The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification remains a gold standard for demonstrating proficiency in managing Kubernetes clusters. However, the landscape of Kubernetes is constantly evolving, and so too has the CKA exam. This blog post provides an in-depth comparison between the CKA exam as it stood in 2020 and its current iteration in 2025, with a particular focus on preparing for success in the latest version. We’ll delve into syllabus changes, key competencies, essential resources, and practical tips to help you navigate the exam effectively.

The Evolution of the CKA: From Manual Configuration to Infrastructure as Code

The original CKA exam, released in September 2017, initially focused on hands-on cluster management. Updates are frequent but relatively minor, primarily addressing versioning changes within Kubernetes. However, the major update in 2020 marked a significant turning point. This shift moved away from directly manipulating individual cluster components and towards a more automated tooling approach. The emphasis began to lean toward understanding how clusters should be configured rather than meticulously building them by hand.

The latest major revision in February 2025 continues this trajectory, further solidifying the importance of Infrastructure as Code (IAC) tools and advanced troubleshooting skills. This isn’t simply about knowing how to do something; it’s about understanding why you’re doing it and being able to diagnose and resolve issues efficiently in a production environment.

CKA 2025: A Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

The CKA curriculum has been streamlined, condensing from ten domains to five core areas. This doesn’t mean the exam is easier; rather, it signifies a deeper dive into these critical competencies. Here’s a breakdown of the current syllabus and weighting:

• Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration (25%): This domain covers preparing infrastructure for Kubernetes installation, creating and managing clusters with kubeadm, implementing high availability control planes, understanding extension interfaces like CNI, CSI, CRI, and working with Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs) and Operators.
• Workloads & Scheduling (15%): Focuses on deploying applications, scaling them effectively, setting resource limits, utilizing ConfigMaps and Secrets for configuration management, configuring workload autoscaling, and understanding Pod admission and scheduling principles.
• Services & Networking (20%): This area emphasizes connectivity between Pods, defining and enforcing Network Policies, using various service types (ClusterIP, NodePort, LoadBalancer), and leveraging the Gateway API for Ingress traffic management. Knowledge of Ingress controllers is also crucial.
• Storage (10%): Covers implementing storage classes and dynamic volume provisioning, configuring volume types and access modes, managing persistent volumes and claims, and troubleshooting storage-related issues.
• Troubleshooting (30%): This represents the most significant change in recent years. The exam now places a substantial emphasis on diagnosing and resolving cluster and node problems, monitoring resource usage, evaluating container output streams, and addressing service and networking challenges.

Key Competencies Added/Emphasized in 2025

Several key competencies have been added or significantly emphasized in the 2025 CKA exam:

• Helm & Kustomize: Proficiency with these IAC tools is no longer optional; they are essential for managing Kubernetes manifests effectively.
• Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs) & Operators: Understanding how to extend Kubernetes functionality using CRDs and Operators demonstrates a deeper understanding of the platform’s capabilities.
• Gateway API: The Gateway API is replacing Ingress as the preferred method for managing external access to your cluster, so familiarity with its concepts and implementation is vital.
• Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) & Vertical Pod Autoscaler (VPA): These autoscaling mechanisms are crucial for optimizing resource utilization and ensuring application performance.
• Network Policies: Implementing Network Policies is essential for securing your Kubernetes environment by controlling traffic flow between Pods.

What’s Been Removed?

While the exam has added new competencies, some topics have been removed or de-emphasized. Notably, manual backup and restore of etcd are no longer directly tested. However, it’s important to note that etcd remains a critical component of Kubernetes, and understanding its role is still valuable. The focus has shifted from performing the backups to understanding how they work and their impact on cluster stability.

Essential Resources for CKA 2025 Preparation

Success in the CKA exam requires dedicated preparation and access to quality resources. Here’s a breakdown of recommended tools and courses:

• Kubernetes Documentation: The official Kubernetes documentation is your primary source of truth. Become intimately familiar with its structure and content. Its many examples with increase efficiency during the exam.
• KodeKloud CKA Learning Path: KodeKloud consistently receives high praise from CKA candidates. Their interactive browser-based labs, modular learning paths, and 8 mock exams mapped to the exam competence groups provide a comprehensive learning experience. The Pro subscription also offers KodeKloud Engineer with over 100 hands-on challenges for further practice.
• Killer Shell Exam Preparation: The Linux Foundation provides two simulated practice exams with each voucher purchase. These exams are known for their difficulty and detail, closely mirroring the actual exam interface and forcing you to focus on time management. You can add the vouchers to your killer shell account in the exam preparation section of the learning portal, right after exam scheduling.
• The Official Linux Foundation Course: The official course has been significantly improved with the addition of browser-based interactive labs. It’s a great option for those with some Kubernetes exposure seeking a structured learning path combined with certification training.
• Kubernetes the Hard Way: While tedious, building a cluster from scratch using “Kubernetes the Hard Way” provides invaluable insight into the interconnected nature of Kubernetes components and is highly beneficial for troubleshooting.

Tips and Tricks for Exam Success

• Focus on Practical Skills: The CKA exam is heavily hands-on. Prioritize real-world skills in core domains like Storage, Networking, Security, and Application Lifecycle.
• Time Management is Crucial: You have only 2 hours to complete the exam. Practice under timed conditions to develop your speed and efficiency.
• Read the Questions Carefully: Before diving into a question, thoroughly read the requirements, steps involved, and weight assigned. This will help you prioritize tasks effectively.
• Copy and Paste Values: The new exam UI allows for single-click copying of highlighted text. Utilize this feature to avoid errors.
• Utilize Documentation Links: The exam provides links to relevant Kubernetes documentation. Don’t hesitate to use them!
• Don’t Ignore Warnings: Pay attention to warnings within the questions, as they often provide valuable clues about how best to proceed.
• Flag and Move On: If you’re struggling with a question or it’s taking too long, flag it and move on. You can always return to it later if time permits.
• Exit Before Working: Always exit the initial shell before performing any work in each question. Always ensure you’re using the correct connection string at the top of every question.
• Be Ready to Type: Expect to type continuously for two hours straight without distractions.
• Walk Through the UI Tutorial: Take the time to read the UI walkthrough information before beginning the exam. The timer is paused during this tutorial.
• Remember the Passing Score: You only need a 67% to pass, so don’t feel pressured to complete every question perfectly.

Conclusion

The CKA exam has undergone significant changes in recent years, reflecting the evolving landscape of Kubernetes. The 2025 iteration places a greater emphasis on Infrastructure as Code tools like Helm and Kustomize, advanced troubleshooting skills, and a deeper understanding of core concepts. By focusing on practical skills, utilizing quality resources, and following these tips and tricks, you can confidently prepare for success in the CKA exam and demonstrate your expertise as a Certified Kubernetes Administrator.