From failure to success, and the lessons learned along the way

In 2025, I embarked on a journey with the Andela Kubernetes African Developer Training Program, a program designed to strengthen cloud-native skills across Africa. As part of this journey, I decided to challenge myself with the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) certification.

It wasn’t a smooth ride. My first attempt ended with a 55/100 – a failure. But that setback became the fuel for my preparation and ultimate success.

🎯 The First Attempt – Learning Through Failure

Sitting for the exam the first time, I underestimated the structure and depth of the questions. I had the knowledge but lacked the exam strategy.
Result: 55/100 ❌

Instead of giving up, I took it as an opportunity to rethink my approach:

• More practice with mock exams
• Deeper focus on Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) resources
• Active participation in discussions with peers in the Andela program

  

🛠️ An Improvised Exam Setup

Not everyone has a perfect exam environment. For me, it was about making the best of what I had:

• A small room with a basic desk and chair
• A fan to fight the heat
• Coffee ☕ for focus
• My laptop, an external monitor, and a notepad for quick thinking

This improvised setup was my war room. It reminded me that determination matters more than perfect conditions.

✅ The Second Attempt – Success at 77

With better preparation and focus, I passed the exam with a 77/100 🎉.

This moment meant more than just a certification. It was a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the value of community support.

🔑 Tips for Future KCNA Candidates

If you are preparing for the KCNA exam, here are my takeaways:

1. Don’t rush – Take time to understand Kubernetes fundamentals.
2. Practice with mocks – Use simulators to get comfortable with the exam format.
3. Know the domains – Focus on Kubernetes basics, cloud-native principles, container orchestration, and observability.
4. Set up your environment – Even if it’s improvised, ensure it’s distraction-free.
5. Learn from failure – If you don’t pass the first time, treat it as feedback, not defeat.

👉 I created a KCNA Exam Preparation Simulator on GitHub to help others practice:
🔗 KCNA Exam Prep Simulator

🙏 Gratitude

A big thank you to Andela, the Linux Foundation, and the community of peers who shared resources, encouragement, and support throughout this journey.

This certification is not just for me – it’s proof that with the right mindset, African developers can rise and excel in cloud-native technologies.