
Exam format
Confluent Certified Administrator for Apache Kafka Exam Format
Everything the official exam blueprint specifies: question count, time limit, scoring and the weight each domain carries. The Confluent Certified Administrator for Apache Kafka (CCAAK) validates the technical expertise required to deploy, manage, and optimize Confluent Platform environments. This certification ensures that administrators can maintain high availability, implement rigorous security protocols, and effectively manage the Kafka ecosystem, including Connect and kDB. It is designed for professionals who need to handle real-world production workloads where data consistency and system uptime are critical. Candidates are tested on their ability to troubleshoot complex cluster issues and tune the system for maximum efficiency within enterprise architectures.
- 60 questions
- 90 min
- 70% to pass
- 6 domains
Exam facts at a glance
The published specifications for this certification.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 60 |
| Time limit | 90 minutes (90s per question) |
| Passing score | 70% — Not published by the provider |
| Domains | 6 |
| Level | Associate |
| Question bank here | 60 questions |
| Published format | "Our certification exams are 90 minute proctored exams. Question types vary, and include multiple-choice, matching, list order." (number of questions not published) |
| Source | Official exam specification, published by the vendor |
Official domain weights
The percentage of the exam each domain carries. Weight your revision by these numbers, not by what you find hardest.
| Domain | Weight | Topics | Practice Qs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | 15% |
| 9 |
| Kafka Connect & kDB | 15% |
| 9 |
| Operations & Monitoring | 20% |
| 12 |
| Kafka Architecture & Fundamentals | 20% |
| 12 |
| Cluster Installation & Configuration | 20% |
| 12 |
| Performance Tuning & Troubleshooting | 10% |
| 6 |
The heaviest domain is Security at 15%, and that is where lost points cost you the most. Certilum scores you per domain so you can see the difference between a knowledge gap and a formatting problem.
Note from the vendor record: Issuer: Confluent, Inc. Status: active - "Confluent Certified Administrator for Apache Kafka® (CCAAK)" is currently listed on Confluent's official certification page alongside CCDAK and the Confluent Cloud Certified Operator, with an official Administrator Exam Preparation Guide (training course 1071). No official retirement or rename date for CCAAK (or for any predecessor such as an earlier CCAK-titled exam) is published on Confluent's official pages; the only official refresh notes are for other items ("Refreshed Developer Course", "Refreshed Confluent Cloud Certified Operator Exam") with no dates given. Validity: "The Certification expires after two years. You will be required to re-certify every 2 years." Retake policy: 7-day wait before repurchasing. Delivery: remotely proctored (Honorlock), Chrome + webcam + microphone + government ID, English only, immediate results. No prerequisites or training requirement; passing score threshold not disclosed. Caveat: third-party sites claim ~60 questions and a percentage pass mark - these are not published by Confluent. Official exam page
More about the Confluent Certified Administrator for Apache Kafka exam
Explore the rest of this page series: format, cost, difficulty, requirements and how to prepare.
Related certifications
Explore other certifications in the same category and see how they stack up.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the Confluent Certified Administrator for Apache Kafka exam.

