The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification stands as a hallmark credential for IT professionals seeking mastery in managing Kubernetes environments. Developed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) in strategic alliance with the Linux Foundation, the CKA exam is recognized globally for assessing the expertise of professionals in orchestrating containerized applications using Kubernetes.

As the demand for microservices and container orchestration proliferates across industries, Kubernetes has emerged as the indispensable platform for automating deployment, scaling, and operations of application containers. The CKA certification signifies a profound understanding of this orchestration tool, making it a valuable asset for DevOps engineers, system administrators, and site reliability engineers aiming to validate and elevate their skillsets.

Unlike traditional exams based on theoretical knowledge, the CKA assessment is performance-based. It emphasizes real-world, scenario-driven problem-solving in a command-line environment. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to apply concepts practically, ensuring they can navigate the dynamic landscape of Kubernetes clusters confidently and efficiently.

This article introduces a comprehensive list of the top 20 topics and questions to guide your preparation. Each subject area aligns with the key domains covered in the exam, including cluster architecture, installation, configuration, security, workloads, scheduling, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Whether you’re beginning your journey or refining your expertise, these curated questions will illuminate your path toward successful certification.

Importance of the CKA Certification for Cloud-Native Professionals

Securing the CKA credential is more than just adding another certification to your resume—it’s a testament to your ability to work with one of the most transformative technologies in cloud computing. As Kubernetes continues to dominate the landscape of container orchestration, organizations are increasingly seeking professionals who can harness its power to ensure scalable, resilient, and secure application deployment.

Earning the CKA certification demonstrates your competence in managing Kubernetes in production environments. It validates not only your technical acumen but also your ability to troubleshoot and resolve real-world problems under time constraints. Whether you’re responsible for infrastructure operations, automation, or managing microservices at scale, this certification positions you at the forefront of the DevOps and cloud-native evolution.

Moreover, Kubernetes skills are now regarded as a foundational component of cloud-native engineering. From multi-cloud deployments to hybrid infrastructure management, the CKA ensures you are prepared to navigate complex environments while adhering to industry best practices.

Structured Approach to Exam Preparation

Preparing for the CKA exam demands more than memorizing commands; it requires a systematic and immersive approach. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the exam objectives outlined by the CNCF. Focus on the core areas: cluster architecture, installation, workloads and scheduling, networking, services and networking, storage, and troubleshooting.

Hands-on practice is paramount. Set up your own Kubernetes cluster using tools such as Minikube, KIND (Kubernetes in Docker), or Kubeadm on a cloud instance. This practice environment will allow you to experiment with real-world scenarios, deploy resources, and perform operations similar to those encountered during the exam.

Incorporate mock exams and practical exercises available through platforms like Exam Labs. These resources simulate the actual exam environment and challenge your ability to perform under time constraints. Time management and precision are essential, so familiarize yourself with the command-line interface, kubectl, and YAML configuration files to gain confidence.

Additionally, make use of official documentation during your study sessions. Since the exam environment allows access to the Kubernetes documentation, becoming adept at navigating it quickly can save valuable time during the exam.

Key Concepts Covered in the Certification Assessment

The CKA exam spans a wide range of topics that assess your comprehensive understanding of Kubernetes administration. Below are the pivotal areas you must master:

• Cluster architecture and installation procedures, including configuring and deploying Kubernetes clusters

• Workload orchestration, including creating and managing pods, deployments, ReplicaSets, and StatefulSets

• Core concepts of services and networking, such as ClusterIP, NodePort, and LoadBalancer

• Scheduling strategies including taints, tolerations, and affinity rules

• Understanding persistent storage, including volumes, PVCs, and storage classes

• Security mechanisms, including RBAC, TLS encryption, secrets management, and pod security policies

• Monitoring and logging practices for system health and cluster performance

• Troubleshooting cluster issues, including analyzing logs, inspecting resources, and resolving application failures

Each of these categories is deeply integrated into real-world Kubernetes management and forms the backbone of the CKA exam. Proficiency in these areas will enable you to tackle the most demanding scenarios with confidence.

Strategies for Effective Time Management During the Exam

One of the most challenging aspects of the CKA exam is its time-constrained nature. With a duration of two hours, the exam features multiple performance-based tasks that require rapid execution and decision-making. Success depends heavily on how efficiently you manage your time and organize your approach.

