Important Instructions: ICA

ICA 2025 PROGRAM CHANGES: The ICA exam was be updated on August 12, 2025

CLICK HERE for details of the Program Changes

Exam Details

• The exam is delivered online and consists of performance-based tasks (problems) to be solved on the command line running Linux.

• The exam consists of 15-20 performance-based tasks.

• Candidates have 2hrs to complete the ICA exam.

• The exam is proctored remotely via streaming audio, video, and screen sharing feeds.

• Results will be emailed 24 hours from the time that the exam is completed.

System Requirements to take the exam

IMPORTANT! Changes to Operating System Support

Beginning October 14, 2025, PSI – our exam proctoring partner - will no longer support Windows 10 or MacOS Ventura (13.x) for ANY online proctored exams

Click here to learn more

Candidates should run the PSI Online Proctoring System Check to verify that their machine meets the technical requirements for taking a proctored exam.

The online proctored exam is taken on PSI's proctoring platform "Bridge", using the PSI Secure Browser (a web browser created to guarantee a secure exam delivery over a virtual connection).

PSI Secure Browser Download is made available to candidates at Exam Launch Time.

Candidates should review the Bridge FAQ Information, published by PSI, to prepare for the Secure Browser installation and be aware of how to resolve issues with the Installation/download or launch of their exam:

PSI Secure Browser FAQ (General) PSI Secure Browser - Linux OS Troubleshooting

Candidates must provide their own computer with:

• Supported OS: Please review the System Requirements, published by PSI, in particular the supported Operating System Information.

• All browsers are supported, however PSI highly recommends using the latest version of Google Chrome for the best exam scheduling experience, and because the secure browser is Chrome-based and will give a more accurate experience.

• One active monitor (either built in or external) (NOTE: Dual Monitors are NOT supported)

• Reliable internet access

  • Ensure others on the same internet connection are not performing activities that use excessive bandwidth (i.e. holding conference calls, streaming content, gaming, etc.)

  • A wired connection is often more stable and robust than a wireless connection

  • Turn off bandwidth-intensive services (e.g. file sync, dropbox, BitTorrent)

• Microphone

  • Mac users may need to allow the PSI Secure Browser within their 'System Preferences: Security & Privacy: Privacy' settings for Microphone, Camera, Automation and Input Monitoring.

  • Please check to make sure it is working before you start your exam session.

• Webcam

  • Ensure the webcam is capable of being moved as you will have to pan your surroundings to check for potential violations of exam policy.

  • Mac users may need to allow the PSI Secure Browser within their 'System Preferences: Security & Privacy: Privacy' settings for Microphone, Camera, Automation and Input Monitoring.

  • If you will be testing from an employer-provide ISP or will use an employer provided machine, please ensure that streaming will be allowed using WebRTC.

Candidates are not allowed to have other applications or browser windows running except the one on which the Exam is being shown.

Please review the PSI Bridge Platform: System Requirements to ensure your machine will meet the requirements of our online proctor.

Important Information to Consider:

• Please disable firewalls or use a computer without a corporate firewall. Firewalls may interfere with installing the secure browser needed to take the test.

• You should use a computer on which you have the privileges needed to install applications AND end system process' and services.

• You cannot take an exam using a virtual machine even though the compatibility check may not display any issues

• If possible, stop any antivirus software from running, and antivirus scanning during the exam time.

• If you are using a laptop, make sure that it's plugged into a power socket, so that the battery does not run out during the exam.

Acceptable Testing Location

Below are the expectations for an acceptable testing location::

• Clutter-free work area

  • No objects such as paper, writing implements, electronic devices, or other objects on top of surface

  • No objects such as paper, trash bins, or other objects below the testing surface

• Clear walls

  • No paper/print outs hanging on walls

  • Paintings and other wall décor is acceptable

  • Candidates will be asked to remove non-décor items prior to the exam being released

• Lighting

  • Space must be well lit so that proctor is able to see candidate’s face, hands, and surrounding work area

  • No bright lights or windows behind the examinee

• Other

  • Candidate must remain within the camera frame during the examination

  • Space must be private where there is no excessive noise. Public spaces such as coffee shops, stores, open office environments, etc. are not allowed.

