Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA 200-301) is Cisco's foundational Associate-level networking credential. It does not stop at definitions — it expects you to read a topology, configure VLANs and OSPF, and troubleshoot a broken routing table under time pressure. If you are aiming for a network engineer, NOC, or infrastructure role, or you are climbing toward CCNP, CCNA is the credential the industry actually expects to see on your resume.
This guide covers the exam format itself: cost, time, scoring, question types, retake rules, validity period, and what the exam actually tests. For the week-by-week study path, see the 8-week CCNA study plan. For a fast final-review reference, see the CCNA cheat sheet.
What CCNA is (and is not)
CCNA sits at the Associate tier of the Cisco certification ladder — above the entry-level CCST exams (IT Support, Networking, Cybersecurity), and below the Professional tier (CCNP) and Expert tier (CCIE).
What CCNA is:
- A configuration and troubleshooting credential. Expect simulation-style questions where you read a topology diagram and identify or fix a fault, not just recall definitions.
- A broad exam. Routing, switching, wireless, security fundamentals, and automation all show up — no single sub-topic dominates the way IP Connectivity nearly does.
- Vendor-specific. Every command syntax and default behavior question assumes Cisco IOS, not a generic networking concept.
What CCNA is not:
- Not an entry-level exam. CCST Networking is the true beginner on-ramp; CCNA assumes you already know IP addressing and subnetting cold.
- Not vendor-neutral. CompTIA Network+ tests networking concepts across vendors; CCNA tests the same core concepts specifically through Cisco IOS command syntax and behavior. See Network+ vs CCNA for the full comparison.
- Not a deep-dive exam. CCNP and its concentration exams go far deeper into any single domain (routing, security, wireless) than CCNA's breadth-first blueprint does.
Cisco CCNA exam format at a glance
The CCNA exam format is approximately 100-120 questions in 120 minutes, delivered as multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and simulation items, for a $300 fee:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | ~100-120 (multiple choice, drag-and-drop, simulation) |
| Time limit | 120 minutes |
| Cost | $300 USD |
| Passing score | Not published; ~825/1000 widely cited (scaled) |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test center or Pearson OnVUE online proctoring |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Result | Pass/fail shown on-screen immediately; official score report follows via Cisco Certification Tracking System |
| Languages | English, with Japanese available in some regions |
120 minutes for roughly 100-120 questions is a little over a minute per question on average — but that average is misleading, because the simulation-style items (simlets, where you configure or troubleshoot inside a simulated Cisco IOS environment) can eat 5-8 minutes each. Budget the bulk of your time for those and move quickly through the recall-style items.
200-301 price and promotions
The Cisco CCNA exam price is $300 USD, charged at booking through Pearson VUE — there is no separate lower-tier pricing for CCNA specifically, but Cisco periodically runs discount vouchers through Cisco Learning Network events, Cisco Networking Academy partnerships, and Cisco Live attendee perks. Watch the Cisco Certifications site and your regional Cisco Networking Academy for these.
Pearson VUE converts the price to local currency at checkout in non-USD regions. VAT or local sales tax may apply on top of the $300 depending on your country.
Scoring and the passing score
Unlike AWS, Cisco does not officially publish the CCNA passing score. The figure most widely cited by training providers and test-takers is around 825 out of 1000, but treat this as a well-informed estimate rather than an official number. Scores are scaled, not a raw percentage — Cisco converts your raw correct-answer count through a statistical model that accounts for question difficulty.
As with most Cisco exams, some questions are unscored — included to gather performance data for future exam versions, with no indication of which ones. Treat every question as if it counts.
CertSharp's recommendation: score consistently above 85 percent on full-length timed mocks before booking. Because the exact cut score is unpublished and the scaling is unknown, a comfortable margin above the commonly cited threshold protects you from an unlucky scaling outcome.
Question types you will see
200-301 uses a wider mix of formats than an entry-level exam:
- Multiple choice. The dominant format — a scenario or definitional stem, four or more options, one or more correct answers.
- Drag-and-drop. Match terms to definitions, or arrange steps/commands in the correct order.
