Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) (CKAD) Exam Blueprint

CKAD

120 minDuration
66%Passing Score
$395Price
2 yearsValid For
1Languages
Practice Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) on QuizForge

Credential type: certification examination · verified on the issuer's site September 18, 2026 issuer page

Exam Domains

1.0 Application Design and Build 20%
  • 1.1Define, build and modify container images
  • 1.2Choose and use the right workload resource (Deployment, DaemonSet, CronJob, etc.)
  • 1.3Understand multi-container Pod design patterns (e.g. sidecar, init and others)
  • 1.4Utilize persistent and ephemeral volumes
2.0 Application Deployment 20%
  • 2.1Use Kubernetes primitives to implement common deployment strategies (e.g. blue/green or canary)
  • 2.2Understand Deployments and how to perform rolling updates
  • 2.3Use the Helm package manager to deploy existing packages
  • 2.4Kustomize
3.0 Application Observability and Maintenance 15%
  • 3.1Understand API deprecations
  • 3.2Implement probes and health checks
  • 3.3Use built-in CLI tools to monitor Kubernetes applications
  • 3.4Utilize container logs
  • 3.5Debugging in Kubernetes
4.0 Application Environment, Configuration and Security 25%
  • 4.1Discover and use resources that extend Kubernetes (CRD, Operators)
  • 4.2Understand authentication, authorization and admission control
  • 4.3Understand requests, limits, quotas
  • 4.4Understand ConfigMaps
  • 4.5Define resource requirements
  • 4.6Create & consume Secrets
  • 4.7Understand ServiceAccounts
  • 4.8Understand Application Security (SecurityContexts, Capabilities, etc.)
5.0 Services and Networking 20%
  • 5.1Demonstrate basic understanding of NetworkPolicies
  • 5.2Provide and troubleshoot access to applications via services
  • 5.3Use Ingress rules to expose applications

Exam Details

Question TypesPerformance-Based
FormatPerformance-based (hands-on terminal)
Online ProctoringAvailable
ID RequirementsGovernment-issued photo ID required. ID must match the name on the exam registration. Acceptable forms include passport, driver's license, or national ID card.
RenewalRequired -- Certifications are valid for 2 years. Renewal requires retaking and passing the exam before expiry. No CE credit option — exam retake is the only renewal path.
PrerequisitesWorking knowledge of container runtimes and microservice architecture
Retake PolicyOne free retake attempt is included with the exam purchase. A minimum 12-hour waiting period is required between attempts. The free retake must be used within 12 months of the original purchase.
LanguagesEnglish

Official Study Resources