Sitting still for 2-8 hours—sometimes completely alone. No rest. Someone is watching your every move. No snacks, no drinks, no paper, no watch, no wallet—just the computer.
What kind of activity is it? Is it like spy training training? No. It’s a Cisco certification exam.
It’s normal to feel nervous about taking a Cisco certification exam, especially if it’s your first time. And that’s without even considering the amount of studying you need to do before the actual exam day. Where should you start? How can you maximize your chances of passing the exam? What if you have test anxiety or need accommodations?
This blog is designed to help you plan for success on your Cisco certification exams. We’ll show you how to pass using resources from inside Cisco U., and share insights from two people who set the exam parameters: Geoff Anderson, Product Manager for Educational Content, and Mubasher Nawaz, Learning Path author and engineering lead.
Why are Cisco certification exams important?
First, for those of you who are new here, let me give you a quick primer on what certification exams are and why they are important. Cisco has been a leader in networking and communications solutions for nearly 40 years. As a networking professional, earning a Cisco certification serves as a stamp of approval for your expertise and competence in your chosen field.
Becoming Cisco certified is not something that can be achieved overnight. It requires a significant investment of time and a lot of active learning, practice, and study time. In the past, learners would construct ad hoc learning programs around the certification exam they chose. However, it is difficult to know exactly what to study and whether it is of sufficient quality to pass.
Start studying for your certification at Cisco U.
This is where Cisco U. comes in. This learning platform provides structured resources to help you successfully pass the certification exam. The important thing is to know how to utilize all the features and content within Cisco U. to make your path to certification easier.
Even with all these resources, you still need to figure out what study methods and content types work best for you.
“Remember, everyone learns differently,” Anderson points out. “Some people like to use flashcards, some people like to practice. Experiment.” That’s why Cisco U. offers labs, practice tests, podcasts, tutorials, courses, and videos to fit your learning mood and needs.
What are Cisco U. Learning Paths and how do I use them?
If you’re new to Cisco U., you may not have discovered Learning Paths yet. This is a great place for beginners to get started. Learning Paths within Cisco U. take the guesswork out of studying by bringing together courses, labs, tutorials, and assessments all in one place. In other words, we provide a comprehensive Learning Path that teaches you topics from start to finish.
Can I skip the learning path at Cisco U.?
Many people ask if they can skip Learning Paths. The answer is…it depends. “If you’re new to the subject, you should take the entire Learning Path,” Anderson recommends. “If you already have some expertise, you can just study the parts that you’re not familiar with.” After all, the point of a certification is that if you pass it, you’ll be able to do the professional work associated with it. It’s not about just having some knowledge.
The learning path also includes assessments and self-tests so you can see if you know the topic as well as you think you do. And after you successfully complete the learning path, you can take a practice test.
Get a competitive edge with exam planning and practice tests
Next, explore Cisco certification exam topics on the Cisco Learning Network (and soon, in the Cisco U. Practice Exam Outline) and develop a study plan.
“I would recommend that students look at the exam blueprint and see what topics are covered and how they are weighted,” Nawaz said. “For example, if you look at the CCNA topics, the first three are worth 65 percent of the score. I would spend most of my time studying those topics.”
Cisco U. Win the Practice Exam
The best way to effectively cover weighted topics is to take Cisco U’s practice exams. “If you can do well on the practice exams, you’ll be in good shape to pass the certification exam,” Anderson says.
Each time you take a practice exam, you are presented with 75 questions, which change with each attempt. “It’s a good idea to take the practice exam multiple times,” Anderson says. Practice exams are available for purchase separately or as part of a Cisco U. subscription. If purchased as a standalone title, they are valid for 180 days (approximately six months). Cisco U. subscriptions are valid for one year.
The practice test includes a score report that tells you what the test objectives are and how well you did on each section. This allows you to see which topics you scored poorly on after attempting the practice test and to go back to your study path and re-do those sections.
Practice tests also help you recreate the actual test day. They are very helpful for test anxiety. I will explain more about this later.
Things to Avoid When Preparing for Cisco Certification Exams
Anderson and Nawaz point out one important thing to avoid as you prepare. Brain dump“Brain dump sites are websites where someone takes a test, memorizes the material, and then uploads it as a list of test items and sells it,” Anderson said.
“If they can access the brain dump sites, we can access them too,” Nawaz said. “We have dedicated security personnel who monitor leaked content.”
“If the test items break, we replace them, so relying on these sites is not a shortcut to passing the exam,” says Anderson. Instead, sticking to high-quality study materials and having a solid study plan are the keys to certification exam success.
What is the actual Cisco certification exam experience like?
