How to Prepare for the CCNA Exam
(NOTE: This article was originally written 11/19/2005 and may contain outdated information)
The CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) Certification
is an associate level certification offered by Cisco to validate your knowledge
of networking and experience configuring Cisco networking devices. It is
unique in that it requires both textbook knowledge and practical experience in
order to pass.
Who should consider becoming a CCNA?
The CCNA certification is almost a career requirement for
network administrators who work with medium to large enterprise networks. It
serves as a prerequisite for Cisco’s professional level certifications such as
the CCNP, as well as the various specialist certifications offered by Cisco.
The CCNA certification is also useful for system designers
and architects, who build software systems that incorporate network
technologies. As systems become more distributed, designers must become more knowledgeable
about the platform on which the applications will run, the network itself.
Others who may benefit from achieving the CCNA certification
include security professionals, software developers, technical support
professionals, and those involved in technical sales.
Requirements
There are two paths for becoming a CCNA: Pass the 640-821
(INTRO) and 640-811 (ICND) exams, or alternatively pass a single exam,
640-801. This article will focus on exam 640-801 but the information can also
be applied to the two-exam option.
640-801 Exam Information
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/le3/current_exams/640-801.html
640-821 Exam Information
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/le3/current_exams/640-821.html
640-811 Exam Information
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/le3/current_exams/640-811.html
About the Exam
Exam 640-801 is a 90 minute exam consisting of 55 to 65
questions. In addition to standard question types such as multiple choice and
drag and drop, the exam includes simulation questions that require you to
complete one or more tasks in a simulated network environment. Cisco does not
release information about how the exam is scored, but I can tell you that the score
required to pass is much higher than many other certifications. I can also
tell you that if you don’t perform well on the simulation questions you won’t
pass the exam, so be sure to get some real-world experience before attempting
the CCNA exam.
Preparing for the Exam
There are several methods to prepare for the exam. Aside
from classroom training, there are study guides, practice exams, online
resources, network simulators, and equipment that you can use to learn the
information you need and gain the experience required to become a CCNA.
Because many of us cannot take time away from work to attend classroom
training, I will focus on the other methods of preparation. To successfully
pass the CCNA exam, you will probably need to use a combination of several or
all of these methods.
Study Guides
There are an abundance of books available to guide you
through studying for the CCNA, most of which focus on the single exam option,
640-801. I found Todd Lammle’s Sybex book particularly helpful. If you are
considering buying the Sybex CCNA Fast Pass book, opt for the
Sybex CCNA Study Guide instead, as the Fast Pass seems to be a somewhat disjointed
compilation of paragraphs cut and pasted from the CCNA Study Guide book. Because
of the wide range of information covered by the CCNA exam, I recommend using
multiple study guides to make sure you don’t miss any key topics.
Practice Exams
As with books, there are many practice exams available that
attempt to simulate the exam environment and types of questions you will
encounter. RouterSim, Boson, and Transcender and some providers of quality
CCNA practice exams.
Online Resources
There are a couple very helpful online resources for preparing
for the CCNA. One is Cisco’s CCNA Prep Center, and the other is The Celtic
Rover’s 640-801 Gateway. The CCNA Prep Center has a couple online practice
exams, articles, and forums for those preparing for the CCNA exam. The Celtic
Rover’s 640-801 Gateway is a massive collection of practice questions covering
the entire range of topics on the CCNA exam.
CCNA Prep Center
http://forums.cisco.com/eforum/servlet/PrepCenter?page=main
The Celtic Rover’s 640-801 Gateway
http://www.celticrover.com/tig/ccna/ccnareviews.asp
Network Simulation Software
Because the CCNA exam has simulation questions, practical
experience configuring Cisco routers and switches is a requirement. Many
people do not have Cisco equipment available to use for practicing, so several
companies have developed software packages that simulate network environments.
Cisco, Boson, and RouterSim are three companies that provide network simulators
that can be used to prepare for the CCNA.
Equipment
Of course the best way to prepare for the simulation
questions is to get experience using actual Cisco equipment. Surprisingly you
can often purchase real Cisco equipment on eBay for less than the cost of some
of the network simulation software packages. For example, you should be able
to find a couple Cisco 2500 series router for about $50 each, and a Cisco 1900
series switch for around $30. At a minimum your lab should include 2 routers
(2500 series), 1 switch (1900 or 2900 series), and the following items: One
rolled cable for accessing your equipment through the console port, one AUI for
connecting your router to Ethernet via RJ-45, and one DCE/DTE crossover cable
for simulating a WAN between your two routers. Some companies offer complete,
pre-packaged CCNA Lab kits that contain similar equipment, but prices can vary.
Be sure to shop around for the best deal.
Six CCNA Exam Tips
1. Arrive at the testing center at least 20 minutes early
so you have time to relax and clear you mind before sitting down to take the
exam.
2. Make sure you have something to write on. The Testing Center is required to provide you with either pen and paper or a dry-erase board
and marker.
3. Don’t get stuck on a single question too long. If you
don’t know the answer, try to narrow it down by eliminating other answers that
you know are incorrect. Once you get it down to a couple of choices, take you
best guess, move on, and forget about it.
4. Don’t go too fast. You have an average of about 85
seconds per question, so take your time and don’t make a careless mistake.
Sometimes answers that at first appear to be correct turn out to be the wrong
answer if you re-read the question carefully.
5. Practice subnetting until you can do it quickly and
accurately. This will save valuable time that you can then use on other
questions.
6. On the simulation questions, read the question carefully
and be sure to satisfy all of the requirements of the question, but don’t do more
than the question asks.
Conclusion
The CCNA is a challenging certification that tests both general
networking knowledge and experience configuring Cisco networking devices.
While achieving it is a formidable accomplishment by itself, for many it is
just the beginning in a series of certifications that will lead to increased
knowledge or career advancement. Good luck on the exam!
About the Author
Brian Pursley is the President of CinLogic LLC, a consulting
company that specializes in developing software applications using Microsoft
.NET technologies. He has a B. S. in Computer Science from Ball State University and holds CCNA, MCSD, MCDBA, and MCSE certifications.