CCNA, Pass Without Books?

jlacroix

Hello everyone. I'm considering starting on the path to study for the CCNA. I currently have Network+, but CCNA seems like an attractive certification. I was considering this before but I've fallen away from it for quite some time.

My question is this. Do you guys think it's possible to study for the CCNA with only tutorial videos (such as CBT Nuggets, Train Signal, etc) or is reading absolutely required? I have several certifications already, and I find reading to be a chore at times. I can't say that books ever really helped me pass certifications but I've noticed that I somehow learn better with videos. Is CCNA something that you would say reading is a requirement?

I'm considering buying a kit and watching two separate sets of training videos.

Master Of Puppets

Probably the amount of experience you have will be detrimental here. If you have network experience and especially something Cisco-related you may pull it off. Everyone has different ways of studying and what works for me may not work for you.IMHO, you should go through the some book(the ocg for example) at least once to familiarize yourself with the terms and concepts, specific scenarios and whatnot.They prepare you for the exam quite good as they have practice questions and scenarios similar to those on the exams. From my experience, although I like learning through videos too, I would have never passed if I didn't read some books.

networker050184

There are a lot of little details in Cisco certifications that are difficult to pick up from videos alone. What makes the videos easier to take in is that they leave a lot of the nitty gritty out. You don't want to miss this kind of stuff not only to pass the exam, but also to make you better at your job.

NetworkVeteran

networker050184 wrote: »

What makes the videos easier to take in is that they leave a lot of the nitty gritty out.

Aye. There's no theoretical reason you couldn't pass with video-only study, but your practical chances are low. Now, if you you're a hands-on learner, and commit to four hours of serious labbing for every 1-hour chapter you're skipping, I'd have some confidence.

(The videos would be an introduction, and you'd learn most of the details by doing.)

QHalo

I would say that anything worth doing is worth doing all the way. Reading helps with theory, videos are the practical application of theory. Do both and you really can't go wrong.

hoelschera

It is possible but you need to know the CLI or have access to a sym.

jlacroix

Thanks guys. I will probably just read a book. For some reason though with my previous certifications it seems as though I didn't really soak in much knowledge from books. But maybe I should read on this one because I'm kind of spooked about how hard this one is claimed to be.

QHalo

Reinforce the book learning by doing what they talk about. Honestly, I had zero Cisco knowledge when I worked on mine. I passed both tests the first time. But I spent hours in the books and then on the CLI working through the materials. It really boils down to how well you study and how well you know the material (shocker I know). But I think people make these/this exam(s) out to be harder than what it really is. Yes, it's a tough exam. Yes, you will have to learn the Cisco way of question asking. But be confident in your learning and studying methods and you'll do just fine. Just be honest with yourself on where you stand while working on it and don't take the easy ways out and you'll come out with a solid understanding of Cisco fundamentals. GLHF

jlacroix

Good advice, thank you. I'm working on Security+ right now and I may or may not get a certification in Java (I will if it gets me out of a few classes) and then I will start CCNA.

MAC_Addy

What's wrong with having a book? I find that books are much easier to get the theory into my noggin' rather than watching a video.

jlacroix

For me I am wondering if it is a waste of time. I don't soak in information that well from books, at least when compared to "seeing" it. It doesn't make sense but I guess my learning style is different. For example, I just recently passed the LPIC-2 and I think less than 10% of that pass was due to a book, if any at all. Practicing commands and looking up information seemed to help me better.

Cisco Inferno

no shortcuts. end of story.

bub9001

jlacroix wrote: »

For me I am wondering if it is a waste of time. I don't soak in information that well from books, at least when compared to "seeing" it. It doesn't make sense but I guess my learning style is different. For example, I just recently passed the LPIC-2 and I think less than 10% of that pass was due to a book, if any at all. Practicing commands and looking up information seemed to help me better.

I would agree with you on the Book thing, I also don't soak up book info as well as others. And I also want to be wise with my time and use the right resources to pass the CCNA.

My plan is to read Todd's CCNA study guide (7th edition), watching CBT nuggets and Chris Bryant's video's, while doing tons of Labs to boot. I am looking at 2 to 3 months for CCENT and try to squeeze in CCNA before Sept 30th. I figure with all the material I should be good for ICND1, but ICND2 will more then likely take longer then I would like.

Keep in mind that books alone is hard, so with all three content area's it has to be much easier to retain. I really would prefer to just learn it on the job, but I don't have the luxury at this time. To me a good percentage of how I learn is from doing, and its way more fun.

bub9001

Cisco Inferno wrote: »

no shortcuts. end of story.

Very good point, this is Cisco we are talking about.

dave330i

Like anything else, you need to practice to get better. Reading a technical book is much different than reading Harry Potter.

RouteMyPacket

networker050184 wrote: »

There are a lot of little details in Cisco certifications that are difficult to pick up from videos alone. What makes the videos easier to take in is that they leave a lot of the nitty gritty out. You don't want to miss this kind of stuff not only to pass the exam, but also to make you better at your job.

This!

You absolutely cannot fully understand what you need to by watching CBT Nuggets. They are nothing more than supplementary to your reading. Reading is where you will pick up the details you need and IMO reading cannot be avoided.

jlacroix

Thanks everyone.

d6bmg

Possible. But having a hard copy of the book would prove to be very useful - specially as reference material.

dazl1212

Can you pass by doing books and labs and skipping the videos?

networker050184

Yes you can skip the videos and still pass with books and labs. The videos shouldn't be considered anything more than an extra add on IMO.

Michael2

You cannot and will not pass without reading the book and doing labs. The videos alone are not enough. They help you understand the concepts better, but they do NOT contain enough information for you to pass the test.There are many people who have books, videos, labs, flashcards, and practice exams and still can't pass that test.

Christopher Dobkowski

Sorry, don't take me the wrong way, but this is the stupidest question I've seen so far...

Always! The books are better than videos. Those videos are actually meant to serve as a recap of what you read from the books.
And still, they don't cover the 35% of what's in the books... So you get like 65% of the whole CCNA by watching those vids.

dazl1212

networker050184 wrote: »

Yes you can skip the videos and still pass with books and labs. The videos shouldn't be considered anything more than an extra add on IMO.

Cool I don't mind watching the videos if I'm struggling with a certain subject but if I have a subject down I'd rather not bother. I'd rather spend the time labbing

NetworkVeteran

dazl1212 wrote: »

Can you pass by doing books and labs and skipping the videos?

Absolutely! I never used videos to pass the CCNA. Lammle or Odom cover all you need to know, plus some hands-on practice.

dazl1212

NetworkVeteran wrote: »

Absolutely! I never used videos to pass the CCNA. Lammle or Odom cover all you need to know, plus some hands-on practice.

I have the Odom book and the CCENT for dummies. I really like the for Dummies book:D. Hopefully I wont have to read to much of the Odom book.