Cisco Certified Network Associate !
CCNA® “Cisco Certified Network Associate “The most renowned certification in Networking industry.
CCNA stands for “Cisco Certified Network Associate”
CCNA® is an entry level certification in Cisco Platform designed
for professional’s by Cisco System’s. I recently passed CCNA
( 640-801 ) exam with 975 score. Many candidates are curious to
know about CCNA. In fact I was little nervous few hours before
starting of CCNA® exam. Yes, there are few reasons which makes
you uncomfortable even after you studied everything. Alright.
I’ll tell about it soon. First I want to add some common reference
books which are usually preferred by candidates appearing for
CCNA® exam. These are as follows >
SYBEX 5th edition by Todd Lammle (SYBEX is the leading
company who publishes books in certification exam category. )
LearnKey® video’s (Well, a lot useful tool to become a successful
CCNA if you don’t have hands on experience on Cisco routers or
switches. It’s a e-learning video. The speaker’s pronunciation is very
clear compare to other vendor’s. Must be probably because LearnKey®
is UK based company. And UK English is very punctual, the speaker
pressurized important word’s which you need to remember. And also
he showed Cisco command line by using a typical network scenario.
CBT Nuggets® - Most popular e-learning software. But personally
I prefer LearnKey® . CBT Nuggets is American based, and there
pronunciation is like American style. They speak inside there mouth,
and word they speak are not clear to an non US resident candidate who
is hearing Nuggets video’s. Well depends, many non US resident
still feel CBT Nuggets rock’s. It’s personal choice.
Boson NetSim version 6 for CCNA® - A virtual Router pack by
Boson, for candidates who don’t have experience on real Cisco routers.
Boson gives virtual routers and catalyst switches, you connect them,
configure them and practice to get success in CCNA™ exam .
Network Visualizer – Another vendor just like Boson. I like Network
Visualizer than Boson because it has easy to use interface while designing
stand alone lab. Just drag and drop routers, switches, hosts and connect
by which ever interface you want, it also asks weather you want DCE or DTE
before you connecting both ends of cable to 2 router’s serially . So good to
get this idea in to brain quicker which is useful in real life.
Above material is more than enough to get well prepared for CCNA exam.
Now let me tell you detailed information about CCNA exam . Here it is >
640-801 is the single exam, once you passed, your CCNA! Recently, I can say
2 years back, Cisco Systems introduced 2 separate exams, once you clear those
2 exam’s (640-811, 640-821) you’re also an CCNA! Most candidates go for single
(640-801) exam. Giving 2 exams could increase financial burden if money is
an important factor for you. It’s again individual’s choice whether to sit for single
( 640-801) exam or multiple 2 exam’s to achieve your goal as a CCNA !
I write down detailed info about 640-801 exam below >
Exam number: 640-801
Exam fees: 150 US$
Time duration: 90 mins (For US, UK & Canada citizens)
120 mins (For others)
Required passing Score: 849
Exam type: Adaptive (You get 55~56 questions. Once you
proceed to NEXT question, you can not go back to view or
modify previous question. Once submitted the question that’s all.
So be careful while answering)
Score measuring system: Score has been measured between
300~1000 score basis. Well, this is what my score sheet say’s. But
I don’t know the exact meaning of it.
Exam sheet shows your performance in 4 various topics which are
widely covered in SYBEX 5th edition and in Cisco press book’s.
Oh yes one more thing, NAT is covered in details in Cisco press
ICND book. In exam you get 2 simulation type questions.
What is Simulation type Question? > It’s a type designed by Cisco
to verify your talent in configuring and trouble shooting Cisco
Router as well as Switch. So well prepared for it. Practice is essential
to be able to solve these kind of question’s. Command on Cisco
IOS software is a must to pass CCNA exam. These 2 simulation type
questions contain a lot marks. So if you fail to solve, you’re FAIL in
CCNA exam too. So be ware! Be well prepared.
So…It’s a over view of CCNA exam. Many people asked me how was
the exam and other detail’s. I finished exam in 40 min’s. Well, if you
know the stuff, time is not an issue. 90 mins is more than enough time
because once you click NEXT , you can not go back to review previous
question. In all Cisco exams, the scenario is same. Exam type is tough.
That’s why may be Cisco certification’s hold a lot of value in current
computer networking market. And of course Cisco Systems is a technology
leader in Networking products including Routers, Catalyst Switches, PIX
Firewalls, Wireless products and Internet backbone Router’s. It is very
interesting to work on those devices, and believe me, in most companies only
Cisco certified people are allowed to touch those Cisco devices.
Alright then,
Best of luck for the exam,
Sincerely,
Amey Abhyankar.
posted by Amey @ 1:21 AM
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