Making a career in the IT sector is one of the most opted career paths in today’s times. The reason for this is that information and technology is becoming an intricate part of our day to day life and there is a high demand for trained IT professionals all over the world. Although this is one sector where there are numerous job opportunities, only the people with enough knowledge and training can land up better jobs. A lot of different certifications are required in order to find a career in the networking department. The CCNA Routing and Switching Certification is one such exam that a candidate seeking a job in the IT Sector needs to pass.
If you are looking for more information on the CCNA Routing and Switching Certification and want to ace the examination with great marks, this guide is for you. Here we have provided a detailed description of the CCNA Routing and Switching Certification exam and how you can succeed in it.
Know About CCNA Routing and Switching Certification
Cisco CCNA Certification is an exam designed by Cisco to validate the knowledge and ability of a candidate to configure, install, operate and troubleshoot small and medium-sized switched networks and routes. This certification also validates the candidates’ knowledge about verification and implementation of the connections to remote sites in a WAN. The full form of CCNA is Cisco Certified Network Associate and this certification is necessary to acquire any industry level jobs in the IT Sector.
Examination Pattern
To get the CCNA Routing and Switching Certification a candidate has to pass one of the two given examinations:
Exam Option 1- 200-125 CCNA
200-125 CCNA is a combined CCNA exam where the candidate’s knowledge about LAN, Network fundamentals, IPv4 and IPv6 routing technologies, infrastructure services, WAN technologies, Infrastructure management and infrastructure security is tested.
Exam Option 2- ICND1 and ICND2 Exams
The candidates can also opt to give two different examinations in order to get their CCNA Routing and Switching Certification.
In the ICND1 examination, the candidate’s knowledge about LAN Switching technology, network fundamentals, infrastructure services, routing technology and infrastructure maintenance is tested.
In the ICND2 examination, the candidate’s knowledge about IPv4 and IPv6 routing technology, infrastructure services, LAN switching technology, WAN Technology and infrastructure maintenance is tested.
The scores of both ICND1 and ICND2 exams are combined to declare the result of the candidate.
Registration Fees
The candidates need to pay $300 to give the CCNA exam whereas the ICND1 and ICND2 exams cost $650 each. Each time the candidate applies for these exams, they need to pay the fee again.
Eligibility and Validity
The candidate does not require any prior qualifications to apply for this exam. The candidate should be 18 years or older to give the exam. If the candidate does not pass the exam in the first attempt, he or she can give the exam again after a minimum waiting period of 5 business days.
The CCNA Routing and Switching Certification are valid for a period if three years. After three years, the candidate needs to recertify. The candidate needs to fulfil any one of the following criteria to recertify:
- Pass any 642-xxx professional level or 300-xxx professional level exam.
- Pass any Associate level exam
- Pass the CCIE written exam
- Pass the CCAr interview and the review of the CCAr board for the extension of certification.
Syllabus and Study Material
The syllabus and study material is available at the official website of the CCNA Routing and Switching Certification Examination. You can choose from one of the following to prepare for your examination:
1.Cisco Learning Network Resources
You can get all the Cisco learning resources on the website where you will get access to the study material, Routing and Switching Blogs and R&S study sessions.
2. Self Help Material
For all the candidates who want to prepare for the exam at their own pace, the self-help material is the most useful. The candidates will get the access to Cisco learning labs for ICND1 and ICND2 in addition to the practice exam papers.
3. Learning Partners
There are different Cisco learning partners who provide learning material for both kinds of exams and sell it to the candidates.
4. One On One Training
The candidates can also opt for Cisco-approved training for each of these exams. These training include Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1, Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 and Cisco Networking Devices: Accelerated. This course is sufficient to prepare for the exam and pass it with good scores.
The Job Prospect of CCNA Routing and Switching Certification
After receiving the Cisco Networking Devices Part you will be eligible for a lot of different jobs in the IT sector. Some of the highest paying jobs are Network Engineer, Senior Network Engineer, Network Administrator, System Administrator, Information Technology Manager, System Engineer, and Information Technology Director. In addition to this, the people who want to set up their own business can also benefit from this certification.
How to Prepare for the Exam?
Here are the steps that are required in preparing for the CCNA Routing and Switching Certification:
- Download the entire syllabus from the official website and collect all the resources that are required for the preparation.
- Make sure you read and learn about every topic thoroughly so that you do not miss out on anything.
- Once you have finished the syllabus, start solving the practice tests. These practice tests are specially designed like the main examination and will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses.
- Stay regular with your studies and make sure you revise daily.
CCNA Routing and Switching Certification can be a huge turning point in your career as an IT professional. Most of the large IT companies include this certification in their eligibility criteria. You can take this exam at any time. Most of the students take this exam alongside their degree so that when they pass college and step into the real world, they can have a good paying job. After getting this certificate, it is important to make the most of it during the valid period.
