Joseph Nicholas Wambugu

Cisco CCNA / ICND1 (100-105) Review Certification Overview Cisco’s CCNA 100-is an exam offered to entry-level candidates in Cisco’s CCNA CCENT certification program. So if you are thinking of becoming a Cisco certified networking technician, you must pass this exam. A pass in this exam sets candidates on the path to a successful networking career with Cisco networking solutions and technologies. Also, the CCNA ICND1 exam is the initial step towards obtaining the CCNA certification and validates an IT professional’s skill in network routing and switching technologies, infrastructure maintenance, and infrastructure services. As it is an entry-level certification, it has no prerequisites. But you need to train and study enough before attempting this exam. Cisco recommends the Interconnecting Cisco Internetworking Device Part 1 course as and sitting for the 100-105 ICND1 exams to obtain this certification. List of Topics Covered in CCNA ICND1 Program Here is a list of possible topics for the CCNA ICND- exam and their weightings. However, you should regard these topics as a guideline, as the exam may include other topics for comprehensivity purposes. Note that this Cisco may review these guidelines without prior notification. Topic Weighting Network Fundamentals 20% Routing Fundamentals 26% LAN Switching Fundamentals 25% Infrastructure Services 15% Infrastructure Maintenance 14% CCNA ICND1 Exam Description Below are details of the CCNA ICND1 exam Exam Code Time Allowed # of Questions Question Types Languages Registration Passing Score CCNA ICND1 - minutes 45-55 Multi-choice (single and multiple answer), Drag & Drop, Simulations, Simlets, Simulations, and Testlets English, Japanese Pearson VUE Not available Why Obtain a CCNA ICND1 Certification? With Cisco, being a global leader in providing networking solutions, earning a Cisco certification confers several benefits to candidates seeking to build a career in networking. Among these benefits are: # Proven Expertise A Cisco certification demonstrates your skills and expertise in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting Cisco networking solutions. With a CCNA, you prove your proficiency in working with enterprise level Cisco-based networks. # Launch Pad to Advanced Qualifications As an IT professional, you might envision yourself as a team leader or manager as soon as you obtain the necessary experience. A CCNA certification opens the door to do just that. By obtaining a CCNA, you are already on your way to attaining Cisco professional or expert level certifications, resulting in more opportunities for developing your career. # Increases Earning Potential Nowadays, companies have compartmentalized pay scales based on several factors; Even so, certified IT professionals earn more than those without a certification do. According to this article, professionals with a CCNA certification earn 8 to 13% more of their base pay. # Other Benefits of a CCNA Certification Certifications are highly regarded within the IT industry by recruiters, solution providers, and industry leaders. For employers, certifications indicate that a potential candidate has the competence, initiative, and ability to design, implement, and maintain core technology in compliance with industry standards. Assume you are attending an interview with a new tech firm. Over the years, you have accumulated a collection of skills, but how do you prove this during the interview? Remember that interviewers typically make decisions based on limited Knowledge. In presenting your CCNA certification, you assure them of your skills and competence. Plus, between two candidates with the same experience, the one with a certification is most likely to get the post. How Do I Prepare for the CCNA ICND1 EXAM? Training for any Cisco certification requires lots of learning, practice, and absorption of large volumes of information. Although some candidate can pass the exam using the self-study approach, others require instructor-led training in a formal setting. Use the following tips to help you prepare for your CCNA 100-105 certification exam: # Practice, practice, and more practice using simulations, simlets, and testlets available in the ICND course. By doing so, you gain a set of handy skills for use on exam day. In this way, you will avoid wasting valuable time figuring out how each of these components functions during the actual exam. # Create a study blueprint for rating your performance against each topic. Consider using a scale of 1 to 5 to represent your conversancy with a particular networking technology or concept. Luckily, not all exam sections require a troubleshooting or configuration section. # Also, review the CCNA 100-105 exam blueprint carefully. Take note of sections that require you to configure, troubleshoot, or verify, are indicators of questions that requires practical application of networking concepts and skill. In doing so, you maximize your time and chance for acing this exam in your first try. Verbs such as describe, discuss, or discuss identify theory type questions, which typically are not present in simulation type sections. # You can also purchase or rent Cisco routing and switching equipment to boost your knowledge of its solutions. Where this is not possible due to resource constraints, acquire a good simulator to practice on switching and routing concepts and technologies. On Exam Day Cisco’s CCNA ICND- exam topics cover techniques, skills and knowledge required to effectively deploy, troubleshoot, and operate core Cisco networking solutions (routers and switches). Typically, this involves unboxing a new device, configuring it and deploys it in a small LAN. The name CCNA ICND- is a misnomer as ICDN is the course for which you sit the 100-105 exam after training. Only after passing the CCNA 100-105 exam, you gain the CCNA certification. Presently, Cisco has authorized several of its partners to offer the CCNA training to students across the globe. Even so, you can take the ICND course directly from Cisco, but all candidates must register with Pearson VUE. It is the official administrator of all Cisco’s certification exams. After signing up, Pearson’s website offers candidates the opportunity to select a test center that suits their specific needs-location and convenience. Fortunately, Pearson VUE’s network of worldwide partners simplifies the exam administration process regardless of a candidate’s location. Upon passing the CCNA exam, you receive your CCNA certification preparing you for more advanced and specialized Cisco certifications. Final Thoughts If you are worried whether you will pass this exam, relax! Many candidates have attempted this exam and obtained their CCNA certification. However, you need proper training, lots of practice, and preparation to ace the CCNA ICND1 exam on your first try. During exam day, be sure to give the exam your best shot. Then, keep it in mind that the CCNA certification is just an entrylevel certification. So if you need to move up if your career, go for other certifications!