If you really want to know how to pass you CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) exam then you’ll want to read every word of this article. There are several key areas that you need to master in order for your best chance of success to pass the CCNA test.

You will want to get comfortable with all the different realms of information. Like anything else that you want to achieve, the true keys is not whether you can gather a multitude of books, manuals or other learning materials, it’s whether you have the determination and drive to get the job done.

There are so many types of learning guides and materials out there, so many in fact that sometimes you can be burdened down with information overload. This is where you continually seek out new material, and there is a ton of it out there, you have so much that it all becomes very confusing instead of easier. Many of the so called ‘can’t miss’ study courses that are offered only give you a false sense of knowledge.

Once you realize that in order to pass your CCNA exam, it will take some hard work and dedication on your part, as it is a very difficult test to pass, will your journey get better.

Once you decide that you are ready to embark on the journey of passing the CCNA exam, the next step is to set out a realistic time frame to do so. When you set this time frame, be honest with yourself. There’s nothing worse then trying to complete the Cisco certification in less time than you are physically or mentally able to handle.
 
Once a realistic time frame is in place, it is nice to have a calendar with your time schedule in front of you to keep you focused and determined to meet your schedule. Also, a weekend excursion away, a bottle of finely aged wine, or anything that will keep you going when the times get tough are all recommended.

Now, the CCNA exam is one of those certifications that a proper training is required to pass it. You can go for an instructor class-based training (usually 5-day boot camp) and get the required training. However this option is very expensive and study intensive since you are not studying on your own pace. The other great option is to get a computer based training (usually video training style) where you get videos plus audio plus many practice questions and instructor notes for a complete training in your home. What I used personally and passed my Cisco exams (CCNA, CCNP, CCSP) is the Trainsignal Video Training packages which offer excellent value and in-depth training to pass the CCNA or any other Cisco exam. Check out Trainsignal Website for more information.  

In addition to the training I suggest above, I also recommend you to get some tangible book study material that others have used and been successful with. Here are some books that you should look into:

1. Cisco Press CCNA Study Guide
2. Jeremy Cioara’s Exam Cram and Prep Guide
3. Any books on the subject by Todd Lammle.

I highly recommend the Cisco Press books. These books are usually the best because they come from the actual exam giver, Cisco. Therefore, the exercises and test questions will be very relevant to what you’ll see on the exam. Moreover, a Cisco Press book will be a great reference even after you pass your CCNA exam.

Having some highlighters and a note pad is a must in order to go back for easy review of any of the topic that you studied. When ever you have some extra time, even just five or ten minutes, you can whip out your study notes and do a quick review. This will keep you sharp, and get you into some good study habits.

Perhaps the best resource that you can find is the actual people that have gone through and passed their CCNA exam. You don’t have to have a face to face with them. Because of the speed and convenience of the Internet, you can search them online and seek any and all information you need.

Talking with these people that have gone through and learned how to pass the CCNA exam is an easier way to learn then any book or course that you could buy. Real life experience is better then any book ever printed. Good luck for your CCNA certification efforts.

IT technology and computer/data networking are two hot career paths that many people get into hopping for a successful professional establishment. However, as technology demands get higher and higher, professional qualifications (such as technical certifications) are now a necessity for people trying to get a job in IT or networking. Most companies now require several professional certifications from candidate employees before even considering their application for employment.

Cisco and Microsoft are the two hottest and most prestigious companies that offer technical certification paths. Personally I pursued certifications from both companies, but my main focus is on Cisco (my Microsoft certifications have expired long time ago!!). I get a lot of questions from people seeking a Cisco certification regarding the best study and training option. I always tell them that their best option is first of all determination and discipline and then anything else. If certification candidates have those two characteristics then they only need a good training and study methodology to pass their exams guaranteed.

I have always liked CBT (Computer Based Training) style trainings because they combine both self-study and instructor based training methods. CBT is basically Video based training where you get high quality DVD video tutorials with an actual instructor teaching the course in the video. The two biggest companies in the industry offering CBT video trainings are TrainSignal and CBT Nuggets. They are both excellent options for using towards your certification exam preparation. They both offer trainings on Cisco, Microsoft, VMWare, CompTIA etc. I have read testimonials in various forums for both companies (regarding Cisco Trainings) and the conclusion is that TrainSignal offers the most complete exam coverage and details but CBT Nuggets is less boring but does not cover all exam topics. The instructor of Cisco trainings in Trainsignal is Chris Bryant who is more focused on teaching you all the details required to pass the exam, but he is not as exciting and “funny” as Jeremy Cioara (the instructor of CBT Nuggets). Anyhow, I have personally used TrainSignal training for passing my CCNP exams and was very satisfied with the quality of the training. Check out the following comparison table between Trainsignal Vs CBT Nuggets for CCNA Video Training to get a better picture of the two options and decide which one is best for you (in case you are studying for a CCNA certification).

As information security threats are exploding, the network security certifications are getting more and more attention and demand. The Cisco CCNA Security Certification is an excellent choice for a starting network professional since enterprises started to seek professionals with security skills. The Cisco CCNA security leads also to two other popular and hot certifications, the CCSP (Cisco Certified Security Professional) and the CCIE Security.

At the time of this writing, the CCNA Security requires candidates to pass a single exam, the 640-553 IINS ( Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security ). This exam is 90 minutes and consists of 55-65 questions. The exam tests candidates their ability to secure Cisco Routers and switches, and their associated networks. Exam topics include security threats facing modern network infrastructures, securing cisco routers and switches, implementing AAA on cisco routers, mitigating threats using Access Control Lists, mitigating common layer 2 attacks, implementing the cisco ios firewall and IPS features etc.

If you are planning to pursue a professional certification, then the Cisco CCNA security is a great starting step for your professional career. For CCNA Security training, Trainsignal offers a complete exam coverage with Video Training for IINS 640-553.