Planning for Cisco Certification Exam Success

Two to eight hours of sitting still—sometimes completely alone. No breaks. Someone watching your every move. No snacks, no drinks, no paper, no watch, no wallet—just a computer.

What’s the activity? Some kind of spy training exercise? Nope. It’s a Cisco certification exam.

It’s no wonder Cisco certification exams are nerve-wracking, especially if it’s your first one. That’s not even taking into account all the studying you have to do prior to the actual exam day. Where do you start? How do you maximize your odds of passing the exam? If you have test anxiety or need accommodations, what can you do?

This blog is here to help you plan for Cisco certification exam success. I’ll tell you how to use the resources inside Cisco U. to help you pass, and share insights from two people who set exam parameters: Training Content Product Manager Geoff Anderson and Learning Path Author and Engineering Leader Mubasher Nawaz.

Why are Cisco certification exams important?

First, in case you’re brand-new here, a little primer on what certification exams are and why they matter. For nearly 40 years, Cisco has been a leader in networking and communications solutions. As a networking professional, getting a Cisco certification serves as a stamp of expertise and competency in your chosen area.

Getting Cisco Certified isn’t something you can knock out in a day—it requires a significant time commitment with plenty of active learning, practice, and study hours. In the past, learners have put together their own ad hoc study programs around their chosen certification exam. But it’s difficult to figure out exactly what content you should be studying and understand whether it’s high-quality enough to help you pass.

Starting your certification studies with Cisco U.

That’s where Cisco U. comes in. The learning platform provides the organized resources you need to successfully pass your certification exam. The key is knowing how to utilize all the features and content inside Cisco U. to make your path to certification easier.

Even with all these resources, you’ll have to figure out what study methods and content types work best for you.

“Remember, everybody learns differently,” Anderson points out. “Some people like to use flashcards, some like to do hands-on exercises. Experiment.” That’s why Cisco U. includes labs, practice exams, podcasts, tutorials, courses, and videos to cater to your learning mood or needs.

What are Cisco U. Learning Paths and how do you use them?

If you’re new to Cisco U., you may not have yet discovered Learning Paths. This is the best place for a newcomer to start. The Learning Paths inside Cisco U. eliminate the guesswork of studying by putting together courses, labs, tutorials, and assessments all in one place—giving you an entire exhaustive Learning Path that teaches you the subject from top to bottom.

Can I skip around the Learning Paths in Cisco U.?

A lot of people ask whether they can skip around Learning Paths. The answer is…it depends. “If you’re new to the subject, you should do the entire Learning Path,” Anderson recommends. “If you already have some expertise, you can just study the subjects you’re not as familiar with.” After all, the point of the certification is that when you pass, you’ll be able to take on professional duties dealing with that certification—not have only partial knowledge.

Learning Paths also contain assessments and self-tests along the way so you can make sure you really know the subject as well as you think you do. And after you’ve successfully completed the Learning Path, you can move on to taking practice exams.

Give yourself a competitive edge with exam blueprints and practice exams

Next, you’ll want to take a peek at the Cisco certification exam topics on the Cisco Learning Network (and soon to come, inside each Cisco U. practice exam overview) to develop a study plan.

“I recommend learners look at the exam blueprint and see what topics it covers and how they’re weighted,” says Nawaz. “For example, if you look at the CCNA topics, you’ll see the first three count for 65% of your score. I’d spend most of my time studying those.”

Cisco U. practice exams for the win

The best way to ensure you’re efficiently hitting those weighted topics is by utilizing the practice exams in Cisco U. “If you can do well on a practice exam, you should be in pretty good shape to pass the certification exam,” says Anderson.

Each entry into a practice exam presents the candidate with 75 items that change with every attempt. “I recommend taking the practice exam multiple times,” Anderson says. Practice exams can be purchased separately or come as part of a Cisco U. subscription; if purchased as an individual title, they’re good for 180 days (about six months). Subscriptions to Cisco U. are valid for a year.

The practice exams contain the exam objectives and a score report telling you how well you did in each area. That way, post-practice exam attempt, you can see what topics you’re scoring low in, switch back to the Learning Path, and redo those areas.

Practice exams will also help you replicate the exam day—super helpful for test anxiety. More on that later.

What to avoid when prepping for Cisco certification exams

There’s one important thing both Anderson and Nawaz want you to avoid as you prepare: brain dumps. “Brain dump sites are websites where someone takes an exam and memorizes what’s on there, then uploads it as a list of test items and sells it,” Anderson says.

Nawaz notes, “If you can access a brain dump site, we can also. We have dedicated security personnel monitoring them for leaked content.”

