First of all, a Cisco Certified Network Associate needs to have at least one official CCNA book (the 3rd edition is the best) to get his Cisco exams. The official exam costs $100 and the text book costs another couple of hundred dollars. The cost is definitely worth the investment. On top of the books, you will also need a couple of practice exams from Cisco that you can take before your official exam. With the books and practice exams alone, you should be able to save around forty dollars for your CCNA exam.
Before you purchase your Cisco training materials, try to find out whether the product families will be easier for you to use. There are three main product families for CCNA exams: Tools, Work stoppage and Utilities. Each product family has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is always better to try to find out which product families will suit your needs before purchasing anything. Some people prefer to use certain product families for their Cisco certifications due to the fact that they are easier to understand and more intuitive (for beginners).
After buying your Cisco certification book and your practice exams, you will need to decide what study guides and test questions you will study from. A good study guide must contain plenty of detailed information about each topic and an extensive collection of practice test questions from different Cisco providers. The amount of time you will need to study for your Cisco exams depends on how quickly you plan to complete your certification. Many people find that if they complete their studies and exams within twelve months, their Cisco experience is enough for them to achieve a Professional Certification. Those who take longer to become certified often choose to take six months or more in order to fully grasp all aspects of Cisco networking.
Once you have selected the Cisco test prep study guide and gotten your Cisco certification books, you will need to purchase some exam-related supplies. You will need to purchase two things: a study guide and test sheets. A good study guide should contain detailed instructions about every topic in the exam. It should also provide complete explanations for every question, including practice tests and correct answers. Finally, the guide should contain practice tests that you can take to see how well you do with the material being covered in the book.
Another important part of your study material is testing practice material. Cisco certification books are full of practice tests you can take and review. It is best if the material is included as an appendix to the main text because the supplementary information may be more helpful. It may help you focus your learning on a specific area so you don’t waste your time trying to learn too many different topics. Some of the most useful product families include Networking Essentials, Cisco CCNA Tools, Cisco Specialist Tools, Cisco Service Packages, and other useful products.
A third part of your study material should be a set of Cisco practice exam questions. These questions serve as the backbone for the Cisco training you will need. You can buy separate test questions from any of the authorized Cisco product families. A good study guide should also contain sample questions and a worksheet for practice. A comprehensive exploration companion guide will also include a list of resources you can refer to when you’re ready to take your Cisco certification test. This list will make it easier to track your progress and find questions you’re not sure of.
The last component you should consider for your review is the written review of the material. I strongly suggest you purchase a quality CTP or CCNA exam book. The written review should be an authoritative source. It will have detailed descriptions of all the topics covered in the text along with detailed test questions. Look for a book that comes recommended by one of your instructors or a trusted friend.
