CCNA exam question

To get your CCNA R&S you can take ICND1 and 2 (2 exams) or you can take the 200-120 (1 exam). I know that CCENT is a requirement for taking any of the CCNA exams (R&S, Security, Wireless, ect.). If you were to take the 1 exam route to CCNA R&S, can you then move on to CCNA Security or any of the other specializations? Or do you need to have the CCENT? My understanding is that taking the 1 exam does not give you a CCENT with the CCNA R&S.

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NetworkNewb

Yes, a CCNA: R&S fills the prerequisite for the CCNA:Security

Here is a link to the tests. Tells what fills the prerequisite for each test...
Associate Certifications - IT Certifications and Career Paths - Cisco Systems

ssnyderu2

Thanks for the link, that is what I needed.

bharvey92

Yes CCNA will open the doors to CCNA: Sec or CCNP. I did the 1 exam and moved straight to the CCNP R+S.

Christian.

I recommend taking first the CCENT. The price is the same doing it both ways (plus you get two certifications), and if you fail for some reason, you can always retake the ccna 50% cheaper than if you fail the one exam route.

TechGuru80

What is your end goal? The CCENT gives you basic information to prepare you for any track (fulfills the prerequisite for any CCNA level) but mainly has routing and switching topics. The 1 exam route awards you CCNA:R&S thus you would have the prerequisite for any other CCNA level exam.

If you have a CCNA, the CCENT is meaningless (especially if your CCNA is R&S). It all depends on your background and what path you want to take.

ssnyderu2

TechGuru80 wrote: »

What is your end goal?

Short term goal is to get the CCNA R&S and Security.

Upon further thought I think it would be best to do the 2 exam route. As Christian. said, its not as bad a hit if you bomb the first go. Also I think it would be less to try and cram into my brain at one time.

theodoxa

Generally, the 2 exam route is suggested for those certifying for the first time, while the composite exam is suggested for those recertifying.

Interestingly, the 2 exam option wasn't available when I first started doing Cisco (2001). I never got around to actually taking the CCNA exam until...Years later, I began hearing about this "CCENT" certification folks were getting. I looked into it and decided I'd go ahead and get my CCENT. I had been away from Cisco for a while, so I began studying for the CCENT. I ended up continuing on to CCNA: R&S, and now have my CCNP: R&S. The 2 exam option made it easier for me to get back into Cisco.

ssnyderu2

theodoxa wrote: »

Generally, the 2 exam route is suggested for those certifying for the first time, while the composite exam is suggested for those recertifying.

With my Network+ I know the basics of networking, but I am a total noob to Cisco, it will be more practical and I think I will learn more by taking the 2 exam route.

TechGuru80

ssnyderu2 wrote: »

With my Network+ I know the basics of networking, but I am a total noob to Cisco, it will be more practical and I think I will learn more by taking the 2 exam route.

The network+ is cake compared to the CCENT. Just to be clear I was talking about the CCENT vs the two exam path for the CCNA. As already said the one exam CCNA is meant for people with tons of experience or renewing their certifications.

broli720

Passing the new CCENT actually allows you to take any associate level exam you want. Of course all of this information can be found on the Cisco website...