CCNA FAQs & Tips
CCNA is a long topic to talk about and there are many tips that can help you save much time when sitting in the exam hall. From the comments here and information from other places, this article tries to summarize all the CCNA frequently asked questions to save you some time. Please feel free to ask anything that you are unclear about CCNA so that all of us can help you. I will update this article frequently to bring you newest information about this exam.
1. Please tell me how many questions in the real CCNA exam, and how much time to answer them?
Until now, you have 90 minutes to answer 50 questions in the real CCNA exam but if your native language is not English, Cisco allows you a 30-minute exam time extension. But there are a few requirements to get this extension, so the best way is asking your teacher or mentor before taking the exam.
2. How much does the CCNA Exam 640-802 cost? And how many points I need to pass the exam?
It now costs $295 (big money, right?) :)
The passing score is 825/1000.
3. How many ways can I get the CCNA certification?
There are 2 ways to achieve this certification:
- By taking two exams ICND-1 100-101 and ICND-2 200-101
- By taking only one CCNA 200-120 exam
4. I got the CCNA certification, will this certification expire?
CCNA certification is valid for three years. To recertify, pass the ICND2 exam, or pass the current CCNA exam, or pass a CCNA Concentration exam (wireless, security, voice), or pass the current CCDA exam, or pass any 642 – XXX professional level or Cisco Specialist exam (excluding Sales Specialist exams), or pass a current CCIE or CCDE written exam.
5. After completing the INTRO exam (ICND 1), students currently have a three-year window in which to complete the ICND exam (ICND 2) to earn CCNA certification. Will this option still exist?
Yes, students will still be able to take and pass the first exam (INTRO or ICND1) and have a three-year window to pass the second exam (ICND2), before the first exam expires.
6. If students fulfill the exam requirements for the CCNA certification, will they also receive CCENT certification?
No, students who certify at the CCNA level will not earn CCENT certification. The purpose of the CCENT certification is to provide an option for those who aren’t ready for CCNA.
(Information from http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le0/le9/learning_certification_type_home.html)
7. Which sims will I see in the CCNA exam?
The popular sims now are EIGRP, Access-list 1 and Access-list 2 sims but no one can guarantee you will not see other sims in your exam. So the best way is practicing all sims on this site.
8. How many points will I get for one sim?
Well, Cisco doesn’t tell how many points you will get for each correctly solved sim but from my experience, you will get from 80 to 100 points for each sim. Cisco maybe is a bit rude for sims because you will just get a few points if you can’t solve the sim completely. So be careful with the sims and try to write all the commands on paper many times before taking this exam.
9. In the real exam, I clicked “Next” after choosing the answer, can I go back for reviewing?
No, this is a very important thing about CCNA exam. You can just go forward! You can visit http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/wwtraining/certprog/training/cert_exam_tutorial.html to be familiar with the exam interface.
10. What is the key to pass CCNA?
The CCNA exam covers many aspects of networking and most of the topics will be asked. But the most important topic is subnetting so make sure you understand how to subnet. Of course other topics are important too so you shouldn’t bypass them.
11. Can I use short commands, for example “conf t” instead of “configure terminal”? Will I get full mark for short commands?
It is another big question in the CCNA exam. Some reports said that you can use the “Tab” and short commands but some said they didn’t work. Sometimes the simulator in the exam doesn’t accept short commands and marks as “incomplete command”. Besides, no one can guarantee it will cost points or not if you use short commands so my recommendation is you should learn the full commands.
12. What are your recommended materials for CCNA?
There are many options you can choose, but below are materials used and recommended by many candidates:
Books:
- Sybex CCNA 6th edition by Todd Lammle
- Cisco Press ICND1 & ICND2 Certification Guide
- CCNA Networking Academy 1-4 (used in Cisco Academy so there is no link)
- Cisco 640-802 CCNA Portable Command Guide
- Cisco Discovery and Cisco Exploration study guide (used in Cisco Academy so there is no link)
The difference between CCNA Discovery and CCNA Exploration is “CCNA Discovery is designed for students with basic PC skills and can be delivered as an independent curriculum or integrated into broader courses of study at secondary schools, technical schools, colleges, and universities. CCNA Exploration is designed for students with advanced problem solving and analytical skills, such as those who are pursuing degrees in engineering, math, or science”. (Reference from “new CCNA faq”).
