CCNA Exam

CCNA Certification is given by Cisco Systems® to the candidate who clear the CCNA exam and considered as the foundation level certification. CCNA is the short form of Cisco Certified Network Associate. In CCNA exam LAN, WAN, their installation, configuration and operation are covered. Along with this, CCNA exam also cover Wireless LAN, Switched network, Routing Protocols, WAN Protocols, Network Management, Cisco Basics, IOS, and Network Basics, OSI Reference Model and Layered Communication, Bridging/Switching and covering all other things that are compatible to Cisco and its equipments.

CCNA certification can be obtained in two ways. These are:

1. Combined CCNA exam or
2. 640-822 ICND1 & 640-822 ICND1

To get CCNA certification one needs to clear one combined exam having the exam code 640-802. There is another way to getting CCNA certification. In this two exams are cleared that are 640-822 ICND1 (Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician), and 640-822 ICND1). If you take the individual exam you can study each part and focus on the same. You can first clear the 640-822 ICND1 exam that is an entry level exam and not that difficult and then go for the 640-816 ICND2. Candidate must clear the two exams within the period of three years in order to get CCNA certification. There is no pre-requisite to CCNA certification but to get CCNP, CCSP and CCIE or any other higher Cisco certification you really need to clear CCNA exam.

CCNA exam is a computer based exam that is conducted by the Sylvan Prommetric (and VUE). The CCNA exam fee is Approximately US$250. CCNA exam will have 50-60 questions and 90 minutes are allowed to complete the exam. The passings score is 849/1000 that is subject to variation. In CCNA exam you will find the following types of questions:

CCNA Exam Pattern

• Multiple choice: single answer questions
• Multiple choice: multiple answer questions
• Fill ups
• Drag-n-drop questions
• Exhibit based questions
• Simulations
• Simlet
• Testlet

CCNA exam is valid for the period of three years. To retain the validity you need to re-certify yourself or you need to get the higher certification from the CCNA exam track

CCNA Exam Track

CCNA :Cisco Certified Network Associate.
CCDA: Cisco Certified Design Associate
CCNP: Cisco Certified Network Professional
CCIP: Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional
CCSP: Cisco Certified Security Professional
CCVP: Cisco Certified Voice Professional
CCIE (R&S): Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (Routing & Switching)
CCIE (Service Provider): Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (Service Provider
CCIE (Security): Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (Service Provider

Cisco Certification Path	Entry-Level	Associate	Professional	Expert
Routing and Switching	CCENT	CCNA	CCNP	CCIE (Routing and Switching)
Network Security	CCENT	CCNA Security	CCSP	CCIE (Security)
Storage Networking	CCENT	CCNA	CCNP	CCIE (Storage Networking)
Wireless	CCENT	CCNA Wireless	CCNP Wireless	CCIE Wireless
Service Provider	CCENT	CCNA	CCIP	CCIE (Service Provider)
Voice	CCENT	CCNA Voice	CCVP	CCIE Voice
Design	CCENT	CCNA & CCDA	CCDP	CCDE

After completing these CCNA certification of your own field you can also go for the specialist certifications in advanced Routing and Switching. These include Cisco Routing and Switching Field Specialist, Cisco Routing and Switching Sales Specialist and Cisco Routing and Switching Solutions Specialist.