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Prepare to get Cisco Certified

No matter what your career goals are, make your decision to get certified count. Cisco has everything you need to succeed. Prepare for, practice, and pass your exams.

Your path to certification success

Earn your certifications and take another step toward your best future. Follow these recommended steps to prepare for and pass your certification exam.

    Step 1: Review exam topics

    Reviewing the exam topics covered for your exam is a great place to start. Every exam provides them. If you’re asking around in the Cisco Learning Network, you might hear them called the “exam blueprint.” More on the Cisco Learning Network in Step 4.

    How they can help

    • Allocate your study time more strategically by viewing the weight given to each domain.
    • Get a clearer sense of the exam details and coverage up front by scanning subtopic details.
    View certification exam topics

    Step 2: Get familiar with question types

    View a walk-through demonstration of the variety of question types asked for Associate and Professional Cisco Certifications.

    Step 3: Select the learning options that work for you

    Once you know which topics will be on your exam, choose the learning options that work for you. Many certifications have their own preparation program.

    Prep programs

    CCNA Prep CCIE Prep Cybersecurity Associate Prep DevNet Associate Prep

    Training overviews by certification

    Training overviews help you find the Cisco training classes you need by certification. Each overview contains a course description and other details, such as duration, objectives, prerequisites, and outlines.

    View training options

    Cisco Press

    Cisco Press is the Cisco Systems authorized book publisher of Cisco networking technology, Cisco certification self-study, and Cisco Networking Academy Program materials. Leading authorities from Cisco Systems and other industry innovators write and contribute to the various titles and series that make up the Cisco Press product family. These Cisco materials are part of a recommended learning plan from Cisco Systems that combines instructor-led training with hands-on instruction, e-learning, and self-study.

    Explore Cisco Press

    Cisco U.

    Cisco U. is a digital learning platform that lets you personalize your learning experience. You’ll find Learning Paths and practice exams specific to a certification that are designed to help you pass your exam. You’ll also find free learning resources, like webinars and videos.

    Sign up for Cisco U. free Learn more about Cisco U.

    Step 4: Connect

    You don’t have to study alone. Meet fellow learners. Get training guidance. Find free resources. Simply join the appropriate certification community on the Cisco Learning Network, where you can work alongside others who are studying the same material.

    Join Cisco Learning Network Explore Cisco certification communities

    Step 5: Get hands-on practice as you learn

    Try new skills to test your knowledge across technologies until you’re ready to put them to work. Practice through Cisco labs, simulation tools, and sandboxes to reach your certification goals.

    Simulation tools

    Gain real skills with network simulation tools. Practice networking, IoT, cybersecurity skills, and more in a virtual lab—no hardware needed. Design, test, troubleshoot, and learn.

    Visit Cisco Packet Tracer Learn about Cisco Modeling Labs

    Cisco learning labs

    Cisco learning labs are included in Cisco U. Learning Paths and courses. These hands-on interactive labs spin up in just a few seconds. All you need is your browser. Learning labs can also be purchased separately from the Cisco Learning Network Store.

    Visit Cisco learning labs

    CCIE practice labs

    The CCIE practice labs let you explore fully functional, hands-on lab environments in four-hour sessions. You can purchase as many blocks of time as you need.

    Explore CCIE practice labs

    Sandboxes

    Run your code on live infrastructure with sandboxes. You can develop and test Cisco APIs, SDKs, and more for free.

    Go to DevNet Sandbox

    Step 6: Check your exam readiness

    Take a practice exam to test your readiness and to avoid surprises during the real thing. They are available in Cisco U. and can be purchased separately in the Cisco Learning Network Store.

    Explore practice exams

    Step 7: Schedule your exam

    You can choose to take many exams online from a comfortable place or in person at a convenient Pearson VUE location. 
     
    Find the best option for you and your certification by visiting Cisco certification exams.

    Schedule an exam

    Step 8: Claim your certification

    Within 24 hours of passing your certification exam, you will receive an email with instructions on the next steps. Complete these steps to receive your certification. Log in to the Cisco Certification Tracking System at any time to check your certification status and claim your digital certification kit. If this was your final exam before certification, congratulations! It’s time to celebrate and tell the world about your accomplishment.

    Login to Certification tracking system

    Step 9: Keep your certification active

    Follow one of these pathways to keep your certification active for another three years:

    • Take another certification exam to recertify.
    • Earn Continuing Education (CE) credits to help you work toward recertification. The Cisco Continuing Education Program offers flexible options for all Cisco certification holders to recertify by completing a variety of CE-eligible activities.
    Learn more about recertifying Learn more about Continuing Education