The Cisco CCNA (200-301) remains the gold-standard associate credential for networking careers. Whether you are coming from CompTIA Network+ or starting fresh, this guide gives you a structured path to pass.
Start practicing: Free CCNA practice questions β β 300+ questions across all 6 domains.
CCNA Exam Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Exam code | 200-301 CCNA |
| Questions | ~100 |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Passing score | ~825 / 1000 (82.5%) |
| Cost | ~$300 USD |
CCNA is tighter than Security+ on passing margin β aim for 90%+ on practice exams before scheduling.
Six Exam Domains
| Domain | Weight | Key topics |
|---|---|---|
| Network Fundamentals | 20% | OSI/TCP-IP, IPv4/IPv6, cabling, protocols |
| Network Access | 20% | VLANs, STP, EtherChannel, wireless |
| IP Connectivity | 25% | Routing, OSPF, static routes, FHRP |
| IP Services | 10% | DHCP, NAT, NTP, QoS, SNMP |
| Security Fundamentals | 15% | ACLs, VPN, port security, AAA |
| Automation | 10% | REST APIs, YANG, Ansible, DNA Center |
8-Week Study Plan
| Week | Focus | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1β2 | Network fundamentals + subnetting | 60 questions |
| 3 | Network access (VLANs, STP) | 50 questions |
| 4β5 | IP connectivity (OSPF, routing) | 60 questions |
| 6 | IP services + security | 50 questions |
| 7 | Automation + review | 40 questions |
| 8 | 3 full mock exams | timed |
Hands-on: Use Cisco Packet Tracer or GNS3 weekly β CCNA tests applied knowledge.
Subnetting: Non-Negotiable Skill
You will see subnetting on every CCNA attempt. Drill until you can:
- Calculate network/broadcast addresses in under 60 seconds
- Determine usable host counts
- Summarize routes for OSPF
CertStud Resources
Certification path: Network+ β CCNA β CCNP Enterprise
Ready to Pass Your Cisco CCNA Exam?
Get 300+ practice questions with detailed explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice exams.
β Plans from $14.99/mo β’ β Cancel anytime β’ β 76 certifications
