| _version_ | 1866901063512096768 |
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| author | Rogers, Henry |
| author_facet | Rogers, Henry |
| contents | <p dir="ltr">When I decided to pursue the Cisco Certified Network Associate, I wasn't starting from scratch. I had been working in IT for many years, mostly focused on systems and cloud computing; however, I have always been exposed to networking as part of my day-to-day role. I was able to work with servers, perform virtualization, define access policies, manage backups, and perform troubleshooting on infrastructure devices. But, every time the conversation would become deeper regarding the routing behaviour of packets, the logic of switching, the speed of subnetting, the methodology of designing access control lists, and controller-based networking, I felt that gap again. I had enough knowledge to get by; however, I didn't feel that I had enough knowledge to be confident. That is why I committed to taking the CCNA exam serious. Currently, Cisco's way to get to CCNA certification is through the single 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam as defined by Cisco. Cisco states that the exam tests, among other concepts, the fundamentals of networking and routing, access to the network, IP connectivity, IP services, the fundamentals of security, and features of automation and programmability.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">I want to make it clear what the intent of this article is. It is a testimonial, but I am not trying to create a sales document. I am writing what I wish I would have found before I began: what is the exam experience really like; where people waste time; significantly changing my preparation; and the reason why CERTIFICATION EXAM has become the exam tool I have used most often. Wherever I have made a factual claim regarding the exam, delivery method, salaries, or competitors, I am backing it with verifiable sources. However, wherever I could not cleanly verify something, I will state it clearly.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Why I chose the CCNA in the first place</h2> <p dir="ltr">CCNA is relevant because it will apply to many job types across the board. They have marketed it as the basis for a new career, mid-level, or future within a job, as seen on their current certification webpage (i.e. they have no formal prerequisites to take the certification). In my opinion, candidates should benefit from 1-2 years of experience in Implementing and Administering Cisco products /solutions. Microsoft states that no other certifications are required before taking the exam, but it helps; with hands-on experience as well, Cisco provides many information on job related to CCNA, such as Network Engineer, Network Administrator and Help Desk Administrator.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">This was a major issue with me. I did not want a small piece of identification that just stated I knew a series of commands; I needed something to help me understand how networks function in real world situations.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>The reality of the exam</h2> <p dir="ltr">I did not trust old forum posts and blog articles anymore after realising Cisco’s website was a much better source of accurate information. The official <a href="https://www.certification-exam.com/en/dumps/cisco-exam/">Cisco practice exams</a> page had more up-to-date information about current certification exams than “noise” surrounding them.</p> <p dir="ltr">The current exam is titled “Administering Cisco Solutions”, and its exam code is “200-301 CCNA v1.1”. It has an exam duration of 120 minutes and has 2 languages available for it (English and Japanese). All current exams from Cisco show the CCNA is still active, as I confirmed multiple times due to many third-party sites erroring in their mix of old and new exams.</p> <p dir="ltr">It was also clear that Cisco provides all the necessary details for taking the exam such as it being an associate-level written exam which can either be taken at a testing facility or online with Pearson VUE as the sole distribution partner. In addition, Pearson VUE confirms that all written proctored Cisco certification exams can be given through OnVUE as long as they are live via an active proctor unless otherwise stated in a small list of exceptions which does not include the CCNA.</p> <p dir="ltr">It also shows the CCNA is not a fixed-exam (the only time you can take the exam will be when Cisco presents them) but is open-ended with Cisco implementing a rolling schedule on either Pearson VUE test centre availability (or) online proctoring availability. Cisco’s registration page provides you with 3 options for registering; through the Cisco Certification Tracking System via the internet, by phone to Pearson VUE or in person at one of their testing facilities.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Cost, scheduling, and where you can take it</h2> <p dir="ltr">The current CCNA exam price posted by Cisco on their exam-topics site is $300. When researching, I didn’t find any official Cisco site that could show a country-specific final price list for the exam. It would be good to have something like that, as the final price may vary from country to country due to local taxes, VAT, or currency conversion. Third-party prep vendors who sell preparation for the CCNA, like MeasureUp, have stated that prices may also be subject to VAT depending on the country where the purchase is made, therefore it is important to remember not to assume that all candidates are going to see the same final amount after checkout, no matter where in the world they are located. So, the proper estimate of the price for the exam is $300 USD listed by Cisco, but the actual amount paid locally can vary depending on local factors.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">To schedule your CCNA exam, you can go to Cisco’s page or Pearson VUE’s page for information. Cisco and Pearson VUE direct candidates to Pearson VUE for either in-person or online scheduling of their CCNA exam. Candidates looking to schedule testing should use the exam program home page as a way to locate local testing centers or verify availability for their exam location online. To date, I have been unable to find an authoritative published listing of Milan testing center seats available for Cisco exams. As a result, I would not speculate as to what the current Milan Center listings would show. A better way would be to use the live Pearson VUE locator that works with your Cisco testing program.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Passing score and scoring method</h2> <p dir="ltr">Many people are confused about how much they will need to score on an exam to pass. </p> <p dir="ltr">Cisco has stated they will never provide this information to the public so it can’t be used as a baseline for everyone’s expectations of what constitutes a passing score. The exam information section on their website explains that each passing score will be determined through statistical analysis and will change frequently, meaning that a passing score could be different from one exam attempt to the next without notice.</p> <p dir="ltr">You’ll also receive a performance report with your score on all sections after completing the test; but Cisco has indicated that there will be no permanent benchmark in place for candidates prior to an exam so as not to provide an unfair advantage/disadvantage against other test-takers. </p> <p dir="ltr">Because of this, I made some major changes in my approach to preparing for the exam. Initially I was looking for a target number that would guarantee I had passed (rumored) but now my focus is on treating the exam as a skills assessment where the only thing that counts is how well I perform in each of the areas being tested (not some internet legend).