The Second Edition of Acing the Certified Kubernetes Administrator Exam Is Here

The CKA exam keeps evolving, and so should the way you prepare for it. That’s why the second edition of Acing the Certified Kubernetes Administrator Exam is now available, fully updated, expanded, and aligned with everything to pass the most recent version of the exam.

This edition also marks an exciting milestone: I’m happy to welcome Rafael Brito as my co-author. Rafael brings deep Kubernetes expertise, hands-on production experience, and a strong teaching mindset. His contributions strengthened the new material and sharpened clarity throughout the book.

If you’re aiming to pass the CKA on your first attempt or level up your day-to-day Kubernetes skills, this edition gives you a sharper, more practical guide grounded in real-world cluster operations.

What’s New in the Second Edition

The Kubernetes landscape is moving fast. This release adds new chapters and hands-on examples covering essential areas for working in production clusters.

Here’s what’s been added or significantly expanded:

Gateway API

Kubernetes networking has taken a significant step forward.

You’ll learn how to configure Gateways, HTTPRoutes, and TLS at scale.

You’ll also see how the Gateway API improves traffic management beyond the older Ingress model.

Operators

Operators are now a core part of how real platforms run applications.

The book walks you through:

• How Operators extend Kubernetes
• How the reconciliation loop works
• How to interact with Operator-managed resources during troubleshooting
• Examples from the ecosystem so you understand what to expect on the exam and in production

Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs)

CRDs appear everywhere: networking, security, storage, and GitOps.

You’ll learn to:

• Inspect CRDs
• Understand their schema
• Work with custom resources confidently
• Decode unfamiliar resource types under time pressure

Kustomize

GitOps and config management make Kustomize even more valuable.

The new section covers:

• Overlays
• Patches
• Common patterns you’ll see in production clusters
• Exercises to help you build and modify Kustomize bases quickly

This enables you to work faster during the exam and even quicker at your job.

Why This Edition Matters

The CKA exam increasingly reflects how people actually run clusters today. It’s not just about knowing the commands; it’s about learning how Kubernetes works under the hood and how to debug it efficiently.

This edition helps you:

• Build deeper confidence in cluster operations
• Practice with examples based on real troubleshooting scenarios
• Reduce guesswork during the exam
• Prepare for long-term success as a Kubernetes engineer

Whether you’re brand new to Kubernetes or looking to tighten your skills before the next promotion, this book gives you a clear path forward.

Ready to Get Started?

The second edition is available now.

Go to https://acingthecka.com and grab your copy.

Your next Kubernetes milestone starts here.