Video Training:
- CBT Nuggets
- Train Signal
- Testout
From my point of view, these video are just optional materials and they cost much, you can definitely pass the CCNA exam without buying them. If you have strong budget and want to learn in a more comfortable way then buy them! (but it is difficult to pass if just listening to them without reading books, believe me!)
Simulators (luckily, they’re the best and free):
- Packet Tracer (and you can get real exam labs on my site here)
- GNS 3
GNS 3 is really good and it uses real IOS so all the commands are available but these IOS are copyrighted so it is hard to get. Besides, GNS 3 needs much RAM to run so from my experience you should use the Router c2600 with 64MB RAM to run if your labs are simple (like assign IP addresses, hostname, RIP…). If you need to configure OSPF or EIGRP, use higher router. These two simulators are enough to practice labs for CCNA but if you want to learn about other simulators, check out my Free Router Simulators article. Packet Tracer is light, quick and convenient for common tasks but sometimes it doesn’t act like real devices. A good point of Packet Tracer is that Cisco has many good labs (.pkt files) to practice with.
Websites & Forums:
- Cisco website
- certcollection.org/forum
- examcollection.com
- sadikhov.com/forum
- networking-forum.com
- certforums.co.uk/forums
- mcmcse.com/forums
- proprofs.com/forums
- 9tut.com, 9tut.net of course :)
About Dumps…
If you use dumps like pass4sure, Testking or ActualTest… make sure you understand the concept behind each question. It’s a very big mistake if you just learn which answer is correct without understanding the concept. Notice that in the real CCNA exam, you will be given different IP addresses, subnets and more options to choose; so it is easier to understand them than to learn them by heart. Finally, my advice is you just should use dumps as a final review after finishing the CCNA course.
13. How much time should I spend on each sim?
You should not spend more than 15 minutes for each sim. Recall that you only have 90 minutes so if you spend 15 minutes for each sim x 4 sims = 60 minutes (now the sims have been reduced to 3 but we calculate 4 sims for safe). The 30 minutes left is for solving 40 multiple choice questions. If you are not a native English speaker and have 30-minute expansion (ask your teacher or testing center to confirm) than you can spend 20 minutes for each sim.
14. Can I pass without doing sims?
As mentioned above, each sim will cost you from 80 to 100 points. In the real exam you will have to solve 4 sims that give from 320 to 400 points. Suppose you answer all other questions perfectly then you will get 600 to 680 points but the passing score is 825. It means that you surely fail if ignore them.
From the calculation above, if you miss only one sim the chance to pass is average but if you miss two, the chance to pass is very, very low.
15. I need to know if the exam questions are the same in all the geographical locations?
Yes, the exam questions are the same in all geographical locations. But notice that Cisco has a pool of questions and each time you take the exam, a number of random questions will show up so you will not see all the same questions as the previous exam.
16. I am going to take the exam in a few days and I wonder can we have a pen and paper for IP calculations or calculator itself?
You are not allowed to bring a calculator or anything else to the exam room. You can’t use the virtual calculator in Windows, too. You will receive a rough paper or a small board to write everything you need during the exam. However, you should bring a pen or a pencil because sometimes the exam hall doesn’t have one (yes, some exam centers are not good) and maybe it will make you more comfortable.
17. I failed the exam. Will I see the same questions and sims in my next try?
Cisco has a pool of questions and sims so you will see some same (but surely not all) questions in your next exam. Luckily, the sims are the same (read question 7 for popular sims in the exam).
18. In the exam, how can I access to the routers in the simulator?
As you can see in the exam, there is always one PC connected to the router you need configure. Just click on this PC to be taken to the CLI of the router (no need to type telnet … or do anything else). Of course it is not true in real life but maybe Cisco did it that way to save you some time!
