The Ultimate Guide to CCNA Roadmap: Prepare and Pass the Exam with Confidence

  • March 06, 2025
  • Networking
  • 8 min read
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Introduction

There’s no doubt that Networking is a hot domain and shall be for years to come in the IT landscape. According to an article by Harvard Business Review, 70% of CEOs believe their workforce lacks the skills to adapt to digital technologies to begin a successful career in infrastructure and software. That’s where the new CCNA certification path and CCNA study guide help to cover a broad range of networking fundaments based on the latest technology updates, software development skills, and job roles. CCNA arms employers and employees in the IT business and validates the skills required to manage and optimize today’s most advanced networks. 

Let’s understand the Cisco CCNA certification will help you in detail. Let us have a look at the list of topics covered in this comprehensive CCNA certification path guide.

Cisco Courses for Your Team
Implementing And Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA)

 

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What is CCNA and how to get certified?

CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate certification which tests a learner’s knowledge and skills on network fundamentals, IP connectivity and services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability.  

Required Exam: 200-301 CCNA Exam 

Recommended Training: Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) 

The New CCNA certification has been updated and has replaced all the associate level certifications, including CCNA routing and switching, CCNA Cloud, CCNA Collaboration, CCNA Data Center, CCNA Service Provider, and CCNA Wireless. These certifications are no longer active and have released one consolidated CCNA certification.

Updated Curriculum

  1. Network Fundamentals – Contains 20% weightage  
  2. Network Access – Contains 20% weightage 
  3. IP Connectivity – Contains 25% weightage 
  4. IP Services – Contains 10% weightage 
  5. Security Fundamentals – Contains 15% weightage 
  6. Automation and Programmability - Contains 10% weightage 

Please refer here for a detailed list of topics in the CCNA exam. NetCom Learning can also help to redeem your CLCs with Cisco.  

CCNA Eligibility

There are no formal qualifications for a candidate to qualify for the CCNA exam. Some basic pre- requisites for a candidate to be eligible for the CCNA exam are as follows:  

  • Basic knowledge of computer  
  • Basic navigation abilities of computer operating systems  
  • Skills in internet usage are necessary  
  • Knowledge about IP address 

Who can take the CCNA Certification?

As the 200-301 exam provides the foundation to take your career in multiple directions of your choice. The possible job roles for those who can take the CCNA certifications are listed below : 

  • Entry-level network engineer  
  • Network administrator  
  • Infrastructure Engineer  
  • IT Specialist  
  • Network specialist  
  • Network support technician  
  • Help desk technician  
  • Network analyst  
  • Network Manager  
  • System engineer  
  • System administrator  
  • Business roles in IT organizations, from sales and marketing to management track  
  • Network designer, and  
  • Individuals aiming for CCNA certification 


Latest CCNA Roadmap

  • Preparation
Focus Topics: Network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, automation, and programmability. 
Preparation for this exam can be via Instructed led training or Self-paced (e-Learning) training with an associate Cisco training partner like NetCom Learning. The NetCom Learning’s CCNA certification is recognized by Army Credentialing Assistance (CA).
  • Register & Schedule Exam

Once ready, register at Pearson Vue and schedule your exam.  


Exam: CCNA 200-301 
Except for the CCIE lab examinations, all Cisco Certification roadmap exams are administered by Pearson VUE. Pearson VUE provides two options for paying for an exam: Prepay for the exam in advance by purchasing an exam voucher with the Cisco Learning Credits. 

In the Pearson VUE registration system, users can use their credit cards, or  

  • Attend Exam
Duration – 90 minutes

  • Examination Process
Online Proctored, test center, remotely at home, or in an office 

  • Result 
CCNA 200-301 Passing Score: 800/1000 (80%) 
Validity: 3 years  
Recertify before expiry

Benefits of CCNA Training

There are abundant benefits to why your teams should go for CCNA certification.  

CCNA acts as a foundation: In a networking career, CCNA is the most popular and renounced certification to start and upskill in an IT career. Cisco CCNA certifications cover all the fundamentals of networking, security, automation, and programmability. Also, it opens possibilities for all entry-level job roles with no formal pre-requisites.  