Start by skimming through all the questions to gauge their complexity. Tackle the easier, high-confidence tasks first to secure quick points, then allocate the remaining time to more complex scenarios. Use namespaces and labels strategically to keep your resources organized, especially when switching contexts during the exam.

Creating aliases and using command history in the shell can significantly reduce typing time. Additionally, master the art of copying, editing, and applying YAML configurations from the documentation, a technique that saves time and minimizes syntax errors.

Another important tip is to stay calm and focused. Panic can lead to mistakes that cost both time and points. Develop a mental checklist for each type of task, such as deploying an application, exposing services, or configuring RBAC rules, so that you approach each problem methodically.

Common Challenges Faced by Candidates and How to Overcome Them

Many candidates underestimate the practical complexity of the CKA exam. Common pitfalls include insufficient practice with real command-line environments, over-reliance on memorization, and unfamiliarity with the Kubernetes documentation layout.

To mitigate these challenges, immerse yourself in practical labs and real-world scenarios. Practice with broken configurations and simulate issues to enhance your troubleshooting capabilities. Understand the behavior of pods, nodes, and controllers under different failure conditions, and familiarize yourself with diagnostic commands like kubectl describe, kubectl logs, and kubectl get events.

Candidates also often struggle with YAML syntax errors. While these are minor mistakes, they can derail your progress during the exam. Tools like YAML linters and editors that provide syntax highlighting can help you avoid such issues.

Another frequent challenge is ineffective navigation of the Kubernetes documentation. Since the official documentation is available during the exam, mastering its layout and using search functions efficiently can provide a major advantage.

Suggested Practice Questions for Success

Here are examples of the types of questions that will reinforce your understanding and mirror the exam format:

1. Create a new Kubernetes cluster using Kubeadm and ensure high availability

2. Deploy an application using a Deployment resource with rolling updates enabled

3. Configure a pod to use a persistent volume claim backed by hostPath

4. Secure a namespace using RBAC to restrict access to specific users

5. Implement taints and tolerations to control pod scheduling on a node

6. Create a NetworkPolicy to restrict ingress traffic to a pod from specific namespaces

7. Expose an application using a LoadBalancer service type

8. Configure a ConfigMap and mount it as environment variables in a pod

9. Implement a liveness and readiness probe for a containerized service

10. Debug a failed pod using kubectl describe and kubectl logs

These questions not only reinforce critical Kubernetes concepts but also mimic the level of complexity encountered in the exam. Mastery of these tasks will put you in an excellent position to succeed.

Achieving Kubernetes Certification Mastery

Pursuing the Certified Kubernetes Administrator credential is a transformative step in a cloud-native professional’s career. It reflects your dedication to mastering one of the most impactful technologies in today’s IT landscape. The preparation journey demands discipline, curiosity, and consistent hands-on practice.

Remember, certification is not just about passing an exam—it’s about gaining a deep, practical understanding of Kubernetes that you can apply in real-world production environments. Stay current with the latest Kubernetes releases, explore community forums, and consider contributing to open-source projects to deepen your engagement.

Whether you’re managing containerized workloads in the cloud or orchestrating complex microservices architectures, the CKA certification equips you with the skills and confidence to lead.

By following a structured study plan, practicing diligently with resources like Exam Labs, and mastering the documentation, you’ll not only earn your certification but also join a global community of Kubernetes experts shaping the future of infrastructure automation.

Detailed Insight into the Structure of the CKA Certification Examination

Before embarking on your preparation journey for the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam, it is essential to thoroughly understand the structure and nature of the assessment. Having a precise grasp of the exam’s format not only sets clear expectations but also allows you to tailor your preparation strategy to meet the real-time challenges presented during the test. The CKA exam is distinctive because it evaluates practical, hands-on skills rather than theoretical knowledge, making it a performance-based and highly immersive experience.

The CKA examination is conducted entirely online in a secure, proctored environment. Candidates are expected to perform tasks in a real Kubernetes command-line interface, where they will be tested on their ability to complete practical scenarios under pressure. These scenarios mimic real-world tasks system administrators or DevOps engineers would perform in professional environments. The questions require a deep understanding of Kubernetes components, as well as the capability to troubleshoot and execute commands accurately.

The total duration of the examination is two hours. Within this time frame, candidates must address a variety of complex, scenario-driven questions, which usually range from 15 to 20 in number. Each task may vary in difficulty and point value, and not all tasks carry equal weight. Therefore, efficient time management becomes a vital skill during the exam. Candidates should aim to balance precision with speed, ensuring they do not spend excessive time on a single task at the cost of leaving others incomplete.