19. I am going to take the exam in a couple of days. Where can I get newest information from candidates who have just passed the exam?
You can visit the Share your experience section in this site, scroll down to the bottom of that page to read newest information about CCNA exam.I really want to say thanks to all candidates who are willing to share experience after taking the exam. It is an invaluable gift for CCNA candidates.
20. I passed CCNA. Do you have any site similar to 9tut.com for CCNP?
We have digitaltut.com for ROUTE, certprepare.com for SWITCH and networktut.com for TSHOOT, voicetut.com for CCNA Voice, securitytut.com for CCNA Security and dstut.com for CCDA. We always try our best to bring you newest information about these exams, hope you enjoy these sites too!
21. I am going to get my CCNA exam and I have a question: in the drag and drop questions are the answers must be arranged?
It depends on the questions. If the question clearly states that you have to arrange the answers in a given order (for example, from smallest to greatest; from lowest to highest; step 1,2,3…) then you have to arrange them correctly. In most cases, you don’t need to arrange them so don’t worry and don’t try to learn the order shown in the materials you use before taking the exam.
22. Hi all, I want to ask if out of 5 questions in the sim 1 or 2 questions are answered wrongly, do we get 0 marks for that sim or get something for other correct answers?
You still get points for the parts you answered correctly so try to answer as much as possible for that sim.
Is there anything you want to ask, just ask! All of us will help you.
(Please don’t ask for copyright materials here)
Hi guys. I desperately need your help. I have to do the following and I have absolutely no idea how to do it.. Please help me out. my e-mail is antonisbigman@yahoo.gr
Outline:
ABC is currently re-locating to a new office in the city centre of London. The IT Manager has convinced the management of the company for enough budget for a new state-of-the-art IT implementation/solution.
The new premises consist of a building with 4 floors that all 80 employees of the company will be based there. Each floor has its own ITF room and the main computer room is located in the first floor. All servers and core devices will be placed there.
Your first task is to propose the design of the network infrastructure, take into consideration that the company is willing advanced technologies to be implemented. Your proposal should cover all the necessary architectures that should be followed for a modern, expandable, easy to manage network infrastructure, including cutting-edge technologies, helpful for any organization in our days. Then your design should include the addressing scheme of the company, taking into consideration the different types of traffic that you have proposed. Finally all technologies and devices should be implemented on a virtual tool.
Your work will be presented to the senior management of the company.
Tasks:
A. Design the logical diagram of the company’s network infrastructure (visio).
B. Propose all necessary Subnets and Protocols to use (table)
C. Implement the configuration of all the protocols and the technologies that you have identified (VLANs, Interfaces, etc) on a simulator (packet tracer).
D. Analyze the network infrastructure and the benefits of your proposal.
Can any one please send me latest CCNA(640-802) dumps to my e-mail: young_lu@yahoo.ca
Thanks.
young_lu@yahoo.ca for all dumps, just go to http://www.examcollection.com. You will find whatever you need out there…
Good Luck..
if any one have latest ccna dumps plz mail to razoleravi@gmail.com
for the acl2 sim in the exam, what do i click to start writing the commands?
Are these same labs (EIGRP, VTP and Access-list 2) on the ICND1? What labs are?
have small problem with sub netting and am writing the exam 31-3-2012 help me with logic about sub netting thanks
@smaul
please read 9tut’s subnetting tutorial: http://www.9tut.com/subnetting-tutorial
to admin,
can you pls make some available PDF for the CCNA Lab Sim so that it can easily download.
thank you.
I am going to take my CCNA exam in two weeks. I want to know how to download the lab sim and is it safe?. Do I need to register to get access?
Can we get this material in pdf format
where can i get CCNA SIMS perfectly that will come in Exam?
Hi
I have a question, can anyone please clarify me over this?
Why would you assign a ip address to a vlan interface and then assign a physical interface to the vlan ?
I am sure there are good reasons for this, would like to know to increase my understanding.
