Cisco Certification Exam Preparation Tips

Certifications show ambition, technological proficiency, and a desire to grow both personally and professionally. They validate your skill as an IT specialist, demonstrating your worth and competency to hiring managers. Certifications help you to stand out from the crowd and keep on top of the latest advances by continuing your technical education. 

I'm sure you've thought how passing one or more of Cisco's coveted certification tests will assist your career, whether you're a seasoned network engineer or a networking rookie. Apart from your ambition and decision to certify, the planning process is the most important portion of your journey to achievement. Exam preparation requires devoted commitment, good time management, and positive energy to keep you on track. Here are some pointers to help you pass the Cisco Certification Exam: 

 

1. Collect essential materials 

 

To begin, you should review all available sources of information, including books (ciscopress.com), Cisco Networking Academy materials, videos, online courses, articles, and blogs, as well as the guidance provided in this post. Even if you arm yourself with a wide range of knowledge sources, which will inspire some trust in you, the amount of information available can easily overwhelm you. So, attempt to organize this stack in some way, giving precedence to the stuff you appreciate the most, and then moving on to the less important or fascinating materials. Before reading blog explanations, it is better to study books to familiarise yourself with concepts and technologies. You could find them handy because people write informal and intuitive blogs. 

 

If you enjoy reading, try reading a few different novels; each one will teach you something new. Despite the enormous number of books available for Cisco test preparation, you should choose Cisco Press publications (official exam certification guides) first because they are the most authentic. 

 

Consider the following Cisco Press books if you're preparing for the CCNA Routing and Switching certification: 

 

Foundation Learning Guide Library for Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching 200-120 

Official Cert Guide Library for the CCNA Routing and Switching 200-120 Exam 

3rd Edition of the CCNA Routing and Switching Portable Command Guide 

Purchase the CCNP Routing and Switching v2.0 Official Cert Guide Library if you plan to take the CCNP Routing and Switching exams. It consists of three books that I consider to be appropriate sources of theoretical information for the tests. To achieve the designation of CCNP certified, you must pass the following three examinations, in case you didn't know: 

 

Cisco IP Routing Implementation (ROUTE 300-101) 

Cisco IP Switched Networks Implementation (SWITCH 300-115) 

Cisco IP Network Troubleshooting and Maintenance (TSHOOT 300-135) 

Online Cisco training videos, which are usually a blend of live lectures, slides, live labs, and a whiteboard, are suggested. The most popular video training resource is CBT Nuggets. They may be beneficial to you, especially if you are a visual or auditory learner. In short, there is a lot of knowledge available on the internet, and its absence cannot be used as an excuse. Take advantage of the free resources offered by networking enthusiasts who are eager to contribute their knowledge and viewpoints. 

 

2. Arrange the studies in a logical order. 

 

You've gathered all of the resources you'll need for the exam, but there's one thing you're missing: a solid plan for going through the material day by day. You must come up with your strategy, decide on the optimum order for you, potentially write it down, and then put it into action. The next few months must be precisely planned so that you may have more control over the learning process and go over all of the contents sequentially. 

 

3. Take down notes 

 

Even while studying for the certificate might be a nice experience that entails reading before night, you should be aware that you will be exposed to a great deal of new information, most of which you will forget. It's useful to have a way for identifying what you already know from what you don't know, as well as what requires additional attention and analysis - such as highlighting, underlining, or taking notes. 

 

The most important phase in the learning process is this. Taking notes while reading can be challenging, but if you don't already do it, it's a good idea to start. It will motivate you to intentionally select what is important, concentrate on the content, and improve your learning process in general. Each study or analysis requires the purchase of a decent journal, which will serve as a repository for your observations, thoughts, and notes made when reading, completing laboratories, watching films, and so on. It is recommended that you get one for yourself to assist you to remember what you've read. 

 

4. Exercising 

 

One of the most important strategies to prepare for the Cisco exam is to complete as many practice labs as possible. Using Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3 to practice labs for any Cisco exam is the best option for most individuals. The practical experience will prepare you not just for the exam, but also for the challenges you'll encounter as a network engineer. For the majority of you, putting theory into practice is the most intriguing and difficult component of the learning process. 

 

5. Pay attention to the exam objectives. 

 

Get to know the official test objectives or the topics that will almost certainly be covered on the exam you're taking. Allow this information to act as a starting point for your investigation. 

 

6. Make use of your intellect 

 

In addition to taking notes, creating mind maps and sketches can help you comprehend and clarify many of the concepts and procedures covered in the CCNA and CCNP classes. A sheet of blank paper and a pen can help you imagine what you're reading or hearing when you're reading a book with a lot of words, technology, commands, and numbers, or when you're seeing a movie. Illustrations are used by many of the teachers who created the movies to demonstrate various technologies and mechanisms. Making mind maps and doodles can help you visualize the information and remember important details. 

 

7. Take your time to research. 

 

Make sure you grasp everything offered and pay close attention to anything you don't understand. One topic will make you feel upbeat, while another will make you feel insecure. Look for an answer in an article or watch a video if something in a book you've read isn't evident. 

 

8. Assess your preparedness 

 

Exam preparation should be checked after you've gone through all of the materials you've prepared and had a good amount of knowledge and confidence. Almost all Cisco Certification study manuals currently feature practice examinations (such as Boson), which are mostly multiple-choice questions. These tests will provide you a virtual experience that is similar to taking a real certification exam, teach you a new way of thinking about the subject, and, most importantly, determine your level of preparedness. 

 

9. Examine the Cisco Networking Academy course. 

 

If you want to thoroughly grasp every topic covered in Cisco certificates, train on real equipment, connect with peers and exchange knowledge and ideas and learn from the teacher, you should participate in the Cisco Networking Academy program. Going through the subject on your own versus going through it with an instructor who has the expertise and can share his or her thoughts, experiences, and real-world difficulties is a completely different experience. Enroll in one of the Cisco programs rather than doing it on your own. All of the advice offered here is still applicable, however, if you have already completed the program, studying for the exam will be a lot easier. 

 

10. Before the exam, brush up on your information. 

 

We recommend that you go over the Cisco Press books again before setting a test date. This will renew your thinking and allow you to notice something you may have missed the first time around. The final weeks before the tests should be devoted totally to answering questions. Look at internet forums and other online mock research platforms to come up with new inquiries. At this time, you should have a good understanding of the networking principles that will be examined on your CCNA certification. 

 

Last but not least, never, ever give up! Finally, certification is proof that you possess certain abilities and skills that can only be acquired via hard effort and dedication. You will be rewarded for your achievements!