How long does it take to prepare for the CKA exam?

Most candidates need 6-8 weeks of dedicated study to prepare for the CKA exam. This includes learning Kubernetes concepts, practicing with hands-on labs, and taking mock exams. Experienced Kubernetes users may need less time.

What is the CKA exam passing score?

The CKA exam requires a minimum passing score of 66%. The exam consists of 15-20 performance-based tasks that must be completed within 2 hours.

How much does the CKA exam cost in 2026?

The CKA exam costs $445 as of 2026. This fee includes one free retake if you don't pass on your first attempt. The certification is valid for 2 years.

Can I use documentation during the CKA exam?

Yes, you can access the official Kubernetes documentation (kubernetes.io/docs) during the exam. It is highly recommended to bookmark frequently used pages beforehand to save time.

What topics are covered in the CKA exam?

The CKA exam covers 5 main domains: Cluster Architecture (25%), Troubleshooting (30%), Workloads & Scheduling (15%), Services & Networking (20%), and Storage (10%). Focus on troubleshooting as it has the highest weight.

Study Guide

CKA Exam Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to prepare for and pass the Certified Kubernetes Administrator exam on your first try.

CKA Exam Overview

2 hours

Exam Duration

15-20

Questions

66%

Passing Score

$445

Exam Cost

Exam Domains & Weights

🏗️

Cluster Architecture

25%

📦

Workloads & Scheduling

15%

🌐

Services & Networking

20%

💾

Storage

10%

🔧

Troubleshooting

30%

8-Week Study Plan

Week 1-2

Kubernetes Fundamentals

Pods, Deployments, ServicesConfigMaps & SecretsNamespaces & Labelskubectl basics

15-20 hours

Week 3-4

Cluster Architecture

Control Plane componentsWorker node componentsETCD backup & restoreCluster upgrades

15-20 hours

Week 5-6

Workloads & Scheduling

Resource limits & requestsNode selectors & affinityTaints & tolerationsDaemonSets & StatefulSets

15-20 hours

Week 7-8

Networking & Storage

Services & IngressNetwork PoliciesPersistent VolumesStorage Classes

15-20 hours

Top CKA Exam Tips

Master kubectl

Know kubectl commands by heart. Use kubectl explain, kubectl run --dry-run=client -o yaml for quick manifests.

Practice Time Management

You have 2 hours for 15-20 questions. Skip difficult questions and return later. Each question shows point value.

Use Official Documentation

kubernetes.io/docs is allowed during exam. Bookmark important pages beforehand for quick access.

Focus on Troubleshooting

30% of the exam is troubleshooting. Practice diagnosing broken pods, services, and cluster components.

Detailed Analysis

Killer.sh vs Kube4Sure: Which CKA Simulator is Best?

Compare pricing (€29.99 vs $59 lifetime), session time limits (36 hours vs unlimited), terminal latency, and offline VMware practice.

Read Full Comparison →

Free Study Resources

Kubernetes Official Docs

Documentation

Kubernetes the Hard Way

Tutorial

TechWorld with Nana

YouTube

CNCF Free Kubernetes Course

Course

Ready to Practice?

Theory is great, but hands-on practice is essential. Our CKA Exam Simulator provides a real exam environment with pre-configured Kubernetes clusters.

Try CKA Simulator