The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) course is required for obtaining the basic information, understanding, and abilities required for network administration and support. It serves as the foundation for the CCNP certification. But, are there any challenges in getting a CCNA?
Passing the CCNA test is not difficult if you prepare adequately. This exam has 50-60 questions and takes 90 minutes to complete. It covers a broad range of Information Technologies (IT) basics thus you’ll need to study a lot to pass this test.
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification exam is one of today’s most often taken IT certification exams. Is it, nevertheless, a tough task? Or is it something that anybody can achieve with enough practice? In today’s post, we’ll try to get to the bottom of this topic and determine whether the CCNA certification is beneficial.
Is the CCNA Exam Difficult?
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam is regarded as one of the most challenging Cisco exams by some. Since it covers a large amount of content in a very short period, it has gained popularity.
When there are so many subjects to cover, it might not be easy to keep track of them all. You may find it challenging to keep up with the amount of new knowledge you must acquire, even if you are a seasoned network professional. Is CCNA Good For Beginners?
Prepare for this test with the aid of several resources that will assist you in gaining the information and skills essential to pass it successfully. Applicants who wish to obtain this certification can take advantage of the training provided by Cisco.
Besides that, they provide various publications covering the subjects and will be examined during this examination.
Additionally, training programs and practice tests are available from other third-party organizations. Use the materials you have at your disposal and try to be as educated as possible before the event occurs.
What is CCNA?
The Cisco Certified Network Associate credential is arguably the most famous Cisco certification. Compared to vendor-neutral certs like CompTIA Network+, which focuses on networking technologies in general, this certification primarily focuses on Cisco devices.
It sets up employees for new positions like network Support, network administrator, and associate security analyst. Throughout the past, there was only one Cisco Certified Network Associate certification. To better serve its customers, Cisco has divided the CCNA certification into various areas for each IT specialization, Like CCNA Routing and Switching.
It’s the primary focus of the original CCNA, CCNA Security, Collaboration, and so on, each with its own set of preconditions and the appropriate number and type of exams, each with its own set of specifications.
The primary goal of this CCNA would be to give an associate-level certification for networking fans and novices who have already gained some expertise in the field via their previous job.
Students who pursue the CCNA course must complete education and training in installing, maintaining, and debugging Cisco’s medium networking equipment and other related topics.
As part of this curriculum, students will also receive training and evaluate end-to-end networking diagnosis and installation techniques. The CCNA certification will also give candidates the chance to learn more about the fundamentals and principles of the Cisco networking environment via hands-on experience.
Furthermore, the Cert would offer newcomers a good understanding of using information technology gear without difficulties. Even though the content has been tailored to the Cisco system, it is helpful on a more basic level; people who obtain this certification will use their knowledge in various scenarios and enhance their employability.
Exam Information
The 200-301 test is needed for the CCNA certification, and it replaces the formerly required 200-125 exam, which was primarily focused on Switching and Routing operations. The new test has significantly more content and is divided into numerous sections targeted at different topics.
Two hours are allotted for you to finish the test, which is about average for certification examinations. However, you will need to manage your time properly to guarantee that you can solve the questions asked.
What Are Your Preparation Options for the CCNA Exam?
Practice exams, trainer training, and hands-on training are all available to help you study for the exam, and the certification offers a wealth of resources to assist you. Courseware is also accessible in print and digital versions, allowing you to select the format that best suits your needs. Read: Is CCNA Easy to pass?
– Learn about the CCNA Exam
You will not be able to pass a test if you do not understand the specific criteria. To their credit, the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is documented.
CCNA page provides the fundamental facts as well as a very useful summary of the many topics. Additionally, it contains connections to official training sources, exam subjects, sample tests, and other study materials.
From there, you may join a supervised study group, participate in webinars, and learn more about the test and suggested training. The exam subjects are one of the most crucial pieces of information to know. This is the point at which everything should begin.
Otherwise, you won’t know what you’ll be learning, and it’ll be not easy to put together a study plan for yourself.
– Instructor-led Training
When it comes to preparing for the test, there are three major choices to consider, each of which will have a different impact on the entire course time. The first choice is trainer training, which entails 5 days in the lecture and 3 days of self-study following the classroom portion.
– Online Instructor-led Training
This option is directly comparable to the first in terms of features. However, you will be able to complete all of your studying from the comfort of your own home or workplace.
-Online Learning
This choice equates to 8 days of online classes in a traditional setting. However, you are virtually free to study whenever it is most convenient for you.
