CCNA Certification Test Guide
Tips for Passing the Cisco Certified Network Associate Exam
The CCNA exam is the first test most network professionals face in their careers, and can be intimidating. Knowing what to study can take some of the pressure away.
Writing the CCNA is the first step in network certification, but is still considered to be a tough exam. Noted CCNA author Todd Lammle comments in his recent book CCNA Study Guide that the CCNA is tough because it touches on so many subject areas, making studying a difficult undertaking.
A few simple tips can keep the studying focused and give a student the best chance at passing the CCNA certification exam.
Make Sure Study Materials Match the Exam
It sounds simple enough, but Cisco recently changed the CCNA, and there are plenty of study materials that still reflect the scope of the old exam. As of 2008, the current exam is the 640-802 (the previous exam number was 640-801 -- an easy mistake to make!). Some of the new technologies and concepts introduced in the most recent CCNA include:
- VoIP and telephony basics and basic configuration
- More in depth coverage of IPv6
- Wireless technologies, based on Cisco's implementation
- Deeper look at routing protocols, switching and the spanning tree protocol.
This is all in addition to the topics already covered on the CCNA: routing, VLANs, WAN technologies, subnetting, security (ACLs and NAT), and more.
Know The Cisco Answer
There may be more than one right answer. Make sure to learn what the Cisco answer is. It's important to understand what Cisco considers the proper answer to be, whether it be how to configure a router or when to apply security. Some questions may even have similar answers, but the Cisco answer is always considered the right one on the CCNA.
Practice With the Cisco Command-line is Key
Get as much hands on command-line and configuration practice as possible. Theory is important, but the act of applying the knowledge will strengthen those concepts much more than simply studying. The CCNA exam includes router simulations where students are expected to configure and troubleshoot various types of network implementations. There are also many questions about output from a command and the commands themselves. If access to equipment to practice is impossible, there are a number of simulation programs available online.
7 Layer Networking
Know the OSI 7 Layer Networking Model, and know it well. This is basic knowledge on the CCNA exam and without knowing the layers thoroughly, it is nearly impossible to pass the exam. Most networking theory is based on understanding the OSI Layers, and without that, there's almost no point to writing the exam.
Subnets, Subnet Masks and Wildcards
This is another key part of the exam. Subnetting IPs addresses should be close to second nature. Subnet masks and network ranges need to be calculated quickly. There are quite a few subnet-related questions on the exam and only 90 minutes to complete it. Spending 5-10 minutes on each subnet question will cost valuable time.
Understand What the Question is Asking
Read each question carefully, and check each answer before deciding. Many questions require a strict attention to detail. There might be a question that asks what a trademark of a certain routing protocol is. There might also be a question that asks what a trademark of a certain routing protocol isn't. Often, if there are two good answers, reading the question more carefully can help determine what answer Cisco is looking for.
Background on the Exam
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (or CCNA) exam is the entry level certification for the Cisco networking program. The test is known as the 640-802. It is the only exam required to achieve CCNA certification, however, there is also the option of taking a two-part exam, Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) and Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2).
It's easy to be intimidated by the myriad of topics on the CCNA exam. It's important to remember the exam is only 90 minutes long (with at least 2 router simulation questions that take at least 5 minutes each to complete), so don't expect multiple questions on topics such as wireless networking, routing protocols or IPv6 to go into extreme detail. A strong understanding in network basics, such as the 7 OSI Layers and the mechanisms of how data travels within that network will provide a much better base for writing the CCNA.
