Cisco CCNA

What Is the Cisco CCNA

The Cisco CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is Cisco’s associate-level certification for networking professionals. It confirms that you can install, configure, operate and troubleshoot small and medium-sized switched and routed networks, and that you understand IP services, security basics and network automation.

You earn the CCNA by passing a single exam: Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (200-301 CCNA) v1.1, live since August 20, 2024. The last day to test on v1.1 is February 2, 2027, and CCNA v2.0 goes live on February 3, 2027. The certification is valid for 3 years. You can recertify by earning 30 continuing education credits or by passing a qualifying exam.

The CCNA is a popular target for network technicians, help desk staff moving into networking and students who want a vendor-recognized credential. If you prefer a vendor-neutral start, compare it with CompTIA Network+, or browse all IT certifications on our site.

CCNA Introduction to Networks

Introduction to Networks is the first course in the Cisco Networking Academy CCNA curriculum, often shortened to ITN. It covers network components, the OSI and TCP/IP models, Ethernet, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, subnetting and basic switch and router configuration.

Many candidates meet these topics first in an academy class or a CCNA introduction to networks practice test. Everything in ITN feeds directly into the Network Fundamentals domain of the 200-301 exam, so a solid grasp of it makes the rest of the syllabus much easier. Cisco also offers the entry-level CCST Networking certification for learners who want a smaller first step.

CCNA 200-301 Exam Format

The CCNA 200-301 exam is a single 120-minute, computer-based test covering six domains. Cisco does not publish the number of questions or the passing score.

Expect a mix of question types: single and multiple-answer multiple choice, drag-and-drop matching, and simulation or simlet items where you read or change device configurations. Cisco’s exam tutorial shows each item type before the exam starts.

CCNA Question Count

The CCNA question count is not published by Cisco and can change between exam forms. Because the number is unknown, pacing matters more than counting. Check the clock regularly and avoid spending too long on any single item.

A practical approach is to aim for a little over a minute on standard multiple-choice questions, so you bank time for configuration and troubleshooting items that take longer.

CCNA Test Time

The CCNA test time is 120 minutes. Plan to arrive or check in early, because the time spent on the agreement and tutorial before the exam starts is separate from your exam time.

Cisco exams are generally linear: once you move on from a question, you cannot go back to change it. Answer each item fully before clicking Next, and do not plan to “come back later”.

Network Fundamentals

Network Fundamentals carries 20% of the exam. It covers network components such as routers, switches, firewalls and access points, network topologies, cabling, TCP and UDP, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and subnetting, and the basics of wireless and virtualization.

Subnetting and IP Connectivity

IP Connectivity is the largest domain at 25%. It covers reading the routing table, configuring static routes, single-area OSPFv2 and first-hop redundancy protocols. Subnetting underpins this domain and much of Network Fundamentals.

You must be able to work out network addresses, broadcast addresses and usable host ranges quickly and without a calculator. For example, a /27 subnet has 5 host bits, giving 32 addresses and 30 usable hosts. CCNA subnetting practice questions should be part of every study session.

Automation and Programmability

Automation and Programmability makes up 10% of the exam. It covers controller-based and software-defined networking, REST APIs, JSON data, configuration management tools and the role of AI in network operations. You do not need to write code, but you must be able to read a short JSON example and explain what a controller does.

The remaining domains are Network Access (20%: VLANs, trunking, EtherChannel, Rapid PVST+ and wireless LAN architectures), IP Services (10%: NAT, NTP, DHCP, DNS, SNMP, syslog, QoS and SSH) and Security Fundamentals (15%: device access control, ACLs, Layer 2 security, VPNs and wireless security).

CCNA v2.0 Exam Changes in February 2027

The last day to test on CCNA v1.1 is February 2, 2027, and CCNA v2.0 goes live on February 3, 2027, according to Cisco. Cisco advises taking v1.1 now if you are ready, because the skills you build carry into v2.0 and waiting only delays your certification.

Cisco describes v2.0 as a refresh rather than a complete overhaul: it keeps the technical core but adds more practical and troubleshooting tasks, with security and AI woven throughout. Cisco publishes the v2.0 exam topics separately, so compare them with the v1.1 topics before you choose study material for a 2027 exam date.

Cisco CCNA Scoring

Cisco CCNA scoring is pass or fail, and Cisco does not publish the passing score. The required score can vary between exam forms, and Cisco may adjust it over time, so there is no official number to aim for.

After the exam, your score report shows whether you passed and how you performed in each domain. If you need to retake, use that breakdown to plan your review. On our CCNA practice test, we use a 75% readiness benchmark as a target, which builds a safety margin for a demanding exam.

