Track Linux Foundation, CNCF, Kubernetes, cloud native, Linux, Istio, and Prometheus certification status pages.
Linux Foundation and CNCF certifications cover Kubernetes, cloud native security, Linux administration, observability, service mesh, and platform engineering. This hub separates routes that fit an MCQ-style practice bank from routes where hands-on lab work is essential.
| If your target is… | Start here |
|---|---|
| Kubernetes and cloud native foundations | KCNA |
| Kubernetes and cloud native security foundations | KCSA |
| Kubernetes administration | CKA |
| Kubernetes application development | CKAD |
| Kubernetes security specialist work | CKS |
| Linux system administration | LFCS |
| Istio service mesh | ICA |
| Prometheus and observability | PCA |
| Broader IT Mastery catalog | IT Exams |
| Route | Exam format | IT Mastery fit |
|---|---|---|
| KCNA | Multiple-choice, 90 minutes | Strong fit for scenario-based QBank practice. |
| KCSA | Multiple-choice, 90 minutes | Strong fit for security-concept and scenario QBank practice. |
| PCA | Multiple-choice, 90 minutes | Strong fit for observability, PromQL, alerting, and instrumentation questions. |
| CKA | Performance-based, 2 hours | Needs hands-on cluster practice; MCQs can support concepts but cannot replace labs. |
| CKAD | Performance-based, 2 hours | Needs hands-on Kubernetes resource and application tasks; MCQs are secondary. |
| CKS | Performance-based, 2 hours, requires CKA | Needs hands-on Kubernetes security practice; MCQs are only a supplement. |
| LFCS | Performance-based, 2 hours | Needs command-line Linux practice; MCQs are only a supplement. |
| ICA | Performance-based and multiple-choice, 2 hours | Mixed fit; concept questions help, but service-mesh configuration practice is required. |
The Linux Foundation Kubestronaut bundle centers the five Kubernetes certifications: KCNA, KCSA, CKA, CKAD, and CKS. On this site, KCNA and KCSA are the best immediate candidates for IT Mastery-style QBank coverage because they are multiple-choice exams. CKA, CKAD, and CKS should still have pages for search intent and route guidance, but the pages should be honest that hands-on terminal practice is the real core of preparation.