Cisco CCNA Cerfication Should You Take The OneExam or TwoExam Approach

Cisco Certification

Cisco Certification Central

Home | Article List | Submit An Article | Contact Us


Cisco CCNA Cerfication Should You Take The OneExam or TwoExam Approach

Cisco CCNA Certification:

Should you take the one-exam or the two-exam approach?

One question I?m often asked by CCNA candidates is whether to take the ,one big exam,, or take the two separate exams required by Cisco to achieve the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam.

The question comes up because there are now two separate paths to the CCNA certification. Candidates may take a single exam, 640-811, or two exams, 640-821 and 640-811.



What?s the difference? The two-exam approach involves exams with different topics and therefore different preparation techniques. 640-821 is the Introduction To Cisco Networking Technologies exam. This course does introduce the candidate to Frame Relay, PPP, and other WAN technologies, but goes into little detail. Emphasis in the Intro course is placed on knowing how Ethernet behaves, how different types of cable are used for different purposes, and knowing what cable to use in a certain situation. The candidate should expect some questions involving binary math as well, but they will involve fairly simple conversions.

The 640-811 exam, Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices, goes into much more detail on WAN technologies. Routing and switching behavior are covered, and the candidate is expected to answer difficult questions involving binary math and subnetting as well. The candidate may also have to demonstrate ability to configure a router or switch via a simulator. Since the ICND exam goes into more detail, it?s generally considered the more difficult exam.

The approach I recommend to a CCNA candidate depends on their background. If the candidate is a relative newcomer to networking, or hasn?t taken a certification exam before, I recommend they take the two-exam approach. This allows the candidate to focus only on the Intro topics, and gives them a strong sense of confidence after passing the Intro exam. That confidence flows over into the ICND exam.

For those who have networking experience, and are very familiar with Ethernet behavior and cable types, I recommend the one-exam approach. This allows the candidate to focus on the more advanced topics they?ll be seeing in the single exam, while spending just a little time reviewing their Intro-level knowledge.



Regardless of the approach you choose, the path to true CCNA success remains the same. Get some real hands-on experience, either by renting rack time online or by putting together your own home lab. Understand what?s going on ,beneath the command,; don?t use router commands when you don?t understand what they?re doing. Add to that a true mastery on binary math, and you?re on your way to having the magic letters ,CCNA, behind your name!

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of freeCCNA andCCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, ,How To Pass The CCNA, and ,How To Pass The CCNP,, visit the website and download your free copies. You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam questions every day! Pass theCCNA exam with The Bryant Advantage!

 

Full List of Articles
 

Latest Cisco Certification News:

  1. Network Data Systems Achieves Cisco Master Managed Services Certification in the U.S.

    Network Data Systems announced today that it has achieved the Cisco Master Managed Services Certification. By achieving the Managed Services Channel Program Master certificat

    Read More ...

  2. Data#3 first in A/NZ to achieve Cisco ISE certification

    Data#3 first in A/NZ to achieve Cisco ISE certification

    Read More ...

  3. Alliant Technologies Achieves Cisco Gold Certification in United States

    MORRISTOWN, N.J. , Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliant Technologies announced it has achieved Cisco® Gold Certification for the seventh consecutive year.  To earn Gold Certification, Alliant had to meet ...

    Read More ...

  4. Iron Bow Receives Advanced Certifications from Cisco

    Iron Bow Technologies LLC, an information technology solutions provider, has been named a Managed Services Advanced Channel Partner by Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking.

    Read More ...

  5. Cisco Certifications Boosts Career Potential for IT Professionals

    Recognized by technology companies and independent IT professionals for its remarkable quality of Cisco learning, Unitek Education has been driving a remarkable momentum in its Cisco Training programs. Recent studies* show that employees with Cisco certifications result in a higher ROI, improvement in level of service and improved team performance.Fremont, CA (PRWEB) January 10, 2012 Recognized ...

    Read More ...

  6. Dimension Data Recognized as Cisco TelePresence Video Master Global Authorised Technology Provider

    Dimension Data, the $5.8 billion IT solutions and services provider said today it has become the first company in the world to be awarded TelePresence Video Master Global Authorised Technology Provider status from Cisco.

    Read More ...

  7. Alliant Technologies Recognized as Cisco TelePresence Video Express Authorized Technology Provider Partner in United ...

    MORRISTOWN, N.J., Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliant Technologies announced today that it has achieved TelePresence Video Express Authorized Technology Provider (ATP) status from Cisco. This designation ...

    Read More ...

Cisco Certification

Cisco CCNA Cerfication Should You Take The OneExam or TwoExam Approach