- Simlets and testlets. A simulated Cisco IOS environment where you run
showcommands, sometimes make configuration changes, and answer questions based on the simulated topology's actual state. - Fill-in-the-blank. Occasionally used for exact command syntax or numeric values (like a subnet mask).
The simulation-style items are the biggest difference from a foundational cloud exam like AWS Cloud Practitioner — you genuinely need comfort navigating Cisco IOS, not just recognizing command names.
The six exam domains
Cisco publishes six domains with their relative weights:
| # | Domain | Weight | ~Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Network Fundamentals | 20% | ~22 |
| 2 | Network Access | 20% | ~22 |
| 3 | IP Connectivity | 25% | ~27 |
| 4 | IP Services | 10% | ~11 |
| 5 | Security Fundamentals | 15% | ~16 |
| 6 | Automation and Programmability | 10% | ~11 |
IP Connectivity carries the largest weight — this is where routing (static routes, OSPFv2) and the router's path-selection logic live. Network Fundamentals and Network Access are close behind and together cover subnetting, VLANs, trunking, and wireless — the material most CCST Networking graduates already have a head start on. Automation and Programmability is the newest and smallest domain, but candidates who skip it entirely because it is "only 10%" tend to regret it — see OSPF Explained for the domain that carries the most weight in depth.
Test center vs OnVUE online
Both delivery methods produce the same exam content and the same pass/fail outcome.
Pearson VUE test center is in-person. You arrive with valid ID, store your belongings in a locker, and sit at a provided workstation while the center staff proctor in person.
Pearson OnVUE online proctoring lets you test from home. You install the OnVUE application, complete an ID check and room scan on camera, and a remote proctor monitors you for the full 120 minutes. You need a stable connection, a single monitor, and a private room with a clear desk.
Which to choose: OnVUE saves travel time and is available around the clock in most regions, but the simulation-style questions demand a reliable connection — a dropped connection mid-simlet is more disruptive than on a purely multiple-choice exam. If your home internet is not rock solid, a test center removes that risk entirely.
How to register
- Create or sign in to your Cisco.com account, which links to your Cisco Certification Tracking System profile.
- Go to Pearson VUE's Cisco certification portal and select 200-301 CCNA.
- Choose a delivery method: Pearson VUE test center or Pearson OnVUE online.
- Pick an available date and time slot — OnVUE slots run 24/7 in most regions.
- Pay the $300 fee (or apply a voucher code if you have one).
- Save the confirmation email; it has your exam appointment details and any pre-exam requirements.
You can reschedule for free up to 24 hours before your appointment. Inside that window, you forfeit the exam fee.
ID and check-in rules
You need government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your Cisco.com account exactly. Test centers may ask for a second form of ID; OnVUE typically accepts one primary ID plus the on-camera identity verification built into the check-in flow.
For OnVUE, check-in opens 30 minutes before your slot. Expect a full room scan (walls, desk, ceiling) via your webcam. Clear your desk completely and remove watches, headphones, and any second screen. For test centers, arrive at least 15 minutes early; late arrivals beyond the grace period forfeit the appointment.
Retake policy
Cisco applies an escalating wait period for CCNA retakes, unlike AWS's flat 14-day rule:
| Failed attempt | Wait before retake |
|---|---|
| 1st fail | 5 calendar days |
| 2nd fail | 30 calendar days |
| 3rd fail | 45 calendar days |
| 4th and later fails | 180 calendar days |
This policy applies to every Cisco certification exam, not CCNA specifically. There is no cap on total lifetime attempts, but each retake costs the full $300 fee. Cisco sends a section-level score breakdown after a fail — use the wait to drill your weakest domain.
How long the cert lasts
CCNA is valid 3 years from the pass date, the standard Cisco certification cycle. Recertify by retaking the current version of 200-301 within the renewal window, or read on — Cisco offers two other paths that do not require sitting the exact same exam again.