A score of 66% or higher is required to pass the exam. This benchmark ensures that only candidates with a solid grasp of Kubernetes administration concepts earn the certification. The grading system is dynamic and automatically assesses your performance based on your ability to execute the required operations correctly within the given environment. There is no partial credit; your answers must fully meet the criteria defined in each task’s instructions.

One of the most advantageous aspects of the CKA exam is its open-book nature. Candidates are allowed to access the official Kubernetes documentation throughout the assessment. This feature mirrors real-world administrative environments, where professionals often refer to official sources to ensure accuracy. However, while documentation access is allowed, navigating it efficiently is a skill in itself. Candidates should become intimately familiar with the structure and layout of the documentation so they can quickly locate relevant information when needed.

The exam content is meticulously categorized into specific domains, each representing a critical segment of Kubernetes administration. These domains include:

• Cluster Architecture, Installation, and Configuration: This section focuses on setting up and configuring clusters, managing Kubernetes components, and understanding system architecture. Candidates must be proficient in deploying clusters using tools like kubeadm and should understand the core Kubernetes control plane components.

• Workloads and Scheduling: In this domain, candidates must demonstrate the ability to deploy and manage application workloads. This includes creating and scaling pods, deploying resources using controllers like Deployments and StatefulSets, and managing scheduling through node selectors, affinities, and taints and tolerations.

• Services and Networking: This section addresses the configuration of Kubernetes networking components such as Services, Ingress controllers, and DNS. Understanding how pods communicate within and across nodes is essential, as is the ability to troubleshoot network connectivity issues.

• Storage: Storage is a key aspect of Kubernetes applications, particularly for stateful workloads. Candidates must understand persistent storage provisioning, volume management, and how to use persistent volume claims (PVCs) with StatefulSets and other resources.

• Security: Security is vital in Kubernetes environments. This domain covers the implementation of authentication and authorization mechanisms, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), secrets management, and secure communications using TLS. It also includes securing workload access and network policies.

• Troubleshooting: This domain evaluates a candidate’s ability to diagnose and fix issues within a Kubernetes environment. It requires proficiency in interpreting logs, examining resource configurations, and identifying the root cause of failures or misconfigurations.

Each of these domains contributes a specific percentage to the overall exam weight. Understanding these weightings allows you to prioritize your study time accordingly. For instance, cluster architecture and workload management tend to carry a higher percentage of the total score, meaning they deserve focused attention during your preparation.

It’s also worth noting that the exam undergoes periodic updates to align with the latest Kubernetes versions. Staying current with recent changes and updates to the Kubernetes documentation is essential, as deprecated features or newly introduced components may influence the nature of the exam questions.

In summary, the CKA exam is designed to test your practical Kubernetes skills in a live, hands-on environment. It simulates real operational challenges, requiring candidates to apply their knowledge in a performance-based format. With a two-hour time limit, open-book access to documentation, and coverage across essential domains, the exam assesses not just theoretical understanding, but real competency. Preparing with this format in mind ensures you are not only ready for certification but also for the day-to-day realities of administering Kubernetes clusters in enterprise settings.

The Crucial Role of Practical Exercises in Preparing for the Kubernetes Administrator Exam

Preparing for the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam requires more than theoretical understanding—it demands a profound ability to operate within a real-time command-line environment under exam conditions. This certification is renowned for its practical orientation, where candidates must navigate live Kubernetes clusters and perform administrative tasks with precision and speed. In this context, practice questions that simulate real-world scenarios are not just helpful; they are essential.

One of the defining aspects of the CKA exam is that it is completely performance-based. Unlike conventional multiple-choice assessments, the CKA challenges you to carry out complex configurations, diagnose issues, and implement solutions in an actual Kubernetes environment. Memorizing kubectl commands or YAML syntax is not sufficient. Success hinges on the ability to translate knowledge into action swiftly and accurately.

Practicing with real-world questions reinforces this applied knowledge. These exercises typically reflect the kinds of challenges professionals face in production environments—such as deploying a multi-container pod, managing persistent storage, implementing security policies, or diagnosing why a pod has failed to start. By engaging with scenario-driven tasks repeatedly, you begin to internalize processes, develop muscle memory for frequent tasks, and cultivate an intuitive understanding of the system’s behavior.

