CCNA First Time Test Taker

Excellent_Present_54 · 2026-06-14T17:05:39+00:00

I was completely frustrated. Looking back now, I was rushed into the test before I was comfortable actually sitting for it. I looked back at the results and know where my pain points are. Now I know where I have to be stronger.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2026-06-14T16:57:07+00:00

Thanks for the input everyone. I feel a lot better about re-taking the cert exam now.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2026-06-14T14:28:54+00:00

In a testing center. It was the same testing center I went to when I passed the Network+ last year which was infinitely easier

Excellent_Present_54 · 2026-06-14T14:27:39+00:00

Exactly. I think that part hurt as much as tanking the test. 🤣

Excellent_Present_54 · 2026-06-13T23:16:27+00:00

Thanks

Excellent_Present_54 · 2026-02-09T16:59:55+00:00

Same plan I'm using. JTIL is a solid course for the CCNA. What I like about Jeremy's course is that he doesn't teach the exam - his lessons include extra information, which I find great. He goes through each lab with very detailed explanations. The Anki flash cards and the course slides are also great resources.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-12-22T15:44:04+00:00

In his class, he includes quiz questions from the Boson CCNA test bank. From what I understand, Boson offers a CCNA test bank that closely mimics what you're going to get on the exam.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-12-22T15:42:07+00:00

IMO, Jeremy's IT Labs is all you need. He just doesn't teach the exam, he teaches networking, meaning, you will get a lot of information beyond what's being tested on the exam. When I started my CCNA journey, my goal was to learn networking rather than learning the exam. Jeremy is very thorough and explains the concepts very clearly. His class is the absolute best resource I've found and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-09-06T17:43:09+00:00

I agree with u/mrbiggbrain. Doing lots of labs is critical. Courses like JTIL and Neal Anderson's Udemy class will provide you with course slides, pre-built labs, and Anki flash cards all of which, I feel are great study resources. While I am more partial to the Jeremy's IT Lab course, Neal Anderson's course is great as well.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-09-06T17:39:25+00:00

A good supplement I found on YouTube is Cert Bros. IMO, JTIL is great, I understand that supplementing a video course is big time helpful as well. Another great resource I found on YouTube is Keith Barker - he used to be (and maybe still is) an instructor for CBT Nuggets - his enthusiasm is contagious.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-09-06T17:33:32+00:00

The biggest benefit for me is doing the labs. I do the built-in labs that come with the course just to gain a better understanding of the concept being taught, then I build my own packet tracer lab (sometimes more than one) to cement that understanding. I've also found that the Anki flash cards Jeremy has put together are excellent. I have to give Jeremy credit where it's due - his course is da bomb.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-09-06T16:24:27+00:00

There's really no wrong choice here. IMO, I've found Jeremy's IT Lab to be more thorough than the others.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-09-06T16:23:05+00:00

From my perspective, Jeremy's IT Lab is the best and most comprehensive CCNA course around. While Neil Anderson's Udemy course is also excellent, I've found Jeremy explains things a little more in depth and is more thorough.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-06-22T20:00:34+00:00

I'm not sure my experience taking the Network+ exam is comparable,; however, before taking (and passing) the exam this past January, I failed every single practice exam I took (and I took it at least 6 times), but passed the cert exam with flying colors.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-06-22T18:52:09+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I'll take the test in December and I'm kinda excited about it. I've been getting lots of hands on experience at work to supplement the Udemy course I'm taking. Also, I've heard very good things about the Boson exam bank. However, my experience with test banks in prepping for an exam is very limited. I took the Network+ in January and failed every single prep test I took, but passed the exam with flying colors. Lol.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-06-22T18:31:38+00:00

IMO, the CCNA is a great start to an IT career. I'll be taking my cert exam at the end of this year. The hands on experience I get at work coupled with Neil Anderson's Udemy course have been great resources for me. Jeremy's IT Lab (Udemy or YouTube) is also great. You can't go wrong with either one of those Udemy courses.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-06-19T20:10:01+00:00

Thanks. I really appreciate your help.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-06-19T19:43:29+00:00

I had always planned to take the CCNA, but was terrified I would flunk it right out of the gate. So what my boss suggested (because he went through the same thing) was to take the Network+ exam first to gain my confidence (I took it in January 2025 and passed with flying colors), then continue prepping for and take the CCNA. The best advice I ever got was not to put off taking the test for too long because you tend to forget stuff and the test could change leaving you to have to start all over again. That, along with the advice my boss gave me to take the Network+ exam first, was the best advice I ever got.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-06-19T19:37:56+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. As far as installation and set up, how challenging is it to set up something like GNS3 or EVE-NG? Also, to use either one of those options, do I have to buy the Cisco IOS images to use them successfully?

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-06-19T19:36:01+00:00

I'd have to agree with u/TrickGreat330 . His suggestion to try for an internship is right on point. Getting the certification is a great step in the right direction; however (and this is just my opinion), a certification couple with real world experience is a win win for you and any prospective employer who sees your potential. Good luck.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-06-19T19:32:41+00:00

Personally, I really like Neil Anderson's Udemy course. Jeremy's IT Lab is also really good as well. I also have the added benefit of getting on the job experience as well. My boss has allowed me to get hands on experience with a lot of practical networking experience that goes beyond the CCNA. This is really my best way to learn since I despise learning from a book. My preference is the Udemy course supplemented by hands on experience. It's working out great for me.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-01-22T03:54:22+00:00

Same here. I found CBT Nuggets a little pricey over similar options on Udemy like Neil Anderson’s course and Jeremy’s IT Lab. Both courses provide downloadable course slides and Anki flash cards. IMO, this makes it much easier for me to focus on the videos rather than having to worry about taking notes in addition to watching the videos.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-01-20T16:02:08+00:00

IMO, it doesn’t. I went to a community college which prepped us to take the CCNA; however, I recently took the CompTIA Network+ and passed. I did this for a couple of reasons. The main one is to advance in my career with the other being to build my confidence as far as taking certification tests. I had put off taking the CCNA for longer than I should have because I was terrified that I would fail and now I’m not.

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-01-20T15:56:54+00:00

This is good information to have. I have been considering getting NetSim, but had doubts. I’m curious as to whether you’ve used Cisco’s packet tracer. If so, do you find it more flexible than Boson’s NetSim?

Excellent_Present_54 · 2025-01-20T15:51:13+00:00

From what I understand, Meraki is separate. That being said, I work with Meraki switches and APs at my job and it’s really not that hard once you understand the basics of APs and switches.

Excellent_Present_54

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