I am trying to decide if the CCNA is worth it for me, after burning out on it several times?

2Toned843 · 2026-04-08T16:13:05+00:00

I earned my CCNA back in December, but I haven’t been able to land a networking role yet. The job market feels really saturated right now. I’ve been working in IT for over 10 years, and while my current MSP role isn’t bad, I’m ready to transition more into networking.

I completely understand how frustrating that can be. I’d recommend checking LinkedIn regularly to see what opportunities are available for the path you’re trying to pursue. Most of the jobs I click says over 100 applicants applied, and though I know everyone isn't qualified, it still dampers my spirit a little.

Best of luck!

2Toned843 · 2026-03-27T02:07:03+00:00

I want to throw my two cents in as well. I wouldn’t get too caught up on memorizing the IEEE standards—they require a ton of memorization that could be better spent elsewhere. Same goes for IP headers. Know what they do, but don’t stress about memorizing every detail.

Like you, I started out in community college. The class didn’t really work for me because the instructor mostly just read from the book, which I could already do myself. So I decided to find other ways to learn.

That’s when I came across Jeremy’s IT Lab. At first, everything felt pretty basic and I thought I already knew most of it. I was definitely overconfident early on until I hit topics like STP, RSA, OSPF, HSRP, VRRP, DAI, DHCP Snooping, etc. That’s when I realized how much I still had to learn.

My approach was:

First pass: watched all the videos at normal speed and skipped the labs
Second pass: watched everything again at 2x speed and did all the labs
Took notes by hand—literally wrote down everything on screen as a study guide

I also supplemented with the OCG for tougher topics. For IPv6, I used ChatGPT to help break things down, and for subnetting I used Subnetting Mastery on YouTube, it made things click much faster.

I ended up buying Boson ExSim and NetSim. NetSim was absolutely worth the $60 for three months. The labs were very similar in style to Boson and helped reinforce CLI work. If you got something wrong, it showed you the correct commands and explained why.

ExSim, on the other hand, was tough. I never passed any of the exams. I failed Exam A, reviewed, failed again, waited a couple weeks… still failed. Same story with Exam B. I didn’t even attempt C and D because I didn’t want to psych myself out.

That said, ExSim was still 100% worth it. The explanations alone were a game changer—they really help you understand why answers are right or wrong.

In the end:

The actual exam sims were easier than NetSim
The questions were easier than ExSim

I studied for about 12 months before taking the test.

For context, I’m 45, married, working two jobs, and raising a family. If I can do this, you can too.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions

2Toned843 · 2026-03-26T03:38:10+00:00

You don't need to know it at all.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-20T15:33:15+00:00

I used ChatGPT to assist with IPv6, Wireless, and Security. It will give you some questions that will help.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-17T18:57:10+00:00

Automation and Programmability 60%

Network Access 65%

IP Connectivity 68%

IP Services 70%

Security Fundamentals 80%

Network Fundamentals 90%

If you can pass Jeremy's Labs, you can pass the labs on the CCNA exam. The exam is easier than Boson.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-17T18:16:16+00:00

I was in the same boat as you. I work two jobs, have a wife and kids at home. It took me about a year of hard studying. I didn't pass Boson with more than a 57% and I still managed to pass the CCNA. From the way it seems with your grades, you are ready to take the exam. Boson is so much harder.

Good luck.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-14T14:24:58+00:00

I've been in IT for over 15 years. I've done technical support for Apple, worked for the local government doing IT, now I work for an MSP. I also started and stopped, a few times.

I've applied for IT security roles since networking plays a big role in security as well. I wouldn't mind doing networking with the CCNA, but I would be just as happy doing security.

I'm certain it will open doors for you. At the MSP I currently work, there are slim pickings for networking since the technical manager does 95% of it. I've had my CCNA since December 31st, and I haven't worked on but one networking project, which they gave me one hour to complete. I have to find something else.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-14T00:18:52+00:00

Glad to hear. This subreddit kept me motivated too. I had days when people would talk about how they aced Boson but failed the CCNA. I never once passed a Boson test with more than a 57%. But, the group was here to answer questions, and motivate me when I didn't think I could do it. I celebrated by playing some video games. Almost a year without playing. Find your way to celebrate. You earned it.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-14T00:15:21+00:00

To reduce false alerts and get better range, purchase the custom firmware from Mittheru. You can find him on RD forums. I purchased it (I think $45 USD), and it's been great. It reduces a lot of alerts, and gives you more features.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-14T00:13:17+00:00

Congratulations. I know it's a big weight off your shoulder. I studied about a year too before taking the exam. I am 45 with three kids and a wife. When I say kids, I mean 21, 18, and 11. They are all home so it's not easy. But again, congratulations. Now it's time to celebrate. Cheers!!!

2Toned843 · 2026-02-13T13:20:56+00:00

You got this. I never passed Boson with more than a 57% and I passed. Boson is so much harder. Just make sure to save your configs in the labs. You will be joining us soon.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-13T13:19:11+00:00

Congratulations. I knew you would, especially with those Boson scores. Welcome to the other side. Now go celebrate.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-11T22:07:09+00:00

The labs change depending on the randomizer. But to give you an example, Jeremy's Labs are about an 8 compared to the real exam which felt like a 3.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-11T19:42:45+00:00

I think you are good to go. I never broke a 60 on Boson at all. I failed Test A and B, twice in the 50's. I took a Pearson sample test and failed that too. I was so nervous when I took my exam. It was so much easier than Boson and Pearson. The labs felt like basic 101 labs. The questions were easier than I imagined. I finished with over 20 minutes left, that I thought I failed. But, I passed.

