All the Information You Need to Pass the CCNA 200-301 Exam

The CCNA 200-301, a new entry-level Cisco Certification, is the cornerstone of the overall Cisco Certification strategy. Every network administrator needs to possess this qualification, but IT workers can also gain a lot from having it.

You will gain a lot from having a strong understanding of networking, routing protocols, VLANs, WAN technologies, etc. in any IT career path. My CCNA qualification was obtained roughly 15 years ago. Even though I'm not a networking nerd, the information I learned from the "classic" CCNA R&S is still useful.

This page contains all the information you need to get started on your CCNA studies. There are recommended reading lists, online resources, test-taking tips, and a breakdown of exam fees all available.

I. What You Should Know About the CCNA 200-301 Exam

The new 200-301 exam will take the place of all earlier CCNA tests. As a result, the number of CCNA exams and certifications has decreased.

The new exam therefore completely departs from the previous CCNA exams. The new exam will cover a wider range of topics and is more in line with modern employment. We'll cover topics including DHCP snooping, wireless networks, security, and automation tools like Puppet, Chef, and Ansible.

CCNA 200-301 Exam Length

Although there could be more or fewer, there will often be 100. The exam will last 120 minutes, which is more than enough time for the majority of students.

The table below shows how the exam's topics are divided up. Keep in mind that the exam can touch on more related topics.

II. Preparing for the CCNA Exam

Therefore, "What is a good learning approach for the CCNA?" is an often asked question.

First, watch a video course. Even if watching movies for preparation purposes isn't your favorite activity, the systems will nevertheless offer you a plethora of exam-related guidance. Some of the best courses only cost $15 or so, making it a great initial "investment."

III. CCNA Books

The only books you require are OCG Vols. 1 and 2 by Wendell Odom. To assist you save some money, I now advise getting SPOTO's CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library. You may get it through the Cisco Store or on Amazon. Included are volumes 1 and 2 of the CCNA 200-301 OCG.

You can purchase a bundle with the eBook from the Cisco shop if you wish to learn while doing other things, like taking the train.

IV. SPOTO

The Packet Tracert program is more than enough to earn your CCNA. You'll need to download and install the books, videos, and Cisco Packet Tracer. It is available for free download from the Cisco website.

Let's say you want to gain more knowledge of or increase your familiarity with the Cisco IOS but do not want to invest in a home lab setup. You ought to take a look at the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator. With the aid of this interactive simulation software, you may improve your networking abilities.

Some people suggest getting the $200 Cisco Virtual Internet Routing Lab (VIRL). That, however, is too much for your CCNA. The only situation in which getting VIRL right away makes sense is if you intend to take a CCNP exam after completing your CCNA.

V. Preparing for the Exam

With 600 practice examinations, the Odom book is an excellent place to start. However, you should get the SPOTO courses for the Cisco 200-301 if you want more practice exams. In the event that your answer to a question is incorrect, the SPOTO has a lovely explanation.

This has the potential to be highly helpful for learning and filling in knowledge gaps.

VI. Exam Guidance

As a result, I receive the following exam advice:

• The questions have been answered twice! There is no return button, so make sure you understand the query completely.
• If you have extra time before the exam starts, you can jot down a subnetting table or other information.
• Keep in mind that each question will last for around one minute (120 minutes for more than 100 questions). If you're unsure of the response, pick the best option and go on.

VII. Conclusion

The CCNA certification and passing the Cisco 200-301 test qualify candidates for a wide range of networking occupations, including network administrators, entry-level network engineers, help desk agents, and network support technicians, among many others. The Cisco 200-301 is the best option if you're just starting your IT profession and want to deepen your understanding of it.