# **Planning to Take the CKA? Here's What You Need to Know About the Latest Changes!**

The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam is set to undergo updates in the coming months, ensuring that Certified Professionals remain at the cutting edge of **Kubernetes Administration** and have **Updated Skills** and **Competence** in the Industry.

> Though Final date is not announced yet, The changes are scheduled to be implemented after November 25, 2024
>

So, if you're planning to take the CKA exam soon, it’s a good idea to schedule it **before November 25th**!

# **But Why?**

If you are **wondering** why CNCF Certifications are suddenly undergoing changes—first CKS and now CKA— **You Should Not!**

**It's Simple Change Is The Law OF Nature 👀**

The Kubernetes and the CNCF Ecosystem is evolving rapidly 🚀, as highlighted by the CNCF's [**Velocity Report](https://www.cncf.io/blog/2023/10/27/october-2023-where-we-are-with-velocity-of-cncf-lf-and-top-30-open-source-projects/)** and this means Kubernetes has now introduced more **features and updates**, like, **The Gateway API** and improvements in S**torage Provisioning.**

Therefore**,** The ****CNCF and Linux Foundation Education have decided to update the CKA and CKS Exams to keep the certifications relevant by focusing on real-world competencies that administrators need to operate in modern environments and with newer features like the **Gateway API** and D**ynamic Storage Provisioning** becoming more common in production environments, the updated CKA exam will emphasize the practical knowledge of these tools.

# **What is Changing?**

Though the primary **exam domains**—like **Storage**, **Troubleshooting**, and **Networking**—remain the same, the competencies within these domains have been updated. The changes involve both the **addition** of new skills and the **removal** of outdated ones, along with some **clarifications** in the language used to define these competencies.

# **Detailed Comparison of Competencies by Domain**

Let’s dive into the specifics of what’s changing!

Below is a comparison between the U**pcoming Competencies** and the C**urrent Ones**, showing what’s being **added**, **updated**, or **refined** in each domain.

Comparison of Upcoming vs. Current Competencies for CKA Exam

Comparison of Upcoming vs. Current Competencies for CKA Exam

The above table is a detailed comparison between the Current CKA Exam and its upcoming changes, For example:

- Removal of the competency **“Provision underlying infrastructure to deploy a Kubernetes cluster”** from the **Cluster Architecture, Installation, and Configuration** section because since the last update that happened a couple of years ago, Kubernetes usage reality is now in a managed platform.
- Introduction of a competency related to Gateway API: **“Use the Gateway API to manage Ingress traffic”** in the **Service and Networking** section.

# **What Should You Do?**

If you are planning to take the CKA Exam in the next few months, you should take/schedule it before **November 25th, 2024** as the above changes will not take effect until **November 25th, 2024,** although there is no specific date for the update release.

# **Crucial Timing Alert: Your Exam Date Matters Most!**

> It does NOT matter if the exam reservation happens to be for a first attempt or a retake, nor does it matter on what date you completed the exam purchase.  The only date that matters is the date you sit for the exam
>

> Any CKA exam taken after the updated release will test on the new set of Domains and Competencies"
>

The above two statements are taken from [**Linux Education Announcement](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certified-kubernetes-administrator-cka-program-changes/?__hstc=60185074.7d53636c2d32665b867c5caf193f64ab.1725044246959.1725695434480.1725703840723.4&__hssc=60185074.2.1725703840723&__hsfp=580509034&_gl=1*10ewvu0*_gcl_au*MTcxNDE0NTgwMi4xNzI1MDQ0MjQ4*_ga*MTQwODAzMjU3LjE3MjUwNDQyNDc.*_ga_VWZ4V8CGRF*MTcyNTcwNzI5NS41LjEuMTcyNTcwOTU3Ni4wLjAuMA..) 'quote on quote'** which means if you take the exam after the update release (no matter **when you purchased it**, or whether it is a **Fresh Attempt** or **Retake**), then you will be tested on the new set of Domains and Competencies.

# **Resources For Preparation**

- [**Kubernetes Documentation**](https://kubernetes.io/docs/home/)
- [**CKA Scenarios Book](https://saiyampathak.gumroad.com/l/cka) by** [@SaiyamPathak](https://x.com/@SaiyamPathak)
- [**Kubernetes 101 Workshop**](https://youtu.be/PN3VqbZqmD8?t=75)
- [**Kubernetes Complete Bootcamp in Hindi**](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2z28C0cnXhMSIN0JyZkI1XBg1K3VZ3cV)
- [**CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator) exam tips and tricks in Hindi**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3CEDmwRymk)
- [**@KodeKloudHQ](https://x.com/KodeKloudHQ) [CKA course](https://learn.kodekloud.com/user/courses/cka-certification-course-certified-kubernetes-administrator) by [@mmumshad](https://x.com/@mmumshad)**
- [**Ultimate CKA Mock Exams**](https://learn.kodekloud.com/user/courses/ultimate-certified-kubernetes-administrator-cka-mock-exam-series)
- **The most important one of all --- Practice, Practice, Practice ...**

**Best of Luck** to everyone preparing for the **CKA!**

**Stay focused**, **Practice Hard**, and you’ll be one step closer to becoming a Certified Kubernetes Administrator.

You've got this! 🌟

✌️**(Peace)**