</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Topics measured, and why the exam feels harder than people expect</h2> <p dir="ltr">According to the Cisco official CCNA Blueprint, there is a lot of information about the exam. The official exam Topics page and the Cisco Official Exam Topics list shows that there are 6 different domains, with Network Fundamentals making up 20%, Network Access also making up 20%, IP Connectivity 25%, IP Services 10%, Security Fundamentals 15% and Automation and Programmability 10%.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The specific tasks included in the blueprint are: Configuring IPv4 Addressing and Subnetting, Interpreting Routing Tables, Configuring Static Routes and Single Area OSPFv2, Describing ACL Use Cases, Explaining Port Security and DHCP Snooping, and Understanding the Basics of APIs, JSON, Ansible and Terraform.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The weighting of each of the domains, is not just random, and can help explain why the exam may seem to have a more difficult feel for some than others. The highest weighting for an area of exam is the area of IP Connectivity, therefore the majority of questions will test the candidate’s knowledge of routing logic much more than most candidates realize. Also, the blueprint splits the areas of knowledge into very different areas of thinking/mental modes, i.e., One minute is spent on VLANs and trunks, then you switch mental modes and read routing related scenarios, then you switch again and work with security controls, and then last, you switch and think about automation concepts. The continuous level of switching between these mental modes contributes to the overall difficulty of this exam.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While studying for the exam, I had some of the predictable “weakest” areas once I was honest with myself about my current knowledge base. I had difficulty with Subnetting under timed conditions, interpreting routes correctly when the wording in the problem statement was just slightly changed, answering ACL questions, where changing just one of the directional details caused the entire problem to change, as well as Automation related topics that I, at the time, was continually putting off, thinking that they were only “10%” of the total exam. These topics were not impossible to learn, however the problem was, I was trying to study them in a comfortable manner instead of studying for the exam if I was taking the actual CCNA Exam.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>What I got wrong at the beginning</h2> <p dir="ltr">My preparation did not give me the world-class performance I expected from myself during my first month. On the outside, it appeared like I was on schedule; if I would have been asked at the end of the first month if I was prepared for the exam, I would have said "yes!" It clearly did not result in any success.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The main problem is that I did not use the correct process to assess whether I was succeeding or failing in my studies. Instead, I used activity to guide me rather than weakness. I was asking myself if I studied that day, rather than asking myself if I identified and corrected a deficit that would cost me points on test day!</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While this difference does not appear to be significant, it has changed everything for me going forward. I was only recognizing material, but I was interpreting the same material in completely different ways two days later. The moment I realised what I was doing, I needed to construct a more repetitive, measurable, and uncomfortable study system loop.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Why I chose CERTIFICATION EXAM</h2> <p dir="ltr">I picked out CERTIFICATION EXAM not because I thought it had a set of questions that could replace real studying but because the publicly available/illustrated features matched up with how I needed to prepare for my Cisco 200-301 exam.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">There are 486 questions, a web simulator, mobile app, online or offline modes. There is an exam mode, a customizable feature set, and explanations for each of the questions. The PDF file for the Cisco 200-301 TRIAL Certification from the same vendor states that there is 581 in a unique question set; this implies that there may be differences between the question sets at the vendor level versus on the vendor’s publicly available reference materials. Additionally, I would not provide any complete exact count of questions, as they would be restricted to vendor availability and some variation in number from the vendors themselves depending on sources.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">I can say with certainty that the vendor is providing the product as a large-scale simulator-based practice set with mobile access, offline study options, exam mode, and an explanation of the answers.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The reason all of these pieces of information are important is I am studying around work. Since I do not have the opportunity to treat study time as a block of time (for example, a 2-hour class) all of my studies can only be done in small segments throughout the day, or longer timed sessions at night.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>How I used CERTIFICATION EXAM in a way that actually helped</h2> <p dir="ltr">When I stopped practicing without a structure and began comparing how my structured practice made me better, the difference in my quality and ability to perform well jumped drastically.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Over the course of six weeks, I dedicated approximately 90 minutes each weekday split between two focused training blocks and two shorter review blocks in the first and second week. Each Saturday, I practiced a timed set of mixed examinations, and on Sunday, I practiced review only, adding no new resources or topics to be prepared for.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">During the first two weeks, I worked on fundamentals such as working with specific shorter sets (i.e., there were sets dedicated to fundamentals). In particular, I worked on switching, VLAN Logic, IP Addressing, and Subnetting. For my practice during these two weeks, receiving immediate feedback on mistakes was extremely valuable. The reason I say this is that there is a great deal of value to taking the <a href="https://www.certification-exam.com/en/">CERTIFICATION EXAM</a>, which states that it has a Learning Option and gives you both detailed explanations and a Learning Mode with its Practice Test. This helped me greatly because I was able to learn how to correct my errors right away after I made them instead of carrying those misunderstandings through the day and possibly several days.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In weeks three and four, I started doing a lot more routing, servicing, and security. With a weight of 25% for IP Connectivity in Cisco's Certification Exam, I switched from primarily practicing routing as a standalone chapter in the Official Study Blueprint to practicing it as a skill I would practice every day. I spent much more time reviewing forwarding decisions, static routes, and OSPF scenarios because they are specifically listed in the Official Blueprint. I should have allocated more of my time to reviewing Security Fundamentals (especially ACL logic and access-control thinking) than I did.