Cisco CCNA (200-301)
CCNA is the reference entry credential for enterprise networking: addressing and routing, switching, wireless, security fundamentals, and a growing amount of automation. It is a broad exam that rewards understanding how a packet actually gets from one host to another. Most questions ask you to read configuration and show output, not to recite definitions.
- Not published by Cisco
- Questions
- 120 min
- Duration
- Not published
- Passing score
- US$300
- Exam cost
as Cisco does not release cut scores
Confirm current local pricing on cisco.com
Exam facts reviewed July 2026 · Independent study resource, not affiliated with Cisco
Who should take it
Network technicians, help-desk staff moving into networking, and systems administrators who need to own the network layer. Cisco enforces no prerequisites but notes that learners often benefit from a year or more implementing and administering Cisco solutions. Time in a lab or simulator matters more here than any single book.
Skills measured
Domains and weightings as published by Cisco. Full objectives →
- 20%Network Fundamentals
- 20%Network Access
- 25%IP Connectivity
- 10%IP Services
- 15%Security Fundamentals
- 10%Automation and Programmability
Prepare with Kwizza
- Free practice exam: full-length, weighted to the official blueprint, every answer explained
- Study guide: focus areas for each domain, common mistakes, and exam-day tips
- Exam objectives: the official domains, broken down skill by skill
- Sample questions: real questions from our bank, with answers and explanations
- How our exams are made: the quality checks behind every question
Frequently asked questions
- What score do I need to pass CCNA?
- Cisco does not publish one. Its exam policies state that passing scores are set by statistical analysis, are subject to change, and are not published because questions and cut scores vary between exam forms. Any specific figure you find online, including the widely repeated 825/1000, does not come from Cisco. Treat practice percentages as a readiness signal, not a threshold.
- How many questions are on the exam?
- Cisco does not publish a question count either. The exam is 120 minutes, so plan around the time limit rather than an assumed number of items.
- How long is CCNA valid, and how do I renew?
- Three years. You can recertify by retaking the exam, passing a higher-level exam, earning 30 Continuing Education credits at associate level, or combining those. There are no extensions: if it lapses, you start the exam process again.
- Do I need real Cisco equipment to study?
- No. Packet Tracer, CML or GNS3 cover everything CCNA tests. What matters is that you configure and break things yourself. The configuration and show-output questions are much harder for candidates who have only read about them.
- Is a newer version of the exam coming?
- Yes. The current exam is 200-301 v1.1. Cisco has announced v2.0, which restructures the blueprint substantially and adds AI-related network operations content. If you are sitting the exam soon, v1.1 is what you will take. If your exam date is well out, check Cisco's exam-topics page before booking.
Related certifications
- CompTIA Network+ (N10-009): Vendor-neutral networking fundamentals, a gentler on-ramp
- CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701): The natural security pairing once the network layer is solid