Targeted practice also significantly enhances command-line proficiency. In the high-pressure context of the exam, every second counts. Being able to type commands fluidly, correct errors quickly, and edit YAML files without hesitation is critical. Through repeated hands-on practice, you learn to use shortcuts, tab completion, and efficient navigation techniques that can help you manage time more effectively during the actual exam.

Moreover, consistent practice builds confidence. Familiarity with the types of tasks presented in the exam environment reduces anxiety and improves mental clarity. You’ll know how to approach each question strategically, whether it involves creating a deployment, applying RBAC rules, or troubleshooting a failing pod. This confidence translates into better focus and higher accuracy when it matters most.

Another key benefit of working through practice questions is that they illuminate gaps in your understanding. When you attempt a task and struggle to complete it, you’re alerted to specific concepts or commands you need to revisit. This feedback loop allows you to target your studies more efficiently and address weak areas before the exam. It also helps you develop a deeper, more holistic grasp of Kubernetes administration as you connect various concepts and understand their interdependencies.

Additionally, well-crafted practice questions often mimic the format and complexity of the actual exam. This familiarity gives you a strategic advantage. For example, tasks that require editing YAML files, navigating namespaces, or configuring taints and tolerations become second nature. You’ll also develop habits like reading task instructions carefully, verifying your work before submitting, and managing your resources cleanly to avoid interference with other tasks.

Simulated environments provided by platforms like Exam Labs offer an authentic preview of what the exam entails. These platforms typically offer sandboxed Kubernetes clusters where you can execute tasks just like you would during the test. Practicing in such environments helps you become comfortable with the tools, workflows, and constraints you’ll face. You also learn how to quickly access and use the official Kubernetes documentation, a skill that is vital for solving unfamiliar problems efficiently during the test.

Practice questions can be tailored to various difficulty levels, from beginner to advanced. For beginners, basic tasks like creating pods and understanding labels and selectors are vital starting points. Intermediate users benefit from deploying applications using StatefulSets, managing ingress rules, or configuring service accounts. Advanced users can challenge themselves with scenarios involving node maintenance, debugging DNS failures, or securing access to the cluster using RBAC policies and network segmentation.

It is equally important to review your completed practice exercises. Understanding why a solution worked—or why it didn’t—solidifies learning. Annotating your practice attempts, exploring alternative methods, and seeking community feedback all contribute to a richer learning experience. Participating in study groups or online forums can expose you to different approaches, strategies, and even shortcuts that you might not discover on your own.

Furthermore, regular practice cultivates efficiency in documentation usage. The CKA exam allows access to the official Kubernetes documentation, but being able to locate specific pages quickly is a skill in itself. With repeated practice, you will know exactly where to find deployment syntax examples, network policy structures, or volume configuration guidelines. This competence can be the deciding factor between finishing the exam confidently or running out of time.

To maximize your practice efforts, establish a study routine that balances reading, watching tutorials, and completing practical exercises. Allocate specific time blocks for working through tasks of varying complexity and revisit previously completed scenarios to reinforce memory retention. Tracking your progress over time also helps you identify trends in your learning and encourages consistent improvement.

In conclusion, engaging consistently with practical, hands-on Kubernetes tasks is the cornerstone of successful CKA exam preparation. These exercises not only sharpen your technical abilities but also simulate the pressure and performance environment of the exam itself. Through persistent practice, you build fluency, strengthen your decision-making skills, and ensure that when exam day arrives, you’re not just prepared—you’re ready to excel.

Top 20 Questions to Prepare for the CKA Exam

Question 1: What Is the Correct Way to Create a Pod from a YAML Manifest in Kubernetes?

Creating resources in Kubernetes through YAML manifests is one of the most foundational skills for any Certified Kubernetes Administrator. It is not only critical for passing the CKA exam, but also an indispensable part of daily tasks performed by professionals who manage containerized workloads in production clusters.

To define and deploy a pod using a YAML manifest, you begin by drafting a properly structured YAML file that outlines the desired state of your pod. This YAML file contains all necessary specifications including metadata, API version, kind, and the pod spec itself. Once your YAML file is written and validated, you apply it to the Kubernetes cluster using a simple but powerful command-line instruction.

