Steps to Prepare for CCNA 200-301 Exam

Preparing for the CCNA 200-301 exam is a crucial step for aspiring networking professionals looking to validate their skills in the field. This certification not only covers fundamental networking concepts but also emphasizes the importance of network security training.

By mastering these principles, candidates can enhance their understanding of secure network configurations and practices. Achieving the Cisco Security Certification can significantly boost career prospects, opening doors to various network administration and security roles. With the right preparation and resources, success in the CCNA 200-301 exam is within reach.

Are you wondering how to clear the CCNA 200-301 exam? Here, we will discuss the right strategies and materials and the CCNA 200-301 exam in general to help you understand and pass it on the first attempt.

What is CCNA?

CCNA stands for Cisco certified network associate. Obtaining this certificate will prove that you have the core knowledge and the hands-on experience to work as a network administrator.

To test your knowledge and skills regarding network access, network fundamentals, automation, and programmability, this exam is conducted.

Live CCNA Certification TrainingGet Live CCNA training and virtual lab for practice.Explore course

What are CCNA prerequisites?

Cisco recommends that you have one or many years of experience implementing and working with Cisco solutions. They also recommend that you have a basic knowledge of IP addressing as well as you have a good understanding of network fundamentals.

CCNA Exam Cost, Duration, and Format

● CCNA Exam Cost: The exam will cost you only three hundred dollars.

● CCNA Exam Duration: The exam duration is 120 minutes, which is two hours.

● CCNA Exam Questions: 100 to 120 questions.

The Cisco exam is not like Security Plus and all the other exams out there. You can go back to the questions, so you can skip the questions that you don’t know and can go back to them later, but in the Cisco exam, you can’t. Whenever you pass that question you can’t get back to it again but also it is doable.

● CCNA Exam question format:

Most of the questions that you will get will be multiple-choice questions and drag-and-drop questions. Many questions are running a command, they will run a command for you.

For example- let’s say a question on "show an IP route". The questions have 4 options for answers. sometimes it’s going to be a single answer, sometimes it’s going to be multiple answers.

CCNA Exam Passing Score: Cisco will give each a different passing score, however this score will be from 800 to 850. It’s not going to be higher than 850 and it’s going to be lower than 800.

The way Cisco grades you, they will start you with 300 points right away before you even start your exams and then you will be building from there. Another thing to mention is how you would know what the needed score for you to pass.

Before you even start your exam, they will give you some instructions and it will tell you what your passing score is.

CCNA Certificate Validity

The CCNA certification is valid for only 3 years. You have to renew it every 3 years to ensure your skills are up to date.

Tips for CCNA Exam Preparation

Here are some strategies for CCNA Exam preparation that ensure you're ready to appear in the CCNA 200-301 exam and pass it.

1) Download exam objectives from the official site

2) Set a goal for your exam date and take an assessment.

3) Have a plan such as:

◘ Time of day

◘ Hours of sessions on topics

◘ Break

◘ Place and resources.

4) Commit to goals for each study session and work through exam objectives.

5) Take another assessment at 50% of the study

6) Take a last assessment at 100% of the study.

7) Go with e-learning sources like virtual labs and workbooks.

8) Ask for virtual instructor-led training to help you out.

How difficult is the CCNA exam?

You can answer this question. You are the only one who decides how difficult this exam could be. If you prepare the right way this exam won’t be difficult at all.

Don’t let anyone discourage you as there are many people out there, the first thing they will tell you is that this exam is so difficult and there is no way that you are going to get that certificate.

Sometimes they don’t mean to discourage you but they want to feel accomplished by telling everyone how difficult it was and how challenging it was and they finally made it. Don’t let that stress you out.

I believe that everything is possible in life. It’s just how much work you are willing to put into it and as willing to put into it.

How to register for the CCNA exam?

Follow the given steps to register for the CCNA 200-301 exam.

a. Go to Pearson and create an account.

b. After that look up CCNA 200-301 when you find the exam, you have to add it to your card.

c. You have to buy a voucher for the exam which is $300.

d. After that you can schedule your exam.

Preparation Resources for the CCNA Exam

For the resources, you need to buy the CCNA 200-301 official search guide volume one and volume two. You can find them on Amazon, the Kindle version will cost you around twenty dollars.

If you want to go for the more expensive hardcover you would pay around $37 for volume one and $34 for volume two.

There is a website called O’Reilly. They have a good piece of material all related to this course.

How to pass the CCNA 200-301 Exam?

Similar to Security Plus, similar to many other certificates out there you need to be familiar with the wording of the questions because it doesn’t matter how much knowledge you have on the field, they can trick you with some questions.

There are many questions that you think you know the answer to but the way they work the question is going to throw you off. So you should go and look for practice questions for the CCNA. If you just Google it there are many practice questions out there for this CCNA.

Prepare for the CCNA 200-301 Exam - Summing Up!

So, if you want to pass your exam, go through the resources and do your research.

You look for things that work for you. Stay committed if you want to make it, you have to be committed, and you have to study, give yourself a minimum of three hours every day.

Not only that network should be everything in your life when you are in your car listening to some networking podcast, when you are at home, and instead of watching, play any YouTube videos about networking on your TV.

So you have to go to the level!!!!!