The Best Way to Prepare For and Pass Your CCNA Exam
Everyone hopes to pass their CCNA exam on the first try - follow a good preparation plan and the odds will rocket upward in your favor.
Published 6/4/2009
by Stelios Antoniou
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Any success in life, even the smallest one, is a consequence of hard and persistent work. But trying hard is not always enough. You need to have the appropriate stimulation to be guided towards the right path at the right time. Keeping this in mind will help you make the right decisions that will lead you to successfully passing your CCNA exam -- and doing so with a high score.
Cisco's CCNA exam, as any other basic technical exam, can be completed by preparing with appropriate study guides and learning by doing -- so make sure you practice your commands!
This article has three basic aims:
- To guide you in choosing the appropriate training materials from which you will benefit the most based on the content structure and level.
- To show you what it takes to move one step beyond the boundaries of the exam level. This will not only help you get CCNA certified, but will prepare you for the real world. Acquiring the knowledge and expertise to be able to handle real life situations, the ones that are not included in your exam preparation -- this is what will help you succeed in your career.
- To help you put everything together so you can successfully complete your CCNA exam and be prepared for your career as a Cisco Certified Networking Associate
Choosing the Appropriate CCNA Training Material
Before going to war you need to have "ammunition". So make sure you choose the best study aid that will help you the most.
If you enjoy learning from books and feel that you will benefit the most from reading, then I would suggest buying a comprehensive text that combines study material with lab scenarios. Take a look at the self study books available from Cisco Press.
If you're not too fond of reading, or would prefer to have someone show you everything you need to know then take a look at a training package that includes video tutorials and practice exams.
Taught by a CCIE, Train Signal's CCNA training is a complete CCNA study guide that will help you build your hands on experience. It includes instructions on setting up your own lab, performing specific tasks, and focuses on both -- theory and real world scenarios.
Keep in mind that there are plenty of other CCNA study guides and preparation materials out there, and you do have some options on how you learn. You can also take a class or a boot camp, but bear in mind that these will be more expensive then self directed options like books and video training.
Here's what you need to consider before deciding on one CCNA study guide, training, or class -- before you buy, ask yourself:
- Is my training comprehensive and does it cover all of the exam objectives? (you can learn about what's covered on the CCNA exam from Cisco's CCNA exam blueprint.
- Does my training include real-world scenarios to help me get experience?
- Does my training offer practice exams where I can see how I'm doing and measure the areas I need to improve on?
- Is my training quality and from a reputable source?
- Is my training convenient and affordable?
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