The Okta Certified Administrator Exam is a certification exam for professionals who manage and administer the Okta Identity Cloud platform. The exam tests candidates on their knowledge and skills in configuring and managing Okta, as well as their understanding of identity and access management (IAM) concepts. This exam study guide is planned for helping you in preparing for the Okta Administrator Certification Exam.
This guide contains a detailed overview of the exam including patterns, topics, and useful resources for understanding all the concepts. However, you must know that passing the Okta Administrator exam is a prerequisite for anyone who wants to become an Okta Certified Consultant. So, let’s begin with the guide!
Basic Okta Certified Administrator Exam Terms
Before starting the preparation you must get familiar with the basic terms for the exam. Here are some general terms that may be useful for the Okta Certified Administrator Exam:
- Identity and Access Management (IAM): This refers to the practice of managing digital identities and controlling access to resources.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): This is a method of allowing users to access multiple applications with a single set of login credentials.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This is a security process that requires users to provide more than one form of authentication to access a resource.
- OAuth 2.0: This is an authorization framework that allows third-party applications to access resources on behalf of a user.
- SCIM: System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM) is a protocol that simplifies user provisioning and deprovisioning in cloud-based applications.
- SAML: Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is an XML-based standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between parties.
- Okta Lifecycle Management: This is a feature of Okta that allows administrators to automate the user onboarding and offboarding process.
- API Integration: This refers to the process of connecting Okta to other applications and systems through the use of APIs.
- Okta Universal Directory: This is a cloud-based directory that stores and manages user profiles, group memberships, and other identity-related data.
- Okta Mobility Management: This is a feature of Okta that allows administrators to manage mobile devices and control access to corporate resources from those devices.
A step-by-step guide for the Okta Certified Administrator Exam
How to prepare for the certification exam is the only question that comes to mind while achieving the goal. And, it is necessary to plan everything before starting to prepare. However, for the Okta Certified Administrator exam, there are many things you need to focus on in order for earning this certification. So, to get clarity on this, in this blog, we have prepared a step-by-step guide for having a good and perfect start for your preparation.
Step 1: Understand the Okta Administrator Exam
Okta Certified Administrators are experts at managing the Okta service and understand how Okta can help with complex User Lifecycle Management scenarios. Mobile devices, security policy frameworks, supported SSO choices, and extensive directory integration for cloud and on-premise access are all possible scenarios. Further, the Okta Policy framework is used by administrators for:
- Firstly, controlling user access
- Secondly, knowing how to use Universal Directory to map identity attributes and data transformations, as well as address issues
Exam Requirement:
Candidates for the Okta Certified Administrator credential must have passed the Okta Professional Exam. And, they should have the following requirements:
- Firstly, two years of technical experience in security and/or identity management is required.
- Secondly, one year of on-the-job experience using the Okta service is required.
- In addition, you must have completed the Okta Essentials course or similar training.
- Lastly, Okta Administrators, implementation consultants, identity leaders, system administrators, technical project managers, and technical project owners are also eligible for this qualification.
Okta Administrator Exam Format:
There will be 60 discrete option multiple-choice (DOMC) questions on the Okta Administrator Exam. There is a time limit of 90 minutes for completing the exam. The examination will cost you around $250 (USD).
Things to know for the exam:
1. Scheduling the Exam
Examity administers and proctors of Okta certification tests ( secure online proctoring service). Examity and Okta have joined to protect the integrity of our certification examinations.
This service provides online proctoring, allowing you to take the exam from practically anywhere at any time that is convenient for you, without having to drive to a test center. To avoid the additional charge with on-demand testing, the Okta Administrator Exam must schedule at least 24 hours in advance of the time you wish to take the test.
Understanding the DOMC item type
DOMC items make up the entirety of the Okta Certified Administrator test. DOMC is a strong measurement instrument that generates consistent test results. It accomplishes this by eliminating a number of “contaminants” that have an impact on test results but are unrelated to the information and abilities being assessed. Further, the DOMC item type adjusts the playing field and more accurately assesses your abilities by improving:
- Readability
- Fairness
- Security
Exam Scoring
DOMC item types are scored fairly and accurately. However,
- Firstly, if you select the proper choice and answer YES, your response is graded as “correct.” A DOMC item can be coded to require one or more right responses in order to be completed and regarded appropriately responded.
- Second, if you select the correct option and then respond NO, the item is marked as “incorrect.”
- Then, if you select the incorrect choice and answer YES, the item is marked as “incorrect.”
- Finally, if you select the incorrect option and say NO, the item will not be scored until you select another option and respond to it.
Exam Retakes
The following circumstances apply to exam retakes:
- To begin, a candidate can retake a failed exam 24 hours after the initial failure.
- Secondly, before retaking a failed exam, a candidate must wait 14 days following each subsequent unsuccessful attempt.
- Thirdly, candidates are not permitted to retake exams that have already been passed.
- The exam fees for each attempt must then be paid. In addition, if any fails the exam, there is no return for the fees.
- Finally, there is a cost of $100 USD for each retake attempt on an Okta certification exam.
Step 2: Exploring and understanding the Exam topics
For every okta exam, it is suggested to go through and review each topic provided. However, the topics further are divided into sections and sub-sections. Understanding the concepts of the topics will help you in preparing for the exam more accurately. For the Okta Certified Administrator exam, the major topics are:
1. Identity and Access Management
1.1 Understand the process of Advanced Directory Integration
- Learn the process for managing delegated authentication with AD and LDAP using Okta agents
- Understand the process for managing Okta AD and LDAP agent architecture and best practices
- Learn about managing Okta agent service account and permissions required for agents and in directories for password reset
- Understanding the process for importing and controlling users coming from AD, LDAP or stored directly in Okta
- Understanding the working of the Okta password sync agent
- Learn about Okta/AD password policy and why it should match or exceed the AD policy
- Learn about multiple Okta/AD password policies and why they might be needed
- Understand user activation options when using AD as a source
1.2 Single Sign-On (SSO) Federation
- Learn the process of using the Application Integration Wizard
- Understand the process of setting up Okta as a service provider
- Learn about SAML assertion
- Learn the process of configuring a template application
- Understand the process of deploying the SWA plug-in and setting up related options in Okta
- Learn the process of Okta supports non-OIN applications
- Understand the security advantages and caveats in using SAML
- Understand about setting up OIN apps, including the process of using templates for integrating applications
1.3 Desktop SSO deployment
- Learn the process of deploying on-premises Okta Desktop SSO/IWA, including the requirements for Desktop SSO/IWA
1.4 Hybrid SaaS strategies and challenges
- Learn the process of how Okta can provision users and groups to OIN apps
1.5 Architecture
- Understand the process of illustrating awareness about the high availability of advanced agents
2. User Lifecycle Management
2.1 Profile sourcing and write-back concepts
- Learn about HR as a source including the benefits of groups and group rules when using an external source
- Understand when profile sourcing is used
- Understand when attribute level sourcing is used
- Learn the value of writing data back to directories and apps from Okta
- Learn the process of operating with multiple profile sources
- Understand the needs of Okta lifecycle management and the ability for writing to applications
- Learn the process of setting up Okta user profiles, application profiles, and directory profiles
- Understand the process for creating custom attributes in UD
- Learn the process of creating profile mappings
2.2 Managing Identities using Universal Directory
- Learn the process for using the Okta Expression Language for converting data while plotting data with the Profile Editor
- Learn the process for using the Okta Expression Language to create a custom username
- Understand how to move from AD to cloud management of users
2.3 Provisioning
- Learn about different ways that Okta can execute lifecycle management against apps
- Learn about the typical flow of user registration/onboarding, updates, and de-provisioning
- Understand the process of Okta pushing groups to various apps
2.4 Self-service
- Learn the process of controlling user’s ability to reset self-service passwords with Active Directory-sourced users or Okta-sourced users
- Understand the application request workflows and entitlement
3. Security
3.1 Okta Security Policy and Enforcement Framework
- Learn the process for controlling application-level MFA and rules
- Illustrate knowledging of the process for controlling the Okta Sign-on policy including adaptive MFA policy
- Learn the process for setting up password policies for Okta-sourced users
- Illustrate an understanding of the process for configuring password policies for Active Directory-sourced users
- Learn the process for how Okta can support legacy MFA solutions
- Understand the different security postures with MFA factors
3.2 Admin Access Control
- Learn about admin roles
4. Monitoring and Troubleshooting
4.1 Logging and Reporting
- Learn the process of Okta logging
- Illustrate ability for interpreting Okta log files
- Illustrate knowledge of the logging options available for Okta agents
- Learn the process of troubleshooting options for every Okta agent/plug-in
5. API Functions
5.1 Token Management
- Learn the process for creating API tokens with the correct permissions
5.2 API Extended Functions
- Illustrate knowledge of the importance of API rate limiting
- Learn about the use cases for Okta Management APIs, API-AM, and API products
- Understand the importance of service accounts when using Okta API
Step 3: Getting familiar with Okta Study Resources
1. Okta Training
Okta Education Services offers a variety of programs and training materials to assist in your certification exam preparation. However, some of the Okta Administrator exam training courses are:
Advanced Profile Sourcing Methods
- This course will teach you how to use strategies to integrate Okta with numerous sources. You can specify the procedure for populating Okta profile characteristics with the correct “source of truth” for the Universal Directory in this section. Morever, you’ll also use Lifecycle Management to deploy provisioning solutions for controlling the whole life cycle of your Okta users.
