How do I prepare for a CCNA certification exam?
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CCNA is an entry-level certification for networking that will prepare you for IT networking positions such as network specialist, administrator, and engineer. The test evaluates your knowledge of fundamental networking principles, which are frequently required in IT networking positions. Here is a summary of the most important CCNA test preparation strategies. Let's examine this.
To pass the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) 200-301 exam, you must have extensive hands-on experience with Cisco networking devices and knowledge of computer networking concepts. Consequently, you cannot pass the exam without adequate preparation. There is an abundance of videos, courses, laboratories, and other study materials available to assist you with this.
This article discusses how to access and utilize these resources to create a personalized study plan for passing the CCNA examination.
Your preparation for the examination should focus on the following topics:
- Network essentials
- Network IP connectivity access
- Services IP
- Security essentials
- Automating and programming
On Cisco's Learning Network, you can obtain a complete list of exam topics and subtopics in PDF format. Creates a new window. You should use this list as a study guide.
Creating a study schedule
You can construct a study plan based on your learning needs once you are aware of the exam's subject matter. Do you need to enroll in an online or in-person course, or will self-study suffice?
Self-study
Before engaging in self-study, you must develop a study schedule that you can adhere to consistently. Set the exam date first, then determine how much time you will need to prepare. Allow yourself two to six months before the exam date to become proficient in the exam's topics. Determine which ones you are familiar with and which ones require extensive additional research. Create a schedule that allows you to devote more time to subjects in which you are less proficient. Then, resolve to reserve a consistent amount of time (between 20 and 60 minutes) daily for study.
You can enroll in Cisco's free CCNA Prep Program in order to develop a self-study strategy. SPOTO a new window offers over 50 hours of free self-study resources, including practice assessments, training webinars, and the CCNA Learning Map, to guide you through the exam topics and subtopics.
Additionally, a study regimen can be downloaded from SPOTO. SPOTO‘s CCNA Study in a new window details the weekly networking topics to study. According to CBT Nuggets, if you study 30 to 60 minutes per day, you should be prepared for the CCNA exam in about 26 weeks.
Additionally, it is suggested that you supplement your study of each topic with passages from the official CCNA exam books: CCNA 200-301 Official Certification Guide, Volume 1 and Volume 2Creates a fresh aperture.
instructor-led instruction
There are a variety of courses available for those who prefer instructor-led instruction. Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions is one example course. A five-day certification training program that consists of video training, laboratories, self-paced guided learning, and practice questions.
Another option is O'Reilly's CCNA 200-301 Complete Video Course, a comprehensive training course covering Cisco CCNA with real-world demonstrations, animations, live instruction, and configurations.
The CCNA 200-301 Full Certification Preparation Course on UdemyIncludes ten hours of on-demand videos, twenty-four articles, and eighty-eight downloadable resources.
Practicing every lab described in the course materials
Numerous examination inquiries will require the resolution of networking issues based on real-world scenarios. Therefore, your study schedule should incorporate hands-on labs to reinforce your knowledge. Observing laboratories on video or reading about them will not guarantee your understanding unless you conduct the experiments yourself. The most effective method of learning is to conduct labs on authentic Cisco devices. Here are two alternatives for practicing the experiments without purchasing your own equipment.
CCNA version 1.0 Cisco Learning Labs
The Cisco Learning exercises are a comprehensive collection of Cisco IOS Software exercises designed to help students prepare for the CCNA (200-301) exam. It provides 24/7 access to 60 hours of lab time over a 90-day period. These laboratories utilize Cisco IOS software with Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities and CLI support for version 15 releases.
Including practice examinations in the study schedule
You should take a practice exam as frequently as feasible to gauge your readiness for the real test and guide your studies. For instance, it is a good idea to take a practice test halfway through your studies to identify any problem areas that require additional study. Taking as many practice tests as possible will also help you adjust to the time constraints of the exam.
Final advice
You should devote 30 to 60 minutes per day to your self-study materials, including textbook reading and video course viewing. However, these resources will not address all of your inquiries. You will still need to conduct an additional investigation on any concepts you do not fully comprehend.
Utilize your practice environment to the fullest extent to ensure you comprehend networking concepts and how the Cisco interface and its commands and syntax are used for network configuration, operation, and troubleshooting.
Lastly, it would be beneficial if you allocated time in your study schedule for exam review, preferably in the month before the exam. Allow yourself sufficient time to examine practice tests and study materials to strengthen your understanding of the exam topics. You should also give yourself ample time to obtain answers to any last-minute queries through your online community or Internet research.
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