Hello everyone!

I wanted to share my journey studying for the CCNA exam, which spanned over four months. I’ve been working as a sysadmin for several years, and after completing the Network and Security program at Collège Ahuntsic in Montreal, I was inspired by a professor to deepen my networking knowledge and pursue the CCNA certification. Networking has always fascinated me, and I felt it was time to take the plunge!

Study Materials and Approach:

To prepare, I used a variety of online courses, practice labs, and study guides. Each resource contributed to my understanding of the material, and I found a combination of methods worked best for me.

1. Udemy Courses: I followed Neil Anderson’s CCNA course on Udemy. Neil’s teaching style is engaging and easy to follow. His unique accent and expressive mannerisms made the lessons enjoyable, and I appreciated his clear breakdown of difficult topics. I recommend checking out his course if you haven't already!
2. Practice Exams: I registered for the exam through Pearson VUE, with a retake option, which worked well for me. In addition, I used Boson ExSim to simulate real exam conditions. Initially, my scores were low, but they steadily improved as I continued practicing. The Boson exams closely mirror the real CCNA, and I found them to be an invaluable resource.
3. Labs: Hands-on practice is essential for mastering the material. I worked through several labs from Boson, Udemy, and the JITL Mega Lab, which I reviewed 2-3 times, JITL ANKI cards as well on a daily basis. I also used Keith Barker's WLC labs to deepen my understanding of wireless LAN controllers. Practice, especially with configuring devices and troubleshooting, is key to building confidence.

IPv4 and IPv6 Subnetting:

For IPv4 subnetting, I relied heavily on Eddie Harmoush’s videos on PN, and his cheat sheet became indispensable during my studies. For IPv6, I used various resources, including ChatGPT, to clarify difficult areas and practice exercises. Being able to determine the first and last address in a subnet is crucial when applying configurations on routers.

I didn’t complete all of Neil's labs but focused on Jeremy's Anki flashcards, which helped reinforce key concepts. Creating my own mnemonics also played a major role in helping me remember essential details like FHRP MAC addresses, and the various port states in STP/RSTP, OSPF states, Logging level 0 to 6...

Exam Preparation:

As the exam date approached, I did over 1000 practice questions. Toward the end of my preparation, I felt overwhelmed and somehow exhausted, but I knew I had put in the time and effort, so I decided to go for it despite feeling stressed.

The Exam Experience:

One of the most valuable tools I used during my preparation was Boson’s ExSim. The exams simulate the actual test environment, and they helped me build up the skills and knowledge to handle the real exam. The practice questions provide detailed explanations, linking back to Cisco’s official documentation.

On exam day, I went to the testing center, completed the formalities, and entered the exam room. The exam began with four configuration labs where I had to configure network devices according to specific instructions. It was great to have the option to use the “?” help command and auto-complete commands with the Tab key. If you’re familiar with the material, these labs should be manageable. Dont forget to save your configuration with do wr memory!

It’s important to read each question carefully, especially under time pressure. If you feel the stress building, take a few deep breaths (try 4-4-6 breathing). Cisco exams can be tricky, and sometimes the wording of questions can be ambiguous, so it’s crucial to select the answer that seems most appropriate based on your knowledge.

Final Thoughts:

This journey was incredibly rewarding. Understanding the inner workings of networking and how it powers everything we do online was fascinating. The time and effort I invested in preparing for the CCNA were definitely worth it, and I’m excited to continue building on this foundation.

My key takeaway: The CCNA isn’t just about passing an exam; it’s about showing your ability to learn, stay disciplined, and work through complex problems. These qualities set you apart, whether you're pursuing a career in networking or just want to expand your technical skills.

I believe the ROI of the CCNA is well worth it—both in terms of personal growth and professional opportunities.

Good luck to everyone studying for their certification! Remember, where there's a will, there's a way!

Takeaways:

• Stay consistent with your study schedule, and don't be afraid to revisit challenging topics.
• Practice as much as possible. Labs and practice exams are key!
• Use a mix of resources to solidify your understanding.
• Stay calm during the exam and trust in your preparation.