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">At the end of week five, I stopped practicing primarily single-domain and started practicing primarily mixed simulations. This was a change that I was not anticipating, but made more of an impact than I thought. The real CERTIFICATION EXAM does not allow you to get comfortable with any single subject. You must move from one subject to the next continuously. The Certification Exam states that it has a mode that is a simulation of the real test-taking environment. I have no idea if any of the simulations accurately reflect the real exam, but doing practice in a timed, mixed, and no peeking way established the discipline that I wanted to have for the real thing.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Week six was my best week even though I did very little to learn any new material. I was only reviewing my mistakes from the previous week. I maintained a notebook for my review in three columns: what was my mistake, why was that a mistake, and what principle should I have applied to fix that mistake. This made my review process much more transparent and honest. Many of the mistakes I made were not due to any gaps in knowledge; instead, they were due to hasty reading mistakes or over-thinking mistakes or answering what I thought the question would be instead of what the question actually asked.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Exam day: what really helped, and what surprised me</h2> <p dir="ltr">Cisco states that its written certification exams are timed, offered in a secure environment, and followed by score reports which include the distribution of results. My experience was consistent with this. The exam was administered in a controlled and professional manner, but I also found it to be significantly more consistent than to be significantly more difficult because the exam was largely assessed based on its consistency rather than any difficult elements within the exam itself. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">What I was most helped by was not any specific fact that I had memorized the night before the exam, but rather my familiarity with this type of pressure: Having engaged in timed mixed practice prior to the exam helped prevent me from feeling overwhelmed when I encountered a series of difficult questions. My preparation through review of explanations prior to the exam increased the likelihood that I would be able to identify answers that sounded as though they could be fire, despite the prior to the exam, but were not the correct answers in the specific context of the question. Also, because I was forcing myself to work on practice questions across domains while preparing for this exam, I was much more able to transition contexts than I would have been a month ago at the time of this exam.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The biggest surprise of the exam for me was that fuzzy understanding is penalized to the fullest extent likely in the exam; the penalties imposed by this uncertainty are warranted: The more uncertainty that exists in your understanding of any particular topic, the more quickly it will reveal itself under time-anxiety conditions.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>After passing: what changed professionally</h2> <p dir="ltr">Cisco's CCNA certification is intended for network engineers, network administrators, and help desk administrators. I believe this is realistic, because although no single certification can make you instantly a new career, having a CCNA certification will absolutely help with your credibility as a professional when discussing networking in interviews, on projects, etc. It also helps, as it is valid for three years, which allows you to consider your CCNA as an active professional credential rather than a one-time academic credential.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The area I want to be extremely cautious about is salary. There is no universally "CCNA salary." Salaries are assigned based on the role you perform, how much experience you have, and where you work, not based solely on one certification. That said, there is some valuable role-level salary information out there that illustrates the range of salaries in the market that the CCNA can help you qualify for. According to Glassdoor's current salary pages, on average, network engineers make an estimated yearly salary of $114,723 in the United States, approximately ₹6,00,000 in India, and approximately €64,770 in Germany, based on salary submissions through March 2026. These amounts represent role estimates rather than guarantees, but they offer a good idea of what salary levels to expect after obtaining knowledge and experience in networking.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Alternatives to CERTIFICATION EXAM and a real comparison</h2> <p dir="ltr">I think this section is essential because a testimonial loses credibility if it pretends there are no real alternatives.</p> <p dir="ltr">There are several serious ones.</p> <h3>Cisco U.</h3> <p dir="ltr">Cisco U. provides an option for the official CCNA exam review. According to the public page, the focus is on getting the candidate prepared for passing the 200-301 CCNA exam and receiving certification. If your number one consideration is taking the most official route to preparation with an entirely Cisco-branded path, Cisco U. has the easiest answer.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">I was unable to verify any information on the public page about feature comparison with CERTIFICATION EXAM; therefore, I cannot claim that the CERTIFICATION EXAM product is superior to Cisco U; however, based on the comparison available at this time, Cisco U. is the most official path, while CERTIFICATION EXAM clearly defines a significantly greater range of flexible simulator type study options across various platforms, including extensive offline studying capabilities.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h3>Boson ExSim-Max</h3> <p dir="ltr">I came across the name Boson when speaking with many other applicants. Boson's site indicates that ExSim-Max for Cisco 200-301 CCNA is made up of four different practice exams and 356 questions with thorough explanations. As mentioned above, Boson’s CCNA category provides both bundle pricing and annual licensing options.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">An opportunity for a side by side comparison does exist in this instance. The starting point for this comparison is the amount of questions that are advertised by CERTIFICATION EXAM and Boson regarding the 200-301 Cisco CCNA exam. CERTIFICATION EXAM indicates that they have a larger question pool available for 200-301 than Boson states they have on their public facing CCNA product page. According to Boson, they are providing 356 questions; however CERTIFICATION EXAM’s public facing material shows there are 486 questions on the main page but 581 questions in the PDF sample. Therefore, we can reasonably conclude that CERTIFICATION EXAM currently appears to have more total questions than Boson. However, we cannot conclude that CERTIFICATION EXAM’s exam is superior to Boson’s, as both companies include structured exams and provide detailed explanations of answers, and the number of questions does not equate to quality.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h3>MeasureUp</h3> <p dir="ltr">The second contender on this list is MeasureUp, another source with a good reputation as a competitor. All their public CCNA web pages are straightforward (including the CCNA exam Practice Test Page). The Testing Tool Page states that there are two modes of testing (Certification and Practice), there will be explanations found on each question with proper reference citations for correct and incorrect answers, and there are a total of fourteen question types available. On the public side of their Test Tool Page there will also be a price listed ($99) and that depending on the country you live, VAT may be added to that price. MeasureUp also sells a smaller assessment product called Assessment & Certificate Combined Testing Package and larger assessments as packaged bundles for longer periods of time.