Are there bennefits to witing for the new CCNA exams?

bugzy3188

I'm reading a lot about the changes that are coming up with the CCNA certification and it seems as though everyone is set on beating the Sep. 30th deadline to avoid the changes. My question is do you guys see any bennefit to waiting and learning the new material? or rather, would the bennefits justify the time spent learning it? I'm at a point now where my expeience and previous studies make it an acheiveable goal to get the certification by the date of the changes but I'm wondering if it would pay off to wait and learn the new material?

JeanM

It really isn't a huge difference between the two.

DoubleNNs

I'm trying to beat the Sept 30 date simply because I've already invested in the study materials.

theodoxa

The main difference as best I can tell seems to be that most of the ICND2 material - except WANs and EIGRP - has been added to the ICND1, with ICND2 picking up a few things from ROUTE (More IPv6), SWITCH (High Availability), and possibly TSHOOT (Syslog) as well as Licensing.

On the plus side, Wireless, RIP (YOU WILL NOT BE MISSED!!!), and SDM are gone from the ICND1 [and ICND2 as best I can tell]. They've also added a few new WAN Technologies (3G/4G Cellular, MPLS, MetroE, and VSAT) to the ICND2.

NetworkVeteran

The benefits would be learning and being certified that you learned more up-to-date and challenging material. This would allow you to differentiate yourself on your resume and interviews from candidates with the older CCENT/CCNA.

Iristheangel

The new CCNA/CCENT materials teach you a LOT more relevant information like SNMP, SVIs, etc. Things you won't find on the original exam but that you'll definitely need to know in the workplace. If you're chasing after a piece of paper and nothing else, take the old one. If you're chasing after knowledge or to be the best engineer, challenge yourself to the new one

JeanM

theodoxa wrote: »

The main difference as best I can tell seems to be that most of the ICND2 material - except WANs and EIGRP - has been added to the ICND1, with ICND2 picking up a few things from ROUTE (More IPv6), SWITCH (High Availability), and possibly TSHOOT (Syslog) as well as Licensing.

On the plus side, Wireless, RIP (YOU WILL NOT BE MISSED!!!), and SDM are gone from the ICND1 [and ICND2 as best I can tell]. They've also added a few new WAN Technologies (3G/4G Cellular, MPLS, MetroE, and VSAT) to the ICND2.

This has been covered in great detail, you are correct for the most part , new ICND1 is like the old ICND1+ICND2-some things+some ipv6/licensing/syslog. But it's not even close to saying route/switch/tshoot stuff. Syslog is really basic stuff, and so is licensing. Cisco made CCENT pre-req for many other certs now, so the CCENT now covers MORE material than before. But, overall the core does not change... OLD icnd2 = http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/exams/list/icnd2.html#~Topics new ICND2 = http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/exams/list/icnd2b.html#~Topics

synergy

Wendell Odom has detailed the differences between old and new on his blog, which is quite handy:

• What’s Different About the New ICND1 100-101 Exam for #CCENT?
• What’s Different About the New ICND2 200-101 Exam for #CCNA?

He's also put together a reading plan that you can follow using the old books for the new certification if you don't want to re-invest in the updated books:

• Using the Old Books to Study for the New Exams

In my case, I did CCNA Exploration 4.0 through the Networking Academy which prepared me for the old exams, however due largely to procrastination I haven't taken them yet, and after giving it some thought I'm not going to for several reasons:

• I don't want to have to cram in order to get both before the September deadline, because I won't retain the information long term if I do that.
• I don't want to have to re-study things that have since been yanked from the updated curriculum (RIP, SDM, etc.) – they've been yanked for a reason.
• If I don't pursue further Cisco certification I want to be able to refer back to my notes in 2.5 years time and be able to refresh my CCNA without having to learn a bunch of new stuff.

Most people seem to suggest sitting the old exams before the September deadline if you can, but personally I think if you're in no hurry it'd make more sense to sit the new ones.

-syn

HP_Guy

Iristheangel wrote: »

If you're chasing after knowledge or to be the best engineer, challenge yourself to the new one

This is what I'm doing

chanakyajupudi

Me too ! Cisco Studies from November 2013 - Jan 2015. CCNA -> CCNP -> CCIE

SGIT

A few months back I thought of going for the new ICND2 but later changed my mind as I really need to gain the job search help from the CCNA sooner rather than later and I figured it would take an extra month or two to learn the added material in the new version.
I have the Official Cert Guide ICND2 for both 640-816 and 200-101. I am studying for 640-816. If I don't make it by the Sept deadline I will start on and finish the 200-101. If I do make it by the Sept deadline I will still start on 200-101 and finish. I figured either way I want to know what is in both the old and new, I made my decision on what test to take based on my desire to enter back into the industry soon.

networker050184

At the end of the day regardless what exam you take you get the same result. A CCNA certification. I get what people are saying about the newer exam teaches you new material, but if the only thing you plan to learn is what is in the CCNA objectives you are going to be lacking in a lot of areas regardless of which exam you study for.

bugzy3188

Wow thanks for the insight guys, from what most of you are saying it definately does fit my current goals to wait for the new exams. I think I will just finish off my current Todd Lammle book and pick up some updated material when I am finished. Thanks!

vinbuck

Just a bit of perspective on CCNA exam changes....

I first took and passed the CCNA in 2003 and better than 50% of the material was still on the exam I took in 2010. Routing and switching hasn't changed that much in the last decade. Start studying immediately and adapt to the changes if they come.

bbarrick

bugzy I was in the same boat not too long ago, trying to figure out what cert to go for N+, old CCENT or new. I ran across the links synergy provided above, and listened to a youtube video from one of the guys at CBT who argued for the old tests. But ultimately I decided if there was material on the old tests that was obsolete, yet material on the new tests that was worth studying then it was a no brainer. I'm not looking just for the cert, I'm looking to get out of this rut of barely getting by after a recent change in jobs.

theodoxa

JeanM wrote: »

But it's not even close to saying route/switch/tshoot stuff. Syslog is really basic stuff, and so is licensing.

I didn't mean that it covered it in anywhere near the detail of ROUTE/SWITCH/TSHOOT, simply that these were topics (Syslog and High Availability) previously only covered on CCNP and above. Now, you're getting a taste [even if it is very basic] of them on CCNA, plus alot more IPv6 from what I've heard.

Ismaeljrp

Well looking at the syllabus and viewing some training videos from CBT's Jeremy on the new CCNA series, he says they are a lot more relevant and real world. No more brief introductions on wireless and security stuff because you won't be needing it for the CCENT , or CCNA. That's something Cisco is trying to do, if you want to know security, go the CCNA Security track right after your CCENT.

More content, although still basic stuff, it's still entry but harder. I'd say go for the old exams, but later on study the new material if you'd like and learn and apply it real world.

Todd Lammle is releasing new books in August ( CCENT ), and October (CCNA) I'm getting certified with the old exams , but I will definitely pick up his new CCNA book and chew it up, and train as though I'll be taking the exam.