Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
CKA certifies that you can operate a production Kubernetes cluster from the command line. There are no multiple-choice questions at all, which is unusual for an IT certification. You get two hours to complete 15 to 20 hands-on tasks in a live cluster, with the official Kubernetes documentation open in a second tab. Grading looks only at the cluster state you leave behind. Troubleshooting alone is 30% of the score.
- 15 to 20 performance-based tasks
- Questions
- 120 min
- Duration
- 66%
- Passing score
- US$445
- Exam cost
no multiple choice
Includes one free retake and two Killer.sh simulator sessions
Exam facts reviewed July 2026 · Independent study resource, not affiliated with Cloud Native Computing Foundation
Who should take it
Platform, infrastructure and DevOps engineers who already run Kubernetes and want proof of it. There are no prerequisites, but book-only study will not carry you. Every task runs against a real cluster under time pressure, so speed with kubectl and cluster debugging counts for more than broad recall.
Skills measured
Domains and weightings as published by Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Full objectives →
- 30%Troubleshooting
- 25%Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration
- 20%Services & Networking
- 15%Workloads & Scheduling
- 10%Storage
Prepare with Kwizza
- Free practice exam: full-length, weighted to the official blueprint, every answer explained
- Study guide: focus areas for each domain, common mistakes, and exam-day tips
- Exam objectives: the official domains, broken down skill by skill
- Sample questions: real questions from our bank, with answers and explanations
- How our exams are made: the quality checks behind every question
Frequently asked questions
- Is the CKA multiple choice?
- No. It is entirely performance-based: 15 to 20 tasks solved on the command line in a live cluster over two hours. You are graded on the resulting cluster state, not on explaining your reasoning.
- Can I use the Kubernetes documentation during the exam?
- Yes, in one additional browser tab, limited to whitelisted domains: kubernetes.io/docs, kubernetes.io/blog, helm.sh/docs, gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io, links surfaced in the exam's Quick Reference, and locally installed distribution docs. You may use the site search, but you may not open external search results.
- What score do I need to pass?
- 66%. Partial credit applies per task, so an incomplete task can still earn marks. Never leave one untouched.
- How long does the certification last?
- Two years. Renewal means passing the current exam again before it expires. There is no continuing-education path.
- Which Kubernetes version does the exam use?
- The environment currently runs Kubernetes v1.35. The Linux Foundation updates it to each new minor version roughly four to eight weeks after release, so confirm the version before you book.
- How do Kwizza's practice questions help if the real exam is hands-on?
- They train the knowledge you draw on in the terminal: which object solves a problem, what a symptom points to, which field to reach for. That is what makes you fast. They do not replace practice in the format, so work against a real cluster too, and use the two Killer.sh simulator sessions bundled with your exam registration.
Related certifications
- CompTIA Network+ (N10-009): The networking fundamentals that make Services & Networking click
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C03): Cloud architecture judgment alongside container operations