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In contrast to CERTIFICATION EXAM, it seems as though MeasureUp has positioned itself as a traditional practice test platform by providing reference citations for their different question formats, whereas CERTIFICATION EXAM has been presented as an all-in-one solution that includes a simulated testing experience and resources for studying both on and off your mobile device as well as providing reference materials with substantial amounts of detail. I cannot make the argument that either of these companies has the advantage in this case. However, if you are looking for a traditional Certification-Practice-Test Model (classic reference style) MeasureUp provides excellent value, whereas if you prefer the ability to use your mobile and/or offline to study, you should check out how CERTIFICATION EXAM has documented this aspect of the product.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h3>Cisco Press Official Cert Guide Library</h3> <p dir="ltr">Cisco Press is not a simulator-first competitor, but it is absolutely a real alternative because many candidates build their study plan around it. Cisco Press says the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library, 2nd Edition is the official self-study resource approved by Cisco, and the bundle includes access to Pearson Test Prep question databases through the premium edition. The current public pricing page shows the Book + eBook bundle at $95.49.</p> <p dir="ltr">For me, Cisco Press solves a different problem. It is stronger for structured conceptual study. CERTIFICATION EXAM was more useful for repetitive, exam-style drilling around a full work schedule. These are not mutually exclusive tools, but they are designed for different parts of the preparation process.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>My evidence-based conclusion on the competitors</h2> <p dir="ltr">I looked at what I could find publicly, and this is now the most accurate conclusion I have been able to make based on that information.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cisco U provides the most official route of studying/practicing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Boson has the best structure of practice exams and explanations.</p> <p dir="ltr">MeasureUp has very good strengths in certification/practice modes, types of test questions, how questions are referenced to explanations.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cisco Press has a very good self-study framework that is official, and provides test prep support through Pearson Publishing.</p> <p dir="ltr">The CERTIFICATION EXAM has the most definitive public strengths in simulator practice mode, mobile device and web-based use of the product, both online and offline; certification mode for using the product; ability to customize the product; very detailed explanations for each question; and has the largest number of published questions available for practice.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ultimately, the reason I used the CERTIFICATION EXAM most was not because there were no other options but because it matched my actual method of studying.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>What I would tell anyone preparing for the CCNA now</h2> <p dir="ltr">My greatest failure was my mistaken belief that amount of time spent studying automatically resulted in progress. This is false.</p> <p dir="ltr">Progress comes from working with those things that will hurt you during time constrained circumstances, in a measurable manner.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The first thing I would tell anyone is to read the official blueprint for what is included in the exam before investing additional resources in study materials. Cisco provides you with precise information regarding the percentages of items per topic on the exam; if you do not follow that, you will likely spend too much time studying for the topics you enjoy and too little for those on the IP Connectivity topic (which has the greatest weight).</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The second piece of advice is do not base your study plan on a passing score that you heard from someone else. Cisco does not announce a specific passing score in advance, so it is a waste of mental energy to use forum estimates for your studies; instead, use competency by domain.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The third recommendation is to begin timed mixed exam practice sooner than feels comfortable. I did not begin until I believed that I had completed a sufficient amount of theory. This was not the correct course of action. You don't want to experience 120 minutes of test pressure for the first time on your test day.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The fourth suggestion is to keep track of the reason you missed a question, not only the question number. My categories were differentiating errors made due to knowledge gaps, careless mistakes, quick calculations, poor interpretations, and second guessing. Once I had a way to evaluate my missed questions, I made huge improvements.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Final thoughts</h2> <p dir="ltr">The CCNA was definitely not an easy task for me however well worth completing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cisco has published all the information needed on the exam content, delivery mechanism, registration process and exam scoring but lacks official sources of assistance in how the preparation method is constructed that forces weaknesses to be exposed prior to the examination date.</p> <p dir="ltr">The CERTIFICATION EXAM format mimicked real-world experience for me. I needed materials available in short periods of time for shorter periods of simulated testing (time) and across both desktop/mobile devices with offline capabilities to continue studying and reviewing explanations at the end of each question for reference when retaking those questions - all of which is the exact format of the information available on the 200-301 page provided from the vendor as well as what I used to prepare for my exam - since no other vendor provided such useful marketing information, this combination was the most useful for my preparation.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cisco University (Cisco U) should be a valid option to use for anyone requiring the most official form of preparation. Boson is worth investigating by anyone who prefers to use a well-known brand for testing simulation. MeasureUp provides a traditional question/answer format with an explanation that will give you formal credential and is worth investigating if that is what you're looking for. Cisco Press provides structured reference material for study and is a valid option if you need a reference for studies. However, if you are having the same problem as I did consistent study time and sufficient realistic repetition while working full-time, my honest opinion regarding my experience is that CERTIFICATION EXAM was my prep tool.</p> <p><strong><br><br><br></strong></p> |
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| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_19026672 |
| institution | Zenodo |
