CKAD — Exam Environment & Rules
What You Get During the Exam
The CKAD exam is a remote proctored, performance-based exam conducted through the Linux Foundation’s exam platform. Here is exactly what your exam environment looks like:
Exam Interface
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Terminal | Linux terminal with kubectl pre-installed |
| Documentation | Access to kubernetes.io/docs in a separate browser tab |
| Clusters | Multiple clusters — switch with kubectl config use-context |
| Notepad | Built-in notepad for quick notes |
| Editor | vi and nano available in the terminal |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Question Count | 15–20 performance-based tasks |
Pre-installed Tools
Your exam terminal comes with these tools ready to use:
# Always available
kubectl # Kubernetes CLI
vi / vim # Text editors
nano # Text editor
bash # Shell
cat, grep, awk # Standard Linux utilities
You do not need to install kubectl or any other tools. Everything is pre-configured.
Exam Rules
Understanding the rules before exam day prevents surprises and disqualification.
Allowed
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| One browser tab | For the exam interface (terminal + questions) |
| One additional tab | For Kubernetes documentation only |
| Allowed URLs | kubernetes.io/docs, kubernetes.io/blog, github.com/kubernetes/ |
| kubectl commands | kubectl explain, kubectl --help, all kubectl subcommands |
| Terminal tools | Any command available in the exam terminal |
| Built-in notepad | For your own notes during the exam |
NOT Allowed
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Personal notes | No handwritten or digital notes |
| Bookmarks | No pre-saved bookmarks (you must navigate docs manually) |
| External websites | Only the three allowed domains above |
| Other applications | No Slack, Discord, email, etc. |
| Second monitor | Single monitor only |
| Other people | No one else in the room |
| Headphones | Not allowed (unless required for proctor communication) |
Warning: Violating any exam rule can result in exam termination and forfeiture of your attempt. Take these rules seriously.
Proctor Setup
Before the exam starts, the proctor will verify:
- Your identity — Government-issued photo ID
- Your workspace — Must be a clean desk, no papers, books, or phones
- Your room — Must be a private room with the door closed
- Your screen — Screen sharing is required throughout the exam
- Your webcam — Camera must remain on, showing you clearly
Proctor Interaction
- The proctor communicates via a chat window
- They may ask you to show your room or desk at any time
- If they suspect a violation, they will warn you or terminate the exam
- You can ask the proctor about exam interface issues (not about questions)
Multiple Clusters
The CKAD exam uses multiple Kubernetes clusters. Each question specifies which cluster to use.
# Check your current context
kubectl config current-context
# List all available contexts
kubectl config get-contexts
# Switch to the cluster specified in the question
kubectl config use-context <cluster-name>
Warning: Always switch to the correct cluster before starting a question. Working on the wrong cluster is a common mistake that costs points.
Namespace Awareness
Questions often specify a particular namespace. Set it as default to avoid adding -n <namespace> to every command:
# Set default namespace for current context
kubectl config set-context --current --namespace=<namespace>
# Verify
kubectl config view --minify | grep namespace
Exam Platform Tips
Terminal Navigation
- The terminal window is resizable — make it larger for better visibility
- Use Ctrl+C to cancel running commands
- Use Ctrl+L to clear the terminal screen
- Use Tab for auto-completion (kubectl completion is available)
Copy-Paste
- Copy from docs: Use Ctrl+C in the browser, then Ctrl+Shift+V in the terminal
- Copy within terminal: Select text, then right-click to copy
- Paste in terminal: Right-click to paste or use Ctrl+Shift+V
Tip: Practice the copy-paste shortcuts before your exam. The key combinations differ between the browser tab and the terminal.
Question Interface
- Each question shows the cluster context and namespace at the top
- Questions have different weight — points are not equally distributed
- You can flag questions to review later
- There is a progress bar showing completed vs remaining questions
Pre-Exam Checklist
Make sure you are ready before exam day:
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Stable internet connection (wired recommended) | ☐ |
| Webcam working | ☐ |
| Microphone working | ☐ |
| Government-issued photo ID ready | ☐ |
| Clean, private room with door that closes | ☐ |
| Single monitor only | ☐ |
| No papers, books, or phones on desk | ☐ |
| Browser (Chrome or Chromium) installed | ☐ |
| PSI Secure browser installed (required) | ☐ |
| Tested exam platform compatibility at least 24 hours before | ☐ |
Killer.sh Practice Environment
Your exam purchase includes two free sessions on killer.sh — a CKAD exam simulator that closely mirrors the real exam environment.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sessions included | 2 (with exam purchase) |
| Duration per session | 2 hours (exam), then 36 hours for review |
| Difficulty | Harder than the real exam (by design) |
| Environment | Simulates the real exam terminal |
Tip: Save your killer.sh sessions for the final week of preparation. Use them as a mock exam to gauge your readiness. If you can pass killer.sh, you can pass the real CKAD.
Key Takeaways
- The exam gives you a Linux terminal with kubectl pre-installed
- You can access kubernetes.io/docs in one additional browser tab
- Multiple clusters — always check your context before answering
- Set default namespace per question to save time
- Rules are strict — clean desk, private room, single monitor, no notes
- Your exam purchase includes 2 killer.sh practice sessions
- Practice copy-paste shortcuts between browser and terminal before exam day
FAQ
Q: Can I use my own kubectl aliases during the exam?
Yes! You can set up aliases at the start of the exam. The shell is yours to configure. alias k=kubectl and bash completion are commonly set up first.
Q: What happens if my internet drops during the exam?
The proctor will try to reconnect. If the disconnection is brief, you can continue. For extended outages, contact Linux Foundation support — they may reschedule your exam.
Q: Can I use kubectl explain during the exam?
Absolutely. kubectl explain is one of your most powerful tools during the exam. Use it to check field names: kubectl explain pod.spec.containers.livenessProbe.
