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CKA exam preparation (Part 0)
A note about the training plan and sources that help you train for speed.
CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator) is a practical exam on Kubernetes: not about theory, but about the ability to quickly solve real problems in the terminal. This chapter contains a modern guide to the content of the exam, a list of strong sources and an approach to preparation (mindmap + practice). I took the exam several times and for a total of 5 years I was listed as a Certified Kubernetes Administrator: this didn’t make me administer K8s, but I saw the patterns of distributed systems in practice, and it became easier to talk with guys from infrastructure and platforms.
What to expect from the exam
Officially
CKA: Exam Details & Resources
Description of the exam, Kubernetes version, simulator and links to handbook/FAQ.
2 hours and terminal-first
Performance-based exam: time is spent on commands, YAML and diagnostics, not on guessing games.
Modern version of Kubernetes
The exam is currently focused on Kubernetes v1.34 and is updated within a few weeks after new minor releases.
There is a simulator
After purchasing the exam, they usually give you access to Killer.sh - this is useful for practicing timing and habits.
The practical meaning of CKA: you upgrade not only kubectl, but also basic cluster operating skills: from RBAC and networking to storage and troubleshooting. This carries over directly into production.
Exam structure: where the time goes
Curriculum
CKA Curriculum v1.34 (PDF)
Current exam structure and list of skills by domain.
CKA Curriculum (v1.34): section weights
Click a section to see what is usually tested and where to look in the docs.
What to practice
The heaviest section: troubleshooting nodes, control-plane components, and networking issues.
- Troubleshoot clusters and nodes
- Monitor cluster and application resource usage
- Manage and evaluate container output streams
- Troubleshoot cluster components
- Troubleshoot services and networking
Documentation links
Tip: time is your main resource during the exam, so it helps to know in advance where the relevant YAML and command examples live in the docs.
RTFM as a strategy: mindmap + quick links
Chapter
Kubernetes: The Documentary
Brief context: how and why Kubernetes became an industry standard.
A short preparation strategy: instead of “read the entire documentation”, collect a mindmap from tasks, and for each task - a short link to a page with examples. Next - consolidate by solving speed problems.
How to build a mindmap for the exam
Example branch: Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration
CKA Curriculum
Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration
Build a short list of anchor links and practice solving tasks under time pressure.
Using RBAC Authorization
RBAC
Creating a cluster with kubeadm
kubeadm initial setup
Creating Highly Available Clusters with kubeadm
HA control plane
Upgrading kubeadm clusters
kubeadm upgrade
Operating etcd clusters for Kubernetes
etcd backup/restore
Preparation plan (if you have 2-4 weeks)
Chapter
Kubernetes Patterns
Patterns that directly help with workloads, configs and operational practices.
Week 1
Base + cluster architecture
- kubeadm, upgrades, etcd backup/restore
- RBAC, namespaces, contexts
- Practice quick YAML patterns (deploy/service/ingress)
Week 2
Workloads + scheduling
- Deployments, rolling updates, rollbacks
- ConfigMaps, Secrets, probes, resources/limits
- Affinity/taints/tolerations, HPA
Week 3
Services + networking
- Service types, endpoints, DNS
- Ingress/Gateway API, NetworkPolicies
- Diagnostic connectivity practice
Week 4
Troubleshooting + simulations
- Logs, events, health control plain
- Storage: PV/PVC, StorageClass, dynamic provisioning
- 1-2 full runs in the simulator (Killer.sh)
If you are simultaneously reading about cloud-native approaches, look at another chapter Kubernetes Patterns - many “combat” structures around Pods and services fit comfortably there.
Practical tips for speed
- Habits are more important than knowledge in the exam: practice in advance
kubectltemplates and quick YAML edits. - Keep 3-5 “universal” commands on hand:
kubectl get,describe,logs,events,top. - Learn to look for examples in the documentation: it is often faster to open ready-made YAML and adapt it than to write it from scratch.
- Practice “context switching” and navigating through namespaces - it saves minutes.