CCNA Exam Changes
In June of 2019, networking giant Cisco Systems restructured its flagship Cisco® Certified Network Associate (CCNA) program. The CCNA exam will be known as CCNA Exam 200-301 and changes will take effect February 24, 2020.
How the CCNA Exam Will Change in February of 2020
Changes to the program’s structure directly impact how you prepare for the CCNA exam. The current CCNA is made up of a series of individual certifications, the new CCNA will consist of a single certification that integrates several specialization areas.
The new CCNA exam covers an extensive range of skills that apply across all IT careers. They include:
- Network fundamentals
- Network access
- IP connectivity
- IP services
- Security fundamentals
- Automation and programmability
Cisco intends the CCNA to serve as a single associate-level credential that validates your knowledge and skills.
How the New CCNA Exam Will Prepare You for a Great Career
By consolidating the CCNA program from individual certifications to a single, comprehensive exam, they touch on an important reality: IT careers are changing.
As networks evolve to connect users, devices and applications, the IT professional’s role extends across once-clear boundaries between hardware, programming, security and the user experience.
By shifting the CCNA’s structure to a single, consolidated exam, Cisco signals its intention to prepare you to participate in this dynamic and demanding cross-functional environment.
The new approach extends your expertise – and your preparation – through integrated training for network fundamentals as well as security operations, automation and programmability.
How to Prepare for the New CCNA Exam
Whether you are considering your first CCNA certification or getting ready for CCNA recertification, Cisco has you covered. We do, too.
If you are currently working on a CCNA certification, you have until February 23, 2020 to pass the current exam. If you complete your CCNA by then, you will receive the new CCNA certification plus a training badge. Your CCNA will be valid for three years from the date you pass the exam.
If you are considering recertifying your CCNA, you will need to prepare for and pass the recertification exam that is in effect at the time you take it.
If you are in the early stages of earning your CCNA, then your timing is perfect for the new CCNA.
About the New CCNA Training Course
The new CCNA designation is built around a single course that prepares you to take a single, comprehensive exam. Cisco has announced that the 200-301 CCNA exam will address the individual categories in approximately the following proportions:
- IP Connectivity, 25%
- Network Access, 20%
- Network Fundamentals, 20%
- IP Services, 10%
- Security Fundamentals, 15%
- Automation and Programmability,10%
To prepare for the 200-301 CCNA exam, you can expect a challenging and highly engaging experience that covers both technical knowledge and hands-on skills. Our CCNA preparation course will prepare you to pass the CCNA exam across each segment.
CCNA Training Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for taking the CCNA exam. However, Cisco recommends that you have a strong understanding of the exam topics before registering for the test. The company mentions that many CCNA candidates also bring:
- Knowledge of networking fundamentals
- Understanding of basic IP addressing
- Awareness of the scope and applications of Cisco products
A solid CCNA training course will help you prepare in each of these areas.
How to Enroll in CCNA Training
Cisco’s CCNA is widely recognized as a benchmark of preparation for a great IT career. The coming changes to the CCNA program open doors to an entirely new level of opportunity across the scope of IT operations in organizations of all sizes.
Now is the time to start preparing for the IT career of the future. Register with ed2go.com now for online career training to prepare for CCNA certification.
Start your prepping for the CCNA 200-301 exam today!
To learn more about enrolling with one of our regional partners, give us a call at (855) 520-6806 and we’ll get in touch immediately.
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