The correct way to deploy a pod from a YAML definition is by executing the following command in the terminal:

kubectl apply -f pod.yaml

This command tells the Kubernetes API server to read the content of the file named pod.yaml and to create or update resources based on the declarations found within the file. This approach is declarative, meaning you are specifying the end state you want Kubernetes to achieve, and the control plane takes responsibility for realizing that state.

Understanding the anatomy of a pod manifest is essential. Every pod definition begins with the apiVersion, which indicates the version of the Kubernetes API being used. This is followed by kind, which should be set to Pod in this case, because you are defining a pod resource. The metadata section is used to name the pod and assign labels, which are crucial for selectors and service discovery later. The core of the manifest is the spec section, where you define containers, images, ports, and any other operational parameters like volume mounts, resource limits, or environment variables.

Here’s a simplified example of what a basic pod YAML file might look like:

apiVersion: v1

kind: Pod

metadata:

  name: nginx-pod

  labels:

    app: nginx

spec:

  containers:

  – name: nginx

    image: nginx:latest

    ports:

    – containerPort: 80

In this manifest, the pod is named nginx-pod, and it contains one container that uses the official nginx image. The container listens on port 80. This is a typical starting point for many exercises, both in exam scenarios and real-world deployment pipelines.

When you use kubectl apply -f pod.yaml, the Kubernetes API processes this configuration and schedules the pod onto a suitable node within the cluster. If the file contains valid syntax and the cluster components are healthy, the pod will be instantiated, and you can verify its status using the command:

kubectl get pods

Alternatively, for more detailed information about the pod, including events, status, and runtime logs, you can use:

kubectl describe pod nginx-pod

kubectl logs nginx-pod

It is also vital to recognize the importance of validation before applying any manifest. YAML files are sensitive to indentation, structure, and formatting. A small syntax error can lead to runtime failures or rejections from the API server. Many candidates in the CKA exam lose valuable time debugging misconfigured YAML files. Using an online YAML linter or enabling schema validation in your text editor can help mitigate such issues.

Moreover, remember that using kubectl create -f also deploys the resource, but it is typically used when creating resources for the first time. In contrast, kubectl apply -f is more versatile as it allows idempotent operations—it creates the resource if it doesn’t exist and updates it if it does. This makes it the preferred method, especially in environments where infrastructure-as-code principles are applied.

In practical terms, mastering the ability to deploy pods using manifests equips you with the capability to automate deployments, enforce configuration standards, and work collaboratively using version-controlled infrastructure repositories. This method ensures reproducibility, scalability, and consistency across different environments, whether it’s development, staging, or production.

For the CKA exam, you will be expected to write YAML definitions from scratch or modify existing ones to achieve specific outcomes. Tasks may include deploying multiple containers in a single pod, configuring readiness and liveness probes, or injecting environment variables. Being fluent in reading and editing these manifests is non-negotiable.

Furthermore, understanding how the different fields in the YAML manifest map to actual behavior in the Kubernetes system can give you a significant advantage. For example, specifying restartPolicy as Never or OnFailure can change the way Kubernetes manages the pod lifecycle. Similarly, defining resource requests and limits influences how the pod is scheduled and how it behaves under load.

In summary, the process of creating a pod using a YAML manifest encapsulates much of what Kubernetes stands for: declarative configuration, automation, and consistency. For the CKA exam and for real-world Kubernetes administration, you must be proficient in writing, interpreting, and deploying YAML manifests. Practice this skill repeatedly until it becomes second nature. It is not just about passing an exam; it is about developing a core competency that will serve you in any cloud-native role you pursue.

Question 2: How Can You Access the Logs of a Container Running Within a Kubernetes Pod?

One of the most crucial tasks in Kubernetes administration is the ability to retrieve and interpret logs from containers running inside pods. Logs are essential for debugging, monitoring application behavior, and understanding system events. In the context of the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam, knowing how to efficiently fetch logs using the Kubernetes command-line tool, kubectl, is a skill that can directly affect your exam performance and your competence in production environments.

The Kubernetes logging mechanism does not collect or store logs centrally by default. Instead, each node in a Kubernetes cluster writes container logs to the local filesystem, and these logs can be accessed using kubectl. When you want to check the output or error messages generated by a container inside a pod, you use the logs command.

The basic syntax to view the logs of a single-container pod is:

kubectl logs <pod-name>

This command pulls the standard output and standard error streams of the container running inside the specified pod. It is important to note that if a pod has only one container, you are not required to specify the container name explicitly. Kubernetes will assume you are referring to the only running container in that pod.

