CKA (CNCF)
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) is a hands-on certification created by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation in collaboration with The Linux Foundation. It is aimed at engineers who operate Kubernetes clusters day to day - cluster lifecycle and installation, upgrades, networking, storage, and on-call troubleshooting - rather than at application developers, which is the separate CKAD track.
The exam is an online, proctored, performance-based test: you solve a set of problems on a real command line, and you have 2 hours to complete the tasks. Scoring is domain-weighted: Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration 25%; Workloads & Scheduling 15%; Services & Networking 20%; Storage 10%; and Troubleshooting 30% - the single largest block, so fast, structured debugging matters most. The cost is $445 and includes one free retake. CNCF plans quarterly exam updates to match Kubernetes releases and has open sourced the curriculum the exam is built around, so confirm the current version before you book.
Preparation should be keyboard-first. Build and upgrade clusters with kubeadm, rehearse etcd backup and restore, RBAC, NetworkPolicy and persistent volumes, then practise triage with kubectl get, describe, logs and events. Work against a timer, keep the Candidate Handbook and exam FAQ handy, and drill manifest generation until YAML editing is muscle memory.
What you'll study
About CKA preparation
What does the CKA exam actually look like on the day?
It is an online, proctored, performance-based test. Instead of multiple-choice items you receive a set of problems to solve from a command line against live Kubernetes clusters, and you have 2 hours to complete the tasks. Expect to write and edit manifests, run kubectl commands, and verify your own work.
How much does the CKA cost, and what if I fail?
The cost is $445, and that price includes one free retake. Budget for the possibility of needing the second attempt, and treat the retake as a safety net rather than a plan - book only once you can complete representative tasks comfortably inside the time limit.
How many questions are there, and what score do I need to pass?
The CNCF program page states the domain weights and the 2-hour limit but does not publish an item count or a numeric passing score there. Rather than rely on second-hand figures, check the official Candidate Handbook and certification FAQ for the current scoring and pass details before exam day.
Which domain should I study first?
Start with Troubleshooting at 30%, the heaviest single block, then Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration at 25%. Services & Networking is 20%, Workloads & Scheduling 15%, and Storage 10%. Practise troubleshooting continuously rather than saving it for the end - it depends on fluency in every other domain.
Is the curriculum public, and does the exam track Kubernetes releases?
Yes. CNCF has open sourced the curriculum the CKA exam is built around, and quarterly exam updates are planned to match Kubernetes releases. Read the Curriculum Overview alongside the Candidate Handbook, Exam Tips and FAQ, and confirm the current exam environment version so you are not practising against an older API surface.
What are the most common ways candidates run out of time?
Two habits dominate: writing YAML from scratch instead of generating it with imperative kubectl commands and --dry-run=client -o yaml, and leaving verification until the end. Others are mis-targeting the wrong namespace or context, and grinding on one hard task. Generate, edit, apply, verify - then move on and come back if time allows.
Do I need to be employed by a Kubernetes Certified Service Provider?
No. The CKA program is separate from the KCSP program: you can become a CKA without any KCSP involvement, but a company applying for KCSP status must employ at least three CKAs. The credential is personal and is not tied to your employer's partner status.
Should I take the CKAD before or after the CKA?
They test different jobs. CKAD certifies that you can design, build, configure and expose cloud native applications, weighting application design, deployment, observability, environment/configuration/security and services. CKA is cluster administration. If your daily work is cluster operations, go straight to CKA; if you build workloads, either order works.