| language | |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | How I Passed the CCNA After a Frustrating Start, Better Practice, and a More Honest Study Routine Rogers, Henry <p dir="ltr">When I decided to pursue the Cisco Certified Network Associate, I wasn't starting from scratch. I had been working in IT for many years, mostly focused on systems and cloud computing; however, I have always been exposed to networking as part of my day-to-day role. I was able to work with servers, perform virtualization, define access policies, manage backups, and perform troubleshooting on infrastructure devices. But, every time the conversation would become deeper regarding the routing behaviour of packets, the logic of switching, the speed of subnetting, the methodology of designing access control lists, and controller-based networking, I felt that gap again. I had enough knowledge to get by; however, I didn't feel that I had enough knowledge to be confident. That is why I committed to taking the CCNA exam serious. Currently, Cisco's way to get to CCNA certification is through the single 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam as defined by Cisco. Cisco states that the exam tests, among other concepts, the fundamentals of networking and routing, access to the network, IP connectivity, IP services, the fundamentals of security, and features of automation and programmability.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">I want to make it clear what the intent of this article is. It is a testimonial, but I am not trying to create a sales document. I am writing what I wish I would have found before I began: what is the exam experience really like; where people waste time; significantly changing my preparation; and the reason why CERTIFICATION EXAM has become the exam tool I have used most often. Wherever I have made a factual claim regarding the exam, delivery method, salaries, or competitors, I am backing it with verifiable sources. However, wherever I could not cleanly verify something, I will state it clearly.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Why I chose the CCNA in the first place</h2> <p dir="ltr">CCNA is relevant because it will apply to many job types across the board. They have marketed it as the basis for a new career, mid-level, or future within a job, as seen on their current certification webpage (i.e. they have no formal prerequisites to take the certification). In my opinion, candidates should benefit from 1-2 years of experience in Implementing and Administering Cisco products /solutions. Microsoft states that no other certifications are required before taking the exam, but it helps; with hands-on experience as well, Cisco provides many information on job related to CCNA, such as Network Engineer, Network Administrator and Help Desk Administrator.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">This was a major issue with me. I did not want a small piece of identification that just stated I knew a series of commands; I needed something to help me understand how networks function in real world situations.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>The reality of the exam</h2> <p dir="ltr">I did not trust old forum posts and blog articles anymore after realising Cisco’s website was a much better source of accurate information. The official <a href="https://www.certification-exam.com/en/dumps/cisco-exam/">Cisco practice exams</a> page had more up-to-date information about current certification exams than “noise” surrounding them.</p> <p dir="ltr">The current exam is titled “Administering Cisco Solutions”, and its exam code is “200-301 CCNA v1.1”. It has an exam duration of 120 minutes and has 2 languages available for it (English and Japanese). All current exams from Cisco show the CCNA is still active, as I confirmed multiple times due to many third-party sites erroring in their mix of old and new exams.</p> <p dir="ltr">It was also clear that Cisco provides all the necessary details for taking the exam such as it being an associate-level written exam which can either be taken at a testing facility or online with Pearson VUE as the sole distribution partner. In addition, Pearson VUE confirms that all written proctored Cisco certification exams can be given through OnVUE as long as they are live via an active proctor unless otherwise stated in a small list of exceptions which does not include the CCNA.</p> <p dir="ltr">It also shows the CCNA is not a fixed-exam (the only time you can take the exam will be when Cisco presents them) but is open-ended with Cisco implementing a rolling schedule on either Pearson VUE test centre availability (or) online proctoring availability. Cisco’s registration page provides you with 3 options for registering; through the Cisco Certification Tracking System via the internet, by phone to Pearson VUE or in person at one of their testing facilities.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Cost, scheduling, and where you can take it</h2> <p dir="ltr">The current CCNA exam price posted by Cisco on their exam-topics site is $300. When researching, I didn’t find any official Cisco site that could show a country-specific final price list for the exam. It would be good to have something like that, as the final price may vary from country to country due to local taxes, VAT, or currency conversion. Third-party prep vendors who sell preparation for the CCNA, like MeasureUp, have stated that prices may also be subject to VAT depending on the country where the purchase is made, therefore it is important to remember not to assume that all candidates are going to see the same final amount after checkout, no matter where in the world they are located. So, the proper estimate of the price for the exam is $300 USD listed by Cisco, but the actual amount paid locally can vary depending on local factors.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">To schedule your CCNA exam, you can go to Cisco’s page or Pearson VUE’s page for information. Cisco and Pearson VUE direct candidates to Pearson VUE for either in-person or online scheduling of their CCNA exam. Candidates looking to schedule testing should use the exam program home page as a way to locate local testing centers or verify availability for their exam location online. To date, I have been unable to find an authoritative published listing of Milan testing center seats available for Cisco exams. As a result, I would not speculate as to what the current Milan Center listings would show. A better way would be to use the live Pearson VUE locator that works with your Cisco testing program.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Passing score and scoring method</h2> <p dir="ltr">Many people are confused about how much they will need to score on an exam to pass. </p> <p dir="ltr">Cisco has stated they will never provide this information to the public so it can’t be used as a baseline for everyone’s expectations of what constitutes a passing score. The exam information section on their website explains that each passing score will be determined through statistical analysis and will change frequently, meaning that a passing score could be different from one exam attempt to the next without notice.</p> <p dir="ltr">You’ll also receive a performance report with your score on all sections after completing the test; but Cisco has indicated that there will be no permanent benchmark in place for candidates prior to an exam so as not to provide an unfair advantage/disadvantage against other test-takers. </p> <p dir="ltr">Because of this, I made some major changes in my approach to preparing for the exam. Initially I was looking for a target number that would guarantee I had passed (rumored) but now my focus is on treating the exam as a skills assessment where the only thing that counts is how well I perform in each of the areas being tested (not some internet legend).