Certified Kubernetes Application Developer Exam

This page contains a list of resources, learnings, tips and tricks that will increase your chances of passing the CKAD exam.

The word CKAD is an acronym for the Certified Kubernetes Application Developer exam. It was created by the and the to help expand the Kubernetes ecosystem and also improve the knowledge of its members through standardized training and certification.

It is a hands-on exam with 19 questions and an estimate of 2 hours to complete. It is advisable to read, practice and ensure you have the knowledge required to design, build, deploy, and configure cloud native applications for Kubernetes before taking the CKAD exam.

Even though the official CKAD website states that anyone who passes the exam has automatically proven that they can design, build and deploy cloud-native applications with Kubernetes, some developers are still skeptical about taking this Kubernetes certification exam for different reasons.

You’ll hear questions like, “Is the CKAD certification useful?”, “Is the CKAD exam worth it?”, “Is the amount I’m paying for the certification worth it?”, “Will I be certified to design, build and deploy applications for Kubernetes, or is this just a bland promise to get me to pay for the course?”, amongst other things.

If you are contemplating whether to take the CKAD exams, we strongly recommend that you should. Here’s why:

• Being a Certified Kubernetes Application Developer gives you easy access to the employment door-openers (HR & recruiters), strengthens your chances of passing through the first screening, and reduces the proof-of-mastery questions from recruiters. Some companies require the CKAD certification as a promotion requirement.
• The CKAD certification exam focuses on the skills required to be a successful Kubernetes Application Developer in today’s industry. A successful candidate will be comfortable working with container images, applying Cloud Native application concepts and architectures, amongst other things.
• It’s not just about the certificate. It’s about what you learn, the experience, benefits, and access you gain after passing the examination. Taking the certification will open you up to more opportunities and let people in the ecosystem know that you have significant knowledge about Kubernetes.
• The CKAD exam is created by two reputable organizations in the Cloud Native ecosystem that value both their impact and reputation. So, you can bet that the training and exam are top-notch and worth the money you’ll spend on it.

The CKAD exam is a Kubernetes certification designed for experienced Kubernetes developers and those looking to kickstart their Kubernetes learning journey.

As an experienced Kubernetes developer, taking the CKAD can serve as a great opportunity to review your knowledge of Kubernetes, get an additional proof-of-mastery, or completing a promotion requirement as some companies require their employees to be CKAD certified before getting a promotion. For beginners, the CKAD gives them something to look up to, a goal to achieve and a proof that they now know a great deal about Kubernetes. After completing the CKAD exam, individuals are able to get a sense of where they are in their learning journey and what they can improve on.

In summary, the CKAD is designed for Kubernetes engineers, cloud engineers, and other IT professionals responsible for or looking to learn how to build, deploy, and configure cloud native applications with Kubernetes. It is a great way to show your employer, potential employers, and members of the Kubernetes ecosystem that you know the inner workings of Kubernetes.

Regardless of how powerful and loved Kubernetes is, it is also known to be quite difficult to get started with. If you are active on platforms like Twitter or Reddit, you must have probably bumped into one or two funny memes highlighting the difficulty in learning Kubernetes.

Yes, Kubernetes and passing the CKAD exam can be difficult. But with the right resources and time, any developer can get up to speed with Kubernetes and pass the CKAD exam.

Here’s a list of tips, resources and guides that will increase your chances of passing the CKAD certification exam:

Do you want to learn about Kubernetes, but are not sure where to start? We get it! Finding the right place to start learning new concepts can be hard, and that’s why we created our to give you the right resources you need for this learning journey.

Our free interactive guides and hands-on labs will provide you with all the fundamentals you’ll need to learn Kubernetes, and allow you to apply these learnings in real-time. You’ll also learn how to code, ship and run your applications efficiently on Kubernetes.

• Continuous Delivery with Kubernetes
• Full Service Ownership with Kubernetes: Traffic Management, Day 2 Ops, and Observability
• Kubernetes Glossary
• Kubernetes Basics