Increases trust and recognition: When your teams get certified from Cisco, they become living proof of the standard and rigor that businesses need to meet and exceed market demands. 

Widen Career opportunities: CCNA certification path includes a broad range of career skills if one wants to build or support IT infrastructure. It can be specialized later as earning CCNA certification proves to be a solid foundation for any career field or role.?  

Moving ahead, let’s understand the resources where you can learn all about CCNA and its latest updates.

CCNA Study Resources

With CCNA, there are numerous resources where one can rely on. Here are a few of the study resources for preparing for the CCNA exam.  

CCNA essential Webinar: Learn the latest CCNA certification principles from Cisco certified experts and validate the skills of your workforce in the fundamentals of networking, automation, IP connectivity, security, configuration, troubleshooting, and more. Watch the on-demand webinar here.  

CCNA Roadmap blog: To earn a CCNA certification, here’s a complete roadmap including preparation, register and schedule exam, examination process, and passing score to crack the exam. You can also refer to our other detailed blog here on CCNA certification path. 

Cisco e-Book: Access our all-in-one Cisco e-Book and learn about the latest Cisco career path categorized across different levels along with the latest updates on Cisco tracks, certifications, recertification, and much more. Download the Complete Cisco E-book.  
 
CCNA Free Assessment: Check out our Free Assessment Tool to check your skills and competency around CCNA. 

Recertification

CCNA certification has a validity of 3 years. If your team wants to recertify, they must pass one of the qualifying exams OR earn 30 continuing education credits. In this blog, we highlight the tests that must be passed before the certificate expires:  

  • CCNA exam, again. 
  • Anyone professional concentration exam. 
  • One technology core exam. 
  • One CCIE lab exam. 

Why Choose Cisco at NetCom Learning?

Being a Cisco Authorized Learning Partner, NetCom Learning provides exclusive CCNA course training that covers a broad range of fundamentals based on the latest networking technologies, software development skills, and job roles to help accelerate the performance of your employees.  

To know more about Cisco authorized training at NetCom Learning, check out our latest offerings for CCNA:  

  • Networking subscription: Unlimited access to enterprise networking training courses, including CCNA, ENCOR, ENARSI, SDWAN300, ENAUI, and more  
  • Free 2 Hour Private VILT Training: We provide a complimentary 2-hour Cisco training delivered by Cisco certified trainer to help your workforce evolve faster with any key technology tracks.?  
  • All-Access Subscription: This package includes over 80 Cisco courses and certifications from Cisco key tracks including Networking, Security, Data Center, Collaboration and DevNet. It also offers seamless delivery methods to make your Cisco CCNA training flexible and convenient. 
    Virtual instructor-led Training: Delivered by Cisco certified trainer in a virtual environment. It includes hands-on, real-time virtual lab, and live customer and IT support.?  
    Instructor-led Classroom training: Delivered by cisco certified trainer in a classroom environment. It includes in-person instructor support, collaborative and critical thinking, and an interactive learning experience.  
  • e-Learning: This is a digital self-study course including a flexible engagement model, hands-on training, and self-paced learning. Here’s a library for CCNA e-Learning.  
  • Private group training: Delivered by Cisco certified instructor with convenient schedules. It includes customized training content with a flexible schedule and location. NetCom Learning brings a free 2-hour private group training. Choose the most suitable Cisco certifications, including Networking, Data Center, Security, Collaboration, DevNet, and more.  

Conclusion

The CCNA study guide focused on highlighting what exactly CCNA is and the benefits of CCNA certification. To attain the CCNA certification, learners must focus on gaining training from authorized Cisco Training Partners. The CCNA study guide also highlights the training course that could be taken to attain the CCNA certification.  
NetCom Learning, an authorized training partner of Cisco, helps upskilling employees on the latest updates, 24/7 accessibility, hands-on labs, and more. For the best preparation of your teams, contact NetCom Learning today!

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • What is CCNA and how to get certified?
  • Updated Curriculum
  • CCNA Eligibility
  • Who can take the CCNA Certification?
  • Latest CCNA Roadmap
  • Benefits of CCNA Training
  • CCNA Study Resources
  • Recertification
  • Why Choose Cisco at NetCom Learning?
  • Conclusion
  • Related Resources