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    Linux CKA Exam

    Linux CKA Exam 2025 Update: What’s New, What’s Removed

    Matt Trifiro

    Introduction

    The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam, governed by the Linux Foundation and CNCF, is the gold standard for validating Kubernetes expertise. With Kubernetes evolving rapidly, the 2025 CKA exam introduces significant updates to align with modern practices. This article breaks down the latest changes, deprecated topics, and actionable preparation strategies to help you ace the exam.

    Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam

    What’s New in the 2025 Linux Foundation CKA Exam?

    Security Enhancements

    Kubernetes security remains a top priority. Expect these updates:

    • Pod Security Admission (PSA)
      • Replaces deprecated Pod Security Policies (PSP).
      • Tasks will involve configuring Pod Security Standards(Baseline, Restricted) via labels.
      • Example: Enforce restricted policy in a namespace:

    apiVersion: v1

    kind: Namespace

    metadata:

    name: secure-ns

    labels:

    pod-security.kubernetes.io/enforce: restricted

    • ServiceAccount Token Improvements
      • Bound tokens (time-bound, audience-bound) replace long-lived secrets.
      • Use TokenRequestAPI to generate tokens for safer authentication.
    • Network Policy Mastery
      • Write policies to isolate pods, control ingress/egress traffic.
      • Example: Block all traffic except from pods with label role: frontend.

     

    Advanced Cluster Operations

    • etcd v3+ Backup & Restore
      • Hands-on tasks for snapshotting and restoring clusters:

    # Create snapshot

    etcdctl –endpoints=https://127.0.0.1:2379 snapshot save snapshot.db

    # Restore cluster

    etcdctl snapshot restore snapshot.db –data-dir /var/lib/etcd-new

    • Kubeadm Cluster Upgrades
      • Upgrade control planes and worker nodes step-by-step:

    kubeadm upgrade plan

    kubeadm upgrade apply v1.28.0

    • Runtime Debugging with crictl
      • Replace Docker commands with crictl for inspecting containers:

    crictl ps -a # List all containers

    crictl logs <container-id> # Fetch logs

     

    Storage & CSI Drivers

    • Dynamic Volume Provisioning
      • Configure CSI drivers (e.g., AWS EBS, Azure Disk) via StorageClass.
      • Example: Create a StorageClass for AWS EBS:

    apiVersion: storage.k8s.io/v1

    kind: StorageClass

    metadata:

    name: ebs-sc

    provisioner: ebs.csi.aws.com

    • Volume Snapshots
      • Create/restore snapshots using VolumeSnapshot and VolumeSnapshotContent APIs.

     

    Observability & Debugging

    • Ephemeral Containers
      • Debug running pods by injecting ephemeral containers:

    kubectl debug -it <pod-name> –image=busybox –target=<container-name>

    • Resource Monitoring
      • Use kubectl top and Metrics Server to troubleshoot CPU/memory issues.

     

    API & Autoscaling

    • Gateway API (Beta)
      • Configure advanced traffic routing (e.g., HTTPRedirect, URL rewriting).
    • Vertical Pod Autoscaling (VPA)
      • Automatically adjust pod resource requests/limits:

    apiVersion: autoscaling.k8s.io/v1

    kind: VerticalPodAutoscaler

    metadata:

    name: my-vpa

    spec:

    targetRef:

    apiVersion: “apps/v1”

    kind: Deployment

    name: my-deployment

    What’s Removed or Deprecated?

    Deprecated Commands & APIs

    • Docker Commands: Tasks involving docker ps, docker inspect are removed.
    • Legacy APIs:
      • extensions/v1beta1 (Ingress)
      • rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1beta1 (RBAC)
      • Always use stable v1 APIs.

    Outdated Security Mechanisms

    • Pod Security Policies (PSP): Fully replaced by Pod Security Admission (PSA).

    Legacy Storage Plugins

    • Flocker/GlusterFS: Focus shifts to CSI drivers (e.g., Rook, Portworx).

    Obsolete kubectl Practices

    • Avoid kubectl run for creating Deployments. Use kubectl create deployment instead.
    Linux Foundation CKA Exam

    Exam Structure Changes

    • Increased Weighting:
      • Security: 25% (up from 15%)
      • Troubleshooting: 35% (up from 30%)
    • Reduced Emphasis:
      • Bare-metal cluster setup (covered in CKS).
      • Deprecated networking plugins (e.g., kube-dns vs CoreDNS).

    FAQs about Linux Foundation CKA Exam

    How is the CKA exam scored in 2025?

    • The exam remains performance-based (100% hands-on).
    • Passing score is 66% (may adjust slightly based on difficulty).

    What resources should I use to prepare?

    Are Docker commands still relevant?

    No. Use crictl for container runtime tasks.

    How to practice PSA?

    Set up a test cluster (e.g., Minikube, Kind) and enforce policies in namespaces.

    What if I fail the exam?

    Retakes are allowed (1 free retake with exam purchase).

    Will the exam include alpha features?

    No. Only stable (GA) or beta features (e.g., Gateway API).

    How much time is allocated for the exam?

    2 hours for 15-20 tasks. Time management is critical!

    Linux Foundation CKA Preparation Checklist

    1. Master Core Concepts:
      • Cluster architecture, networking, scheduling.
    2. Practice New Topics:
      • PSA, Gateway API, etcd snapshots.
    3. Simulate Exam Conditions:
      • Use timed labs and disable auto-completion in terminals.
    4. Focus on Troubleshooting:
      • Diagnose API server crashes, network policy failures, stuck pods.

    Final Tips

    • Stay Calm: Use kubectl explain during the exam for syntax help.
    • Verify Solutions: Double-check YAML indentation and API versions.
    • Join Communities: Engage in Kubernetes Slack, Reddit, or Discord for peer support.

    The 2025 Linux Foundation CKA exam reflects Kubernetes’ shift toward security, scalability, and cloud-native practices. By focusing on the updates above and practicing relentlessly, you’ll be well-prepared to earn your certification. Always check the official CKA exam guide for last-minute changes!

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