General FAQs
Q: Why are you changing the Cisco certification portfolio?
A: The plan is based on the technological transformation promoted by Cisco in the network industry. Releasing all the functions of the new network means that there are new functions in the network, which fundamentally changes how to complete the network. To make full use of the functions of the new network, network, and software skills are the key.
The new Cisco Certification Program introduced CCNA, CCNP and CCIE certifications, which maintain the high-quality standards known in the industry and are simplified according to market requirements. Learning preferences. The program aims to achieve agility, value, and leadership. It allows people to choose the skills they want to develop and encourage life-long learning.
The new DevNet Associate and DevNet professional certification provide software skills for network engineers and software developers using Cisco technology. This enables us to combine the strengths of the Cisco certified community, the network technology college community, and the DevNet community, and to build a workforce for the next step. An enterprise-based on Cisco technology.
Q: What is changing exactly?
A: We’re enhancing the certification program to bring you:
• Simplified and updated certification paths, such as joint and updated joint-level training and network engineer certification-a course that covers the basic topics of all networking technologies.
Specialist certifications validate your skills in line with your job role and interests.
Your choice of concentration exams at the professional level that allows you to tailor your certification to your preferences.
CCIE achieves validating the core knowledge of end-to-end practical skills through the entire network life cycle of designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing complex network solutions. New DevNet certification at the assistant, expert, and professional levels to validate your software development skills
• The ability to start where you want - no prerequisites to start earning your associate, specialist, professional or expert level certification.
• Continuing education credits for recertification and ongoing development are available for CCNA,
Cisco Certified Specialist, CCNP and CCIE.
• New Emeritus lifetime tenure for CCIE certifications maintained continuously for 20 years.
• Badging for completing training courses.
• No more continuing education administrative fee, as of February 24, 2020.
Q: What is the anticipated launch date of the new training and certification portfolio?
A: The new training and certification portfolio will be announced on June 10, 2019. New and updated training courses will be gradually launched in June 2019, representing the breadth and depth of key skills in key technology areas. New certification exams, including CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, Cisco certified DevNet assistants, Cisco certified DevNet professional and expert certification will be available on February 24, 2020. Following CCNA, Cisco certified experts and CCNP, will continue their education on February 24, 2020. You will be able to start getting training badges for courses completed after February 24, 2020.
Q: When will exam topics for the new certifications be available?
A: Exam topics will be available for all new exams, beginning June 10, 2019.
Q: What certifications will be removed and what certifications will be added?
A: The authentication technology tracking for the CCNP and CCIE is being integrated into the enterprise, security, service provider, collaboration, and data center, and now includes the related topics for the retirement plan. You will see the subject of retirement authentication in the new centralized exam. The new DevNet certification will include the Cisco Certified DevNet Associate, the Cisco Certified DevNet Expert, and the Cisco Certified DevNet Professional.
Q: With fewer technology tracks, how can I get certified in a technology that relates to my work?
A: We have designed a customizable new training and certification program. For example, CCNP contains more options than ever before, and you can choose a centralized exam. you can obtain a training certificate to complete the training and expert certification in order to pass the written, invigilated examination of the techniques and skills directly related to your work, interests, and aspirations.
Q: How will the certification updates change the number of exams a user will take for certifications?
A: It depends on the path of each learner. Our goal is to make it easier for learners to obtain certification and to enable them to customize learning to best meet their needs. At the employee level, users will take a single, comprehensive exam. At the professional level, users are required to take core exams and professional exams of their choice on the same technical track. At the expert level, users are required to take the corresponding experimental exams for the core exam. If you pass any written examination, in addition to the joint level examination, an export certificate will be issued.
Q: What will happen to the CCDE and CCAr curriculum and certification?
A: In the enhanced product portfolio, we have included the design theme in the CCIE laboratory exam. We have been evaluating our product portfolio and will continue to make changes as needed. At present, CCDE and CCAr certification will remain the status quo.
Q: How is Cisco protecting the integrity and rigor of the certifications under the new structure?
