First Attempt
I failed the first CKAD attempt. I’ve noted here on some of the reasons why I failed and also what I can do on the 2nd round.
Contributing Reasons
I’m noting a few factors I felt contributed to this:
- I usually code on my desk. However, for this exam, it didn’t meet the requirements. The table had to be clear of everything (an empty table).
- I was asked to move to an area with an empty table.
- The new location I had to move to was a coffee table and I had to kneel or cross my legs.
- Throughout the entire certification I had 50%+ of my concentration eliminated due to discomfort.
- The following topics I will need to reinforce. I’ve done them all the time in production, but given I only had 2 hours, I will need to think faster:
- Network Policies
- Using kubectl and exposing ports.
- Less time looking at K8s documentation and more using kubectl -h or kubectl describe
- Not enough practice. At minimum, I should be spending 1 hour a day purely on K8s practice questions that uses kubectl.
Next Attempt
On the next attempt, I plan to do the following before:
- Find a location that won’t hinder my concentration. I felt this was the greatest issue I had.
- Emphasize on the following as stated previously:
- Network Policies
- Using kubectl and exposing ports. Read documentation and videos hardening my understanding on:
- kubectl run nginx –image=nginx –dry-run –restart=Never –port=80 -o yaml > nginx.po.yaml
- kubectl expose deployment nginx –port=80
- Less time looking at K8s documentation and more using kubectl -h or kubectl describe
- Use kubectl api-resources
- Get used to:
- kubectl config set-context –current –namespace=foo
- alias ll=’ls -alF’
- Each day until the next attempt:
Conclusion
There were some knowledge gaps that I will need to work on. I felt my biggest issue was doing this in my living room. I had a sub-optimal experience having to move my setup to a coffee table.
My concentration was impacted and there was people on the phone in the background. On the next attempt, I will be doing some more practice on several areas and possibly go to a Hotel nearby to take the test.
Update: Passed CKAD
I past the CKAD on January 18, 2021. Click Here to see my latest post on some of my thoughts and lessons learned of the CKAD 2nd test.
Have you cleared 2nd attempt… If yes how was your experience.. Was they asked similar questions from 1st attempt?
Hi Triveni,
Good news! I did pass! FINALLY! I kept extending the test date and also doubted myself, but after going through the 2nd test, it felt much easier due to many reasons I have noted here:
https://blog.duaneleem.com/certified-kubernetes-application-developer-i-passed/
~ Duane
Have u cleared your CKAD in your 2nd attempt.. If yes did you get same questions same as before.. Please confirn
Hi Hanureddy,
I can confirm that I did pass 🙂 I am super excited! I created a new post about my experience:
https://blog.duaneleem.com/certified-kubernetes-application-developer-i-passed/
The questions were different. However, I felt much more confident this time around due to many more practices and filling in knowledge gaps I had about Kubernetes.
~ Duane
Hi
Have u cleared CKAD in your 2nd attempt ..If yes how the exam questions did u get similar questions from your 1st attept..
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