My Journey to Passing the KCNA: Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate Certification (2025)

Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA)

In 2025, I decided to take the KCNA (Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate) exam as the first step in my cloud-native certification roadmap. The KCNA is an entry-level certification designed to test your understanding of Kubernetes fundamentals and cloud-native concepts. I completed my preparation in roughly a month, fitting in short study sessions around work. I’m happy to share that I passed — and in this post, I’ll break down my journey, resources, and tips for anyone preparing for it.

[embed]KCNA: Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate was issued by The Linux Foundation to Santosh Gawande. Earners of this designation demonstrated a basic knowledge of Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies, including how…www.credly.com

Why KCNA?

The KCNA is the ideal starting point before tackling advanced certs like CKA, CKAD, and CKS. It validates your Kubernetes fundamentals and gives you a solid foundation in the cloud-native ecosystem — a great first credential for anyone moving into DevOps or cloud engineering.

My Preparation Journey

The exam is objective-based and beginner-friendly. I studied through short daily sessions alongside my regular work. The initial Kubernetes learning curve was the biggest hurdle, but hands-on practice made it click.

Resources I Used

• KodeKloud (Mumshad Mannambeth’s course).
• Official Linux Foundation materials.
• Practice tests / mock exams.
• CNCF & Kubernetes documentation.

Exam Experience

90 minutes, approximately 60 multiple-choice questions. No hands-on labs — purely objective. Key topics: Kubernetes basics, containers, CNCF landscape tools, security, and observability.

References:

• Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate Exam (KCNA) Exam page
• Kubernetes official documentation
• Kodekloud