However, if the pod consists of multiple containers—such as in a sidecar design pattern or when monitoring agents are attached—you must specify the container from which you want to retrieve logs. In such cases, the command structure is slightly different:

kubectl logs <pod-name> -c <container-name>

This ensures that logs are fetched from the specific container identified by name. If you omit the -c flag when dealing with a multi-container pod, Kubernetes will return an error because it won’t know which container’s logs you want.

Understanding when and why to use these commands is essential. Logs can help you diagnose a variety of issues: whether a container failed to start due to a missing image, if there’s a misconfigured environment variable, or if an application is throwing exceptions due to bad inputs or unavailable services. These are all common scenarios in real-world systems and may appear as troubleshooting challenges in the CKA exam.

You can also enhance log viewing with additional flags. For example, the –tail flag allows you to display only the last few lines of the log file, which is helpful when the logs are extensive:

kubectl logs <pod-name> –tail=50

This will return the last 50 lines, making it easier to focus on recent events. If you want to monitor logs in real time, much like the tail -f command in Linux, you can use the –follow flag:

kubectl logs <pod-name> –follow

This is especially useful when you’re deploying new updates and want to watch how the application behaves as it initializes and begins handling traffic. You can combine both flags for even more control:

kubectl logs <pod-name> –tail=100 –follow

Additionally, Kubernetes maintains logs for previous instances of containers in the case of restarts or failures. If a container crashes and is restarted by the kubelet, its logs are not immediately visible with the default command. To access logs from a previous container instance, use the –previous or -p flag:

kubectl logs <pod-name> -c <container-name> –previous

This is invaluable for understanding crash loops or sudden failures that occur during container startup or runtime. Being able to view logs from failed container instances is a critical skill during both the exam and real-life troubleshooting.

Furthermore, understanding the structure of logs can give you deeper insights. Most logs include timestamps, log levels (like INFO, WARN, ERROR), and application-specific messages. You should become comfortable interpreting this information and identifying patterns or anomalies. In many cases, error messages in logs point directly to the misconfigured resource or code defect.

Logs are also a key part of building observability in Kubernetes. While Kubernetes does not automatically store or forward logs to a centralized location, many clusters are configured with logging agents such as Fluentd, Logstash, or Loki to push logs to systems like Elasticsearch, Splunk, or Grafana. However, the CKA exam focuses primarily on native Kubernetes tools, so knowing how to use kubectl effectively is the priority.

Additionally, during the exam, using kubectl logs properly helps in tasks that involve debugging broken deployments or failing pods. For instance, if a pod’s status shows CrashLoopBackOff or ImagePullBackOff, checking logs is often your first and best diagnostic step. Logs can quickly reveal whether the image could not be pulled due to incorrect registry credentials, whether the application exited due to a syntax error, or whether some dependency is missing.

Also, don’t forget that kubectl logs works only for containers that are managed by the kubelet and output to standard output and error. If the application writes logs to a file within the container’s file system, you might need to kubectl exec into the container and view the file manually. But for most standard logging scenarios, especially those you’ll encounter in the exam, kubectl logs is the primary tool.

In conclusion, mastering the kubectl logs command and its variations is a non-negotiable part of your preparation for the CKA certification. It empowers you to diagnose, debug, and observe Kubernetes workloads in real time. In practice, logs are often your first line of defense when something breaks or behaves unexpectedly. The ability to access, read, and interpret these logs quickly and accurately is a core skill every Kubernetes administrator must possess.

Question 3

What command would you use to create a deployment named “nginx-deploy” with 3 replicas?

kubectl create deployment nginx-deploy –image=nginx –replicas=3

Or by editing a YAML file and applying it with kubectl apply.

Question 4

How do you scale a deployment named “nginx-deploy” to 5 replicas?

kubectl scale deployment nginx-deploy –replicas=5

Question 5

How do you expose a deployment on port 80 using a ClusterIP service?

kubectl expose deployment nginx-deploy –port=80 –target-port=80 –type=ClusterIP

Question 6

How can you list all pods across all namespaces?

kubectl get pods –all-namespaces

This is useful for checking system and user pods during troubleshooting.

Question 7

How do you taint a node to prevent scheduling workloads on it?

kubectl taint nodes <node-name> key=value:NoSchedule

Understand taints and tolerations, as they’re tested frequently.