Recertification without retaking
Cisco offers two ways to stay certified without retaking 200-301 cold: earning Continuing Education (CE) credits through Cisco's CE program (a mix of eligible training courses, exams, and approved activities within your 3-year window), or passing a higher-level Cisco certification — any CCNP core or concentration exam recertifies CCNA automatically. If you intend to climb the Cisco ladder anyway, your natural progression to CCNP keeps you continuously certified without a separate CCNA retake.
Prerequisites and recommended experience
CCNA has no formal prerequisites and no required prior Cisco certification. Cisco recommends one year of experience implementing and administering Cisco solutions, but this is guidance, not a gate — many candidates pass through structured study and lab time without professional networking experience.
If you have zero networking background, plan on 2-3 months of focused study, including hands-on lab time. If you already hold CCST Networking or have equivalent foundational knowledge, 6-8 weeks is often realistic.
CCNA vs other Cisco certs
| Certification | Tier | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCST Networking | Foundational | $125 | Complete networking beginners |
| CCNA | Associate | $300 | Network engineers, NOC, infrastructure roles |
| CCNP (core + concentration) | Professional | $300 + $300 | Experienced engineers specializing in enterprise, security, or data center |
| CCIE | Expert | $300 + $1,600 lab | Senior architects, hands-on lab mastery |
For the broader question of whether to start with a vendor-neutral cert instead, see Network+ vs CCNA — Which Networking Cert Should You Get in 2026?
Recommended study resources
- Cisco's official 200-301 exam topics at cisco.com/.../ccna. Always the source of truth for domains and objectives.
- Cisco Packet Tracer — free network simulation software, essential for hands-on practice with routing, switching, and troubleshooting.
- CertSharp's 500-question CCNA bank. Mapped domain-by-domain to the exam topics, with an explanation on every question. Try 30 free questions.
- The CertSharp CCNA study plan at /blog/ccna-study-plan-2026.
- Real or virtual lab time. CCNA's simulation-style questions reward candidates who have actually typed the commands, not just read about them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Cisco CCNA exam cost?
The Cisco CCNA (200-301) exam costs $300 USD. The fee is the same whether you sit it at a Pearson VUE testing center or take it online with Pearson OnVUE proctoring. Cisco occasionally runs discount promotions through Cisco Learning Network events or partner training bundles, but there is no standing discount for individual candidates.
How many questions are on the CCNA exam?
Cisco does not publish an exact question count for 200-301 — expect approximately 100-120 questions in the 120-minute window, mixing multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and simulation-style items (simlets that put you inside a simulated Cisco IOS environment). Not every question counts toward your score; Cisco includes unscored items to gather data for future exam versions without telling you which ones.
What is the passing score for CCNA?
Cisco does not officially publish an exact passing score for 200-301, unlike AWS. A value around 825 out of a possible 1000 is the most widely cited figure among test-takers and training providers, on a scaled scoring system. CertSharp recommends scoring consistently above 85% on full-length practice exams before booking, since the scaled conversion and unpublished cut score both add uncertainty.
Is the CCNA exam open book?
No. 200-301 is closed book under proctored conditions, whether you sit it in a Pearson VUE test center or online via Pearson OnVUE. You cannot use notes, a second monitor, a phone, or any reference material during the exam.
Can I take the CCNA exam online?
Yes. Cisco uses Pearson OnVUE for online proctoring on 200-301 in most countries. You need a webcam, a reliable internet connection, and a private room. The proctor scans your space before you begin and monitors continuously. Test centers remain available if you prefer not to test from home, or if your local regulations restrict online testing.
How long is the CCNA certification valid?
CCNA is valid for 3 years from the pass date, the same validity window as every other active Cisco certification. You can recertify by retaking the current version of 200-301, earning Continuing Education (CE) credits through Cisco’s CE program, or passing a higher-level Cisco certification (such as any CCNP exam) before the 3-year window closes.
What is the CCNA retake policy?
Cisco applies an escalating wait period, unlike AWS’s flat 14-day rule: 5 calendar days after a first fail, 30 days after a second, 45 days after a third, and 180 days after a fourth or later fail. This policy applies to every Cisco certification exam, not just CCNA. There is no cap on total lifetime attempts, but you pay the full $300 fee each time.
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