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The (CKAD) Certified Kubernetes Application Developer program was created by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), in collaboration with The Linux Foundation

CKAD Certified Kubernetes Application Developer is not an easy exam, the exam has tasks instead of questions like other exams. Questions provide details on what needs to be implemented, candidates are expected to configure it in the provided environment.

A Certified Kubernetes Application Developer can define application resources and use core primitives to build, monitor, and troubleshoot scalable applications and tools in Kubernetes.

The exam assumes working knowledge of container runtimes and micro service architecture.

Candidates should have hands-on experience with Kubernetes.

This guide will help you prepare for CKAD exam.

This is a live document, we will be updating it regularly, consider adding it to your bookmarks.

The Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) can design, build and deploy cloud-native applications for Kubernetes.

A CKAD can define application resources and use Kubernetes core primitives to create/migrate, configure, expose and observe scalable applications.

The exam assumes working knowledge of container runtimes and micro service architecture.

The successful candidate will be comfortable:

– working with (OCI-compliant) container images

– applying Cloud Native application concepts and architectures

– working with and validating Kubernetes resource definitions

As one of the highest velocity projects in the history of open source, Kubernetes use is exploding.

The Cloud Native Computing Foundation is committed to growing the community of Kubernetes-knowledgeable application developers,

thereby enabling continued growth across the broad set of organizations using the technology.

Kubernetes adaption is growing very fast.

It provide power to administrator over how to infrastructure resources are used.

CKAD is one of the best devops certification with practical exam environment.

You can make above $100K annual salary,

as per ziprecruiter you can get average $147K annual salary,

as per payscale you can make average $116K annually

CKA exam cost $375 with one free retake.

Check Kubernetes labs in practice section

https://www.sharelearn.net/practice/k8slabs/

Once you make payment for CKAD you will get free access to Killer.sh
(CKAD exam simulator)

Check tasks at Kubernetes.io

Candidates can take one free retake within 12 months of purchase

Remember 12 months from purchase not exam attempt

Check Free LABS at https://www.sharelearn.net/practice/k8slabs/

Udemy:

Kubernetes Certified Application Developer (CKAD) with Tests
It is one of the best self paced course for CKAD

EDx:

Introduction to Kubernetes
This is free course by EDX, recommended by CNCF

CNCF:

Kubernetes for Developers (LFD259)
This is a $299 course offered by CNCF

You can also consider buying a bundle of this course and exam from CNCF for $575 and save $100

Offer code SHARELEARN15 will bring it down to $454.

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Candidate need 66% or above must be earned to pass.

Exams are scored automatically, usually within 24 hours of completion.

Results will be emailed within 24 hours from the time that the Exam was completed.

Exams are graded for results.

There may be more than one way to perform a task on an Exam and unless otherwise specified,the candidate can pick any available path to complete the task as long as it produces the correct result.

Candidate can use their browser to open one additional tab in order to access assets at:

https://kubernetes.io/docs/

https://github.com/kubernetes/

https://kubernetes.io/blog/

and their subdomains.

This includes all available language translations of these pages (e.g. https://kubernetes.io/zh/docs/ )

No other tabs may be opened and no other sites may be navigated to (including https://discuss.kubernetes.io/) .

The allowed sites above may contain links that point to external sites.

It is the responsibility of the candidate not to click on any links that cause them to navigate to a domain that is not allowed.

Check below resoruces for specific topic in CKAD Certified Kubernetes Application Developer exam

Application Design and Build

• Define, build and modify container images
  Pods
  Kubernetes lab 102
  Kubernetes lab 103
  
• Understand Jobs and CronJobs
  Jobs
  CronJobs
  
• Understand multi-container Pod design patterns (e.g. sidecar, init and others)
  Pod Lifecycle
  Init Containers
  
• Utilize persistent and ephemeral volumes
  Persistent Volume
  
  
  

Application Deployment

• Use Kubernetes primitives to implement common deployment strategies (e.g. blue/green or canary)
  Deployment
  
• Understand Deployments and how to perform rolling updates
  Deployment
  
• Use the Helm package manager to deploy existing packages
  Helm
  
  
  

Application Observability and Maintenance

• Understand API deprecations
  Deprecated API Migration Guide
  
• Implement probes and health checks
  Configure Liveness, Readiness and Startup Probes
  
