- Exam Details
- Trouble Spots
- Preparation Hints
- Recommended Study Resources
- Exam Objectives
- Where to Go from Here
Preparation Hints
First, this exam makes sense for people who already have some networking knowledge and skill before beginning their study for CCNA Routing and Switching. You have a choice: take this exam, or take two different exams (ICND1 100-101 and ICND2 200-101). Cisco has expanded the topics in CCNA over the years, and the two-exam path makes more sense for those completely new to Cisco.
You should plan to study to learn deeply. These tests are not simple knowledge-based exams; you cannot just read a book once, memorize a little, and expect to pass the exam. You need to be ready to take your knowledge and analyze other networks, troubleshoot other networks, and configure features. These exams truly favor the prepared
Practice on the CLI. Buy used gear, use emulators, use the simulator, rent or borrow gear, but plan to practice the configurations and spend time understanding the router and switch commands. Certskills.com has some links to help you work through the topic of building a CCNA lab.
Practice subnetting. Practice until you can do it all, do it well, and do it fast.
As always, jump in and participate in the forums at the Cisco Learning Network. This is a wonderful place where you can pose questions and often get multiple answers in minutes or hours. It's a hugely popular place for folks to collaborate on their path towards Cisco certification.