Thanks,
Bindu
@bindu
the VLAN interface is something logical
it represents all the devices that talk to one another.
actually, when you say “VLAN” you are referring to “1 broadcast domain”.
you assign interfaces to VLANs to allow all the devices connected to those interfaces “talk” to each other without the need of a Layer3 device to route the traffic.
that’s what VLAN do: they allow you to group devices by function regardless of their location. this is very useful in an organization with 50, 100, even more devices. you’d want to have the accounting, management, front office, employees computers (and so on) all grouped up by their function even though they might be at different floors in the building or even in different buildings.
VLANs also offer security. how? just by separating the devices you gain a bit of extra security because certain VLAN can be “hidden” from the others. you can enforce Access Control Lists to do the “hiding”.
VLANs are good, they are your friend :)
read more here: http://www.9tut.com/virtual-local-area-network-vlan-tutorial
after you’re done there please check out the VTP tutorial too: http://www.9tut.com/vlan-trunk-protocol-vtp-tutorial
also, the intervlan routing tutorial: http://www.9tut.com/intervlan-routing-tutorial
these 3 are very important for ICND2/CCNA.
cheers :)
hi…… bindu tis s naveen
well we hv 2 assign an ip address to a vlan interface juz… fa management purposes for instance if a switch receives a frame wid untagged traffic then d frame ll b dropped to administrative vlan ie vlan1 by default on all cisco switches
then v hv 2 assign an ip address to a physical interface to the vlan because for configuring vlans
d above statements r true n correct 2 d best f my knowledge
thank u
hi,
can anyone send me the latest dumps? I’ll take my CCNA exam next friday…
thanks,
andrew.letcon@gmail.com
Thank you for giving this information very important. i’am planning to pass my ccna the next mounth, i’am not english toggle language then i can have 30 more minutes good!!!!
My question, is IPV6 ccna program?
Please i need the last dumbs.
benimiri2012@gmail.com.
i am very encouraged by 9tut.
Thank you very munch.
hello guys. what do you think of the new edition of Odom’s book that came out in November 2011? I have the 2007 version (the second). to pass the exam I have to buy the latest edition? Thanks so much for the answers
I am willing to sit for CCNA exam end of this month. my questions are -
1) How can i make registration for CCNA and where to go?
2) I have been here in USA for last three months (Green card ), and i am not native English speaker so am i eligible for extra 30 min? if i am eligible then what to do and how i confirm it?
so please please answer these questions.
@zia
try pearsonvue.com
you will select a testing center close to you during the registration process
hi there, please need help to open vce files.
i had downloaded visual certexam but unfortunately it was only trial that will give me 5 questions only.. please help me guys
thanks a lot…
by d way here’s my email leviamatosa@yahoo.com
tnx
@levi
try here: http://www.certprepare.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1664
are the 3 labs always at the end of the test ?
Eric P: no
Hello all,
Could someone please explain the concept of discontiguous versus contiguous networks? Please break it down to a 10th grade level.
donnie.reid.jr@gmail.com
thanks much appreciated answer… last time I failed test because i ran out of time and had 3 labs with 1 question inbetween…. I was hopeing that that was just a fluke…
I have downloaded the latest dump unfortunatly I only found 5 questions for each section A B C how can I get full question to practice
Many thanks in adva nce
Took CCNA yesterday and passed… had 1 of the worlds dumbest questions:
what 2 appliances will interfere with a wireless AP:
a)microwave
b)toaster
c)copy machine
d)cordless phone
The cordless phone is a givin, but I didnt get a chance to look up the frequencies of my home apliances ! I just put microwave since in a copy machine there is only stepper motors that would emit any kind of emf and I would guage that at under 1khz…. the toaster is a straight up inductive load 60hz if not rectified to DC…. some of the other questions were ambigous also….. the test has changed a bit since i took it in feb. more IPv6 Q’s SIMS were:
ACL2,VTP,EIGRP (core connected to net and 3 other routers).
will post ACL2 question in a bit…. was pretty standard but also a bit ambigious… could have been done 2 ways.
Can any one tell, is there 30 mins more for non English speaker?
