Determine what type of exam you will be taking. There are two types of exams that can be taken by qualified people who want to become a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). The first is the CCNA-R, which is the more common of the two. The second is the CCNA-SP, which is less common. Both exams are based on a similar set of core knowledge and are not very different from one another.
The next step is to figure out what time schedule will work best for you. It is recommended that people study on their own schedule, so this decision should not be made until you have studied for and taken a Cisco exam. If you are taking an online course, then you will need to set a time that works for you. You should also decide how you will pay for the class, whether it will be through your school’s financial aid program or if you will need to rely on tuition loans.
Next, you will need to decide what type of materials you will use. Here is where things can get a little tricky. If you are studying by yourself, then it might not be feasible to buy study books because you will need to purchase every supplement book that comes with the Cisco certifications. In this case, you will need to use textbooks or e-books to supplement your study. If you are taking an online course, then you won’t have this issue, but it is still important to make sure you have access to enough reading material to help you pass the exam.
Your next step is probably the most important one. Get a pad of paper and jot down your notes while going over the material. There is nothing worse than forgetting vital information or even wrong reference materials. You may be surprised at how much time is taken up by tiny errors when you are reviewing for a major exam like this.
Once you are done with this step, you can start preparing for the actual exam. The Cisco CCNA exam is broken down in four different areas. You will need to study for each area in order to gain a passing score. Some people recommend taking practice exams first to help you pinpoint exactly which questions to expect. While it is a great idea to consult a guide before taking the real exam, there are some who believe taking practice tests is unnecessary.
The last step is the most critical and will determine how you perform during the exam. Write down everything you learned and practiced on. Then, review everything and take a few minutes to clear your head and think about what you want to accomplish. When you are ready, review the information and begin practicing for the real exam. Each section should not take more than a couple of minutes so that you do not exhaust yourself before you even begin.
By following the above advice, you should have no problems passing your Cisco certification test. The reward is well worth the work and effort. Work hard now and then concentrate on your future success. This will pay off ten fold when you begin your journey in the cyber world.
