How I Cleared the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) Exam in 25 Days (Part 1)
Achieving the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification in just 25 days might sound challenging, but with the right strategy and resources, it’s absolutely possible. Here’s how I did it, step by step.
I want to split this article in two parts one with Preparation and another with How to Clear Exam with Tips & Tricks , especially how to avoid last minute mistakes PSI Browser issues , Screen Resolution and Time management.
Background:
I am a Cloud DevOps Professional who is having 5 years of working experience in K8s out of 9 years. My day to day work requires use of K8s as application team member. So k8s is not a new thing for me !
I don't want to cover what CKA is and Syllabus as you can get those here
Why 25 days ?
There wasn’t a specific reason for choosing 25 days. I knew the CKA syllabus was about to be updated with new practice content, so I wanted to avoid that and scheduled my exam for January 14th. At that time, the update was set for January 15th, 2025. However, close to the exam date, the update was postponed to February 10th. Since I had already practiced well, I decided to stick with my original exam date.
Preparation Plan
Day 1–5: Getting Started and Building the Foundation
1. Understand the Exam Blueprint:
I started by thoroughly reviewing the official CKA curriculum and weightage for each section. Key topics include cluster setup, troubleshooting, workloads, networking, and security.
2. Set Up a Practice Environment:
Installed Minikube and Kubernetes on a local VM. Used cloud-based labs like Katacoda and Killer.sh (the official CKA simulator) for hands-on practice. (But I personally not done Killer Sh as it is more complicated than actual exam as per analysis and suggestions from others.)
3.Learn the Basics:
Focused on Kubernetes architecture, core concepts (pods, deployments, and services), and kubectl commands.
Watched introductory videos from platforms like Kubernetes.io and YouTube.
Day 6–15: Diving Deep into Key Topics
1.Scheduling and Workloads (4 Days):
Learned about node selectors, taints and tolerations, affinity/anti-affinity, and static pod creation. Practiced creating and managing deployments, statefulsets, and daemonsets.
2. Networking (3 Days):
Explored Kubernetes networking concepts such as services, network policies, and Ingress controllers.
Set up different types of services (ClusterIP, NodePort, and LoadBalancer) and tested connectivity.
3. Cluster Maintenance (2 Days):
Practiced upgrading Kubernetes clusters and managing certificates.
Focused on etcd backup and restore operations.
4. Security (1 Day):
Studied RBAC, role and rolebinding, service accounts, and secrets.
Learned how to troubleshoot common security-related issues.
5. Storage (1 Day):
Configured Persistent Volumes (PVs), Persistent Volume Claims (PVCs), and StorageClasses. Practiced dynamic volume provisioning.
Day 16–20: Intensive Practice
- Mock Exams:
Completed mock exams from Killer.sh and other platforms like Udemy. Focused on improving speed and accuracy, as the exam is time-sensitive.
2. Troubleshooting Scenarios:
Practiced debugging common issues such as misconfigured pods, failed deployments, and networking problems.
Used kubectl logs, kubectl describe, and kubectl exec extensively.
3.Command Mastery:
Created aliases and practiced complex commands to save time during the exam. (For V1.31 it is already given in k8s clsuter)
For example: alias k=kubectl to simplify typing.
Day 21–24: Polishing Skills and Final Preparations
- Revisiting Weak Areas:
Identified and strengthened areas where I felt less confident using the exam curriculum as a guide.
2. Speed Optimization:
Timed myself while solving scenarios to ensure I could complete tasks quickly and efficiently.
3. Review Official Documentation:
Familiarized myself with Kubernetes documentation, as it’s available during the exam.
Day 25: Exam Day ( More Tips and Tricks on Part -2 )
1.Preparation Before the Exam:
Double-checked my system setup (browser, internet connection, and allowed tools). Ensured a quiet, distraction-free environment.
2. During the Exam:
Read each question carefully and tackled the easier ones first.
Utilized bookmarks for complex questions to revisit later.
Used the official documentation effectively for syntax and configurations.
Key Takeaways and Tips
- Consistency is Key:
Dedicate at least 3–4 hours daily to preparation.
2.Hands-On Practice Matters:
The CKA exam is practical, so focus on solving real-world Kubernetes scenarios.
3.Leverage Resources:
Use platforms like Killer.sh, Udemy courses, Kubernetes documentation, and YouTube tutorials.
4. Stay Calm and Focused:
Manage your time well during the exam and don’t let tricky questions stress you out.
My CKA Certification : Verify
Final Thoughts
Clearing the CKA exam in 25 days was an intense yet rewarding journey. If I can do it, so can you! With determination, focus, and a structured plan, success is within reach. Good luck to all aspiring CKAs out there — you’ve got this! 💪
Part 2— I will write in sometime which are very usefull for final moment preparation and pracice
