I've noticed a huge jump in the costs for Linux Foundation certifications. For example, when I first looked into the CKA certification, it was around $150, but now it's over $600! Is this a common issue with their pricing? Can anyone explain why the costs are so high?
8 Answers
It’s similar to tech conferences. They don’t expect individuals to foot the bill; it’s part of employee development costs. With so many cheap courses available now, prices have inflated. Certifications used to be something you earned over time as you developed your career.
Wow, that’s a massive price increase! Has there been any official reason for this jump? Seems like something shady might be going on.
It looks like the current price for the CKA is around $445, which is for two attempts. If you fail, that means $300 for each try, which can add up fast. Sure, $445 is not cheap, but it isn't as outrageous as $600+ for most cases. Plus, there are usually discount codes hopping around that can help you out.
Honestly, sometimes it feels like a money-grab by the organization. Events like CNCF cost money too; I often wonder how this all gets funded. The folks contributing to open-source projects probably do a lot of the work while the foundation makes bank.
I don’t really get it either! It’s just questions on a test, and you’d think it wouldn’t cost this much to administer. Do we at least get a certificate that looks fancy? And will it really help me land a job?
I think the high cost is to ensure people are serious about it. I once had a proctor watching me for the whole two hours during my exam. It's also about the job market; certifications can set you apart if you're competing for good roles.
Absolutely, employers should step in on this. It's just too expensive for individuals to cover, especially if they're trying to get into tech without a solid job yet.
While yes, it might set you back initially, having that certification can boost your chances of getting hired. It's just one day's pay, so for many, it's still a worthwhile investment.
Honestly, if it helps land a job, I'd pay even $1000. I think the price hikes might be a strategy to reduce applicants and keep the certification valuable compared to competitors.
That’s true, but making it so expensive limits access to those who can afford it. A better way to create value would be to raise exam standards, not just the entry fee.
Yeah, I agree! There's often a 30-40% discount, which helps. But honestly, even with discounts, it feels pricy considering what you get.