Are you planning to get a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certificate? Then you've come to the right place. In this article, I'll be sharing my experience of taking the CCNA certification exam and providing you with tips and tricks to help you pass the exam without any hassle.
The CCNA certification exam gives you ample time to complete it, whether you're in an English-speaking country or not. You'll have 120 minutes if you're in an English-speaking country and 150 minutes if you're in a country where English is not the primary language. The exam consists of approximately 60 to 65 questions.
Once you've clicked an answer and clicked next, there's no going back. The answer is recorded and cannot be revised or changed. There are different types of questions in the exam, such as NMCQ, MCQ with only one answer that's right and the options are usually in radio button style. The second type is multiple choice questions where multiple correct answers may be possible and come in checkbox style. Then there are drag and drop questions where you have to compare and drag and drop different options. Not all options can be dragged and dropped.
Another type of question is MCQ, but here's the tricky part: only one answer is right, even if more than one answer seems right. The objective is to select the best answer.
To register for the exam, go to cisco.com and create an ID for yourself. Then go to PSN view and schedule your exam. Don't schedule the exam until you're ready. Don't put extra pressure on yourself by selecting a date one or two months in advance. There's no particular time of the day that's better for taking the exam. Just go in there, take the exam and get out.
For study material, the OCG Official Certification Guide is more than enough. You don't have to fall for any other course material from any other person. The Wendell Odom certification guide, the official certification guide from Cisco Press, is more than sufficient for your CCNA.
When it comes to labs, Packet Tracer is going to be enough for you. Ninety percent of all the commands that are there in the official certification guide will work on Packet Tracer. In case you want to go beyond that, you can install GNS3 or EVE-NG, but you'll need images for that. You can buy a license from Cisco for VIRL images and load that, which is also known as CML. Alternatively, you can use CML labs for two hours every two hours you need to renew it, but for every two hours, you can use it for free of cost. You can do it online on your browser.
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During the exam, you will not be allowed to get up, so make sure to use the bathroom beforehand and have a clear bottle of water with you. If the proctor asks, explain that it's just water and you need it during your exam. It's important to remember that the proctor is there to ensure the integrity of the exam, so don't give them any hints that you are cheating.
It's also crucial to focus on the screen during the exam and not read out the questions too loudly. The proctor may think that you are asking someone else for help, and this could lead to the termination of your exam.
Losing the exam due to a technicality or rule violation can result in losing the $295 you paid for the exam, and it may damage your credibility with Cisco. Thus, it's important to take every precaution necessary to ensure that your exam goes smoothly.
In conclusion, passing the CCNA exam is a significant achievement that requires dedication and hard work. It's essential to have a clear plan of action and stick to it, using resources such as the OCG, GNS3, and practical examples available on GitHub. Additionally, taking advantage of free server rentals on platforms like Azure, DigitalOcean, or Linode can help you do your labs without incurring any cost.
Before the exam, ensure that you have a quiet and distraction-free environment and all the necessary equipment, including a reliable internet connection and a clear bottle of water. Remember to focus on the screen during the exam and not give any hints that you are cheating.
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Once you have submitted your exam, you will be given a survey to fill out. After completing the survey, the exam app will close down and you will need to relaunch your Pearson VUE account to view your results. Your marks will be uploaded almost immediately, and you will be able to see your exam result immediately.
It's important to remember that there is no going back once you have moved on to the next question. Make sure that you are sure of your answer before moving on. If you don't know the answer to a question, don't worry, move on to the next one. Some questions may be confusing, but if you read them carefully, you will be able to find the right answer. And if there is more than one right answer, make sure you select the best one.
Lastly, if you're interested in receiving live training for CCNA or other topics, make sure to subscribe to my channel. I'll be conducting live sessions on Zoom and YouTube, so you can participate and stay updated on the latest training opportunities.
