Renew Certs through CCNP Route?

So, I have a CCNA Security certification that will expire at the end of September. I want to renew through getting my CCNP Route done, but do I have enough time? I have the new 300-101 Cert guide, Lab Manual, Pearson Practice tests and Cisco VIRL for labing. Getting my CCNP has been a goal of mine, but I had chose to finish my degree and moved across country between my ccna security and now. Has anyone else studied and pass the CCNP Route in 2 1/2 or 3 months? Is it realistic to get it done in that time frame or should I focus on studying for the security again and just take it?

I am currently on Chapter 5 of the guide, Advanced EIGRP. I move a little slow when reading because I like to understand everything before I move on, but it seems just getting through the guide will take me a month. I also like to answer all the questions before and after each chapter as well as take a short quiz.

Anyone have any ideas, advice, or suggestions?

Thanks!

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Comments

harry1975

2 1/2 months should do you fine, just make you a goal list for the day/week and stick to it. I seen many people take a 2 week class each on Route, Switch and TSHOOT and take the exam and pass. Just got to focus and dedicate yourself. Good Luck!

Ismaeljrp

How is it that your CCNA and CCNA Security not expiring at the same time?

It was my understanding that any NA level cert will renew your other NA level Certs.

Honestly 2 1/2 months is really pushing it for the ROUTE test. Maybe the SWITCH test can be done quicker since there is less material to learn.

If all else fails, just take the Security test or the CCNAX test.

If you aren't working and just have a bunch of free time, than yeah, 2 months is more than enough.

koz24

Just curious, why did you pick ROUTE over SWITCH? Are you more comfortable with routing in general? Seems like SWITCH would have been the better pick because there's less material like Ismael said. Too late now though I guess

koz24

harry1975 wrote: »

2 1/2 months should do you fine, just make you a goal list for the day/week and stick to it. I seen many people take a 2 week class each on Route, Switch and TSHOOT and take the exam and pass. Just got to focus and dedicate yourself. Good Luck!

2 weeks on each sounds like a horrible idea. Maybe if you were doing it full time 10-12 hours a day, you would have a shot. But how much of that information would you actually retain and more importantly be able to apply?

zachkenemer

Sorry for the confusion.. my CCNAS and CCNA will expire at the end of September, which was the date i passed the CCNAS after passing my CCNA

zachkenemer

koz24 wrote: »

Just curious, why did you pick ROUTE over SWITCH? Are you more comfortable with routing in general? Seems like SWITCH would have been the better pick because there's less material like Ismael said. Too late now though I guess

I didn't really pick it because it was easier or harder, but because I can do the labs with or without minimal hardware. Since I bought all the books and materials, I figured I would just stay with it.

zachkenemer

Ismaeljrp wrote: »

How is it that your CCNA and CCNA Security not expiring at the same time?

It was my understanding that any NA level cert will renew your other NA level Certs.

Honestly 2 1/2 months is really pushing it for the ROUTE test. Maybe the SWITCH test can be done quicker since there is less material to learn.

If all else fails, just take the Security test or the CCNAX test.

If you aren't working and just have a bunch of free time, than yeah, 2 months is more than enough.

I am working full-time with some after-hours or on-call rotations.

koz24

zachkenemer wrote: »

I didn't really pick it because it was easier or harder, but because I can do the labs with or without minimal hardware. Since I bought all the books and materials, I figured I would just stay with it.

Ah I see. By the way, you can do pretty much everything for SWITCH with VIRL and IOU. I've been using 100% virtualization for SWITCH.