-Take practice tests for the CCNA certification.
If you want to get a sense of the ambiance of the real test, taking practice examinations is an excellent way to go about it. This also aids in being more familiar with the way questions are framed. It may seem convenient to take a set of 10-20 questions when you do have some spare time, but every applicant should sit for a full mock test at least three times before applying.
Completing a comprehensive practice test will not only test your abilities but will also enhance your resiliency, attention span, and focus. There are many resources on the internet that provide question databases. Choosing a reputable question database will describe why it is accurate and even provide information on why the alternative options are erroneous; this is excellent for supplementing any placement test you may have selected.
Do not attempt to memorize every question. Although most certification examinations contain loads of questions in their authorized books, this may appear to be a simple approach to coping with a certification. Instead, make an effort to utilize practice tests as a chance to learn about your strengths and shortcomings.
-Become part of the online community
if you choose the self-study technique for others, there may be situations when you don’t comprehend something or are just stuck on a concept, so be prepared to seek assistance. A great chance to interact with other people may present itself in these circumstances.
You may interact with other candidates and professionals, exchange information and exam methods, and get solutions to your problems.
In addition, there are organizations like these on social media; there are plenty to select from on Facebook: you may sort them according to the number of individuals and the volume of relevant and interesting posts they make each day.
-Recognize Your Weakness
Before sitting for the CCNA test, applicants must recognize their weak spots, which will require extra work and time. Make additional time to obtain in-depth information in the areas identified as poor after the list has been compiled. This is how you may overcome your weaknesses and transform them into your strengths.
However, this does not imply that you should ignore your positive aspects. You may modify your study plan following your strengths and weaknesses, which will allow you to make the most of your time and effort.
-Before the exam, refresh your memories.
It is recommended that applicants study the Cisco Publishing books several times before sitting for the real test. It’s the only method to ensure that the individual recalls what they have learned.
Re-reading can also assist a person in identifying any significant topics that were missed the first time around. In the last week before an examination, all efforts should be directed only toward review. This is the most crucial period to acquire all of the key and fundamental ideas required for the CCNA certification examination.
Manage your schedule in such a manner that you can devote equal attention to both academic and practical problems.
-Answer Each Question
When taking the CCNA Test, there are no negative markings for answering incorrectly. As a result, do not leave any unanswered questions because you will not be punished for providing an incorrect response. If you are unsure of the answer, remove all possible incorrect responses and attempt to provide the most focused choice you can.
Final Words
More than 20 hours of information are available through the courseware and more than 140 sessions to complement your learning experience.
The lectures may be particularly valuable to you because they frequently give an alternate explanation of the topic, which is highly useful if you are having difficulty understanding the explanation provided in the textbook.
With all of the resources at your disposal, you should be able to study what you need to learn before sitting for the test, putting you in a strong position to obtain the certification in the process.
How Much CCNA Cost?
If you compare it to the cost of several other certs in the field, the CCNA 200-301 certification costs Three Hundred Dollars, which is a very affordable price. It also represents significant cost savings compared to the former CCNA certification, which included numerous tests covering various disciplines.
Validation of CCNA Cert
It is possible to maintain your CCNA certification for up to 3 years, after which you must recertify. Since technology advances rapidly, what was important three years ago may no longer be relevant today.
Consequently, it is critical that the CCNA certification be kept up to date with current information, or else it will become less appealing to both companies and potential applicants.
What to expect throughout the certification procedure
This certification procedure may be time-consuming and demanding, necessitating dedication, discipline, and a great deal of hard effort on your part to achieve your goal. You will also require a strong ethic, particularly if you are learning from home, as it will be your responsibility to develop and adhere to a study program.
If you have previously completed a degree program, you are most certainly accustomed to this type of situation. It is possible to suffer if you don’t have a plan since it is simple to slip into the trap of resting after a long day’s work.
If you feel yourself falling prey to this, it may be beneficial to remind yourself why you value the certification so much. Identifying your purpose for doing something frequently enables you to keep moving toward your objectives, so be careful to establish your purpose early on to prevent laziness.
Conclusion
The CCNA test is one of the most difficult examinations available. The CCNA test will need a significant amount of preparation and studying on your part. Students will be tested on their ability to follow instructions and create a network using Cisco equipment during the exam itself.
Various subjects are covered in the test, but the major emphasis is on routing and switching data packets; we hope you liked reading our article about CCNA difficulty.
