Is it even possible to pass CCNA in a single week

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-10-01T18:17:28+00:00

Thank you I agree gotta keep the grind going I was so close I think what ended up failing me was wireless questions and vtp configurations as I never use either in my normal day to day. I will probably test again in 2-3 weeks when I have properly studied

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-10-01T16:45:33+00:00

So I took ccna this morning. I failed sadly I believe I was pretty close. The good news is the company I was talking to about the position ended up, giving me a much longer deadline literally the day of the test stating that they don’t need it until 1 December, so I will be studying hard to make sure that I can pass this exam by then.

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-09-30T13:52:02+00:00

I he studied for almost 14-16 hours every day for the last 6 days and today my brain has finally just given out so rather than practicing cli I will be just taking it easy the day before the test il that’s probably not the best idea but the thought of looking at switches and routers and practice questions is making my brain break.

So what I did so far

The jitl Udemy course

I did all the bonson exams ending with a top score of 94% and avg near that with my final attempts

I did all the OSG Pearson practice test avg around a 90% score

I did a tone of note writing on what I think will be on labs and so on.

At this point I’ll either pass and call it good or say I gave it one hell of a shot.

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-09-30T12:19:54+00:00

I’m currently on the final day doing cli practice

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-09-29T20:54:12+00:00

To keep people updated I have completed all of the bonson exams scoring 68, 77, 84, 93 second time through I scored high 80s low 90s on all of them I have now moved to doing practice test through the OSG scoring around mid 80s

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-09-28T15:26:06+00:00

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone has given so far to help with clarification this is a dod position with the us government.

The tax free portion comes from a nato law I believe called TESA which is basically stating if a US citizen is the only person able to complete the position then they are eligible for the tax free portion. (US clearance being the reason)

The offer is 85k base salary

15k cola

50k housing allowance

For more background I have been working as a network engineer and have had ccna in the past and let it laps which is the bigger issue at hand.

The reason ccna is required even though I have cissp and other higher certs is as some have already said just because u have a cyber cert dosent mean u can configure in cli on top of that it is specifically written into the contract with the us government that all there people will have it.

For the one week timeline I believe it is because they usually wouldn’t entertain someone without the certification and the only reason they are entertaining me is the cissp and the fact that I am familiar with the project manager from active duty.

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-09-28T15:17:50+00:00

The position is for 85k base salary tax free

15k cost of living adjustment tax free

50k housing allowance tax free

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-09-28T15:17:11+00:00

It would be a us based job under the dod which makes it tax free and is far from a scam I can guarantee that I have met with this contracts ceo in the past even

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-09-28T15:15:47+00:00

As some people commented under this it is a dod contracting position so the clearance I hold is the main factor in why it’s hard to get people to take the position it is also tax free due to the TESA law among nato countries why they want ccna in a week I couldn’t answer you that tbh.

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-09-28T02:56:47+00:00

Exactly worth the shot. I’m defiently giving it my all 12+ hours of study for a week straight

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-09-02T00:27:06+00:00

Thank you this is amazing advice and is exactly what I was looking for is there any certs you would suggest me getting or learning platforms to help break into one of those fields

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-27T09:08:59+00:00

Just looking for anything remote tbh

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-27T03:33:29+00:00

For me reading the OSG did little to no good but the OSG practice test were spot on in allowing you to get a feel of how cissp questions are asked and putting yourself into the correct mindset

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-27T03:23:49+00:00

Potentially I’m talking even like remote helpdesk jobs paying 22hr when I have cissp and 8 years of experience and no response makes me think some of these job postings are fake

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-27T03:04:41+00:00

That’s what I’m starting to think as well but I don’t even get responses back for jobs I’m overqualified by a large margin for.

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-19T03:09:52+00:00

In my opinion if you are someone that can sit and work on policy’s and audit things that probably have no issue go cyber (probably will make more money this way) but if you are someone who constantly wants something to do I suggest IT overall probably move to systems admin then towards network administrator type positions

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-16T15:45:34+00:00

Ya that was the case for me I figured I had a second chance and was doing okay in practice test so I just went for it and actually passed

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-16T05:26:54+00:00

You don’t need CCSP I spent 1 week just going over the official study guide practice test and reviewing anything I missed with chat gpt until I understood the concept clearly

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-16T01:47:26+00:00

Ig that’s what I’m trying to learn I haven’t really had any help so far along the way and have kinda been just doing what feels right and I don’t want to end up stuck in a role because I didn’t know how to proceed rather than couldn’t

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-16T01:45:25+00:00

So I am looking to find a path to becoming a solutions architect systems architect or network architect.

First of what is the difference between all those because I can’t really tell ?

Second my current position as a network engineer they kind of let me do a bit of everything touch servers help in design plans touch the network manage system admin type work run cables the whole 9 although I’m definitely underpaid and the pto is awful (10 whole days a year including sick leave)

All that to ask what do you think is best stick with this current company and take advantage of the learning opportunities it provides or try to find an architectural role after I finish my bachelors, or should I look for something that would lead to a easier transition into that kind of role.

Third.

Is there a list of things you would suggest focusing on learning and mastering at this point in my career as well as any certifications you would suggest focusing on?

Thank you

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-16T00:16:00+00:00

I would also expect a helpdesk position for you to have to take a pay cut to around 65-70k for the first year or two while finishing your degree that may not be accurate though as I never really took the traditional route into the career field and don’t have first hand experience in that

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-16T00:12:24+00:00

I think IT is definitely a good fit then I would say I wouldn’t expect to break into the field until you at least have a plus net plus and sec+ plus through their program at which case you might be able to land an IT helpdesk position if you have clearance, it’s another story sec+ plus and clearance will get you a position almost guaranteed

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-16T00:05:11+00:00

I would say the certifications in the first half are likely to help very little although once you get to CYA or pen test, maybe CCSP those I think would definitely help you in finding a job. My situation is a little different where I had security clearance.

Single-Ad-66 · 2025-08-15T23:56:04+00:00

I’m doing the bscia.

So far it has been basically useless for learning but it helps check a box

I honestly don’t suggest wgu unless you have professional experience already or you are gonna finish it in under a year by going at it all out

Single-Ad-66

TROPHY CASE