Red Hat · 2026 Edition
A complete preparation guide, edited by Johnson Ajibi, a network and security engineer with 12+ years' experience. Covers the exam format,all 5 blueprint domains, a week-by-week study plan, and proven tips for passing first time.
2–4 months
Prep time
Intermediate
Difficulty
Hands-on lab
Format
Exam code
EX188
Full name
Red Hat Certified Specialist in Containers (EX188, Podman-based)
Vendor
Red Hat
Duration
150 minutes
Exam format
Performance-based lab (no multiple-choice)
Domains covered
5 blueprint domains
Recommended experience
Foundational IT knowledge recommended
Typical prep time
2–4 months
Domain percentage weights are not currently available for this exam. The checklist below is still useful for planning your study.
Performance-based exam
The real exam is entirely performance-based — there are no multiple-choice questions. Courseiva questions reinforce the concepts, but hands-on RHEL practice is still required.
Phase 1
Container Image Building
Tip: Start with the official Container Image Building objectives, then practise questions on it.
Phase 2
Storage And Configuration
Tip: Cover the Storage And Configuration objectives, then answer practice questions to confirm you can apply them.
Phase 3
Registry And Security
Tip: Cover the Registry And Security objectives, then answer practice questions to confirm you can apply them.
Phase 4
Networking And Compose
Tip: Cover the Networking And Compose objectives, then answer practice questions to confirm you can apply them.
Phase 5
Container Operations And Lifecycle
Tip: Finish with Container Operations And Lifecycle, then re-test your weakest earlier domain before a mock exam.
Study the official exam blueprint — weight percentages tell you exactly where to invest prep time.
Practise scenario-based questions regularly — every modern cert exam is scenario-heavy.
Use spaced repetition to retain what you've learned (Courseiva does this automatically).
Book your exam date once you're scoring 80%+ consistently on practice tests.
Review explanations for every wrong answer, not just the question — the 'why' is what makes it stick.
Apply everything in this guide with adaptive practice questions, detailed answer explanations, and domain analytics.