</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Topics measured, and why the exam feels harder than people expect</h2> <p dir="ltr">According to the Cisco official CCNA Blueprint, there is a lot of information about the exam. The official exam Topics page and the Cisco Official Exam Topics list shows that there are 6 different domains, with Network Fundamentals making up 20%, Network Access also making up 20%, IP Connectivity 25%, IP Services 10%, Security Fundamentals 15% and Automation and Programmability 10%.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The specific tasks included in the blueprint are: Configuring IPv4 Addressing and Subnetting, Interpreting Routing Tables, Configuring Static Routes and Single Area OSPFv2, Describing ACL Use Cases, Explaining Port Security and DHCP Snooping, and Understanding the Basics of APIs, JSON, Ansible and Terraform.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The weighting of each of the domains, is not just random, and can help explain why the exam may seem to have a more difficult feel for some than others. The highest weighting for an area of exam is the area of IP Connectivity, therefore the majority of questions will test the candidate’s knowledge of routing logic much more than most candidates realize. Also, the blueprint splits the areas of knowledge into very different areas of thinking/mental modes, i.e., One minute is spent on VLANs and trunks, then you switch mental modes and read routing related scenarios, then you switch again and work with security controls, and then last, you switch and think about automation concepts. The continuous level of switching between these mental modes contributes to the overall difficulty of this exam.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While studying for the exam, I had some of the predictable “weakest” areas once I was honest with myself about my current knowledge base. I had difficulty with Subnetting under timed conditions, interpreting routes correctly when the wording in the problem statement was just slightly changed, answering ACL questions, where changing just one of the directional details caused the entire problem to change, as well as Automation related topics that I, at the time, was continually putting off, thinking that they were only “10%” of the total exam. These topics were not impossible to learn, however the problem was, I was trying to study them in a comfortable manner instead of studying for the exam if I was taking the actual CCNA Exam.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>What I got wrong at the beginning</h2> <p dir="ltr">My preparation did not give me the world-class performance I expected from myself during my first month. On the outside, it appeared like I was on schedule; if I would have been asked at the end of the first month if I was prepared for the exam, I would have said "yes!" It clearly did not result in any success.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The main problem is that I did not use the correct process to assess whether I was succeeding or failing in my studies. Instead, I used activity to guide me rather than weakness. I was asking myself if I studied that day, rather than asking myself if I identified and corrected a deficit that would cost me points on test day!</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While this difference does not appear to be significant, it has changed everything for me going forward. I was only recognizing material, but I was interpreting the same material in completely different ways two days later. The moment I realised what I was doing, I needed to construct a more repetitive, measurable, and uncomfortable study system loop.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Why I chose CERTIFICATION EXAM</h2> <p dir="ltr">I picked out CERTIFICATION EXAM not because I thought it had a set of questions that could replace real studying but because the publicly available/illustrated features matched up with how I needed to prepare for my Cisco 200-301 exam.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">There are 486 questions, a web simulator, mobile app, online or offline modes. There is an exam mode, a customizable feature set, and explanations for each of the questions. The PDF file for the Cisco 200-301 TRIAL Certification from the same vendor states that there is 581 in a unique question set; this implies that there may be differences between the question sets at the vendor level versus on the vendor’s publicly available reference materials. Additionally, I would not provide any complete exact count of questions, as they would be restricted to vendor availability and some variation in number from the vendors themselves depending on sources.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">I can say with certainty that the vendor is providing the product as a large-scale simulator-based practice set with mobile access, offline study options, exam mode, and an explanation of the answers.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The reason all of these pieces of information are important is I am studying around work. Since I do not have the opportunity to treat study time as a block of time (for example, a 2-hour class) all of my studies can only be done in small segments throughout the day, or longer timed sessions at night.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>How I used CERTIFICATION EXAM in a way that actually helped</h2> <p dir="ltr">When I stopped practicing without a structure and began comparing how my structured practice made me better, the difference in my quality and ability to perform well jumped drastically.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Over the course of six weeks, I dedicated approximately 90 minutes each weekday split between two focused training blocks and two shorter review blocks in the first and second week. Each Saturday, I practiced a timed set of mixed examinations, and on Sunday, I practiced review only, adding no new resources or topics to be prepared for.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">During the first two weeks, I worked on fundamentals such as working with specific shorter sets (i.e., there were sets dedicated to fundamentals). In particular, I worked on switching, VLAN Logic, IP Addressing, and Subnetting. For my practice during these two weeks, receiving immediate feedback on mistakes was extremely valuable. The reason I say this is that there is a great deal of value to taking the <a href="https://www.certification-exam.com/en/">CERTIFICATION EXAM</a>, which states that it has a Learning Option and gives you both detailed explanations and a Learning Mode with its Practice Test. This helped me greatly because I was able to learn how to correct my errors right away after I made them instead of carrying those misunderstandings through the day and possibly several days.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In weeks three and four, I started doing a lot more routing, servicing, and security. With a weight of 25% for IP Connectivity in Cisco's Certification Exam, I switched from primarily practicing routing as a standalone chapter in the Official Study Blueprint to practicing it as a skill I would practice every day. I spent much more time reviewing forwarding decisions, static routes, and OSPF scenarios because they are specifically listed in the Official Blueprint. I should have allocated more of my time to reviewing Security Fundamentals (especially ACL logic and access-control thinking) than I did.