@9tut How many marks is carried out by each question(not the simulations).
hi guys .iam just looking for a good book to buy that have best exam quistions and answerd.if any one knows one will be thanks full to tell us .thanx
I have a tip that should be added I think. In the exam usually you are offered 15mins for a tutorial. Study the tutorial (see FAQ 9 above) this is accurate you cannot go back for any question!!…and instead of using the time to read the tutorial start making notes. In particular I drew out an octet of binary values in a table for subnet calculating, 2^n results for calculating numbers of bits needed for hosts/network addressing schemes. and a few other commands I wanted to keep handy like ACL commands, NAT commands etc. You know you will need to do this at some point and it will save precious minutes in the exam if you do it in your tutorial free 15mins!
Is there any website for Microsoft exam ?????
Hi, I failed due to doing next one lab, the dump is 100% valid, if I take my exam again, will it be the same dump and labs or it is changed in second attempt.
thanks waiting for your replies, anybody who has taken exam for second attemp.
Please reply me anybody who has taken exam for second attempt, will it be the same dump or it will be changed.
Hi EVERYONE – I WOULD LOVE TO GET THE LATEST DUMP FROM ANYONE WHO CAN GIVE IT TO ME> Please!!! I am taking the exam on May 15th and really would appreciate it.
Thank you!!!!
erica3025@gmail.com
Erica
Your website is arlley arlley helpful. i currently have a IT job but i am also looking to grow in the IT world. I am currently working on my CCNA and my CCNP routing and switching exam. Reading this segment arlley helped me because i to lack the focus sometimes to put other things aside and study like i should.
Hi,Everyone.Yesterday i pass the CCNA Exam with score 1000.Thanks to my almighty Allah.Thanks to 9tut which help me pass my exam.
Hi,Everyone.Yesterday i have completed the CCNA with score 1000.Thanks to my almighty Allah.Thanks to 9tut which help me pass my exam.
Dear Erica you can collect dumps from http://www.examcollection.com/640-802.html.From this site download following dumps:
Cisco PrepKing 640-802 v2012-01-03 by DHARANI 615q.vce
Cisco Acme 640-802 v2012-01-21 by Jericho 576q.vce
Cisco Acme 640-802 v2011-07-09 by Collisio 486q.vce
Cisco BrainDump 640-802 v2011-08-10 by DropAndDrag 34q.vce
and practice LAB from 9tut.com
this is my second time to for ccna 640-802 , the first time I couldn’t make it .
i will be much happy if any one can help me to pass my second exams ?
E-mail : sammyadjeii@yahoo.com
Is there a way to get a CCNA Voucher Discount.
Hi everyone. I tried to dolnwoad the CCNA material but it only has RAR files. Everytime I go to open them it goes to my Adobe Photoshop. Any idea how to open them using some other software. PS desn’t like it .
Hi how do question no. and utpade date tell the version of TI engine, i have TI 5.74 version for BCMSN from march 2010 and now when i am check the lates utpade in testinside site, it showing me same 227 Q&A but utpade date change, how would i know is their any changes in the question even though rate of that dump also change from $69 to $120 Please help
Hi everyone!!!
Finally I passed exam… I had to take exam twice… Ho Ho Ho… Mixed up in my mind about questions… Thanks for 9tut to help me a lot!!! You ROCK!!!
ALHAMDULILLAH….cleared CCNA today…thanx 9tut
free CCNA lecture
http://www.urduitacademy.com
Helloo……I cracked my CCNA exam with 973 out of 1000.
It was an awsome experience…..
all the labs in my exam were from 9tut.com
please clear your all basic commands for cracking labs.
show mac-address-table command was not run in lab simulation so be careful in VTP sim.
all the best…….
thanks a lott 9tut…..
i failed the exam last week with score of 722, the reason behind this is i didnt save the configuration on may 2 SIMs, please tell me about this.. thanks
Hello there!
Want to say thanks 9.tut for great web and if some could send me latest dump on
mlskrypka@gmail.com
I will be really thankful
Mike