3. Approach and diving deep:
There are many different approaches to studying from books but I will tell you about mine. This step will take the most of your studying time.
-Before you even start reading any of the books I suggest learning binary math (really easy) and subnetting so you can do it in your sleep.
http//www.learntosubnet.com is excellent resource. -read both books casually once from front to cover (make sure you cover introduction and practice questions too). This will give you good overview.
-Install both CDs that came with books and practices some of the questions. Dont worry if you get lot of them wrong.
-Now, you will ready both books again but this time you will have to read it to truly understand the concept and how things work. Master one chapter and do questions from just that chapter until you sick of it. Then move to the next chapter.
-Once you mastered all chapters do lot of questions and labexercises. Those two CDs will give you ability to do that.
4. Schedule the test:
Youre not done yet with studying but it is really good to schedule the test after you completed step 3 in this article. Here is why:
If you schedule the test a month in advance right after you completed step 3, you wont be able to slack and make excuses not to study hard until tests and it is also good to give your self a headline. I have seen people working on their CCNA for 2 years. They master one or two chapters, then they rest for 2 two months and right when they think they are ready for the next chapter, they forget what they have learned in the first chapter.
5. Read both books one more time to refresh.
This is optional, but I highly recommend reading the both books one more time. If you read both books in a three week that will give you one more week before the test to cram which is subject of the next step.
So by now you shouldve read both books three times over. I also suggest re-reading questions and answers from both books one more time.
6. Cram, Cram and Cram -This is the last part of your study and there is no turning back. Deadline is hanging around your neck like a noose. You should cram Q&A for no more then 10 days before you take the test.
At this point it is really important that you get fresh and different questions then those included with your CDs. Some people claims that brain dumps or Q&A are bad and evil. I tend to disagree with that. At this point you already firmly grasped the whole CCNA concept and Q&A will only help you. So get some Q&A exam question and cram, cram and cram them for a week.
Dont use books or CDs anymore. There is no looking back. No worries, material from the books will return to you at the right time.
-Dont do any studying a night or a day before the test. Go out with your wife or significant other to a dinner and a movie. Relax. It is very important to relax and get a good night sleep since one of those testing boots could really be intimidating. If you did all the steps above and read books with intention to understand the topics and how stuff works (no pun intended), and not just to pass the test you should be more then ready by now.
We came to an end of this short tutorial. I hope this article give you at least some ideas on how to approach studying for CCNA.
If you fail CCNA first time, dont get discouraged. You will have more knowledge and confidence when you attempt it the next time then the person who passed it on the first try. Whatever approach you take I wish you good luck and prosper career.
