My CCNA 200-301 Exam Experience
On June 18th 2020, I passed the CISCO 200-301 Exam and earned the CCNA Certification.
This is the seventh edition (CCNA v7) and the exam consists in 102 multiple choice questions to be answered in 2 hours, minimum score to pass is 825 on 1000. Unlike the previous versions, there are no practical tasks or labs or labs to complete, so one could say it is easier, however the average time for each question is 70 seconds and passing score quite high, so both factors have to be taken into consideration when preparing for this Certification.
To prepare for this Exam I studied for the whole previous semester at the Cork Institute of Technology, which also happens to be a Cisco Academy authorised training center.
Even though, for my job, I was already familiar with most of the concepts covered by the Course, I had never had the chance to deepen the theoretical part behind them.
The course was led by Professor Josh Reynolds (which I can never thank enough, by the way!), and it has been a terrific experience for me. I met amazing people and had the opportunity to gain hands on experience on actual CISCO high end Routers and Switches.
There are 4 modules in CCNA v6, plus one bridge "delta" module for the CCNA v7:
- Module 1: Introduction to Networks
- Module 2: Routing and Switching Essentials
- Module 3: Scaling networks
- Modele 4: Connecting Networks
At the end of each module, there is a theoretical test, where you have to answer multiple choice questions, and a practical test where you are given different scenarios and have to configure and interconnect multiple Cisco devices from scratch only using CISCO CLI. When you complete the four modules and pass their relative tests the Course is considered successfully completed. After that I would advise to take some time to recap everything you learned in the previous nine months before you attempt the Certification Exam.
Make sure to be strong in routing protocols, subnetting, EtherChannel, DTP, VTP, Network protocols DHCP, DNS, OSI Model, only to name some.
There are a few questions in the Exam that weren't actually covered in the Course, regarding Automation, Cisco DNA, and Wireless Controllers so I'd recommend to take a look at Cisco 200-301 blueprint to make sure you have those covered as well.
CCNA Brain Dump Questions
- Overall, did I find the exam difficult?
I wouldn't say easy... but even not impossible. It really tests your knowledge though. I don't think I would have passed without the Cisco Academy Course. - Was I caught for time?
Definitely yes! 102 questions in 2 hours, it's about 70 seconds per question and some of them are tricky and time consuming, especially those where you have to calculate Subnets, Administrative Distance for example. - What topics would I advise people to know really well?\
- Subnetting
- Routing protocols and how to choose the best route
- Switching
- TCP vs UDP, DHPC, DNS, Cisco DNA, Wireless and controllers.
- What topics was I surprised to see?
Having studied mostly for the CCNA V6, Cisco DNA, for example was quite new to me. - Test Centre or Remote/proctored?
Pearson Vue Test Center in Italy. - Any additional resources to prepare for the Exam?
Apart form the CCNA Course at CIT, I've also followed 2 online courses on LinkedIn learning.
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