Detailed analysis of various sections of CCNA Routing and Switching Exam

Certification: Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching - Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching

The CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam has two exam paths: single exam path and two exams path. Both these exam paths have similar sections and exam topics. So, there isn’t much difference between these two. It is very important that the candidates know about various sections that will be asked in the certification exam. Depending on the type of sections that they have to face, these candidates can start their preparation accordingly. The CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam is divided into 7 sections where the candidates will have to face different types of questions. A total of 50-60 questions will be asked depending on the difficulty level of the exam. Amongst those 50-60 questions there will be 7 sections. Let’s see a more detailed analysis of various sections of this certification exam.

Drag and drop

Since the CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam is a computerized exam, the candidates will face a new kind of questions. In this section they will face questions where they will have to drag and drop the right answers in a certain boxes. They will be asked questions related to definition or they will be asked to divide the answers into a particular category and so on. So, all the candidates have to do is just drag the answer with their mouse and drop it into the right box or into the right category. Sometimes the candidates might be even asked to drag and drop items in a network diagram.

Multiple choice questions (single answer)

In this section, the candidates will be asked multiple choice questions that have single answer. They will simply have to choose one right answer and not more than one. If they have chosen more than one answers that is not right. The computer system will warn the candidates if they have chosen more than one answers in the multiple choice questions with single answer.

Multiple choice questions (multiple answers)

In this question, the candidates will be asked multiple choice questions that have multiple answers. This means that they will have to choose more than one answer. The candidates will know how many answers they have to choose as Cisco will make sure that the questions state it. Besides that if they somehow choose less than or more than what they have to choose then the computer system will inform them of this mistake and they will be allowed to correct it.

Fill in the blanks

Another section of the CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam is the fill in the blanks. The questions these sections will contain one or more than one blanks. The candidates will have to fill the right answer in those blanks. However, these questions are not very frequently asked, but it could be asked anytime. So, the candidates might as well be prepared to face these kind of questions where they will have to type the right answer in one or more than one blanks.

Testlet

Testlet is a group of questions that are related to a common network topology or some kind of scenario. In this section the candidates will have to face around three to six questions. The number of questions might vary from test to test. Once the candidate enters a certain testlet, he can answer the questions in any sequence he wants to. He can answer the last question first or the middle one first and go to another question in random sequence. However, after he leaves the testlet he cannot return back to it to change the answer. So, it must be kept in mind that the candidate must answer all the questions and check it thoroughly before leaving that particular testlet because once he comes out of that section, he won’t be able to re-enter it again. The candidates will have to read a scenario that is common to all the questions in that section. Sometimes an output command might be also given in that scenario. They should head on to the questions, only after reading the common scenario or understanding which network topology it is related to.

Simulation

Simulation is a lab based questions. In this section, the candidates will be asked to configure Cisco routers, switches or other devices. Many certification candidates find that this is the hardest section of all. But, with practice with Cisco labs and devices can reduce the level of difficulty for the candidates. So, be sure to use an online Cisco lab or build one for practicing because this is a sure shot question that is asked in every CCNA Routing and Switching Exam. The Cisco routers, switches or devices might not have all the available features, but it will surely have the features that will be required to complete the configuration test.

Simlet

Simlet is a combo of testlet and simulation. In this section, the candidates will have to perform the tasks related to both testlet and simulation. They will have to answer questions related to a certain network topology or a common scenario, just like in testlet. The only difference is that they won’t be given any kind of command output. Instead, they will have to make use of network devices and configure them so that a proper command is issues, just like in simulation. Based on the command that was issued through interaction and configuration of Cisco devices, they will have to answer the questions that are given to them.

It is very important to know what kind of sections is available in the CCNA Routing and Switching Exam. This way the candidates will be able to know how they should face the question and how they should answer them. It is good to be prepared before sitting for the certification exam.

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