In October of 2025 I was trying to solidify my cloud skills further by studying for the CKA: Certified Kubernetes Administrators exam.
I think knowing where i was starting from knowledge wise is an important factor for gauging what i will talk about next. I have been doing system engineering for a decade and working in a Kubernetes like environment for the past 3 years before taking this exam. I wanted something more formal so i went for certification. Depending on where you are on your learning path you may need more or less time studying.
I think there are many pathways there. If you aren’t familiar and want deep learning you could set up a home lab and do Kubernetes the hard way. I kept seeing this as a path when searching the internet. I already had experience with Redhat’s Openshift which i think of as the Redhat version of Kubernetes. I was not looking for a home lab path at the time and went about it another way but might be what i do when i re-certify. A friend of mine told me to take two courses on Udemy from an author Mumshad Mannambeth. I can’t recommend these courses enough.
Kubernetes for the Absolute Beginners - Hands-on
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) with Practice Tests
My recommendation is go through the courses. They offer labs with simulated environments on a platform called Kodekloud. As of now when the exam updates requirements they update the course to meet them. You should always keep in mind how certifications change over time. These courses will get you most of the way there.
I think the other stretch of getting there are mainly two things.
- Really get a handle on how to quickly access what you need in Kubernetes documentation.
- Towards the end of your studying bring your full focus to killer.sh practice sessions you are given.
During the exam you have access to the documentation. The better you know where things are the quicker you will finish the live exercises you are working on.
When you purchase the Exam you are sent links at least current to two 15-17 question practice sessions where you are doing live exercises like the exam. Killer.sh is much hard than the actual exam and that is good. Named appropriately for what it is. The practice tests in Kubernetes course are about as difficult as the exam or a little easier.
I hope this information provides helpful for anyone who comes across this and is going for the certification.