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.

Getting a technology certification is in great demand these days since companies prefer to hire employees with some proven skills instead of hiring people with no experience at all.

A good place to start for an entry level-computer related certification is where the majority of people begin, that is with CompTIA A+. This will give you all the basics of computer hardware, the OS, basic networking and trouble shooting as well as the general topic of what a computer is and how it works. If you’re just getting started in the IT industry, CompTIA A+ certification is the foundation for a successful career.

This is also a great test to complete as it will offer you a good foundation for passing a Microsoft Certified Professional for Windows XP. The CompTIA A+ test also covers the basic networking of the CompTIA Network+ certification, and also there are a lot of similarities with the MCP and the CCNA certification programs.

If you really want to pass your CompTIA A+ exam guaranteed I would suggest you to buy the TrainSignal Video Training package for CompTIA A+. If you’re serious about your career, your investment in Train Signal’s CompTIA A+ course will reward you for many years to come! Trainsignal is the leader in Video Training with the best value for money you can find.

Another recommended reading material that you should study is Mike Meyers’ A+ Guide: PC Technician (Exams 220-602, 220-603, & 220-604). It explains the necessary components for assembling computers, motherboard, RAM, CPU, HD, CD-RW/DVD-ROM, case and case fans and the power supply. It is recommended to use Windows XP over Vista because there are so many more IT managers using XP out there over Vista.

The activities that you should be doing for practice include;

1. repairing a computer,
2. building a PC,
3. practice backing up and restoring profiles and personal data,
4. getting familiar with motherboards and updating firmware.
5. Configuring basic networking and security on Windows.

 
Other recommended reading and testing exercisers are:

1. MCSE Windows XP Professional Exam Cram 2.
2. You should be practicing the set up of your XP machine as a small file server, configuring share permissions and NTFS permissions, configuring Windows built in firewall, practice setting up automatic task scheduler
3. and learning how to monitor the tasks manager.