“Once those exam items are compromised, we switch them out. Thus, relying on these sites will not be a shortcut to passing the exam,” says Anderson. Instead, sticking with high-quality learning 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 meant to show you’ve attained a level of competency and that you can perform in a specified role, which means they’re difficult by nature. And this means even the test taking environment itself can be a little intimidating. A certification exam typically lasts for two to three hours, but a lab test for a CCIE could last up to eight hours.

You can take a certification exam either at home or in a test center. “If there’s a test center in your area, I recommend going there,” says Anderson.

Taking a certification exam at a test center

At a test center, the environment is already set up for you, so all you have to do is show up.

Other things to know:

• You’ll have to leave your phone, wallet, watch, pen, paper, and calculator at home (bring your ID!). You can check with the test center on whether they have lockers.
• You’ll be observed by a proctor and take the test alongside others taking non-Cisco tests.
• Bathroom breaks can last no more than 10 minutes.
• There are no drinks or snacks permitted in the exam room.
• The CCIE Lab exams include a 20-minute break and may include lunch.
• You’ll be provided with a small whiteboard and marker to work out things like subnetting.

You’ll be given more specific instructions that depend on the exam you’re taking and the specific test site. Read more about exam policies.

Overall, though, the only bad thing about an in-person test, according to Anderson, is that you may be jealous of the person next to you who’s not taking a Cisco exam—which means they have different testing parameters. “The contractor taking a test next to me was allowed a calculator,” Anderson notes drily. Cisco exams have a calculator built into them.

Taking a certification exam online

Taking a certification exam remotely is also an option, but there are extra-strict criteria you must meet.

• You’ll have to show the proctor your exam environment to ensure there are no books, papers, screens, or electronic devices that could help you cheat.
• You must be in a walled room with a closed door.
• Nobody else is allowed in the room.
• You may have water in a clear glass.
• There are no bathroom breaks, since the proctor can’t see what’s happening beyond that room. If you leave the web camera view, your test will be over.
• Your computer will be running software that monitors your test-taking, and you must always have the camera on you.
• During the exam, if deemed necessary, the proctor may ask you to turn the camera so they can see the rest of the environment.
• No paper is allowed, but you will get an electronic whiteboard.

Sometimes it’s easiest to set up a different room for the day instead of using your typical workspace, where you’ll have to disassemble and put away all your electronic items. People often set up a table in an empty room.

For a full list of at-home testing requirements, check out these online testing FAQs.

Advice for certification exam day

No matter what, taking the exam can be nerve-wracking. Anderson’s advice for the big day:

• Hydrate beforehand.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Don’t over-caffeinate.
• Don’t freak out.

Not freaking out is definitely easier said than done. So, no matter where you decide to take the actual exam, try to replicate the test environment during the practice exams. Give yourself a small whiteboard or electronic whiteboard. Eliminate distractions. Do the practice exam without a beverage or snack. If you’re successful enough times, your test anxiety should lessen, if not go away entirely.

But what if you have a documented anxiety disorder or another condition, and you’re not sure you can handle the test environment, even with all this practice? Set your worries aside—there are accommodations available.

Applying for certification exam accommodations

You can qualify for a Cisco certification exam accommodation through Pearson VUE (the test administrator) if you have a condition that falls into one of these categories:

• Learning/other cognitive disorders (LCD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Emotional, psychological, psychiatric disorders (EPP)
• Physical disabilities/chronic health conditions (PCH)
  • Hearing
  • Wheelchair access
  • Physical impairments

You’ll have to apply BEFORE you schedule the test and provide documentation about your condition.

Test accommodations include:

• Text magnifiers such as Zoom Text
• A separate testing room
• Additional testing time
• A reader or scribe

If you need other accommodations, the test administrator may be able to help. Visit Pearson VUE to request test accommodations for a Cisco exam.

Final tips for Cisco certification exam success

As you start studying, Anderson wants you to remember this: “Don’t be discouraged if it takes you longer than what the training says. Though it says to spend 30-40 hours training, the average is more like 110 hours,” he notes.

What if you’ve studied and practiced as much as you can—and you still don’t pass? Regroup and try again.

“If you do not pass, do not despair,” Anderson says. “You will get a report with details on what areas you didn’t meet the mark on. This is a perfect starting point for preparing for your second attempt.”

A final note: Many people taking certification exams tend to be perfectionists who fret about not getting the highest possible score. If you’re among those, try to relax, says Anderson. “A pass is a win!” Anderson says. “Celebrate! You’ve earned it.”

Ready to start studying for a Cisco certification? Leave a comment below and let me know which exam you’re going for. Thanks for reading!

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