Cisco Certifications - CCENT certification

This is Cisco’s entry level certification – the most basic certification provided by Cisco. It covers a number of skills that are tested for through one exam whose details have been given in a later section. These skills include, among many, the ability to “install, operate and troubleshoot a small enterprise branch network, including basic network security”.

This is the starting point for careers in networking – therefore any and every Network professional has to sit for this exam initially and then move forwards to other certifications such as CCNA.

The following are what the CCENT Curriculum covers:

What are the Pre-requisites of CCENT Certification?

There are No prerequisites for this Cisco CCENT Certification as required by Cisco. However, we recommend that any person who sits for the exam in this certification come fully prepared for the exam. Allot yourself at the very least a few months to prepare for the exam.

Who is the Cisco CCENT Certification for?

This is for the most basic jobs in Networking – as Cisco states, this is a certification that tests for and validates a network technicians skills as per several “entry-level network support positions” .

Why should I get certified? What benefits are there?

Since Cisco is the premier standard in the Networking industry any networks related job that requires basic skills whereas networking is concerned will require these skills. And employers require proof of certification such as CCENT or CCNA which is the standard for basic networking jobs.

Additionally, other IT Professionals whose main field isn’t Networking may find that taking such a certification opens them up to many job roles. Why? This is because Networking is a fundamental part of the IT Infrastructure of an organization and if an IT Professional is also certified with the CCENT certification then he/she will have an added advantage and the possibility of passing his/her competition.

Cisco Certification Exams in General

What Are the Exams Like?

• The duration of most theoretical exams is one to two hours. Lab (practical) exams typically last eight hours.
• Questions include multiple-choice single answer, multiple-choice multiple answers, drag and drop, fill in the blank and simulations.
• Exams other than CCIE lab exams are delivered online

What Do They Cost?

• Computer-based certification exam prices range from $80 to $325 US dollars or equivalent worldwide. The ICND1 and ICND2 exams are $125 USD, the CCNA exam is $250 USD and the professional level CCNP and CCDP Composite exam is $300 USD, and CCIE written exams are $350 USD. Payment is made directly to the authorized test delivery partner Pearson Vue.
• CCIE lab exams are $1,400 USD. Payment is made online via credit card or wire transfer
  
  

How do I take the exams?

Exams are regularly administered worldwide by Pearson VUE http://www.vue.com/cisco which is Cisco’s examination delivery partner (just as Prometric if Microsoft’s partner). Pearson VUE routinely organizes exams on various dates

How do I prepare for the exams?

1. Training through Institutions – The authorized source for Cisco IT training delivered exclusively by Certified Cisco Instructors. For a list of Cisco Learning Partners, use the Learning Partner Locator.

2. Training through Books – A variety of Cisco Press titles may be available for this exam. These titles can be purchased through the Cisco Marketplace Bookstore, or directly from Cisco Press.

3. Resources, Assistance and guidance through the online Cisco Learning Network 

4. Exam Cram Books - Exam Cram has a wide array of preparation tools for the popular CCNA, CCNP, and CCSP certifications, including simulation-based practice questions along with other late-stage study vehicles to get you ready for test time.

5. Safari Bookshelf - The premier electronic reference library for programming and IT professionals with more than 1,200 titles.

6. Cisco Networking Academy - http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html

7. Cisco Certification Study Groups – https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/groups

How am I certified?

What certifications and exams come under Cisco CCENT Certification?

640-822 ICND1Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1

Validity of the Cisco CCENT Certification

This Certification is valid for upto 3 years after the certification has been awarded. After 3 years any and every networks professional will have to re-sit this exam so as to be re-certified. Cisco has created this system to ensure that all network’s professionals stay up to date with latest trends and changes in networking technologies and standards.

Resources for the Exams

1. Several Resources are available at the Cisco Learning Network - https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccent/icnd1
2. Cisco Certification Exams Tutorial
   http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/learning_certification_exam_tutorial.html

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le45/learning_certification_level_home.html