The CKAD is a hands-on performance-based exam, which makes choosing practice resources more nuanced than for a multiple-choice certification. You need both conceptual knowledge (what Kubernetes resources exist and how they work) and execution speed (how to implement them correctly under time pressure). The best resources serve both needs. Here's how the main options compare.
The CKAD Prep Landscape
The CKAD requires you to work in a live Kubernetes cluster using a browser-based terminal. There are no multiple-choice questions. Every task requires you to create, configure, or troubleshoot Kubernetes resources. This means your practice approach needs to include:
- Conceptual understanding: What each resource type does, when to use it, and what configuration it requires
- Hands-on execution: Actually typing
kubectlcommands and writing YAML specs under time pressure - Speed: The time limit (2 hours for 15–20 tasks) is the primary challenge for most candidates
Multiple-choice practice questions serve the first need. Hands-on simulators serve the second and third. Both are necessary.
Hands-On Simulators
killer.sh (Required)
killer.sh is the gold standard for CKAD practical preparation and, critically, is included free with every exam registration (two sessions). It deliberately runs harder and faster than the real exam, so candidates who can pass killer.sh consistently pass the real thing.
Price: Free with CNCF exam registration (2 sessions); can be purchased separately.
Strengths: The most realistic CKAD simulation available. Same browser-based environment as the real exam. Harder than the real exam intentionally. Detailed solutions with multiple approaches for each task.
Weaknesses: You only get two sessions with your registration. Using them too early wastes the difficulty calibration benefit. Save at least one session for the final week.
When to use: In the final 2–3 weeks, once you're confident with the curriculum.
KodeKloud
KodeKloud offers a CKAD course with integrated hands-on labs and mock exams in a browser-based Kubernetes environment. The labs cover every exam topic with guided practice and free-form exercises.
Price: $15–20 USD/month subscription; CKAD-specific course available as a standalone purchase.
Strengths: Guided labs for every exam topic. The mock exams are realistic and the environment is similar to the real exam. Good progression from guided to independent practice.
Weaknesses: The mock exams are slightly easier than killer.sh. Some candidates use KodeKloud throughout their preparation and then finish with killer.sh.
CKAD Exercises (GitHub)
The CKAD-exercises repository by Dimitris Kanatsios is a free, community-maintained set of hands-on challenges covering every exam domain. It's not a simulator, but it provides structured practice you can run on a local cluster (kind or minikube).
Price: Free.
Strengths: Comprehensive coverage of every exam domain. Active community maintenance. Pairs well with a local cluster setup.
Weaknesses: No automated grading. You need to check your own work against the provided solutions. Requires a local cluster setup.
Multiple-Choice Practice for Conceptual Knowledge
TechPracticeExams
Our CKAD practice questions cover every exam domain with scenario-based multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations. While the real exam is practical, conceptual knowledge of what each resource does and when to use it is foundational.
Price: First set free; full access from $9.99.
Strengths: Good for testing conceptual knowledge before moving to hands-on practice. Explanations cover the reasoning behind Kubernetes design decisions, not just syntax. Free to start. Mobile-friendly for studying on the go. Money-back guarantee.
Weaknesses: Multiple-choice questions are not a substitute for hands-on practice. Use alongside killer.sh or KodeKloud, not instead.
When to use: Early in your preparation to build and test conceptual knowledge before hands-on practice.
What the CKAD Exam Actually Tests
The exam curriculum covers five domains:
- Application Design and Build (20%): Multi-container pods, init containers, jobs, CronJobs, building container images
- Application Deployment (20%): Deployments, rolling updates, Helm basics, Kustomize
- Application Observability and Maintenance (15%): Probes, logging, debugging, API deprecations
- Application Environment, Configuration, and Security (25%): ConfigMaps, Secrets, service accounts, security contexts, resource limits
- Services and Networking (20%): Services, Ingress, NetworkPolicies
Configuration and Security is the largest domain. ConfigMaps, Secrets, security contexts, and resource limits are high-frequency topics and are worth prioritising.
Recommended Study Path
- Weeks 1–3: Work through the exam curriculum systematically with KodeKloud or a similar guided course. Build the kubectl muscle memory for every resource type.
- Weeks 4–5: Complete the CKAD-exercises repository. Use multiple-choice practice questions to test conceptual understanding.
- Week 6: First killer.sh session. Identify gaps and address them.
- Week 7: Second killer.sh session. If you're scoring comfortably, book your exam.
Setup Tips for the Real Exam
These apply to both practice and the actual exam:
# Set up aliases and autocomplete at the start
alias k=kubectl
source <(kubectl completion bash)
echo 'alias k=kubectl' >> ~/.bashrc
echo 'source <(kubectl completion bash)' >> ~/.bashrc
# Use dry-run to generate YAML templates
kubectl run mypod --image=nginx --dry-run=client -o yaml > pod.yaml
# Switch contexts at the start of every task
kubectl config use-context <context-from-task>
Forgetting to switch contexts is one of the most common reasons candidates complete work in the wrong cluster.
The Bottom Line
For the CKAD, no single resource is sufficient. The most effective preparation combines:
- Conceptual practice (multiple-choice questions, video courses)
- Guided hands-on labs (KodeKloud)
- Unguided hands-on practice (CKAD-exercises)
- Exam-realistic simulation (killer.sh, saved for the final weeks)