Becoming a Cisco Certified Network Associate is the first step towards a fulfilling lifelong journey in Information Technology. Exam day though can be a challenging experience for those who have never tested for certification before. That’s why we put together this helpful guide for passing the Cisco 200-125 Exam and becoming a Certified Network Associate!

What is the 200-125?

The 200-125 is an entry level exam for the CCNA certification with Cisco. Basically a Certified Network Associate can handle the complex world of networking that is encountered in the IT world. From building server rooms to connecting computers across a campus, the CCNA certification is designed to test whether or not you possess the skills and qualifications to install networks in a professional setting. It’s a very good certification and leads to high paying jobs and incredible opportunity.

First, Buy Some Equipment

Setting up a lab is one of the most effective ways to study for the 200-125! Just like taking a written driving exam doesn’t translate to actually driving, most of the challenges involved with networking are only solved when coupled with real life practice. You’ll find it impossible to completely understand networking without some basic equipment. Only a few simple pieces are required to set up your own testing lab. With some ethernet cord, a router, and internet connection, and two PC’s/devices, you can make major strides in testing and understanding networking concepts. Taking a certification exam is far easier when you have practical hands on experience. A laptop or even a mobile device can substitute for some of the lab items too if necessary, preferably it’ll have an Ethernet port. When you have the components, take some time to study how a network is set-up and practice different network Diagrams as well as setting up and taking down a basic network. Learning these basic networking steps will start to inform you how to pass the Cisco 200-125 Exam. It’s a very basic start, but you’ll start encountering problems and troubleshooting issues that teach invaluable experience.

Hit the Books

Next, pick up a solid book on the 200-125. While reading through a book can be tedious, slowly working through the material everyday will start to prepare you for the exam. There is a LOT of information. One of the other factors involved is realizing that even though there is a lot of information, it’s not necessary to remember all of it. It is necessary to be familiar with it though as you’ll encounter it in most jobs that actually use your certification. So start by working your way through an entire book, then reread it, the second time highlighting subjects that are hard to understand. Most certifications require memorizing some random information such as all the various networking standards, adapter formats going back a decade, and more.

Set up a Server

CCNA’s work with servers on a regular basis. After setting up your own SOHO network, the next logical step is to create a mini-server. This can be done with a really bad PC by using free server software or you can get your feet wet with an industry professional software bundle like Windows Server 2012. If you pursue networking, servers will be a natural thing that you work with. Try creating one, connecting it, creating domain names, spinning up VM’s, or any other daily tasks that you’ll encounter on the job. This will prepare you for more than just certification, it’ll prepare you for the actual work you plan on doing.

Practice the Hard Stuff with Your ISP

A router can do many things, from installing alternate firmware to informing you about the difference between IP4 and IP6. Once you understand the hardware side of networking, it’s time to study the really complex practical side that involves IP information. Make sure to practice setting up a vlan, changing the password on a router, using cmd prompt to change networking configurations. These complex and nuanced skills will help you on the exam as well as your future career path. Once these concepts become second nature, it’ll be way easier to pass the test.

Focus in on Your Studies by Using an Online Test Provider

The CCNA program has so much information that it is like drinking from a firehose. The test itself won’t have nearly all the things you study for on it. That means you need to get a feel for what is and isn’t actually on the test. One of the best ways to get experience of the exam is to take an online practice exam. Exam providers such as ITExams.com offer high-quality practice exams for those who are interested in pursuing a career in IT. The practice exam for the 200-125 can be found here. These exams are created by industry professionals and designed to mimic the real thing. That means you see questions similar to what is actually on the exam and get a realistic feel for what you’ll encounter on the actual CCNA.

Once You Feel Confident, Take the Exam

Sign up and take the exam! We recommend studying regularly for a few months before jumping in as it can cost several hundred dollars. The exam itself consists of 60-70 questions and takes 90 minutes to complete. Just a simple afternoon. If you pass, you gain access to a whole world of new job opportunities and are officially recognized as a Certified Network Associate.

Thanks for joining us!

We hope this guide on how to pass the Cisco 200-125 Exam has helped you understand a little bit more about the CCNA certification process. Our goal is to keep producing incredible content that shows you more about the world of certification. If you’ve learned something, tell us in the comments below and share this article. Until next time, good luck learning and we hope getting certified changes your life!