The first thing you should do when deciding on your Cisco certification track is find out what the new exams are going to be like. The exam tracks currently being offered are CCDA, CCNP, CCSA and CCRP. Each one has its own set of exams and different study methods. There are some experts that will tell you that for the most part, the new CCSA exams are easier to understand than the older versions. However, both the exams are going to be challenging.
If your main concern is time management, then the CCDA might be the better choice. There are plenty of free training videos that you can watch on the Cisco official YouTube channel. You can also hire someone to do your study. Alternatively, if your main interest is networking, the CCNP may be best for you. Cisco has several networking experts that offer the CCNP certification.
When deciding on the type of courses you need to take, you also need to make sure that you do research on the instructors. Make sure you know their experience and education background. Find out what kind of reviews they have gotten. You want someone that is going to be easy to work with and understand. Some people also have their own websites that provide additional information about them and the programs as well.
Another thing you will want to do before choosing a Cisco training track is read through all the materials. Make sure you understand all the concepts behind the software, and make sure you understand how to follow the instructions. Read through every page and note any unfamiliar jargon or terms.
The CCDA and CCNP certification tracks both require exam study materials. If you choose the CCDA, then the materials are more straightforward and consist of multiple-choice questions, and if you choose the CCNP, you will need to buy your own study guide. You will have more flexibility with the CCDA exam, but you have to spend more time studying and testing.
When you go through Cisco’s online training, you can decide which one fits your needs the best. But you should make sure that the course materials are explained clearly and concisely. In some ways, it can be easier to learn through video and audio than it is by reading text. If you watch someone doing the training, you can often tell what is going on just by listening to the voice. The same is true when you read print rather than digital documents.
The CCDA is designed for experts, so you won’t find as many labs and easy-to-understand video segments as with the CCNP. That said, the CCDA is the preferred certification path for network experts because it tests your IT skills rather than your technical knowledge of networking hardware. The exams are updated every two years, making them more relevant and useful. If you’re a Cisco expert, taking the CCDA exam will be a good investment over the long term.
Both the CCDA and CCNP track offer several different paths to the certification credential. For those who prefer to focus on their networking expertise, Cisco is offering two new tracks that you can pursue. Cisco specialists, who already know the material, can take the CCDA written exam. Meanwhile, those who would like to expand their knowledge but don’t want to go through the rigors of the CCDA exam can try the CCNP track, which consists of an exam based on recent articles and white papers about Cisco products.
With any type of Cisco training, it is important to make sure that you follow the directions precisely. It is easy to get lost or skip steps. That’s why you need a detailed study guide that will help you keep track of your progress. If you’ve never taken any Cisco courses before, it can be helpful to talk to an experienced Cisco specialist or someone who can explain things in layman’s terms.
There are many advantages to taking an all Cisco track. You’ll have a solid foundation to build on. The material is challenging, but not so challenging that you won’t be able to grasp the concepts. And you’ll have plenty of opportunities to refresh yourself as you advance. It’s simply the most sensible option for someone who wants to get the most out of their education.
