Cisco Certifications & Practice Tests
CCST and CCNA practice tests with 500 exam-style questions each, plus a guide to the full Cisco certification ladder — CCST, CCNA, CCNP and CCIE — and which exam to take first. Start free, no credit card required.
CCST & CCNA Practice Tests
500 scenario-based questions per exam, each with a detailed explanation. Try 30 free questions per session, no credit card needed.
Cisco CCST IT Support Practice Test
100-140
IT support job tasks, hardware, operating systems, connectivity, and common security threats.
Cisco CCST Networking Practice Test
100-150
Networking standards, addressing and subnetting, infrastructure, diagnostics, and security.
Cisco CCST Cybersecurity Practice Test
100-160
Security principles, network and endpoint security, risk management, and incident handling.
Cisco CCNA Practice Test
200-301
Network fundamentals, IP connectivity, network access, IP services, security, and automation.
How Cisco Certifications Are Structured
Cisco builds much of the networking gear that runs enterprise networks, and its certifications prove you can operate that infrastructure. Where CompTIA credentials are vendor-neutral, Cisco certifications go deeper into routing, switching, security and automation on Cisco platforms.
The ladder has four levels. CCST (Cisco Certified Support Technician) is the entry tier, with single-topic exams in IT Support, Networking and Cybersecurity for students and career-changers. CCNA is the associate tier: the classic CCNA (200-301) for networking, plus CCNA Cybersecurity and CCNA Automation, which replaced the CyberOps Associate and DevNet Associate names in 2026. CCNP is the professional tier — each CCNP needs one core exam plus one concentration exam. CCIE is the expert tier, earned with a qualifying exam and a hands-on lab.
None of the levels has a formal prerequisite, so you can start wherever your experience fits.
All Cisco Certifications Compared
The Cisco certification ladder by level, with exam code, length, fee and validity. Exams with a CertSharp practice test are linked.
Entry (CCST)
| Certification | Who it's for | Exam length | Fee | Valid for | CertSharp practice test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco CCST IT Support100-140 | Help desk and entry IT support | 50 min | $125 | 5 years* | 500 questions → |
| Cisco CCST Networking100-150 | Aspiring network technicians | 50 min | $125 | 5 years* | 500 questions → |
| Cisco CCST Cybersecurity100-160 | Aspiring security analysts | 50 min | $125 | 5 years* | 500 questions → |
Associate (CCNA)
| Certification | Who it's for | Exam length | Fee | Valid for | CertSharp practice test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco CCNA200-301 | Network engineers, NOC technicians | 120 min | $300 | 3 years | 500 questions → |
| Cisco CCNA Cybersecurity200-201Formerly CyberOps Associate | SOC analysts | 120 min | $300 | 3 years | Not yet |
| Cisco CCNA Automation200-901Formerly DevNet Associate | Network automation engineers, developers | 120 min | $300 | 3 years | Not yet |
Professional (CCNP)
| Certification | Who it's for | Exam length | Fee | Valid for | CertSharp practice test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR core)350-401 | Senior enterprise network engineers | 120 min | $400 | 3 years | Not yet |
| Cisco CCNP Security (SCOR core)350-701 | Network security engineers | 120 min | $400 | 3 years | Not yet |
| Cisco CCNP Data Center (DCCOR core)350-601 | Data center engineers | 120 min | $400 | 3 years | Not yet |
| Cisco CCNP Collaboration (CLCOR core)350-801 | Voice and collaboration engineers | 120 min | $400 | 3 years | Not yet |
| Cisco CCNP Cybersecurity (CBRCOR core)350-201Formerly CyberOps Professional | Senior SOC and incident response engineers | 120 min | $400 | 3 years | Not yet |
Expert (CCIE)
| Certification | Who it's for | Exam length | Fee | Valid for | CertSharp practice test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco CCIE (Enterprise, Security, Data Center and more) | Expert-level engineers | Core exam + 8-hour lab | — | 3 years | Not yet |
Fees are US list prices and vary by region. CCNP fees are for the core exam; each CCNP also requires one concentration exam. *CCST certifications earned on or after July 15, 2025 are valid for 5 years; those earned earlier do not expire. Confirm details on Cisco's official exam pages before booking.
Which Cisco Certification Should I Take First?
The most common recommended path into networking looks like this:
- Optional: a CCST exam — CCST Networking (100-150) if you are heading for CCNA. It is a shorter, cheaper first win that builds the addressing and subnetting base CCNA assumes.
- CCNA (200-301) — the associate benchmark for network engineers: routing, switching, VLANs, OSPF, NAT, ACLs, wireless and automation basics.
- A CCNP in your specialty (Enterprise for most network engineers), then CCIE if you want the expert credential.
If you are choosing by role:
- New to IT, support-focused → CCST IT Support (100-140). Hardware, operating systems, connectivity and basic security for help-desk roles.
- New to networking → CCST Networking (100-150). Addressing, subnetting, infrastructure and diagnostics — the on-ramp to CCNA.
- New to security → CCST Cybersecurity (100-160). Security principles, network and endpoint defense, risk and incident handling. Compare it with Security+ in CCST Cybersecurity vs Security+.
- Some networking experience already → go straight to CCNA (200-301).