Question 8

What are the commands to view detailed events and describe a pod?

kubectl describe pod <pod-name>

kubectl get events –sort-by=’.metadata.creationTimestamp’

These are useful for diagnosing scheduling or crash issues.

Question 9

How do you upgrade a Kubernetes cluster using kubeadm?

Upgrade kubeadm on the control plane node:
apt-get update && apt-get install -y kubeadm=<version>

Plan and apply the upgrade:
kubeadm upgrade plan

kubeadm upgrade apply <version>

Then upgrade kubelet and kubectl:
apt-get install -y kubelet=<version> kubectl=<version>

systemctl restart kubelet

Question 10

How do you troubleshoot and fix a CrashLoopBackOff pod?

Check logs and describe the pod:

kubectl logs <pod-name>

kubectl describe pod <pod-name>

Look for misconfigurations like incorrect commands or insufficient resources.

Question 11

How do you cordon and drain a node?

Cordon (mark node unschedulable):

kubectl cordon <node-name>

Drain (safely evict all pods):

kubectl drain <node-name> –ignore-daemonsets

Essential for node maintenance or rolling upgrades.

Question 12

How do you configure a pod to run on a specific node?

Use nodeSelector in the pod spec:

spec:

  nodeSelector:

    disktype: ssd

You must label nodes appropriately beforehand.

Question 13

How do you create a ConfigMap and mount it to a pod?

1. Create ConfigMap:

kubectl create configmap app-config –from-literal=key1=value1

 

1. Mount into pod via envFrom or volume mount.

Question 14

How do you create a Kubernetes Job that runs a task once?

apiVersion: batch/v1

kind: Job

metadata:

  name: pi-job

spec:

  template:

    spec:

      containers:

      – name: pi

        image: perl

        command: [“perl”, “-Mbignum=bpi”, “-wle”, “print bpi(2000)”]

      restartPolicy: Never

Apply with kubectl apply -f job.yaml.

Question 15

How do you configure RBAC to give a user read-only access to pods?

1. Create a Role:

kind: Role

apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1

metadata:

  namespace: default

  name: pod-reader

rules:

– apiGroups: [“”]

  resources: [“pods”]

  verbs: [“get”, “watch”, “list”]

1. Bind the role to a user via RoleBinding.

Question 16

How do you view the status of all Kubernetes nodes and their roles?

kubectl get nodes -o wide

Look for conditions, labels, and roles for scheduling behavior.

Question 17

How do you set resource limits for a pod?

In the pod spec:

resources:

  requests:

    memory: “64Mi”

    cpu: “250m”

  limits:

    memory: “128Mi”

    cpu: “500m”

This ensures resource fairness and prevents node overload.

Question 18

How do you create a NetworkPolicy to allow traffic from specific pods only?

apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1

kind: NetworkPolicy

metadata:

  name: allow-nginx

spec:

  podSelector:

    matchLabels:

      app: nginx

  ingress:

  – from:

    – podSelector:

        matchLabels:

          access: granted

You must have a network plugin that supports NetworkPolicies.

Question 19

How do you back up and restore etcd in Kubernetes?

Backup:

ETCDCTL_API=3 etcdctl snapshot save snapshot.db –endpoints=https://127.0.0.1:2379 –cacert=/etc/kubernetes/pki/etcd/ca.crt \

–cert=/etc/kubernetes/pki/etcd/server.crt –key=/etc/kubernetes/pki/etcd/server.key

Restore with etcdctl snapshot restore.

Question 20

How do you troubleshoot a service that is not accessible via ClusterIP?

Check:

1. Pod status and readiness

2. Service selector correctness

3. Endpoints with kubectl get endpoints

4. Use nslookup and curl from another pod

5. Network policies blocking traffic

Tips for CKA Exam Success

• Practice on a live cluster: Use Minikube, KIND, or Kubernetes Playground.

• Use official Kubernetes docs: Get used to searching during tasks.

• Master kubectl commands: Speed and accuracy matter.

• Understand YAML structure: You’ll often need to edit manifest files.

• Time management: Prioritize easier tasks first to secure points.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam requires more than just reading—it demands action. These top 20 questions are tailored to match the real challenges you’ll face during the exam. By practicing them in a real Kubernetes environment, you’ll boost your confidence and technical depth.

Whether you’re aiming to advance in DevOps, cloud engineering, or system administration, earning the CKA certification is a powerful step forward in your Kubernetes journey.