Certified Cisco Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification course offered by Cisco. Cisco is a leading vendor of IT network equipment, which is designed and manufactured in-house. As the largest OEM in their field, Cisco has the highest market capture of any IT vendor, and Cisco products are used almost universally in business and industry.
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is one of the most respected and recognized IT certifications in the networking industry Earning your CCNA opens up a wide range of lucrative job opportunities and shows employers you have the skills to succeed in networking roles.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to earn your CCNA certification.
By the end you’ll learn
- The benefits of getting CCNA certified
- An overview of the CCNA exams
- How to study and prepare for the exams
- Tips for maintaining your certification
- How CCNA can boost your IT career
Let’s dive in and see how you can join the ranks of over a million CCNA certified professionals!
Why Get CCNA Certified?
The CCNA certification covers a broad range of fundamentals for IT careers. It validates your skills in:
- Network fundamentals
- IP connectivity and services
- Network access
- Security
- Automation and programmability
Because it covers core networking concepts, CCNA is useful for professionals in many technology roles, not just network engineering.
Here are some of the key benefits of earning your CCNA:
-
In-demand skills – CCNA equips you with skills that employers urgently need. The certification proves you can meet business demands.
-
Higher salaries – CCNA certified pros command higher pay than those without certifications. It demonstrates you have networking expertise.
-
Career advancement – CCNA boosts your resume and opens up new job opportunities, like network engineer or system administrator roles.
-
Industry recognition – CCNA is a globally respected certification from a trusted leader in networking technology.
-
Foundation for other certs – CCNA serves as a stepping stone to more advanced Cisco certifications like CCNP.
Overall, the CCNA certification validates your knowledge and ability to succeed in many networking and IT positions.
CCNA Exam Overview
To earn your CCNA certification, you need to pass one exam:
Cisco Certified Network Associate (200-301 CCNA)
This single exam covers a broad range of fundamentals, with about 46% of the exam topics focused on network fundamentals and access, while the remaining 54% covers IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation skills.
The 200-301 CCNA exam:
- Has 120 questions
- Lasts 120 minutes
- Requires a passing score of 825/1000
- Available in English and Japanese
- Costs $300 USD
Cisco offers detailed exam topics and training materials to help you prepare for the challenging CCNA exam.
How to Study for the CCNA Exam
Since the CCNA exam covers a lot of ground, thorough preparation and study is crucial to pass and earn your certification. Here are some tips:
-
Take CCNA training courses – Cisco offers both self-paced and instructor-led classes to reinforce your study.
-
Study Cisco guide books and white papers – Reading CCNA guides and tech publications will build your knowledge.
-
Use CCNA practice tests and sample questions – Taking practice exams exposes you to the CCNA question format.
-
Hands-on practice – Configure real Cisco networks and equipment to cement your skills.
-
Join study groups and forums – Connect with others prepping for CCNA for motivation and support.
-
Review exam topics – Ensure you can answer questions in all exam objective domains.
Allow several weeks to properly study and practice for the challenging CCNA exam.
Maintaining Your CCNA Certification
Once earned, CCNA certification is valid for three years. To recertify, you have a few options:
-
Retake the CCNA exam – Pass the current 200-301 exam before your certification expires.
-
Earn Continuing Education credits – Renew your CCNA with 120 CEs from approved Cisco courses.
-
Hold a higher Cisco certification – Valid certs like CCNP act as pre-requisites to renew your CCNA.
Make sure to check the expiration date on your CCNA certificate so you can maintain your credential through one of these renewal methods.
How CCNA Can Progress Your IT Career
The CCNA opens up doors across the IT industry by validating your networking competency.
Here are some of the top jobs and career paths for CCNA certified professionals:
- Network Engineer
- Network Administrator
- Network Support Technician
- Network Analyst
- Network Architect
- IT Director
- Cybersecurity Analyst
Many employers specifically look for CCNA on resumes when hiring for IT roles. The certification shows you have the skills to configure, troubleshoot, and maintain complex enterprise networks.
And remember – the CCNA is a stepping stone to even more advanced Cisco certifications and job opportunities later in your career.
Get Started Earning Your Valuable CCNA Certification
The CCNA opens up a world of rewarding job opportunities for networking professionals. Be sure to leverage the full range of Cisco study materials and resources to prepare for the challenging CCNA exam.
Become a Cyber Security Professional
- 3.5 MillionUnfilled Cybersecurity Roles Globally
- 700 KAvailable Job Roles
CompTIA Security+ 601
- 24×7 learner assistance and support
- Lifetime access to high-quality live class recordings
Cyber Security Expert
- Get Lifetime access to self-paced videos
- CEH Exam Voucher with 6 months of complimentary iLabs access
Getting The Right Training For The Certification
Attempting to take the exam, regardless of level of experience, with no prior training would be ill-advised. Aspirants who undergo certified training with experienced training providers such as Simplilearn stand a better chance of clearing the exam first time out. Simplilearnâs CCNA training course offers 20 hours of high-quality eLearning content, 2 CCNA simulation exams, a comprehensive glossary, and assistance with scheduling your exam with Pearson Vue. There are plenty of different programs that vary in mode of delivery, length, and effectiveness. It is up to the individual to make sure that they choose a program that will work for them. Make sure to consider these factors when choosing a training program for the CCNA certification.
- Location â It is important to choose a location for the training that is convenient. Community colleges and other technical schools offer these types of classes. They can also be found online.
- Program Length – The length of the program can be anywhere from a few days to as long as a person needs to prepare for the exam. There is no specific length that is best, as long as all of the necessary material is covered.
Important information â A good training program will cover the following areas:
- WAN and LAN design
- OSI models
- IP addressing and Subnetting
- VLAN and WLAN
- Routing protocol
- Switching Concepts
- Network Address Translation
- Network Security and management (ACL included)
- VOIP Basics
- Wireless Essentials
- Routers, Switches, Firewall and Data center Introduction.
How I Passed the CCNA 200-301 in 6 weeks with no previous experience | All questions answered 2021
What is a CCNA certification?
The CCNA—which stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate—is an entry-level information technology (IT) certification issued by networking hardware company Cisco. The CCNA is designed to validate your knowledge on fundamental networking concepts often requested in networking roles in IT positions. Here’s a quick rundown of key facts:
How do I get CCNA certification?
CCNA is an asset to IT professionals of all experience levels, but learners often benefit from one or more years of experience implementing and administering Cisco solutions. To earn this certification, you’ll need to pass a single required exam.
How are CCNA certification exams administered?
CCNA certification exams are administered by our testing partner, Pearson VUE, as proctored exams. When you take the exam, you’ll be in a controlled environment to ensure fairness and to give you the best, most consistent experience. The CCNA exam is the basis for the certification exam.
Should you get a CCNA certification?
Earn digital badges and prepare for industry-recognized certifications in topics like cybersecurity, networking, and Python. The network is the heartbeat of the digital future, and companies need trusted specialists to manage their systems. With a CCNA certification, you could be the right person for the job.
