switch contexts before answering each question, and failing to do so means you do the work on the wrong cluster and receive zero points.