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">At the end of week five, I stopped practicing primarily single-domain and started practicing primarily mixed simulations. This was a change that I was not anticipating, but made more of an impact than I thought. The real CERTIFICATION EXAM does not allow you to get comfortable with any single subject. You must move from one subject to the next continuously. The Certification Exam states that it has a mode that is a simulation of the real test-taking environment. I have no idea if any of the simulations accurately reflect the real exam, but doing practice in a timed, mixed, and no peeking way established the discipline that I wanted to have for the real thing.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Week six was my best week even though I did very little to learn any new material. I was only reviewing my mistakes from the previous week. I maintained a notebook for my review in three columns: what was my mistake, why was that a mistake, and what principle should I have applied to fix that mistake. This made my review process much more transparent and honest. Many of the mistakes I made were not due to any gaps in knowledge; instead, they were due to hasty reading mistakes or over-thinking mistakes or answering what I thought the question would be instead of what the question actually asked.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Exam day: what really helped, and what surprised me</h2> <p dir="ltr">Cisco states that its written certification exams are timed, offered in a secure environment, and followed by score reports which include the distribution of results. My experience was consistent with this. The exam was administered in a controlled and professional manner, but I also found it to be significantly more consistent than to be significantly more difficult because the exam was largely assessed based on its consistency rather than any difficult elements within the exam itself. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">What I was most helped by was not any specific fact that I had memorized the night before the exam, but rather my familiarity with this type of pressure: Having engaged in timed mixed practice prior to the exam helped prevent me from feeling overwhelmed when I encountered a series of difficult questions. My preparation through review of explanations prior to the exam increased the likelihood that I would be able to identify answers that sounded as though they could be fire, despite the prior to the exam, but were not the correct answers in the specific context of the question. Also, because I was forcing myself to work on practice questions across domains while preparing for this exam, I was much more able to transition contexts than I would have been a month ago at the time of this exam.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The biggest surprise of the exam for me was that fuzzy understanding is penalized to the fullest extent likely in the exam; the penalties imposed by this uncertainty are warranted: The more uncertainty that exists in your understanding of any particular topic, the more quickly it will reveal itself under time-anxiety conditions.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>After passing: what changed professionally</h2> <p dir="ltr">Cisco's CCNA certification is intended for network engineers, network administrators, and help desk administrators. I believe this is realistic, because although no single certification can make you instantly a new career, having a CCNA certification will absolutely help with your credibility as a professional when discussing networking in interviews, on projects, etc. It also helps, as it is valid for three years, which allows you to consider your CCNA as an active professional credential rather than a one-time academic credential.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The area I want to be extremely cautious about is salary. There is no universally "CCNA salary." Salaries are assigned based on the role you perform, how much experience you have, and where you work, not based solely on one certification. That said, there is some valuable role-level salary information out there that illustrates the range of salaries in the market that the CCNA can help you qualify for. According to Glassdoor's current salary pages, on average, network engineers make an estimated yearly salary of $114,723 in the United States, approximately ₹6,00,000 in India, and approximately €64,770 in Germany, based on salary submissions through March 2026. These amounts represent role estimates rather than guarantees, but they offer a good idea of what salary levels to expect after obtaining knowledge and experience in networking.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Alternatives to CERTIFICATION EXAM and a real comparison</h2> <p dir="ltr">I think this section is essential because a testimonial loses credibility if it pretends there are no real alternatives.</p> <p dir="ltr">There are several serious ones.</p> <h3>Cisco U.</h3> <p dir="ltr">Cisco U. provides an option for the official CCNA exam review. According to the public page, the focus is on getting the candidate prepared for passing the 200-301 CCNA exam and receiving certification. If your number one consideration is taking the most official route to preparation with an entirely Cisco-branded path, Cisco U. has the easiest answer.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">I was unable to verify any information on the public page about feature comparison with CERTIFICATION EXAM; therefore, I cannot claim that the CERTIFICATION EXAM product is superior to Cisco U; however, based on the comparison available at this time, Cisco U. is the most official path, while CERTIFICATION EXAM clearly defines a significantly greater range of flexible simulator type study options across various platforms, including extensive offline studying capabilities.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h3>Boson ExSim-Max</h3> <p dir="ltr">I came across the name Boson when speaking with many other applicants. Boson's site indicates that ExSim-Max for Cisco 200-301 CCNA is made up of four different practice exams and 356 questions with thorough explanations. As mentioned above, Boson’s CCNA category provides both bundle pricing and annual licensing options.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">An opportunity for a side by side comparison does exist in this instance. The starting point for this comparison is the amount of questions that are advertised by CERTIFICATION EXAM and Boson regarding the 200-301 Cisco CCNA exam. CERTIFICATION EXAM indicates that they have a larger question pool available for 200-301 than Boson states they have on their public facing CCNA product page. According to Boson, they are providing 356 questions; however CERTIFICATION EXAM’s public facing material shows there are 486 questions on the main page but 581 questions in the PDF sample. Therefore, we can reasonably conclude that CERTIFICATION EXAM currently appears to have more total questions than Boson. However, we cannot conclude that CERTIFICATION EXAM’s exam is superior to Boson’s, as both companies include structured exams and provide detailed explanations of answers, and the number of questions does not equate to quality.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h3>MeasureUp</h3> <p dir="ltr">The second contender on this list is MeasureUp, another source with a good reputation as a competitor. All their public CCNA web pages are straightforward (including the CCNA exam Practice Test Page). The Testing Tool Page states that there are two modes of testing (Certification and Practice), there will be explanations found on each question with proper reference citations for correct and incorrect answers, and there are a total of fourteen question types available. On the public side of their Test Tool Page there will also be a price listed ($99) and that depending on the country you live, VAT may be added to that price. MeasureUp also sells a smaller assessment product called Assessment & Certificate Combined Testing Package and larger assessments as packaged bundles for longer periods of time.