A: As we improve our program, our goal is to maintain and enhance the integrity and rigor of Cisco certification. At the CCNA level, we expanded the scope of the exam to cover the skills needed to manage the digital network. We also embed knowledge from different technologies into our vice-level exams to make them more comprehensive than ever. At the CCNP and CCIE levels, we improved the rigor of the exam. The new core exam will cover the basic knowledge of work roles in the field of the network. By providing centralized exams covering the depth of knowledge on specific topics, we verify your specific skills more strictly than in the past. Finally, the CCIE exam will cover the entire network life cycle of designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing complex network solutions.
Q: Why were certain certifications removed from the portfolio? Does that mean my certification is no longer valid anymore? (examples CCNA Wireless, CCNA CyberOps)
A: We’ve consolidated the CCNA program into one, comprehensive exam that covers entry-level networking skills across technologies, such as basic IP fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, and basics of automation and network programmability, and security fundamental skills, because the breadth of skills is needed when first entering networking. We’ve refocused our CCNP and CCIE program to align with the five principal technologies, including Enterprise, Security, Service Provider, Collaboration and Data Center. Retired programs have been consolidated into these technology tracks. For example, we’ve consolidated Wireless into the Enterprise track, as wireless skills are critical in any enterprise deployment. Where subject matter fit into more than one potential track, as was the case with Automation and Programming, the subject matter became a concentration exam in multiple CCNP technology tracks. Where this is the case, the same content will be leveraged across tracks. Your current certification is still valid and will be active until it’s the expiration date.
Q: How is Cisco working to protect the value of the certification that I currently hold today?
A: Cisco certifications are among the most valued in the industry. All our certification exams are designed and monitored by experts. They’re developed using a standardized, industry-accepted methodology, which generates valid, credible, valuable, and legally- defensible certifications. We are also constantly validating the integrity of the exams through test site monitoring, enforcement of candidate requirements, exam security practices, data analytics and investigations tied to the security tip line.
Q: How does this change impact the Cisco Networking Academy?
A: We are expanding the Networking Academy to train students for the new CCNA certification and for the new DevNet Associate certification, which extends the program beyond developing networking professionals to also include developing software professionals for Cisco’s partners and customers.
Q: What will happen to my existing certification when the new program goes into effect on February 24, 2020?
A:
• For CCNA, Specialist, and CCNP: Your current certification is still valid and will be active until its expiration date. When the new program goes into effect on February 24, 2020, your current certification will be transitioned to an equivalent in the new program.
• For CCIE: If you are an active CCIE, your suspended year will be converted to an active year. For example, if your active CCIE would have been suspended beginning April 21, 2020, you will sustain active status until April 21, 2021.
CCNA
Q: How is the new CCNA different from the previous CCNAs that Cisco offered?
A: We’ve consolidated and updated CCNA training and certification into one course, one comprehensive exam that covers entry-level networking skills across technologies, such as basic IP fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, and basics of automation and network programmability, and security fundamental skills.
Q: Will the CCNA certification still be required as a prerequisite for professional certifications?
A: The CCNA certification will no longer be required as a prerequisite for professional certifications, giving learners the ability to start where they choose in their learning journey.
CCNP
Q: What is the technology core exam?
A: A technology core exam is one of the two exams required for CCNP, CCIE, and Cisco Certified DevNet Professional certifications. For CCNP and CCIE, there are five technology core exams available, focused on Enterprise, Security, Service Provider, Collaboration and Data Center. Technology core exams cover the foundational and common concepts that are required for a candidate to be proficient in technology architecture. For Cisco Certified DevNet Professional, there is one DevNet core exam.
Q: What is a concentration exam?
A: A concentration exam is one of the two exams required for professional-level certification (CCNP). Concentration exams take a deeper dive into a relevant and related technology to the core, allowing the candidate to choose a topic that is either of interest or related to his or her chosen technology area of focus. For CCNP, there are concentration exams for all five technology tracks, Enterprise, Security, Service Provider, Collaboration and Data Center. There are also multiple concentration exams available for Cisco Certified DevNet Professional.
Q: Am I required to pass the technology core exam before I can take a concentration exam within the same track?
