---
exam:
  name: Certified Kubernetes Administrator
  abbreviation: CKA
  provider: Linux Foundation / CNCF
  official_page: https://www.cncf.io/training/certification/cka/
  registration_page: https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-kubernetes-administrator-cka/
  curriculum: https://github.com/cncf/curriculum
  candidate_handbook: https://www.cncf.io/certification/candidate-handbook
  exam_tips: https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/tips-cka-and-ckad
  level: professional / administrator
  description: >
    Validates the skills, knowledge, and competency to perform the
    responsibilities of a Kubernetes administrator — installation,
    configuration, and management of production-grade Kubernetes
    clusters.
  target_audience:
    - Kubernetes/cluster administrators
    - Platform engineers / SREs
    - DevOps engineers responsible for cluster lifecycle
  recommended_background:
    - Hands-on Kubernetes cluster administration experience
    - Comfortable with the Linux command line and YAML
    - KCNA is a good (not required) stepping stone
  prerequisites: none

format:
  delivery: online, proctored (PSI)
  question_type: performance-based, hands-on command-line tasks
  task_count_approx: 15-20
  duration_minutes: 120
  passing_score_percent: 66
  language: English
  open_book: Kubernetes.io docs (and a short allow-list of related sites) accessible during the exam

cost:
  exam_usd_approx: 445
  note: list price, includes one free retake; varies with bundles/promos

policy:
  validity_years: 3
  retakes_included: 1

domains:
  - name: Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration
    weight_percent: 25
    dir: cluster-architecture-installation-and-configuration
  - name: Workloads & Scheduling
    weight_percent: 15
    dir: workloads-and-scheduling
  - name: Services & Networking
    weight_percent: 20
    dir: services-and-networking
  - name: Storage
    weight_percent: 10
    dir: storage
  - name: Troubleshooting
    weight_percent: 30
    dir: troubleshooting

preparation:
  study_resources:
    - name: Kubernetes Documentation
      url: https://kubernetes.io/docs/home/
    - name: CNCF CKA Curriculum (GitHub)
      url: https://github.com/cncf/curriculum
    - name: killer.sh CKA Simulator (included with exam registration)
      url: https://killer.sh/cka
  practice:
    - name: Kubernetes the Hard Way
      url: https://github.com/kelseyhightower/kubernetes-the-hard-way
  labs:
    - Bootstrap a multi-node cluster with kubeadm
    - Perform a control-plane and node upgrade with kubeadm
    - Back up and restore etcd
    - Configure RBAC, Services, Ingress, and NetworkPolicies
    - Manage workloads with Deployments, DaemonSets, and StatefulSets
    - Configure static/dynamic PersistentVolumes and StorageClasses
    - Troubleshoot cluster, node, and application failures (logs, events, kubelet, control-plane components)