• Use provided tools to monitor Kubernetes applications
  Resource usage monitoring
  
• Utilize container logs
  logging
  
• Debugging in Kubernetes
  Debug application
  
  
  

Application Environment, Configuration and Security

• Discover and use resources that extend Kubernetes (CRD)
  CRD
  Use CRD
  
• Understand authentication, authorization and admission control Authnetication
  Authorization
  Admission Control
  
• Understanding and defining resource requirements, limits and quotas
  Managing Resources for containers
  Resource Quotas
  
• Understand ConfigMaps
  ConfigMaps
  
• Create & consume Secrets
  Secrets
  
• Understand ServiceAccounts
  Managing Service Account
  Configure Service Accounts for Pods
  
• Understand SecurityContexts
  Configure a Security Context for a Pod or Container
  
  
  

Services and Networking

• Demonstrate basic understanding of NetworkPolicies
  Network Policies
  
• Provide and troubleshoot access to applications via services
  Use a Service to Access an Application in a Cluster
  
• Use Ingress rules to expose applications
  Ingress Rules
  

• CKA is an open book exam use resources available to you.
• Practice using Kubernetes documentation to do tasks.
• You get points for partial tasks, so attempt as many as possible in time.
• Time is very valuable just but reading questions too long you will run out of time.
• Do not get stuck on one task, mark it to revisit.
• Do not use vi unless you are very good at it, there is a notepad in exam use it.
• It is much easier to type and manage yaml file in notepad than vi.
• Testing system detects if you try to cover your face and make beeping sound.
• Avoid covering your face or you might get warning from proctor.
• Testing system is sensitive to sounds, it will make beeping sound if it detect sound.
• As this is home based test be careful, inform family, house mates about test and avoid sound during test.
• No matter how reliable your internet connection is, be prepared for disconnect with phone and or hotspot to reconnect.

There are only three ways to pass this exam Practice Practice Practice

CKAD Exams is delivered online and Candidates must provide their own computer with current version of Chrome browser.

Make sure you have third party cookies turned on for the duration of the exam. Reliable internet access

Ensure others on the same internet connection are not performing activities that use excessive bandwidth (i.e. holding conference calls, streaming content, gaming, etc.)

A wired connection is often more stable and robust than a wireless connectionTurn off bandwidth-intensive services (e.g. file sync, dropbox, BitTorrent)

Microphone

Please check to make sure it is working before you start your exam session.

Webcam

Ensure the webcam is capable of being moved as the proctor may ask you to pan your surroundings to check for potential violations of exam policy.

Try holding up your ID while viewing your webcam feed to ensure your placement and resolution are sufficient for the person viewing your feed to read your ID.

If you will be testing from an employer-provide ISP or will use an employer provided machine, please ensure that streaming will be allowed using WebRTC.

Candidates are not allowed to have other applications or browser windows running except the one on which the Exam is being shown.

Candidates should run the compatibility check tool to verify that their hardware meets the minimum requirements.

Exam technical instructions:

• Root privileges can be obtained by running ‘sudo −i’.

• Rebooting of your server IS permitted at any time.

• Do not stop or tamper with the certerminal process as this will END YOUR EXAM SESSION.

• Do not block incoming ports 8080/tcp, 4505/tcp and 4506/tcp. This includes firewall rules that are found within the distribution’s default firewall configuration * files as well as interactive firewall commands.

• Use Ctrl+Alt+W instead of Ctrl+W.

• Ctrl+W is a keyboard shortcut that will close the current tab in Google Chrome.

• Ctrl+C & and Ctrl+V are not supported in your exam terminal.

• To copy and paste text, please use

    For Linux:
    select text for copy and
    middle button for paste
    (or both left and right simultaneously
    	if you have no middle button).
  
    For Mac: ⌘+C to copy and ⌘+V to paste.
  
    For Windows:
    Ctrl+Insert to copy and
    Shift+Insert to paste.
  

• In addition, you might find it helpful to use the Notepad (see top menu under ‘Exam Controls’) to manipulate text before pasting to the command line.

• Installation of services and applications included in this exam may require modification of system security policies to successfully complete.

• Only a single terminal console is available during the exam. Terminal multiplexers such as GNU Screen and tmux can be used to create virtual consoles.

