How difficult is the CKAD exam?

The CKAD exam is challenging but achievable with proper preparation. You have 2 hours for 15-20 hands-on tasks (no multiple choice), with a 66% passing score. The Biggest Challenge: Time pressure (approx. 6-8 minutes per task) You need to work quickly with kubectl Track namespaces carefully (most common mistake!) After This Workshop: You know all exam topics (5 domains: Configuration 25%, Design & Build 20%, Deployment 20%, Networking 20%, Observability 15%) You practice time management (skip hard questions, return later) The CKAD Exam Voucher (available separately from Linux Foundation) includes Killer.sh access (2 sessions, 36 hours each), a harder simulator than the real exam Candidates with structured preparation (like this 3-day course) typically pass on their first or second attempt.

What prerequisites do I need for CKAD?

Formal Prerequisites: None (the CKAD exam has no official requirements). Recommended Skills for Optimal Success: Container Basics: You should already know Docker or Podman (build images, run containers) Linux CLI: Confident use of Bash, text editor (vim or nano), file management Kubernetes Experience: Not required. This workshop covers all CKAD topics from the ground up, including Kubernetes basics and cloud-native concepts (microservices, 12-factor apps, stateful vs. stateless). If you've never worked with Kubernetes, plan an additional 2-4 weeks of hands-on practice after the workshop for exercises and Killer.sh. Optional: If you have no container experience yet, we offer Docker Fundamentals (DW1) or Podman Fundamentals (DW8) as preparation.

What is the difference between CKAD and CKA?

CKAD (Application Developer) focuses on developing and deploying applications on Kubernetes. You learn: Pods, Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps, Secrets, RBAC for apps. CKA (Administrator) covers cluster administration: cluster installation, upgrades, backup, etcd, networking, node management, troubleshooting. Which certification for whom: CKAD: Application Developers, DevOps Engineers (CI/CD), SRE (app focus) CKA: Platform Engineers, Cluster Administrators, SRE (infrastructure focus) Typical Learning Path: Many start with CKAD (Application Development), then CKA (Cluster Administration), and finish with CKS (Security Specialist). We offer all three as workshops: CKA Workshop (DW6) and CKS Security Specialist (DW7).

Is an exam voucher included in the workshop?

No, the CKAD exam voucher is not included in the workshop price. You can purchase it directly from the Linux Foundation after the workshop (approx. USD 395, incl. 1 free retake). Included in voucher: 1x CKAD exam (2 hours, online, proctored) 1x free retake (if you don't pass) 2x Killer.sh sessions (36 hours of access to the exam simulator each) The two Killer.sh sessions are intentionally harder than the real exam (tighter time limit, more complex tasks). Use them after the workshop to train time management and speed, so you are fully equipped to succeed.

How long is CKAD certification valid?

CKAD certification is valid for 2 years from exam date (since April 2024). Recertification: After expiration, you can retake the exam. The renewed certification is valid for another 2 years. Alternatively, you can also take CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist) to renew your CKAD certification. Note: Certifications acquired before April 2024 are still valid for 3 years (grandfathered).

Can I take the CKAD exam in German?

No, the CKAD exam is only available in English. The Kubernetes documentation (which you may use during the exam) is also in English. Important: The exam is hands-on, not theoretical. You work entirely in the command line and write YAML files. B2-level English is sufficient to understand the task descriptions. Our Workshop: Conducted in German (or English, if requested). We also prepare you for the English terminology used in the exam.

Workshop Dates

Workshop dates

Choose a suitable date and book directly online. All dates are guaranteed to run.

Guaranteed to run

Preparation for the Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) Exam

In our three-day CKAD workshop, you'll gain hands-on expertise in essential Kubernetes functions: pod design, network services, deployment strategies, and self-healing. Fully prepared to pass the CKAD exam with confidence.

Workshop levelSome practical experience recommended

Satisfied participants2340+

Days3

Workshop codeDW5

Workshop Details

What makes this workshop stand out

What you will learn and take away

You prepare intensively for the CKAD exam in 3 days, covering all 5 exam domains: Configuration & Security (25%), Design & Build (20%), Deployment (20%), Networking (20%), Observability (15%).

What you'll learn:

You create Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps, Secrets, and NetworkPolicies using imperative kubectl commands (faster than YAML editing)
You configure Probes (Liveness, Readiness, Startup), SecurityContexts, RBAC (ServiceAccounts, Roles), and PersistentVolumes
You work with Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs), Helm Charts, and Kustomize Overlays (hybrid approach for prod deployments)
You practice exam-relevant workflows: efficient time management, productive terminal usage, and strategic task handling

After the workshop:

You know the most common mistakes in the exam and how to avoid them
We introduce you to Killer.sh (practice simulator) for your independent exam preparation

Why the investment pays off

Why CKAD for Your Team:

Industry Standard: CNCF/Linux Foundation certification is vendor-neutral and globally recognized (no cloud provider lock-in)
Proven Competence: Your employees can demonstrably develop, deploy, and troubleshoot Kubernetes applications
Fast Time-to-Value: 3-day intensive format instead of weeks of self-study, higher success rate than self-organized online courses
Practice-Oriented: Exercises under realistic conditions, participants can apply what they learned directly to projects

After the Course: Your developers can independently deploy Kubernetes apps (Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps), configure security (RBAC, NetworkPolicies, SecurityContexts), and troubleshoot (Probes, Logs, Debugging).

Prerequisites

A basic understanding of Kubernetes technologies as well as experience in software development or system administration is required. Familiarity with Linux systems and the command line is also important. Ideally, you're comfortable working with text editors or IDEs and can handle YAML files without issue.