A: No, you may take the exams in any order you choose.
Q: I passed my technology core exam. How long is it valid for and how much time do I have to pass the concentration exam or lab exam?
A: For passing your technology core exam, you’ll receive a Specialist certification, which will remain active for three years. You have until your Specialist certification expires to pass the concentration or lab exam to complete your professional or expert-level certification.
Q: I passed my technology core exam. Can I take and pass a concentration exam AND a lab exam to achieve my professional and expert-level certifications?
A: Yes, you can take and pass both a concentration exam and a lab exam within three years of passing the core exam to achieve your professional and expert-level certifications.
CCIE
Q: Is the technology core exam the same for both CCNP and CCIE exams?
A: Yes, the same written exam will serve as the core exam for CCNP certification and CCIE certification.
Q: What are the options for CCIE lab exams in the new portfolio structure?
A: Learners will be able to choose between wireless and infrastructure lab exams within the Enterprise track. All other CCIE lab exams will be standardized to the technology track, including Security, Service Provider, Collaboration and Data Center.
Q: Am I required to pass the technology core exam before I can take a lab exam within the same track?
A: Yes, you are required to pass the technology core exam before you take the lab exam.
Q: Why is the CCIE lab exam format changing?
A: The CCIE lab exam is being updated in order to assess candidates’ skills through the entire adoption lifecycle of designing, deploying, operating and optimizing complex network scenarios. The lab format will
change to assess these skills end-to-end.
Q: How is the CCIE lab exam format changing?
A: The CCIE lab format is changing to assess candidates’ skills through the entire adoption lifecycle of designing, deploying, operating and optimizing complex network scenarios. The lab exam will consist of
2 modules that are fixed in time and will be delivered in a fixed sequence:
• Module 1: Design (3 hours)
• Module 2: Deploy, Operate and Optimize (5 hours)
Automation and Network Programmability skills are an integral part of both modules.
Q: If I’m an active CCIE today, when will my current certification expire?
A: If you are an active CCIE, your suspended year will be converted to an active year. For example, if your active CCIE would have been suspended beginning April 21, 2020, you will sustain active status until April 21, 2021.
Q: Why is Cisco now offering DevNet certifications?
A: Cisco is announcing new DevNet certifications focused on validating the skill sets of software developers, DevOps engineers, automation specialists, and other software professionals. The new offering will help unleash the full capabilities of the new network by educating network
infrastructure engineers and software developers in application development, automation, DevOps, Cloud, and IoT.
Q: How are DevNet certifications different than Cisco’s traditional certifications?
A: Cisco certifications are already known worldwide as some of the most prestigious networking credentials in the industry. DevNet certifications are a subset of Cisco certifications, intended to validate software skills, such as programming, application development, DevOps and automation. While Cisco certifications are unique and distinct in their subject matter, they are very much complementary. Together, these certifications provide a comprehensive catalog that validates skill sets in both networking hardware and software. As Cisco has blended hardware and software to reflect the demands of the industry, so, too, are these certification programs aligned, making it easy for learners to fluidly move between technologies, solutions, and programmability.
Q: When will DevNet certification exams be available?
A: Exams for the Cisco Certified DevNet Associate, Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist and Cisco Certified DevNet Professional will be available February 24, 2020.
Q: Can I just take a DevNet concentration exam alone?
A: Yes, you will earn a Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist if you successfully pass any professional-level DevNet exam.
Q: Can I take more than one DevNet concentration exam?
A: Yes, you can take as many of the concentration exams as you’d like.
Q: Can I get Continuing Education Credits for DevNet content?
A: Currently all DEVWKS workshops at Cisco Live events count toward a Continuing Education Credit. Further details are forthcoming and more will be shared by February 24, 2020.
Note: if you want to get more Cisco certification exam information, and you can contact SPOTO. The changes in Cisco certifications exams have come, and you have some time to prepare for the exam. in my opinion, you have better to take the exam soonly. because it is easy to pass the exam. after the changes, the exam will become more difficult. there are people to join the IT industry, and you will get a high-level income after the certification.
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