Certification exams are inherently difficult because they are meant to demonstrate that you have achieved a certain level of competency and can perform in a specific role. And that means that even the testing environment itself can be a bit daunting. Certification exams are typically 2-3 hours long, but CCIE lab tests can last up to 8 hours.
You can take the certification exam at home or at a testing center. “If there is a testing center in your area, I recommend going there,” Anderson says.
Take the certification exam at a test center
At the test center, all the preparations are already in place, so all the test takers need to do is show up at the test site.
Other things to know:
- You must leave your cell phone, wallet, watch, pens, paper, and calculator at home (bring your ID!). You can ask the test center if they have lockers.
- The exam will be proctored and you will take the exam alongside other candidates who are taking non-Cisco exams.
- Toilet breaks should not exceed 10 minutes.
- No drinks or snacks are allowed in the examination room.
- The CCIE lab exam includes a 20-minute break and may also include a lunch break.
- A small whiteboard and markers are provided that you can use to plan subnetting, etc.
More specific instructions are provided based on the exam you are taking and the specific testing location. Read more about testing policies.
But overall, Anderson says, the only downside to in-person testing is that you might end up jealous of the person sitting next to you who isn’t taking the Cisco exam. That means they have different test parameters. “The contractor sitting next to me was able to use a calculator,” Anderson says dryly. Cisco exams have calculators built in.
Take the certification exam online
Taking the certification exam remotely is one option, but there are very strict criteria that must be met.
- You should show the proctor your testing environment to make sure there are no books, test papers, screens, or electronic devices that could aid in cheating.
- You should be in a room surrounded by walls with closed doors.
- No one else can enter the room.
- You can also pour water into a clear glass.
- There are no bathroom breaks, as the proctor cannot see what is happening beyond the room. Once you leave the webcam view, the test is over.
- Your computer will run software that monitors your progress during the exam, and you will need to carry a camera with you at all times.
- If deemed necessary during the test, the proctor may ask the test taker to turn the camera to show the surroundings.
- Paper is not permitted, but electronic whiteboards are provided.
Sometimes it’s easiest to set up a different room for the day instead of using your regular workspace, where you have to take all your electronics apart and put them away. People often set up a table in an empty room.
For a complete list of home inspection requirements, see our online inspection FAQs.
Advice for the day of your certification exam
Taking a test can be nerve-wracking in any case. Anderson offers some advice for the big day:
- Make sure to hydrate in advance.
- Get enough sleep.
- Avoid excessive caffeine consumption.
- Don’t panic.
It’s easier said than done to not panic. So wherever you decide to take the actual exam, try to replicate the test environment during your practice exam. Get a small whiteboard or electronic whiteboard. Eliminate distractions. Take the practice exam without drinks or snacks. If you’re successful enough, your test anxiety will be reduced or eliminated entirely.
But what if you have a documented anxiety disorder or other medical condition and, despite all this practice, aren’t sure you can handle the test environment? Don’t worry, there are accommodations available.
Apply for Certification Test Convenience Facilities
If you have any of the following conditions, you may be eligible for Cisco certification exam accommodations through Pearson VUE (your test administrator):
- Learning/Other Cognitive Disorders (LCD)
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Emotional, Psychological and Mental Disorders (EPP)
- Physical Disability/Chronic Health Condition (PCH)
- Listening
- Wheelchair accessible
- Physical disability
You must apply before scheduling an examination and submit documentation of your condition.
Testing facilities include:
- Text magnifier like Zoom Text
- Separate testing room
- Additional testing time
- reader or scribe
If you need additional accommodations, your test administrator can help. To request testing accommodations for your Cisco exam, visit Pearson VUE.
Final Tips for Cisco Certification Exam Success
When you start studying, Anderson wants you to remember this: “Don’t be discouraged if it takes longer than the training says. They say you need 30 to 40 hours of training, but the average is closer to 110 hours,” he points out.
If you’ve studied and practiced as much as you can—Still haven’t passed? Please reorganize and try again.
“Don’t despair if you fail,” says Anderson. “You’ll get a report detailing which areas you failed in. This is a perfect starting point for preparing for a second attempt.”
Finally, many people who take certification exams tend to be perfectionists who worry about not getting the highest possible score. If you’re one of those people, relax. “Passing is a win!” Anderson says. “Congratulations! You earned it.”
Are you ready to start studying for Cisco certifications? Leave a comment below and let me know which exam you are going to take. Thanks for reading!
Join Cisco U | Join the Cisco Learning Network for free today.
Follow Cisco Learning & Certifications
X| Thread | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram| YouTube
use #CiscoU and#CiscocertificationJoin the conversation.
Read the following:
Invest in your future with free Cisco certification training from Cisco US.
share:
