Crack KCNA(Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate) Exam in your first try!!

Hello everyone!! This blog is from a person who failed KCNA in first try. I said that because many of the students and professionals think that KCNA is an easy exam to crack, there is no need of second try. But I have also seen people discussing that this is not an easy exam on YouTube and Reddit. I will share some important points, so that you don’t panic and give the exam in peace.

PreExam Preparation:

1. Try to study from frequently updated and recent resources. Reasons? Kubernetes features and documentation changes frequently and it may impact the answers in the exam. Depending upon them the answer will be checked. Some resource will be very in detail but lack some of the key points that will be directly asked in the exam. It is a beginner level exam but you need to study concisely.

2. My hand written notes (Highly Recommended)

3. Hear and keep in mind the words your instruction is using to teach you. Because even for difference in a single word could cause change in the answer. I have faced that.

4. Think about the Kubernetes objects differently and take points about that. Example I faced a question like:
   Which of the kubernetes component is available on controlplane:
   1. Kubelet (Which is available on controlplane and worker node)

   2. Controller-Manager (Also available on controlplane)

   3. Coredns (Also available on controlplane but not in worker node)

   4. Kubeproxy (Available on both control plane and worker node)

   In this type of question thinking about the proper answer is difficult, you have to think with respect to Worker Node.

Estimated time to prepare:

Approximately 3-4 weeks and 2.5-3 hours study a day. Don’t break continuity else you will forget the previous concepts.

What to do during exam?

1. Complete your check in process as fast as you can, because if your have network issue it will cause you re check in which is troublesome.

2. Read the questions carefully and pick the answers.

3. If you feel doubt about any question, flag that question but give the answer at that time because later you might forget to answer that question. After attempting every question review the flagged question and think carefully and change answer if you think.

4. Count the flagged items , try to give correct answer for 50 questions atleast. (75% of 60 questions is 45)

5. Don’t ever try to cheat, it will result cancellation of your exam.

Proof of Certification:

Here is the Credly badge:

KCNA badge on Credly

Resources I followed:

1. Kubesimplify YouTube channel (Followed this channel over the years to build concepts)

2. KCNA course by James Spurin on Udemy (Highly Highly recommended, helped me a lot)

3. KodeKloud KCNA Course

Conclusion:

I have scored 56% percent in my first try, I was very disappointed that time and directly messaged James Spurin on LinkedIn and he motivated me and provided tips and tricks. He directly told me that if I score 90% above score in his mock test then I will be able to crack the exam for sure and it was the turning point. I scored 94% in both of his mock tests and in the main exam I scored 87%, which was a great hike from 56% to a score of 87%. So this was my experience and best of luck for your exam.