Using Okta as a Service Provider
- In this course, you’ll learn how to secure connections to any number of identity providers using Okta Identity Cloud’s standards-based federation, as well as how to negotiate diversity in implementations and manage the trust. Additionally, you will learn how external IdPs link to Okta, as well as ADFS and the process of connecting one Okta tenancy to another tenant using the Org2Org app.
Deploying Office 365 with Okta
- You’ll learn how to configure O365 with Okta to accommodate four different integration situations in this lesson. Moreover, you’ll learn about multifactor authentication (MFA) and how to manage client access permissions based on group memberships in this course. And, this will also look at mobile device management capabilities, which can help you safeguard your O365 user base.
2. Okta Essentials
Okta essentials is a foundational course that assists System Administrators and anyone else who is responsible for correctly implementing Okta. However, the Okta Essentials covers the following topics:
- Okta Overview
- Define Your Users in Okta
- Configure External Directories
- Configure Groups
- Configuring SSO and Provisioning
- Configure Custom App Integrations
- Manage Access Request Workflows
- Configure Universal Directory
- Implement the Okta Policy Framework
- Customize Okta
- Monitor Your Okta Org
- Practical
3. On-demand Training
Foundations for Flowgrammers Workflows
- This course will go over the most important concepts and processes in the Workflows console. Moreover, it will teach you how to integrate technology into the core of your organization and automate operations such as de-provisioning users and relocating their data. In addition, the fundamental concepts and processes within the Workflows console will be covered.
4. Instructor-led Training
Okta Administrator Certification Exam
With this course, you will be able to examine topics such as:
- Firstly, fundamental methods for studying for the Administrator Exam, including how to make the most of the exam study guide.
- Secondly, understanding the general background of an Okta Administrator Certification candidate.
- Thirdly, by taking the Kahoot quiz, you will be able to hear the instructor discuss the answers to the quiz questions firsthand.
- Then, when preparing for the exam, seeking advice from the teacher on the issues that most certification candidates struggle with.
- Lastly, there are exam-taking techniques.
5. Okta Community
You can join the Okta community during your preparation to connect with people who share your interests. You can submit new ideas, connect with Okta, look for solutions, and participate in the community forums here. Moreover, you’ll also hear from Okta’s engineers and product leaders, as well as customers and partners.
Step 4: Using Practice Tests
Taking practice examinations will assist you in identifying your weak areas and improving your response skills. Furthermore, by evaluating after each topic, practice exams improve your knowledge level and help you achieve a solid revision. So, use the Okta Certified Administrator sample exam tests to prepare for the exam and pass it.
General Exam Tips
here are some general tips that may be useful for those studying for the Okta Certified Administrator Exam:
- Understand Okta’s solutions: Familiarize yourself with Okta’s identity and access management (IAM) solutions, including Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Okta Lifecycle Management.
- Use official study materials: Okta offers official study materials, including online courses, webinars, and documentation. These materials are designed to help you prepare for the exam and provide in-depth coverage of all the exam topics.
- Hands-on experience: Gaining hands-on experience with Okta’s solutions can be invaluable in preparing for the exam. Consider setting up a test environment and practicing implementing Okta solutions.
- Time management: Make sure to manage your time wisely during the exam. Don’t spend too much time on any one question and make sure to answer every question, even if you’re not sure of the answer.
- Stay calm: Finally, try to stay calm and focused during the exam. Don’t get bogged down by difficult questions and trust in the knowledge you’ve gained through studying and preparation.
Final Words
To begin in a systematic manner, the details of the Okta Certified Administrator exam, as well as the key preparation material, have been given above. This examination will put your knowledge, competence, and collaborative abilities to the test. As a result, in order to enhance your preparation, you must focus on all of the essential areas. Take the time to create a study schedule and pattern based on the material you’ve been given, and then begin the preparation process step by step. However, don’t forget to revise by taking practice exams and evaluations. Finally, just take the test and pass it!