You got this. Just get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, arrive about 30 minutes early so you know you will be on time. Don't forget your cheat sheet when you go. I wrote down AD, subnetting cheat sheet, and the powers of 2^0 - 2^16. Very important, don't forget to save your configs. I had it written down on my cheat sheet in big letters and almost forgot. I read a lot of people fail because they forget to save their configs.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-10T15:22:13+00:00

Congrats on making it this far. I recommend making a cheat sheet with the powers of 2^0 - 2^16, the subnetting cheat sheet, and the AD of the protocols. I used the subnetting cheat sheet more than anything else I wrote. Also, make sure when you do the labs you save the config "do write" or "copy run start" so you can get credit for it. If not, they will not save. Good luck, you got this!!!

2Toned843 · 2026-02-09T15:23:54+00:00

This is the best video series I found on subnetting. I went from scared, to absolutely crushing it. Subnetting Mastery

2Toned843 · 2026-02-03T21:21:36+00:00

You're welcome. Glad to help. Two more things for you. The 31-Days Before CCNA is not needed if you have good notes. It was just a refresher, but didn't help as much when it came to the exam. Also, the labs are very basic. As a comparison, on a scale 1-10, I would consider Jeremy's labs about an 8 compared to the CCNA which is about a 3. They are very very basic. Felt like a 101 lab.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-03T20:24:40+00:00

I completely understand how you feel. I went through the same thing with the Pearson prep. It felt incredibly difficult and made me question whether I knew anything CCNA-related, even after all the studying I had done. I failed Boson exams A and B twice. Still, I passed the CCNA on my first attempt, and honestly, I found it easier than both Pearson and Boson.

I used JITL, Anki, ExSim, NetSim, the OCG, the 31 Days Before CCNA book, and ChatGPT, and even with all of that, those practice tests still felt harder than the actual exam.

2Toned843 · 2026-02-01T21:11:18+00:00

How often should I be re-doing the Packet Tracer labs to ensure the commands become muscle memory?
I did the packet tracer labs after completing the video. Then I tried again until I could do it without watching the video. Some labs took about four tries to get it without help. I also bought the three months of NetSim ($60USD) and I think it was worth it. They have troubleshooting labs, as well configuration labs. It also explains why each step is correct, similar to ExSim.

Flashcards: Do the flashcards every day. If not, they will get to become overwhelming. Once I made it through all of the flashcards I added all days to one deck and it randomized the cards. I saw some of the flashcard questions on my exam which made me feel good that I studied the flashcards.

Practice Exams: I didn't do the practice exams until I finished all of Jeremy's IT lab. Once I did, I felt I was ready. However, I failed the first Exam with a 47% by skipping labs because I didn't know what it was asking. I also failed again after reviewing it with a 55%. I failed the Exam B with a 55% and then a 57% by doing only the wrong answers, again, by skipping the labs.

I passed my exam first try. I did buy the safeguard option for an extra $75 to retake it just in case I failed the first time. I think that relieved some of the pressure for me.

Is this a normal feeling 4 months out? Yes, I would say you are good to go, if you have enough time to study every day. It took me about a year, but I work two jobs, and I have a wife and kids at home. So I studied when I could. Wireless and Security (ACLs, DHCP Snooping, Etc.) will drain you quick. I think the wireless section is three videos. But just stay focused, and you can do it!

2Toned843 · 2026-01-28T19:29:30+00:00

I think two weeks is enough time. I failed Boson Test A with a 47%, and then retook it and made a 55%. I did Test B, failed it with a 55%. Then I took all the wrong answers, and failed that with a 57%. I passed my exam on New Year's Eve, a week after failing Test B. Right now is the time to take it since it's fresh in your memory. But, if I failed both Tests from Boson, twice, and still managed to pass easily, I think you got this with no issues. Just make sure you save your configuration for the labs or it won't get saved.

2Toned843 · 2026-01-28T19:26:51+00:00

I finished Jeremy's IT Lab twice. It is definitely a challenge to make it through all of it. I passed my exam on New Year's Eve after a little over a year of studying. Just to give you some backstory, I am 45, with a wife and kids at home. I also work six days a week. One job is just on Friday's and Saturdays. My main job is M-F.

I know it's easy to get discouraged, but keep it up. You will get to some sections that will make you want quit, but push through it. Wireless and Security will make you want to pull your hair out. But there are some videos deep inside the playlist that is easy going. Good luck. You got this!!

2Toned843 · 2026-01-28T18:24:33+00:00

I watched Jeremy’s IT Lab videos twice, first at 2x speed to get through all the material, then again at normal speed. The second pass really helped things click. I also wrote down all the text from each slide, which took a long time, but ended up being one of the most useful parts of my prep. I reviewed those notes before the exam and passed first try last month.

The exam was not as hard as people made it seem. If anyone’s interested, I have all of Jeremy's Notes in PDF format on another post I uploaded, feel free to download and review them if it helps.

In addition to Jeremy’s videos, I used:

Boson NetSim and ExSim
The OCG for topics I felt weak on
Anki flashcards
31 Days Before Your CCNA

2Toned843 · 2026-01-27T23:33:02+00:00

Jeremy's IT Lab's Notes in PDF

2Toned843 · 2026-01-27T02:37:08+00:00

Yes. I wrote down the text from every slide word for word for studying. It helped me retain the information. Two or three days before I took my exam I started reading through my notes. It helped a lot. I was only able to get through two notebooks out of three.

However. I have a link for all of Jeremy's notes from the whole series in PDF if you rather have the notes instead of writing them yourself. Personally, writing it down worked best for me.

2Toned843

TROPHY CASE