- Heading for a SOC → CCNA Cybersecurity (200-201), then CCNP Cybersecurity.
- Network automation or developer role → CCNA Automation (200-901).
Pair certification study with hands-on labs. Cisco Packet Tracer (free) and physical or virtual gear let you practice the configuration and troubleshooting the exams test — reading alone rarely passes CCNA.
How to Register for a Cisco Exam
CCST exams are delivered through Certiport; CCNA, CCNP and CCIE written exams are delivered through Pearson VUE. Either way, the flow is similar — only the exam code and price change.
- Create a Cisco account. Sign in with a Cisco.com account so your certifications track correctly once you pass.
- Schedule your exam. Book a CCST exam through Certiport, or a CCNA/CCNP exam through Pearson VUE — online with remote proctoring or at a physical test center.
- Know the list prices. CCST exams are around $125, CCNA (200-301) is $300, and CCNP core exams are $400 in the US. Prices vary by region.
- Prepare ID and environment. A government-issued photo ID is required. Online testing needs a quiet private room, a webcam, and a clear workspace the proctor inspects before launch.
CCNA and higher certifications are valid for three years and renew through Continuing Education credits, qualifying exams, or a mix of both. CCST certifications earned on or after July 15, 2025 are valid for five years.
CCST & CCNA Exam Guides
In-depth guides and study plans from the CertSharp team.
Cisco CCST Cybersecurity (100-160) Exam Guide 2026 — Cost, Format, Domains
Everything on the 2026 Cisco CCST Cybersecurity exam: ~35 questions, 50 minutes, $125 cost, ~70% passing score, five domain weights, and retake policy.
Read guide →
Cisco CCST Cybersecurity Study Plan 2026 — 4 Weeks to Pass (Week-by-Week Schedule)
Realistic 4-week study schedule for the Cisco CCST Cybersecurity exam — ~20-25 hours total, week-by-week topics weighted to the real domain breakdown.
Read guide →
10 Cisco CCST Cybersecurity Practice Questions with Explanations (2026)
10 free Cisco CCST Cybersecurity practice questions across all five exam domains, with correct answers and full explanations.
Read guide →
Is Cisco CCST Cybersecurity Worth It in 2026? The Honest Case For and Against
A pro/con breakdown of whether Cisco CCST Cybersecurity is worth your time and $125 in 2026, plus a scoring rubric for your specific situation.
Read guide →
Cisco CCST Cybersecurity vs CompTIA Security+ — Which Security Cert Should You Get in 2026?
Decision-tree comparison of Cisco CCST Cybersecurity and CompTIA Security+ — cost, format, DoD approval, and which to get first for your security career path.
Read guide →
Cisco CCST Cybersecurity Cheat Sheet 2026 — All 5 Domains, Terms, Trap Patterns
Complete reference for the Cisco CCST Cybersecurity exam: all five domains summarised, CIA triad, malware types, incident-handling phases, and trap-question patterns.
Read guide →
Cisco CCNA (200-301) Exam Guide 2026 — Cost, Format, Passing Score
Everything on the 2026 Cisco CCNA exam: ~100-120 questions, 120 minutes, $300 cost, ~825/1000 passing score, six domain weights, and retake policy.
Read guide →
Cisco CCNA Study Plan 2026 — 8 Weeks to Pass (Week-by-Week Schedule)
Realistic 8-week study schedule for the Cisco CCNA exam — ~60 hours total, week-by-week topics weighted to the real domain breakdown, plus hands-on lab time.
Read guide →
15 Cisco CCNA Practice Questions with Explanations (2026)
15 free Cisco CCNA practice questions across all six exam domains, with correct answers, full explanations, and trap-distractor breakdowns.
Read guide →
Is Cisco CCNA Worth It in 2026? The Honest Case For and Against
A pro/con breakdown of whether Cisco CCNA is worth your time and $300 in 2026, plus a scoring rubric for your specific situation.
Read guide →
CompTIA Network+ vs Cisco CCNA — Which Networking Cert Should You Get in 2026?
Decision-tree comparison of CompTIA Network+ and Cisco CCNA — cost, format, difficulty, salary, and which to get first for your career path.
Read guide →
Subnetting Explained — CIDR, VLSM, and How to Calculate Subnets Fast (2026 Guide)
Plain-language guide to IPv4 subnetting: CIDR notation, the host-bits formula, worked examples, VLSM, and the exam traps candidates fall into.
Read guide →
Cisco Certification FAQs
Common questions about CCST, CCNA and Cisco certification tests.
Which Cisco certification should I take first?
What is the Cisco CCST certification?
What is the difference between CCST and CCNA?
Is the CCENT exam still available?
How long are Cisco certifications valid?
Where can I find a free CCST or CCNA practice test?
Why CertSharp for Cisco Prep?
Scenario-Based, Not Recall
Configuration and troubleshooting scenarios mirror the real exam — read the topology, find the fault, pick the fix.
Teaching Explanations
Every explanation reinforces the why behind OSPF, VLANs, NAT, and ACLs so new scenarios feel familiar.
Current Exam Blueprints
Aligned to the current CCST and 200-301 CCNA objectives — including network automation and programmability.