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Exam Tips for Cisco CCNA Certification Course

CCNA Exam Tips: While preparing for something, one is required to be familiar with every aspect of the concerned topic. The more you practice the higher is the chance to succeed. 

Being a graduate in the field of Engineering, one can choose any particular subject as the core to move forward in the tech domain. There is a huge demand for employees in the tech world as it is growing a bit more with each passing day.     

Since Cisco offers numerous certification courses in order to become an expert in the field of Networking, one of the most in-demand entry level certification courses is Cisco CCNA Certification Course. And, if you, too, are preparing for the Cisco CCNA Certification Course, here are a few important CCNA exam tips for you to clear the exam with the flying colors. 

So, do not stop scrolling and do read the blog till the end in order to know all the answers to the important questions regarding the Cisco CCNA Certification Exam.

ccna exam tips
CCNA Exam Tips

Why Cisco CCNA Certification?

Cisco Certified Network Associate is a beginner level certification course offered by Cisco in order to provide the enrolled candidates with the knowledge, understanding, functioning and maintaining of the Security, Automation, and Networking. 

Before applying for the certification course, one should be aware of the prerequisites, job opportunities, salary packages and the other benefits of the Certification.   

What is the Exam Pattern of Cisco CCNA Certification?

In order to claim the Cisco CCNA Certification, one is required to clear the exam with the code CCNA 200-301 comprising 120 questions to be answered in 120 minutes where only the score of 82.5% or 825 marks out of 1000 is considered pass. The exam costs around USD 300 and one can choose either English or Japanese as the language of the examination as it can be scheduled online as well as offline at any desired place. Also, the certification has a validity of just 3 years. One is supposed to get it recertified after every 3 years. 

Well, one can make as many attempts to clear the exam but since it is a bit costly, not everyone can afford the fee easily. Such candidates require proper guidance and knowledge to succeed. 

What is the Syllabus/Curriculum of Cisco CCNA Certification Examination?

One is required to hit the books in order to clear the Cisco CCNA Certification exam by getting the proper study material. The clearance of the exam is directly proportional to the practice, concentration, and time one devotes to its preparation. 

The syllabus for the Cisco CCNA Certification exam is as follows-

  • CCNA Routing and Switching
  • Networking Fundamentals
  • Network Access
  • Routing and Switching Protocols
  • Wireless Access Point
  • Internet Protocol (IP) Service
  • Automation and Programmability

One must have a thorough knowledge of each topic mentioned above in detail and should be aware of every possible question to be framed from these. Well, since most of the questions will be based on TCP/IP one must remain completely prepared. 

How Much Time is Required to Prepare the Cisco CCNA Certification Examination?

Since the reading/studying pattern of each individual varies, one can not tell any specific time required, accurately, to prepare for the exam. But, still a person needs to study immensely hard, for around 4-5 hours a day for 3-4 months, in order to clear the examination.

Where/How to get the Training for Cisco CCNA Certification Examination?

The moment a person decides to prepare for the exam, the question of ‘Where and How to apply for training?’ arises. And, to find a suitable answer to the most important question, one wastes a lot of time in searching/looking for a better place for training. 

Well, one can either opt for online training or offline training as both are available everywhere across the globe. Since online training saves a lot of time required to travel and settle, it is considered as the best mode of training as it helps in maintaining a balance in one’s life. All one looks for is proper and right guidance.

What Sort of Practice is Required for the Cisco CCNA Certification Examination?

Appearing in an exam without preparation is the worst idea ever. One is supposed to practice with all the available material offline as well as offline. Hence, various mock tests can be taken in order to practice for the exam before appearing in the actual examination to spot the weak areas in the whole syllabus.  

Numerous online training institutes provide mock tests as well as previous years question papers online for the practice sessions which one should not miss solving at any cost. These papers/tests help further in proving the knowledge as well as remind a person in case he or she has missed any particular topic during the revision.

How Much Laboratory/Practical Experience is Required for Cisco CCNA Certification Exam?

In order to clear the Cisco CCNA Certification Exam, just theoretical knowledge is not enough. One needs to be experienced in the Cisco CCNA laboratory tasks as the practical knowledge of the Networking and its domains are also mandatory. It makes it easy to crack the exam in the first attempt.  

Hence, the enrolled candidates must spend at least 2-2.5 hours in the Cisco CCNA laboratory for the practical understanding of all the concepts in detail. 

How Much Revision is Required for Cisco CCNA Certification Examination After Training?

After completing the course training, one must not stop practicing or revising the syllabus and aspects learnt. Infact, one should devote as much time as possible to the preparation of the exam. Well, the ideal time of preparation for the Cisco CCNA Certification Exam is 2-3 hours daily after the completion of the training

Also, even after the announcement of the date of the exam, one should begin to prepare for 5-7 hours a day. The more time a person will devote to the revision, the higher will be his or her chance of clearing the exam.   

What Study Pattern Should One Follow to Clear the Cisco CCNA Certification Exam?

The enrolled candidate must divide his or her revision time in two parts, namely- Theoretical revision and Practical revision in order to clear the Cisco CCNA Certification Exam. 

The major perk of practical revision is that it helps a candidate in remembering the topic or aspect in a better way than the theoretical revision. As they say, “Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and I will understand.” 

Similarly, once a person gets involved in the practical revision, he or she understands the concepts better than those who are only indulged in the theoretical training. So, one should devote more time to the practical revision than the theoretical revision. 

How to Manage Time During the Cisco CCNA Certification Examination?

While preparing for the exam, one should never forget the time. Since there is a particular time limit allotted to solve the exam, one should remain prepared. 

During the preparation, one must practice to manage time or else no doubt, the questions can be left unattempted. The best way to prepare is by setting a timer nearby to keep a check on the time taken to solve a single question. 

What not to Do in the Cisco CCNA Certification Examination?

One should never leave any questions unanswered as there is no negative marking and who knows if the luck is on the candidate’s side. Even if a candidate does not know the answer, he or she must not leave it unattempted. 

What to Do if the Exam does not Get Cleared?

Since it requires an immense level of hard work to pass the Cisco CCNA Certification Exam, if any enrolled candidate somehow fails to clear it, he or she must not give up. The person must gather the courage and move ahead to appear in the exam once again with a lot more practice and hard work than before.    

Wrapping Up!

The Cisco CCNA Certification can lead the enrolled candidates to become a Network Engineer as well as a System Engineer and much more in renowned IT firms to earn a handsome salary package ranging between 2.4 LPA to 9 LPA depending upon the experience.

Though the demand for Engineers is increasing a bit more with each passing day, the entry level certification course serves the best. For further help, we are always available. Good Luck!