CCNA vs. MCSA Tests

lennis40

Just curious about the Cisco CCNA exam compared to the Microsoft 70-290 and 291 exams. Is the CCNA as difficult as those two tests were? I have completed the MCSA 2003 and want to get into Cisco now. Also, what study material is recommended?

Thanks

Cherper

Most people will tell you that Cisco tests are a lot harder than MS tests. I would say in my experience this is true. Cisco expects that you have a lot of hands-on experience. The questions are pretty clear, but you need to make sure that you answer what you feel is best because once you hit next, there is no going back. Simulations are pretty straightforward, but they will test your abilities.

As for study material, there are lots of opinions on this, Cisco Press and Sybex are the two I like. Also get some time with the hardware. A decent home lab can be set-up for $300.00 or so. There are also on-line sites that you can get lab access.

jmc724

Not necessarily harder than m$ exams, I would compare it to mcse networking exams. Get a good router sim and you can do well in the exam. Its not as wordy as good old m$ trick questions.

sunny_evander

lennis40 wrote:

Just curious about the Cisco CCNA exam compared to the Microsoft 70-290 and 291 exams. Is the CCNA as difficult as those two tests were? I have completed the MCSA 2003 and want to get into Cisco now. Also, what study material is recommended?

Thanks

After passing CCNA i am looking forward to MCSA and Sec+ now ... Seems like we can help each other out

johnnynodough

I would say that at least on the 2K and NT4 platforms, the cisco tests are significantly harder than MS tests. I cant speak for those 2 exams, I havent taken any MS tests on the 2003 platform, could be harder could be easier. But of the are on par with the 2K MCSE exams (NT4 doesnt even count, not even close to even 2K ), than I would say CCNA is tougher. Like JMC said, they arent tricky like MS, they just are up front difficult, plus Cisco has the highest minimum passing score.

Just my opinion though, only way for you to find out for sure is to give its a shot