CCNA Exam Tips and Tricks

CCNA 200-301 certification exam is difficult with questions from multiple knowledge domains, labs and topics. The following are recommendations to score your best on the CCNA 200-301 exam. 

CCNA 200-301 Practice Tests

CCNA practice tests are essential and when designed properly will verify what you have learned and your exam readiness. They are well worth the cost. You should verify your skills before going into an exam that is $300 USD. The practice tests should have labs to practice operational commands and configuration. Each test should include the correct percentage of questions per topic. Practice until you score at least 85% and have honed your time management skills properly.

CCNA 200-301 Pre-Exam Practice Tests

CCNA Question Types

  • Multiple Choice questions have only a single correct answer that you must select from multiple options.
  • Multiple Selection questions ask you to select more than one correct answer from multiple options.
  • Drag and Drop questions require you to match a list of items such as protocols for example with the correct description.
  • Performance-Based Labs are similar to the older simulation labs with multiple questions pertaining to configuration and analyzing output from show commands.
  • Unscored questions on the exam are not listed with the official CCNA syllabus. They are for research purposes only, and do not count toward your final score.

CCNA Tips and Tricks

  • The testing center will give you double-sided laminated paper at the beginning of the exam. Request 3-5 of them so 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. The online testing option provides a digital whiteboard for students. All study tools are included with practice tests and certification course.
CCNA Whiteboard Study Tool
  • Subnetting is the most important topic on the CCNA exam since it is required for multiple topics. It is easy to make mistakes when converting between binary and decimal notation. You should create at least a class C subnetting table and binary table on your exam whiteboard.