Workshop Agenda

Your Agenda at a Glance

Hands-on and structured. Every participant works in their own cloud environment. The agenda shows you what to expect each day.

09:00 - 09:15💭 Questions & Answers

09:15 - 09:30

Introduction to CKAD

Get a structured overview of the CKAD certification: exam format, task types, and practical learning strategies. Learn how to prepare efficiently for the hands-on exam and what skills the certification demonstrates.

09:30 - 10:30

CKAD Exam Domains Deep Dive

You receive a structured overview of the 5 CKAD Exam Domains: Application Design & Build (20%), Application Deployment (20%), Application Observability & Maintenance (15%), Application Environment, Configuration & Security (25%), and Services & Networking (20%). You learn which skills are tested in each domain and how to optimally prioritize your study time.

Kubernetes

10:30 - 11:30

Imperative vs. Declarative Commands

Decide when imperative commands are faster than writing YAML files. In the exam, this saves valuable time. Practice YAML generation from the command line and quick pod restarts.

11:30 - 12:00

kubectl Essentials for the Exam

Create Pods, Deployments, and Services using the most important kubectl commands for the CKAD exam. Practice quick namespace switching and efficient resource inspection.

12:00 - 13:00🥪 Lunch Break

13:00 - 14:20

Pods and Multi-Container Patterns (Design & Build 20%)

Create single- and multi-container pods and learn the sidecar pattern (common exam task). Debug faulty pods and understand how init containers work.

14:20 - 14:50

Self-healing in Kubernetes (Observability 15%)

Configure liveness, readiness, and startup probes so Kubernetes automatically restarts your applications or removes them from load balancing. Understand how automated issue resolution reduces maintenance effort and proactive problem detection prevents outages.

14:50 - 15:30

Debugging with kubectl (Observability 15%)

Debug faulty pods using kubectl tools (logs, describe, exec, port-forward). Analyze resource limits, container crashes, and network issues between services.

15:30 - 16:30💭 Questions & Answers

Our Benefits

All from one hand!

With our high-quality trainings and workshops, you can bring yourself and your team up to date. All this with many benefits that you get from us.

High Practical Content: 70% hands-on, 30% theory. You work continuously with real scenarios and take working code home with you. No PowerPoint battles, but directly applicable knowledge for your projects.
Cloud Learning Environment: DevNinjas Dojo: Your own Kubernetes clusters and VMs for each participant in the browser. No installation, works despite VPN/proxy/firewalls. You work with dedicated resources, not in shared environments.
Experienced Trainers: Full-time DevOps engineers and consultants from DevNinjas lead the workshops. Not external trainers, but specialized employees actively working on client projects and sharing real-world experience.
Small Groups: Maximum 8 participants per workshop. Everyone gets individual support from the trainer. Your specific questions and use cases get answered, not passed over in anonymous crowds.
Real-World Scenarios: No toy examples or hello-world demos. You work with production-grade setups: multi-container applications, CI/CD pipelines, monitoring stacks. Directly transferable to your production environments.
Certification: You receive an official certificate of attendance as PDF and a verified LinkedIn badge. Document your professional development for your employer, HR, and recruiters professionally.

Testimonials

How participants experience our trainings

4.9/ 5.0

Based on 1047+ participant reviewsacross all DevNinjas trainings

Content

4.8

Trainer

5.0

Hands-on

4.8

Including BMW, Bundeswehr, Deutsche Bahn and many more.

"All expectations met. Good technical expertise."

Manuel Köhn

@Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation

"From my perspective, the workshop had the right speed and an appropriate level of challenge. The subject matter was explained clearly by the instructor and practically consolidated with well-distributed exercises. Adjusting the workshop focus to the participants wishes was not a problem. Valuable practical experiences were shared, and even more specific questions were gladly answered. The instructor's professional expertise and extensive practical experience on the subject gave this workshop a special quality."

S. Kaiser

@forcont business technology GmbH

"I really enjoyed the Docker & Kubernetes workshop at DevNinjas. Nico explained the complex topics around containers and orchestration in a very understandable and practical way. The mix of theory and hands-on exercises was perfect for being able to apply everything directly. I was able to take a lot away for my everyday work and now feel significantly more confident working with Docker and Kubernetes."

Dominik Kneissl

@Siemens Healthineers

"Very competent, very pleasant teaching style."

Pascal Knöll

@Bundeswehr

"I liked it very much!"

Schmidt

@RODIAS GmbH

"Nico was technically excellent, he had an answer to every question."

Manuel Becker

@innovas GmbH

"Great workshop, great trainer!"

M. Bell

@Emons Spedition GmbH

"The advanced Kubernetes workshop at DevNinjas really helped me grow professionally. The content was practical and excellently prepared, so even complex topics like RBAC, network policies and Ingress were conveyed in an understandable and directly applicable way. The deep expertise of the trainer was especially impressive and noticeable in every session. I can recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to use Kubernetes in production!"

Marius Büttner

@Siemens AG

"The "Docker & Kubernetes Bundle" training provided me with solid, practical knowledge for everyday work and enabled me to handle Docker and Kubernetes professionally. The excellently structured material offers real added value, even beyond the workshop. The combination of technical depth and interactive delivery by the trainer rounded off the whole experience. An experience that continues to help me even after the training."

Swen Strangfeld

@Bundesdruckerei GmbH

Continue Learning

Related Workshops for You

Next Step

Intermediate

Your Contact

Vincent Sturm

Key Account Manager

Looking for the right Kubernetes or DevOps training for your team? Vincent personally advises you on open workshops, certification prep and customized in-house training. He can also connect you with our consulting services. Get in touch with him directly.

vincent@devninjas.io

+49 221 9865099-4

WhatsApp Chat

Frequently asked questions