My Experience Taking the CKA in 2023

I passed the CKA last week and wanted to share my experience taking the exam since I saw how a lot of information about the CKA was cluttered and outdated when I was preparing for the exam. If you have specific questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
cka instruction: docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-d...
update on cka exam (june 2022): training.linuxfoundation.org/...
cka enroll: training.linuxfoundation.org/...
udemy: www.udemy.com/course/certifie...

[@dhij]

timestamps + additional tips 0:00 intro 0:27 outline 0:37 start sharing my testing experience 0:47 things to note when using an external webcam 1:02 do i need an external monitor of at least 15 inches? 1:19 how bad is the new testing environment? 1:54 can i use my company laptop? 2:01 this can make you restart the PSI browser! 2:44 some information about the CKA on the linux page 3:23 what questions are on the exam? + some details 5:35 one thing to make sure before the exam 5:42 information about the killer shell simulator 6:33 don't forget you have one retake *other tips: - in terms of complexities, the actual exam is similar to (or slightly harder than) the mock exam 2 & 3. but in terms of scope, the mock exams are not enough so trying out the questions under the relevant sections in the Udemy course will be helpful - the killer shell simulator environment is what is closest to the actual exam's testing environment - there is a kubelet troubleshooting question in killer shell; knowing how to restart kubelet with systemctl or something similar can be helpful - there is a network policy question on killer shell question as well - each question was either 4 or 7 points, except for one last question on troubleshooting which was 13

[@diegonayalazo]

Thanks

[@flesz_]

I would recommend knowing exactly where to look for the code in the kubernetes docs. For example if you type volumes, you will get a link , but you might not be able to find persistent volume yaml code quick enough. Even better, remember some bits so you can just type them inside the code, like nodeSelector etc .

[@dhij]

i agree, otherwise we might waste quite some time there looking for the right example :/

[@josipmatija]

Hi David, thanks for video. I also plan to take exam on my macbook air 13''. Can you confirm again that I should be able to do it? I used it do do my AWS certs also and it was fine. I understand it is better to have bigger screen, and you are the only guy I could find that said it is ok to use 13 inch screen. Thanks!

[@dhij]

hello, yes that is possible. when you first open the PSI browser on the 13 inch macbook, you will notice everything is super zoomed in. just look for the `zoom out` button somewhere on the top of the PSI browser and the texts are small but definitely all doable & readable.

[@saurabhjainSJain]

after CKA exam in how much time we get result? If we need it before 24 hours? is there anyway to get it ?

[@jeffchen67]

can I use the built-in webcam on the laptop while using the external monitor?

[@dhij]

nope you can only have one active monitor :/

[@jagadishkumar3050]

How many days did u take to prepare and what all prerequisite skill required ?

[@dhij]

I studied for about 3-4 months combined. I started from knowing nothing about kubernetes and studied for about 2-3 months, though I didn't take the exam then. I picked it up again about a year later and studied for another 1 month-ish. I did share my notes back then and this might save you some time during your studies (the blog post itself is outdated but there is a link to my notion notes there): medium.com/@dhij/certified-kubernetes-administrator-cka-free-notes-everything-you-need-for-the-exam-689298dec34f

[@talk-supersix-seven6021]

@@dhijthank you so much for sharing notes, you guys in tech are so sincere and helpful.

[@dhij]

@@talk-supersix-seven6021 thank you for the kind words!

[@jalbers3150]

Have you found the cert has been worth it? More job opportunities, increase salary, etc??

[@dhij]

the materials i learned while studying for the exam has helped me a lot during my current job :) since it was quite relevant to my work

[@manojkumar-jt3fw]

Is Mumshad course on udemy enoug for CKA exam ?

[@dhij]

yup that is all you need. killer.sh simulator that comes with the certification (explained in the video) will be helpful though

[@manojkumar-jt3fw]

@@dhij Which should I go for 1st ? CKAD or CKA ?

[@flesz_]

@@manojkumar-jt3fw they are very similar, I think do the CKA first

[@alwaysdigginbro]

@@manojkumar-jt3fw do fist CKAD, is easier to do,then CKA.

[@manojkumar-jt3fw]

@@alwaysdigginbro After cka, cks right ?

[@kyawzawaung3712]

Can I use laptop built-in webcam in the exam?

[@dhij]

of course!

[@ManjotKaur-qs8jn]

Can we use external monitor?

[@dhij]

Sure you can, but only a single monitor should be open at one time. And you would need an external webcam as well.

[@TheSinghshashwat]

I passed yesterday 🎉

[@dhij]

thats awesome, congrats!!

[@TheSinghshashwat]

@@dhij thanks man your video helped me calm my nerves i am going for ckad next month🫡

[@dhij]

@@TheSinghshashwat Glad to hear that, good luck on CKAD!

[@TheSinghshashwat]

@@dhij i have ckad on wednesday

[@dhij]

@@TheSinghshashwatnice, good luck with your exam!

[@satzconnects]

is it good to attend on 13 inch Mac M2 ?

[@dhij]

yup 13 inch macbook works too if you zoom out. when you first open the PSI browser on the 13 inch macbook, you will notice everything is super zoomed in. just look for the `zoom out` button somewhere on top of the PSI browser and the texts are small but definitely all doable & readable.

[@satzconnects]

@@dhij yes. Completed with it. Passed CKA🤙

[@dhij]

@@satzconnects Thats awesome, congrats!

[@lemont9061]

Hav you done ckad?

[@dhij]

nope, i have not!