Everything You Need to Know to Pass the CCNA 200-301 Exam
The new entry-level Cisco Certification, the CCNA 200-301, is the foundation of the entire Cisco Certification plan. This qualification is essential for every network administrator, but IT professionals can benefit significantly from it.
Any IT professional path will benefit significantly from your solid understanding of networking, routing protocols, VLANs, WAN technologies, etc. I earned my CCNA certification about 15 years ago. The knowledge I gained from the "old" CCNA R&S is still helpful, even though I am not a networking nut.
You will find all the required knowledge in this post to start studying for your CCNA. Books you should read, online resources, test-taking advice, and an outline of exam costs are all provided.
The CCNA 200-301 exam: What you should know
All of the previous CCNA examinations are being replaced by the new 200-301 exam. As a result, there are no longer several CCNA examinations and certifications.
As a result, the new exam is entirely different from the earlier CCNA exams. The new exam is more in line with today's job and will cover a more extensive range of topics. DHCP snooping, wireless networks, security, and automation subjects like Puppet, Chef, and Ansible, will all be covered.
Length of CCNA 200-301 Exam
There may be more or fewer questions, but there will generally be 100. You will get 120 minutes to finish the exam, which is more than enough for most candidates.
You can see how the exam's topics are broken down in the table below. Remember that the exam may potentially cover other related subjects.
Getting ready for the CCNA exam
So, a frequent query is, "What is a decent learning method for the CCNA?"
Take a video course first. Even if you don't particularly enjoy watching videos to study, the systems will provide you with a wealth of exam-related advice. Some top courses only cost around $15, making it an excellent "investment" to start with.
Books CCNA
Wendell Odom's OCG Vols. 1 and 2 are the only books you need. I now suggest purchasing SPOTO's CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library to help you save some money. You may get it on Amazon or at the Cisco Store. Volumes 1 and 2 of the CCNA 200-301 OCG are included.
If you want to learn while doing other things, like riding the train, you may get a bundle with the eBook at the Cisco store.
SPOTO
To obtain your CCNA, the Packet Tracert application is more than sufficient. You'll need to download and install the Cisco Packet Tracer and the books and video lessons. On the Cisco website, you can download it without charge.
Suppose you want to learn more about the Cisco IOS or improve your familiarity with it but do not want to spend money on a home lab setup. The CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator is something you should look at. You can hone your networking skills with this interactive simulation software.
Some individuals advise purchasing the $200 Cisco Virtual Internet Routing Lab (VIRL). However, that is excessive for your CCNA. Only if you want to take a CCNP exam after passing your CCNA would it make sense to get VIRL immediately.
Getting Ready for the Exam
The Odom book has 600 practice exams, so it is a great place to start. However, if you want additional practice tests, purchase the SPOTO courses for the Cisco 200-301. The SPOTO has a beautiful explanation when your response to a question is incorrect.
This can be very beneficial for learning and completing knowledge gaps.
Exam Advice
I, therefore, get the following advice for the exam:
Two times through the questions! Since there is no return button, be sure you comprehend the question entirely.
You may write down a subnetting table or other facts if you have some more time before the exam begins.
Remember that you have around one minute for each question (120 minutes for more than 100 questions). Choose the best response and continue if you don't know the answer.
Conclusion
A wide range of networking careers, including network administrators, entry-level network engineers, help desk agents, and network support technicians, among many others, are prepared by earning the CCNA certification and passing the Cisco 200-301 test. If you're starting your IT career and want to increase your understanding of it, the Cisco 200-301 is the ideal choice.
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