• Each task on this exam must be completed on a designated cluster/configuration context.
• To minimize switching, the tasks are grouped so that all questions on a given cluster appear consecutively.
• There are four clusters (CKA) that comprise the exam environment, made up of varying numbers of containers, as follows:
  
  

• At the start of each task you’ll be provided with the command to ensure you are on the correct cluster to complete the task.

• Nodes making up each cluster can be reached via ssh, using a command such as the following: ssh

• You can assume elevated privileges on any node by issuing the following command: sudo -i

• You can also use sudo to execute commands with elevated privileges at any time

• You must return to the base node (hostname node-1) after completing each task.

• Nested−ssh is not supported.

• You can use kubectl and the appropriate context to work on any cluster from the base node.

• When connected to a cluster member via ssh, you will only be able to work on that particular cluster via kubectl.

• For your convenience, all environments, in other words, the base system and the cluster nodes, have the following additional command-line tools pre-installed and * pre-configured:

  • kubectl with kalias and Bash autocompletion
  • jq for YAML/JSON processing
  • tmux for terminal multiplexing
  • curl and wget for testing web services
  • man and man pages for further documentation

• Further instructions for connecting to cluster nodes will be provided in the appropriate tasks

• Where no explicit namespace is specified, the default namespace should be acted upon.

• If you need to destroy/recreate a resource to perform a certain task, it is your responsibility to back up the resource definition appropriately prior to destroying * the resource.The CKA & CKAD environments are currently running Kubernetes v1.22.

• The CKA, CKS and CKAD exam environment will be aligned with the most recent K8s minor version within approximately 4 to 8 weeks of the K8s release date.

Clutter-free work area

No objects such as paper, writing implements, electronic devices, or other objects on top of surface
No objects such as paper, trash bins, or other objects below the testing surface

Clear walls

No paper/print outs hanging on walls
Paintings and other wall décor is acceptable
Candidates will be asked to remove non-décor items prior to the exam being released

Lighting

Space must be well lit so that proctor is able to see candidate’s face, hands, and surrounding work area
No bright lights or windows behind the examinee

Other

Candidate must remain within the camera frame during the examinationSpace must be private where there is no excessive noise.
Public spaces such as coffee shops, stores, open office environments, etc. are not allowed.
Please see the Candidate Handbook for additional information covering policies, procedures and rules during the exam

Candidates are required to provide a non-expired Primary ID that contains Candidate’s photograph, signature and full name (see acceptable forms of ID in the table below)
The name on your Primary ID must exactly match the verified name on your exam checklist.
If the Candidate’s full name on their Primary ID contains non-latin characters, then the Candidate must ALSO provide a non-expired Secondary ID containing their full name in Latin Characters and signature, OR a notarized English translation of their Primary ID along with the non-latin character Primary ID

Primary ID
(non-expired and including photograph and signature):
Passport
Government-issued driver’s license/permit
Government-Issued local language ID (with photo and signature)
National Identity card
State or province-issued identity card
住民基本台帳 (Basic resident register with Photo) or マイナンバーカード(My number card)

Secondary ID
(non-expired and including signature with Candidate name in Latin characters)
Debit (ATM) Card
Credit Card
Health Insurance Card
U.S. Social Security Card
Employee ID Card
Student ID Card
Japanese Health Insurance Card

Additional Allowances:
Some government issued ID such as a passport, driver’s license, military ID or state/country card may be a biometric type and may or may not contain a signature.

In these cases Primary ID will be accepted without a signature on condition that you also present a Secondary ID which does contain your signature (e.g. bank, credit or debit card)

For candidates testing in Japan, a Driver’s License (with name and recent recognizable photo) is acceptable as a primary ID as long as it is accompanied with a Japanese health insurance card (健康保険証).

In Japan, the Japanese health insurance card (健康保険証) is an acceptable form of secondary ID

The certification exam is proctored remotely via streaming audio, video, and screen sharing feeds.

The screen sharing feed allows proctors to view candidates’ desktops (including all monitors).

The audio, video, and screen sharing feeds will be stored for a limited period of time in the event that there is a subsequent need for review.

Candidates have the option to retake and pass the exam to renew their certification.

Certification Renewal must be completed prior to the certification expiration date.

The CKA renewed certification will be valid for a further 3 years effective from the date the exam is passed.