How much time would you dedicate to CCNA

With my newly started job, I am starting to realize that I need a lot of networking knowledge and CISCO knowledge can only make it better, so I am on the CCNA wagon for right now. I am studying the Wendell Odem books for ICND1 and ICND2. These are some very detailed books and might take me a while to go through them.

Question: How much time you guys did, or think would be appropriate to dedicate to CCNA. I am setting a goal of 3 months for myself, with no networking experience I am thinking it will at least take me that long to go through CCNA.

How long did it take you guys?

Find more posts tagged with

SAVE $250 on Your CISCO Boot Camp — Use Code "EXAM26"

Exclusively for TechExams members for Infosec Boot Camps starting before April 30, 2026

View CISCO Boot Camps

Comments

dynamik

I think hours/day or total hours would be a better way to look at it. You could do 10 hours a day and do it in 4-6 weeks, or you could do 15 minutes a day and not even be close in three months. I think three months is a reasonable time-frame, but it really depends on how hard you are willing to work.

IT Man

With no network experience, I think three months is fair. It took me about 4 months but I was studying on and off and not to mention I failed the exam twice. I did have my network+ so I did understand a lot of the basics. All the advice I can give is subnetting, subnetting, subnetting. It seemed like every other question had subnetting in it. The bad thing about Cisco exams, at least to me, is you are unable to go back and change an answer once you have gone passed it. GOOD LUCK with your studies.

shednik

coffeeking wrote:

With my newly started job, I am starting to realize that I need a lot of networking knowledge and CISCO knowledge can only make it better, so I am on the CCNA wagon for right now. I am studying the Wendell Odem books for ICND1 and ICND2. These are some very detailed books and might take me a while to go through them.

Question: How much time you guys did, or think would be appropriate to dedicate to CCNA. I am setting a goal of 3 months for myself, with no networking experience I am thinking it will at least take me that long to go through CCNA.

How long did it take you guys?

It all depends on how much time you have to invest in studying....I studied for about 6-7 months the first 4ish months was when I had time and then the last 2 I knocked out each exam. I had a lot of fun studying for it and it helped me understand a lot more by studying casually then reviewing hardcore for 2 months. Good luck to you!!

miller811

I did the CCNA in 30 days, spending 200 hours between reading, memorizing and working on real gear in the home lab. I passed the on the first attempt. I did this in a compressed time frame because the exam material was changing.

3 months with a dedicated effort should be plenty of time. What I found personally is I needed to devote time to it everyday to learn and retain the information.

I am currently working on the BSCI for the CCNP and have spent almost 3 months on it, and will be taking the exam shortly.

mamono

Most make a good point, dedication.

You are right, there is a considerable amount of information. Some people such as myself, have chose to go the 2 exam route. I spent 1 month studying for the 640-822 ICND1 exam, Monday through Friday with 3-4 hours a day of study. I had some networking experience, but nothing near as much as what I had learned.

640-816 ICND2 exam builds on top of the foundation that the 1st exam laid out and I am currently studying for it now. I have set a deadline by end of May and believe that it is achievable based on the difficulty of the material that I have been learning.

Without networking experience, a 3 month goal is reasonable. I believe that you can do it as long as you invest in the effort and time.

nel

I think ultimately it depends on the person....

Dynamiks right, judge by the no. of hours more than anything. if your new to networking i wouldnt rush it myself because the ccna is the foundation for the rest of the cisco tracks and is excellent grounding knowledge.

coffeeking

Thank you all for replying, I got more than I expected. Gives me a relief to know that it took most of you guys a few months to go through it. I am in no rush either, its just that I would like to have CCNA, Security+ (which I have a been working on for a long time) and one other cert by end of this year. So if I can knock CCNA in 3-4 months from now then hopefully I can get another one going by end of this year. Will see how it goes. I am planning to read for ICND1 and ICND2 separately but would like to take the one exam route.

Thanks again for the input, gives me encouragement to study harder and get it done in 3 months.

ConstantlyLearning

I've been reading bits and pieces of CCNA material for the last year or so while studying for other certs.

I'll be devoting my study time completely to studying only for the CCNA from around the start of August.

I'll be doing about 10-15 hours per week and giving myself a goal of getting it by the end of the year which is about 5 months.