Getting CKA/CKAD is a matter of commitment

I started working on kubernetes for while, and by the end of Q4 2017, I had the chance to deploy a highly available kubernetes on a completely bare metal architecture for my customer, it was a challenging experience for me and my team, but as they said we never learn without challenges.

Recentlly, I was thinking of challenging myself and trying CNCF certifications. I am very pleased to share my journey and tips to get the double CKAD and CKA certifications on first attempt. I passed both with 88% score.

TIPS:

Mastering kubernetes will not be easy without getting hands-on on kubernetes concepts and different scenarios.

Let’s start with the common things between both certificats:

• If you have never used or heard about docker before, I suggest you to start learning docker and get familiar with the basic of docker.
• Get familiar with yaml.
• Learn how it works before you start typing commands and writing yaml files. The more you learn the concepts of each k8s objects with a deep dive on different components the more you understand what you are doing. Kubernetes in Action may be a good start( also check kubernauts kubernetes training slides https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13EQKZSQDounPC1I6EC4PmqaRmdCrpT3qswQJz9KRCyE/edit#slide=id.gd9c453428_0_16).
• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE should be your homie from now on.
• Create your own exercises and scenarios for each k8s object to hit every details about it.
• Do Not forget to go through kubernetes official documentation.
• You must respect what the instructor is going to tell you and focus on the exam questions.
• READ,READ,READ the Candidate’s Handbook and Exam TIPS ( eg Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V are not allowed ).
• MANAGE your time as much as possible during the exam.
• USING notepad might help you to note the questions that you have skipped.
• READ carrefully the question and check that you are in the right context.
• Use the command line kubectl explain will help you during the exam.
• Use kubectl command line to create your manifest (such as deployment, service, cronjobs,pods etc ).
• Practicing make you fast during the exam.
• I used this trick to make it easy for me to look for specific information on kubernetes documentation.

CKAD / CKA Preparation:

I decided to start with CKAD to get familiar with the exam environment and questions type, so you need to:

• practice each items on the exam curriculum.
• Start your preparation with this set of exercises, that you might have as question on the exam.

dgkanatsios/CKAD-exercises

• Take enough time to be well prepared, don’t be in a hurry to take the exam. Good preparation t’s better than wasting time for seeking information during the exam.
• It will be helpful to start practicing on some kubernetes playgrounds like katacoda or Play with kubernetes labs.

Concerning CKA you need to:

• Practice each items on the exam curriculum, and start your preparation with this set of exercises, that challenges you knowledge.

arush-sal/cka-practice-environment

• Practicing only on Kubeadm is not enough for the exam, so you must go through kubernetes the hard way to understand how each component works and how to troubleshoot it in case of failure .

kelseyhightower/kubernetes-the-hard-way

The exam isn’t that hard if you take your time and having a good preparation. As I always believe hard work pays off, the more you work hard the more you will be comfortable on the exam.

Some helpful links:

https://www.oreilly.com/ideas/kubernetes-recipes-maintenance-and-troubleshooting
https://kubernauts.slack.com
https://github.com/ahmetb/kubernetes-network-policy-recipes
https://blog.containership.io/etcd/

That’s all folks, all you need now is to do the first step and start working hard. Good luck for you all.