My KCNA Journey: Using AI Voice-Based Learning for Concept Clarity

By Naveen Garg · 2 min read

Why I Chose KCNA

I have always advocated for open-source technologies because they drive innovation, reduce dependency on licensed software, and avoid vendor lock-in. This naturally led me to the Linux Foundation and CNCF, whose strong community values and principles strongly resonated with me.

During this journey, I also learned about the Kubestronaut title, which can be earned by completing five Kubernetes certifications. After exploring the available paths, I realized that KCNA (Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate) was the right starting point to build a strong foundation.

My Learning Path

I reviewed the KCNA curriculum and planned 8 weekends of focused learning. The goal was not just exam preparation, but building real conceptual clarity.

Real-world experience is a big advantage, but for learners without it, a home lab is essential. Kubernetes concepts often have very subtle differences, and without hands-on practice, it’s easy to confuse terminology and choose incorrect answers despite knowing the theory.

Credit: I opted for James Spurin’s KCNA course on Udemy, as it is dedicated specifically to the KCNA exam syllabus.

Exam Preparation Strategy

After completing the course, I dedicated two weeks to focused exam preparation, targeting 500+ practice questions.

The purpose was to identify weak and confusing areas — not to memorize answers. For each gap, I revisited the concept, focused on understanding the “why”, and used hands-on labs whenever possible.

Credit: I used Bryan Krausen’s KCNA exam prep course to get sufficient high-quality practice questions.

My Unique Approach

I used a personal AI assistant to track weak areas and mistakes, and followed up with interactive, voice-based Q&A sessions during my daily walks.

This approach worked extremely well, allowing me to maintain both study consistency and health without conflict.

Exam Day Tip

On exam day, I faced a microphone issue due to macOS automatically switching audio input between my Mac and mobile device. Fixing the microphone input to Mac only resolved the issue quickly.

Recommendation:
* Run the PSI system test in advance
* Lock the microphone to one device
* Keep your phone switched off

Final Thoughts

KCNA is an excellent entry point into Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies. With hands-on practice, strong concept clarity, and disciplined preparation, it becomes a very rewarding learning journey.

More milestones ahead…