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CKAD Exam Tips: How to Solve Problems Faster and Pass on Your First Try

#kubernetes #ckad #certification #exam-tips #developer

CKAD Exam Tips: How to Solve Problems Faster and Pass on Your First Try

The Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) exam is notorious for being time-constrained. With 19 questions to complete in 2 hours, every second counts. Here’s how to work smarter, not harder.

Understanding the CKAD Exam

Unlike the CKA, the CKAD focuses on application development tasks:

  • Pod design patterns
  • Configuration management
  • Multi-container pods
  • Services and networking
  • Observability

Time-Saving Techniques

1. Master Imperative Commands

Don’t write YAML from scratch. Use imperative commands with --dry-run:

# Generate pod YAML
kubectl run nginx --image=nginx --dry-run=client -o yaml > pod.yaml

# Generate deployment YAML
kubectl create deployment web --image=nginx --dry-run=client -o yaml > deploy.yaml

# Generate service YAML
kubectl expose deployment web --port=80 --dry-run=client -o yaml > svc.yaml

2. Set Up Your Environment First

Spend the first 2 minutes setting up:

# Set alias
alias k=kubectl

# Enable autocompletion
source <(kubectl completion bash)
complete -F __start_kubectl k

# Set default editor
export KUBE_EDITOR=nano  # or vim if you prefer

3. Use kubectl explain

Instead of searching documentation:

kubectl explain pod.spec.containers.resources
kubectl explain deployment.spec.strategy

4. Know Your Shortcuts

TaskShortcut
Create ConfigMap from literalkubectl create cm my-cm --from-literal=key=value
Create Secretkubectl create secret generic my-secret --from-literal=pass=123
Scale deploymentkubectl scale deploy my-deploy --replicas=5
Update imagekubectl set image deploy/my-deploy nginx=nginx:1.19

5. Multi-Container Pod Patterns

Memorize these patterns:

  • Sidecar: Helper container alongside main container
  • Init Container: Runs before main container starts
  • Ambassador: Proxy for external communication

Common CKAD Scenarios

  1. Create a pod with resource limits
  2. Configure a job with specific completions
  3. Set up a CronJob
  4. Create a NetworkPolicy
  5. Configure probes (liveness/readiness)

Practice Like the Real Exam

The best way to prepare is through realistic practice. Sailor.sh offers:

  • Real clusters (not simulations)
  • Timed mock exams
  • Unlimited retakes
  • Instant scoring

Don’t just read—practice! Start your free CKAD preparation now.