CCNA Certification Prep Guide - Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certifications

Sep 27, 2026

CCNA Certification Prep Guide provides a study-oriented overview of Cisco’s CCNA and CCIE credential paths, emphasizing network fundamentals and network security technologies. It summarizes how CCNA curriculum has evolved, including consolidation of routing/switching and specialty tracks (Voice, Security, Wireless) to help administrators become specialists faster. The guide also outlines readiness expectations for CCNA exams and introduces CCIE considerations, alongside a practice quiz intended to check certification preparedness for learners.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

In this e-guide

Realigning the entry-level Cisco certification

New Cisco collaboration certification plan rolls voice, video CCNA into one

Cisco IoT certification upgrades target IT pros

Cisco CCNA exam: Are you ready?

CCIE exams: Still worth it?

E-guide CCNA Certification Prep Guide Your guide to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certifications E-guide | In this e-guide | | --- | | Realigning the entry-level Cisco certification p.2 | | New Cisco collaboration certification plan rolls voice, video CCNA into one p.6 | | Cisco IoT certification upgrades target IT pros p.9 | | Cisco CCNA exam: Are you ready? p.10 | | CCIE exams: Still worth it?
p.14 | CCIE certification debate continues despite exam’s SDN, cloud updates p.18 In this e-guide: Achieving your Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) certification requires a true in-depth understanding of network fundamentals and network security technologies. Not only will obtaining this certification expand your career opportunities, but it will also benefit your employer’s network. The CCNA exam has had some curriculum changes over the years, and we want to help you stay on track with your studies. The following articles explain some of those changes and provide you with a 10-question practice quiz to help you determine if you’re ready for your certification. Not ready to tackle the CCNA exam? We also provide key information on the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) exam starting on page 14. E-guide | In this e-guide | | --- | | Realigning the entry-level Cisco certification p.2 | | New Cisco collaboration certification plan rolls voice, video CCNA into one p.6 | | Cisco IoT certification upgrades target IT pros p.9 | | Cisco CCNA exam: Are you ready? p.10 | | CCIE exams: Still worth it?
p.14 | CCIE certification debate continues despite exam’s SDN, cloud updates p.18 CCNA changes: Realigning the entry-level Cisco certification Shamus McGillicuddy, Enterprise Management Associates Cisco made changes to its CCNA program to help admins become voice, wireless and security specialists faster. Cisco has streamlined its Cisco Certified Network Associate certifications by reducing the amount of core routing and switching expertise an administrator needs to obtain a CCNA Voice, CCNA Security and CCNA Wireless accreditation. These changes will allow IT pros to use an entrylevel Cisco certification to accelerate their careers as specialists in these disciplines, Cisco said. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) has long been Cisco's foundational certification. Administrators had to pass two rigorous exams on routing and switching--the ICND1 and ICND2--to obtain a standard CCNA before taking additional exams on wireless, voice or security to obtain specialist CCNA certifications. This approach has encouraged administrators to get a deep foundation of networking skills before trying to develop expertise in a specific branch of networking. E-guide | In this e-guide | | --- | | Realigning the entry-level Cisco certification p.2 | | New Cisco collaboration certification plan rolls voice, video CCNA into one p.6 | | Cisco IoT certification upgrades target IT pros p.9 | | Cisco CCNA exam: Are you ready? p.10 | | CCIE exams: Still worth it?
p.14 | CCIE certification debate continues despite exam’s SDN, cloud updates p.18 But employers are looking for more entry-level administrators who can do more than plug in and configure voice, wireless and security systems. They don't necessarily want all their voice, security and wireless administrators to know how to work with routing protocols like BGP and OSPF. "Job roles are changing," said Ramesh Bijor, product marketing manager at Cisco. "Companies are asking associate-level engineers to do more. They are being asked to troubleshoot and debug system problems with increasing levels of complexity and feature implementations." More enterprises are creating dedicated job roles in these specialty areas, creating a demand for a more streamlined entry-level Cisco certification program, Bijor said. Cisco commissioned Forrester Research to survey 1,500

FAQs

What knowledge does the guide say is required to achieve CCNA certification?

Achieving CCNA requires an in-depth understanding of network fundamentals and network security technologies.

What changes did Cisco make to the CCNA program to create faster paths to specialization?

Cisco streamlined CCNA by reducing the core routing and switching expertise needed for CCNA Voice, CCNA Security, and CCNA Wireless, and consolidated related exams so administrators needed fewer exams for these accreditations.

How does the guide help readers check whether they are ready for certification?

It provides articles on curriculum changes and includes a 10-question practice quiz to help determine CCNA readiness.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Taylor Morgan