Kubernetes Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) Exam Overview

Last year, I successfully passed the Kubernetes Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) exam. This exam consists of multiple-choice questions (with multiple correct answers) covering topics related to Kubernetes and the Cloud Native ecosystem.

In this post, I will share the exam topics, exam environment, rules, and other important details based on my personal experience.

Previously, in my introductory post about Kubernetes, I explained who owns Kubernetes and how it emerged. Kubernetes is currently governed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF).

CNCF was founded in 2015 by the Linux Foundation and operates as a sub-foundation. It is an open-source organization supported by individuals and companies worldwide.

The KCNA exam can be considered an entry-level certification that covers fundamental concepts of Kubernetes and the Cloud Native ecosystem.

KCNA Exam Topics and Scope
Kubernetes Fundamentals (44%)

Covers the core concepts and fundamental components of Kubernetes.

Kubernetes Core Concepts
Basic building blocks of Kubernetes such as Pods, Nodes, Clusters, Namespaces, and Services.

Administration
Cluster management, resource management, configuration, and basic maintenance operations.

Scheduling
How Kubernetes decides which node a pod should run on.

Containerization
Packaging and running applications using containers (e.g., Docker).

Container Orchestration (28%)

Ensures containers run together in a secure and reliable manner.

Networking
Network communication between pods and services, and service access mechanisms.

Security
Authorization (RBAC), secrets management, and secure operation principles.

Troubleshooting
Diagnosing and resolving issues with failing pods, deployments, and logs.

Storage
Persistent data usage, volumes, and storage classes.

Cloud Native Application Delivery (16%)

Focuses on deploying and managing applications using cloud-native approaches.

Application Delivery
Deploying, updating, and versioning applications on Kubernetes.

Debugging
Identifying and resolving application-level and Kubernetes-related issues.

Cloud Native Architecture (12%)

Designing modern, scalable, and observable systems.

Observability
Logging, metrics, and monitoring concepts.

Cloud Native Ecosystem and Principles
CNCF ecosystem, microservices architecture, and cloud-native principles.

Cloud Native Community and Collaboration
Open-source communities within the Cloud Native ecosystem, CNCF projects, and collaboration culture.

Useful Resources for the Exam

A blog post sharing exam experience and preparation tips
https://medium.com/@williamsadebolah/how-i-aced-the-kcna-exam-with-100-perfect-score-without-losing-my-mind-mostly-3855ab3fb754

A YouTube channel providing detailed Kubernetes explanations
https://www.youtube.com/c/techworldwithnana

A paid Udemy course by Kubestronaut James Spurin with mock exams and guidance

Kubernetes mock exam questions by Udemy instructor Bryan Krausen
https://www.udemy.com/course/kcna-exams/

A free KCNA YouTube course
Instructor: Andrew Brown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AplluksKvzI

Course page:
https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/cncf-kubernetes-cloud-native-associate-exam-course/

Exam Format and Rules

The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and lasts 90 minutes. It is conducted online.

You must take the exam in a closed room, and no other people are allowed to enter the room while the camera is on.

Before the exam, you schedule your session through the exam portal and install the required exam software. Prior to starting, a proctor verifies your environment using your camera.

Kubernetes Certification Path

By passing CKA, CKAD, CKS, KCNA, and KCSA, you can earn the Kubestronaut title.

Except for KCNA and KCSA, the other exams are hands-on, requiring you to solve practical Kubernetes scenarios using command-line tools.

For more details about the KCNA exam and registration, visit the official Linux Foundation page:
https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/kubernetes-cloud-native-associate/

The exam fee is $250 USD for the exam alone, or $299 USD when bundled with the LFS250 course. Discounts are often available during promotional periods, especially in November.

This post concludes the overview of essential information about the KCNA exam. In future posts, I will share my study notes and sample exam questions to help those preparing for the exam.