Cisco CCNA Registration and Fees

The Cisco CCNA exam fee is $300 USD in the United States, and you can also pay with Cisco Learning Credits. The exam is offered in English and Japanese. You schedule the exam through Pearson VUE, Cisco’s exam delivery partner, either at a test center or as an online proctored exam.

Follow these steps to register:

1. Create a Cisco account and a Pearson VUE account linked to it.
2. Search for exam 200-301 CCNA on the Pearson VUE site.
3. Choose a test center or online proctoring and pick a date and time.
4. Pay the fee or apply Learning Credits or a voucher.
5. Read the confirmation and the ID and testing-environment rules.

Prices outside the US can differ, so check the official CCNA exam page for the current fee in your country.

CCNA Exam Tips and Study Plan

The best CCNA exam tips come down to three habits: study one domain at a time, configure everything in a lab and test yourself every week. Most candidates without networking experience need two to four months at eight to ten hours a week.

Map these weeks onto your own calendar with the study planner, and keep your exam date in view with the exam countdown.

CCNA Practice Questions by Topic

Working through CCNA practice questions by topic helps you close gaps one domain at a time. After each practice test, sort the questions you missed by domain and spend your next study session on the weakest one.

Short, frequent reviews beat long cramming sessions. Turn port numbers, administrative distances and command syntax into a deck and make flashcards online for daily drills.

CCNA Practice Lab Questions

CCNA practice lab questions prepare you for simulation items on the exam. Use Cisco Packet Tracer, which is free through Cisco Networking Academy, or real or virtual equipment to build small networks and configure them from scratch.

Practise until you can configure VLANs, trunks, static routes, OSPF, NAT, DHCP and standard and extended ACLs without notes. Then break your lab on purpose and troubleshoot it with show commands, which mirrors how the exam tests configuration knowledge.

CCNA Exam Rules and Test Day Checklist

The CCNA exam rules are set by Cisco and enforced by Pearson VUE. Breaking them can end your exam or lead to sanctions, so read them before test day. Use this checklist:

• Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with a name that matches your Cisco and Pearson VUE profiles.
• For a test center, arrive early and expect to store all personal items in a locker.
• For online proctoring, run the system test, clear your desk and room and close all other applications.
• Do not use notes, phones, smartwatches or outside help during the exam.
• Watch the tutorial carefully, especially for simulation items.
• Answer each question completely before moving on, since you cannot return to it.
• Keep an eye on the clock and do not let one simulation consume your time.
• Never use or share real exam content; it breaks the Cisco certification agreement.

If you are building a broader career path, the CompTIA Security+ pairs well with the CCNA’s security domain, and the AWS Cloud Practitioner adds a cloud foundation.

Cisco CCNA FAQ

How Many Questions Are on the CCNA Exam?

Cisco does not publish the number of questions on the CCNA exam, and the count can vary between exam forms. What Cisco does publish is the time limit: 120 minutes for the 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam. Practice at a pace of a little over a minute per question, and leave extra time for configuration and troubleshooting items.

What Does the CCNA Exam Consist Of?

The CCNA exam consists of one 120-minute test, 200-301 CCNA v1.1, covering six domains: Network Fundamentals (20%), Network Access (20%), IP Connectivity (25%), IP Services (10%), Security Fundamentals (15%) and Automation and Programmability (10%). Questions include multiple choice, drag-and-drop and simulation-style tasks on Cisco devices.

How Do You Prepare for the CCNA Exam?

Prepare for the CCNA exam by working through the official exam topics one domain at a time, practising every configuration in a lab and drilling subnetting until it is automatic. Take a practice test each week to find weak domains. Most candidates without networking experience need two to four months of steady study.

How Much Does the CCNA Exam Cost?

The CCNA exam, 200-301 CCNA, costs $300 in US dollars, and you can also pay with Cisco Learning Credits. One exam earns the certification, so there is no second exam fee. Training courses, books and labs are separate costs, and many candidates prepare with free resources such as our CCNA practice test.

Is CCNA for Beginners?

CCNA is an associate-level certification, but it has no formal prerequisites and many beginners pass it. It is demanding for someone completely new to IT, because it assumes comfort with binary, IP addressing and the command line. Beginners often start with an introductory networking course or a networking fundamentals certification first.

What Is the CCNA Practice Test?

A CCNA practice test is a set of exam-style questions that checks your readiness for the 200-301 exam. Our free CCNA practice test draws random original questions from all six domains, scores your answers, breaks your result down by domain and explains every answer, so you know exactly what to study next.