What You Need To Know

In the IT field, the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) program is extremely valuable and is Cisco’s most well known certification.  The CCNA is an entry-level certification provided by the Cisco Career Certification Course.  Cisco’s certifications confirm the capability of Internetworking experts in the field of switching, routing, and connectivity. This exam is a prerequisite for CCDP, CCNP, and CCSP.  For more information on the CCNA exam, check out our newbie’s guide.

Exam interface

Before taking any exam, you must be familiar with the exam interface. Candidates should know the nature of the exam. Cisco Certification exams incorporate various types of questions, such as multiple-choice multiple answers, multiple-choice single answer, fill in the blanks, drag-and-drop, and simulations.

Exam preparation

Preparation for any kind of test can be intimidating for just about anyone.   The very first thing you’ll want to do before even sitting down to study is to find a quality study guide resource that will prepare you for your CCNA exam.  Be sure to take a look at our proven CCNA Study Guides designed for CCNA candidates by CCNA professionals.  Also, here are 5 more great ways to handle your Cisco exam preparation:

1. Take practice test

This is the most important thing that you should do if you want to ace your exam. Practice tests do not only reinforce your understanding and knowledge of the subject, but it also puts you in a similar condition to what you will face on exam day. You can find practice tests in our resource section.

2. Time your tests

It is very important to manage your time during the exam. Sometimes, candidates know all the answers but are not able to solve them because of their poor time management. Use your watch or mobile phone’s stopwatch to check how much time you are taking to complete practice tests. Giving a practice test with a time pressure is totally different as compared to strolling through the exam.

Don’t forget the test consists of 90 minutes total. To obtain a good score in your exam, you should manage your time properly.  After a certain point in the exam, you can’t go back to previous questions.

3. Use the internet

Websites are available on the Internet, such as certcities.com, brainbuzz.com, and mcpmag.com. You can also consult with others who have already taken the exam.  Please view our resources page for a complete list of CCNA resources available online for community support.

4. Prepare well for simulations

You will get approximately 3 to 5 questions on the simulation section of the exam. You require building your speed in doing these simulations questions.  Basically, the exam will check your ability to configure switches and routers in several scenarios. These scenarios are generally designed to verify your knowledge of configuration commands and your ability to analyze and troubleshoot different scenarios.

5. Search for a study group

Search for a group of techies who may be working or preparing for the CCNA exam like yourself. You can study with the group during lunch, or on any social networking site such as Facebook. You can also find quality forums for additional support (see the bottom of this page).

Remember to check our resources section for further information on some of the best sites, tools, and tips to know when studying for your own CCNA exam.