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In contrast to CERTIFICATION EXAM, it seems as though MeasureUp has positioned itself as a traditional practice test platform by providing reference citations for their different question formats, whereas CERTIFICATION EXAM has been presented as an all-in-one solution that includes a simulated testing experience and resources for studying both on and off your mobile device as well as providing reference materials with substantial amounts of detail. I cannot make the argument that either of these companies has the advantage in this case. However, if you are looking for a traditional Certification-Practice-Test Model (classic reference style) MeasureUp provides excellent value, whereas if you prefer the ability to use your mobile and/or offline to study, you should check out how CERTIFICATION EXAM has documented this aspect of the product.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h3>Cisco Press Official Cert Guide Library</h3> <p dir="ltr">Cisco Press is not a simulator-first competitor, but it is absolutely a real alternative because many candidates build their study plan around it. Cisco Press says the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library, 2nd Edition is the official self-study resource approved by Cisco, and the bundle includes access to Pearson Test Prep question databases through the premium edition. The current public pricing page shows the Book + eBook bundle at $95.49.</p> <p dir="ltr">For me, Cisco Press solves a different problem. It is stronger for structured conceptual study. CERTIFICATION EXAM was more useful for repetitive, exam-style drilling around a full work schedule. These are not mutually exclusive tools, but they are designed for different parts of the preparation process.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>My evidence-based conclusion on the competitors</h2> <p dir="ltr">I looked at what I could find publicly, and this is now the most accurate conclusion I have been able to make based on that information.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cisco U provides the most official route of studying/practicing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Boson has the best structure of practice exams and explanations.</p> <p dir="ltr">MeasureUp has very good strengths in certification/practice modes, types of test questions, how questions are referenced to explanations.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cisco Press has a very good self-study framework that is official, and provides test prep support through Pearson Publishing.</p> <p dir="ltr">The CERTIFICATION EXAM has the most definitive public strengths in simulator practice mode, mobile device and web-based use of the product, both online and offline; certification mode for using the product; ability to customize the product; very detailed explanations for each question; and has the largest number of published questions available for practice.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ultimately, the reason I used the CERTIFICATION EXAM most was not because there were no other options but because it matched my actual method of studying.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>What I would tell anyone preparing for the CCNA now</h2> <p dir="ltr">My greatest failure was my mistaken belief that amount of time spent studying automatically resulted in progress. This is false.</p> <p dir="ltr">Progress comes from working with those things that will hurt you during time constrained circumstances, in a measurable manner.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The first thing I would tell anyone is to read the official blueprint for what is included in the exam before investing additional resources in study materials. Cisco provides you with precise information regarding the percentages of items per topic on the exam; if you do not follow that, you will likely spend too much time studying for the topics you enjoy and too little for those on the IP Connectivity topic (which has the greatest weight).</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The second piece of advice is do not base your study plan on a passing score that you heard from someone else. Cisco does not announce a specific passing score in advance, so it is a waste of mental energy to use forum estimates for your studies; instead, use competency by domain.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The third recommendation is to begin timed mixed exam practice sooner than feels comfortable. I did not begin until I believed that I had completed a sufficient amount of theory. This was not the correct course of action. You don't want to experience 120 minutes of test pressure for the first time on your test day.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The fourth suggestion is to keep track of the reason you missed a question, not only the question number. My categories were differentiating errors made due to knowledge gaps, careless mistakes, quick calculations, poor interpretations, and second guessing. Once I had a way to evaluate my missed questions, I made huge improvements.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <h2>Final thoughts</h2> <p dir="ltr">The CCNA was definitely not an easy task for me however well worth completing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cisco has published all the information needed on the exam content, delivery mechanism, registration process and exam scoring but lacks official sources of assistance in how the preparation method is constructed that forces weaknesses to be exposed prior to the examination date.</p> <p dir="ltr">The CERTIFICATION EXAM format mimicked real-world experience for me. I needed materials available in short periods of time for shorter periods of simulated testing (time) and across both desktop/mobile devices with offline capabilities to continue studying and reviewing explanations at the end of each question for reference when retaking those questions - all of which is the exact format of the information available on the 200-301 page provided from the vendor as well as what I used to prepare for my exam - since no other vendor provided such useful marketing information, this combination was the most useful for my preparation.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cisco University (Cisco U) should be a valid option to use for anyone requiring the most official form of preparation. Boson is worth investigating by anyone who prefers to use a well-known brand for testing simulation. MeasureUp provides a traditional question/answer format with an explanation that will give you formal credential and is worth investigating if that is what you're looking for. Cisco Press provides structured reference material for study and is a valid option if you need a reference for studies. However, if you are having the same problem as I did consistent study time and sufficient realistic repetition while working full-time, my honest opinion regarding my experience is that CERTIFICATION EXAM was my prep tool.</p> <p><strong><br><br><br></strong></p> |
| title | How I Passed the CCNA After a Frustrating Start, Better Practice, and a More Honest Study Routine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19026672 |