ID Requirements to take the Exam

Candidates need to provide identification (ID) that meets the requirements outlined below:

• All IDs must be a valid (unexpired) Government-issued original, physical document (not photocopied or electronic)

• IDs must include the candidate's name, photo, and signature*

  • *Government-issued biometric IDs that do not contain signature will be accepted

• The first and last name on the ID must exactly match the verified name entered on your exam checklist

• Acceptable forms of ID:

  • International travel passport

  • Government-issued driver’s license/permit

  • Government-Issued local language ID (with photo and signature)

  • National identity card State or province-issued identity card

  • Alien registration card (green card or permanent resident/visa)

  • 住民基本台帳 (Basic Resident Register with photo) or マイナンバーカード(My Number Card)

• Minors, between the age of 16-18, are permitted to take an online proctored exam with PSI, provided they complete the following requirements:

  • A Parent/Guardian must complete the Parental Release for Testing of Minors form, and submit it to trainingsupport.linuxfoundation.org, at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled date of the exam

  • At check in, the minor candidate must present a valid student ID as a form of identification

  • During the PSI check-in process, the candidate's guardian must also present a valid ID and must provide verbal consent during the PSI check-in process.

Sanctioned Countries

Exams may be administered to citizens of a sanctioned country listed below PROVIDED the citizens are tested OUTSIDE the sanctioned country and their exam registration and current ID show an address OUTSIDE the sanctioned country.

• Cuba

• Iran

• Syria

• North Korea

• Crimea Region of Ukraine

Resources allowed during exam

Please refer to our published information: Istio Certified Associate Resources Allowed

Exam Technical Instructions

1. You must NOT reboot the base node (hostname base). Rebooting the base system will NOT restart your exam environment.

2. Use Ctrl+Alt+W instead of Ctrl+W.

   (Ctrl+W is a keyboard shortcut that will close the current tab in Google Chrome.)

3. The Terminal (Terminal Emulator Application) is a Linux Terminal, to copy & paste within the Linux Terminal you need to use LINUX keyboard shortcuts: Copy = Ctrl+Shift+C Paste = Ctrl+Shift+V (Or use the right-click context menu and select Copy or Paste)

4. In other applications on the Remote Desktop (which is on a Linux Desktop), you'll want to use: Copy = Ctrl+C

   Paste = Ctrl+V

5. The locate cursor functionality has been assigned to the key combination CTRL+ALT+K.

6. Mouse, keyboard, and accessibility settings can be customized by using the desktop icons.

7. For security reasons, the INSERT key is prohibited within the Remote Desktop. Candidates can Type i to switch into insert mode so that you can start editing the file. Once you're done, press the escape key Esc to get out of insert mode and back to command mode.

8. Some keys on international keyboards may not work as expected on the remote desktop. An on-screen virtual keyboard is provided for any special characters that may be needed. To access the on-screen keyboard, double-click the "Virtual Keyboard" icon on the desktop.

9. Installation of services and applications included in this exam may require modification of system security policies to successfully complete.

ICA Exam Environment

• You must complete each task in this exam on a designated host.

• An infobox at the start of each task provides you with instructions to ssh into the designatedhost.

• Once you have completed a task, exit the SSH session to return to the base system (hostname base).

• Hosts can be reached via ssh, using a command such as the following: ssh <nodename>

• You can assume elevated privileges on any host by issuing the following command: sudo -i

• You can also use sudo to execute commands with elevated privileges at any time

• Nested SSH is not supported - always return to the base system first before connecting to another host: Exit

• You must return to the base system (hostname base) after completing a task and before connecting to the next task's host.

Pre-Installed Tools

For your convenience, all SSH hosts have the following additional command-line tools pre-installed and pre-configured:

• kubectl with k alias and Bash autocompletion

• istioctl with Bash autocompletion

• yq for YAML processing

• curl and wget for testing web services

• man and man pages for further documentation

The base system (hostname base) does not have any of the above tools pre-installed as all tasks on this exam must be completed on a designated SSH host.

• The ICA environment is currently running Istio v1.26

Taking the Exam

We recommend that candidates review the Take Exam section of our Candidate handbook, to become familiar with the PSI Secure Browser Download and Installation steps, and the candidate's Self Check-In Process.

Additional Resources

If you cannot find an answer to your question in the Candidate Handbook or FAQ, please login to trainingsupport.linuxfoundation.org to submit a customer support request.