CCNA 200-301 replaces all current CCNA exams with a single examthat iseffective Feb. 24, 2020. The new exam is 120-minutes and has significant changes to the curriculum.
The new exam has only single-area OSPFv2 as the dynamic routing protocol and no troubleshooting topics. Simulation labs (notoriously difficult) are now only configuration and verify.
Current
CCNA Exams
CCNA 200-125, ICND1 100-105, and ICND2 200-105 are available for registration only until Feb. 23, 2020.
CCNA 200-301 Knowledge
Domains
20%
Network Fundamentals
20% Network Access
25% IP Connectivity
10% IP Services
15% Security Fundamentals
10% Automation and Programmability
New CCNA Topics!
CCNA 200-301 exam includes a significant amount of wireless and network programmability. That is attributed to the popularity of mobile devices, cloud computing and SDN architecture. Cisco is aligning the new CCNA certification exam with a shift to internet-based connectivity model and OSPF for routing IP protocol only. EIGRP was previously created for multiprotocol routing and RIP is not scalable for mobile and cloud connections.
The management and troubleshooting of network infrastructure is being radically changed with SDN open source architecture. Cisco has enabled programmable features on their devices and virtualization from physical equipment to software services. They have virtual appliances and CCNA engineers now support private and cloud data center connections.
Cisco CCNA certification has become increasingly complex with theoretical and practical questions. There are questions from multiple knowledge domains and topics. Simulation questions require you to configure and verify network connectivity. The following are recommendations to score your best on the new CCNA exam.
Practice Tests
Practice tests are essential and when designed properly should verify what you have learned and your readiness for the exam. They are well worth the cost. You go into an exam that is 325 USD and do not know if you are ready for it. The practice tests should have simulation lab questions. Each test should use same pattern as the actual exam with all topics, percentages, duration and number of questions. Practice until you are scoring at least 85% and have honed your time management skills properly.
CCNA Question Types
1. Multiple Choice
Question that asks the
candidate to select the correct answer/s from multiple options.
2. Simulation Labs
There are 3-5 simulation labs with each exam that require you to configure and/or verify network connectivity.
SIM Type 1 – Configuration Labs
You are given some requirements and asked to configure network devices to enable network protocols and features.
Question: Configure OSPFv2 on router-1 so that routes from all local subnets are advertised to all neighbors?
SIM Type 2 – Operational Labs
You are asked a variety of questions that are answered using only IOS show commands from CLI. It requires you to select the correct IOS commands to to answer specific questions concerning network connectivity.
Question: What switch is elected as the root bridge from the network topology shown?
3. Drag and Drop
Match a list of items such as protocols for instance with the correct description.
4. Fill-in-the-Blank
Determine a word/s to finish
a statement so that it is correct.
Exam Day Recommendations
The testing center will give you a double-sided laminated paper whiteboard at the beginning of the exam. Request 3-5 of them so that you are not interrupting your exam.
There is a 15-minute tutorial before the exam starts. Use that time to create your whiteboard notes. It is a collection of facts and figures that you have for quick reference.
– subnetting table, binary table, AD values, port numbers, protocol facts, default settings, wildcard masks, ACL stuff and anything else that you often forget.
Subnetting is a key aspect of the CCNA exam for both theoretical and lab simulation questions. It is easy as well to make mistakes when converting between binary and decimal values. Write at least all class C subnets on paper when the exam starts. Include the subnetting table and binary table shown for quick conversions.
Don’t
burn time with a question you could only guess on. Take your best guess and
move on to the next question.
Take your time with SIM questions. Verify each answer carefully and note any syntax or configuration errors missed or not included before submitting. Do not click Next until you are satisfied with your answer and ready for the next question. There is no review allowed for SIM questions or navigation permitted to a previous question within the same lab.
Do not waste time considering your answers from previous questions. There is no back button or end of test question review with CCNA exam.
Complex
questions are sometimes comprised of convoluted wording, drawings and show
command listings. Consider fundamentally what the question is testing.
Read each question a couple of times carefully (to make a well worn point). Note the subtleties with each question that Cisco employs and what the question is really asking.
CCNA Sample Question
The following is an example of wording for a typical CCNA style question.
Q. What command will verify that a router interface is operational (up/up) and responding on a router?
A. show running-config
B. show ip interface brief
C. telnet
D. ping
The key word responding is used here and that implies sending a packet to an interface and verifying that it is up.
The command show running-config is wrong. You are at the router and can only verify the interface is configured correctly. It is an administrative command that does not verify the interface is responding to arriving packets.
The command show ip interface brief is wrong. You are at the router so there is no send/return of packets and cannot confirm the interface is responding to arriving packets.
Telnet option is inconclusive. Device requires a Telnet configuration. You would not know if the problem was with the Telnet configuration (application layer), ACL filter (application layer) somewhere or the interface (Layer 1-Layer 3).
Ping is best answer. The ICMP packet is sent to the interface and returns with either destination unreachable or packets received to confirm the router interface is operational. You can ping any interface configured with an IPv4 address or IPv6 address.
