CCDA instead of CCNA

[ciscomeo]

Hi all,

I am not yet a CCNA, can I take CCDA instead?

Thanks,
Maxx

 

[CiscoGuy33]

maxbarbossa,

According to

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le0/le4/learning_certification_type_home.html

CCDA Prerequisites:
CCNA level knowledge and BCMSN level knowledge is needed to prepare for the CCDA certification exam.

Since for CCNP it says -

CCNP Prerequisites:
Valid CCNA certification

I would say that you do not need the CCNA just CCNA level knowledge.

Hope this helps!


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[ciscomeo]

The truth is i am having a hardtime reviewing for the CCNA exam, I've already taken the CCNA exam last year and I didn't pass, and since CCDA is kinda short thing to review I would like to take my chances for CCDA exam.

Any suggestions on how can I study or prepare for the CCNA exam?

Thanks,
Maxx

 

[CiscoGuy33]

maxbarbossa,

First there are no shortcuts to Cisco certs, if you take shortcuts it will only come back to haunt you, if you can not pass CCNA - I do not see the good in saying you are a CCDA.

Try to find a person who has the same interest as you with getting a CCNA and CCDA cert and study together! Find a CCNA or CCNP who can act as a mentor, read these posts and the many others online and learn all you can.

It has been covered in GREAT detail in some prior posts - read back a few posts but here is what I told another person just the other day -

For CCNA I feel you need:
1) 2 good books - 1 Cisco Press and the Sybex CCNA Study Guide by Todd L. You need to read these front to back at least once if not 2 times!!

2) At least 3 routers and 2 switches to do hands on practice - when you read about it - you must go out and do it on the routers !!! Hands-on is so important, if you can not afford the switches - get 3 Cisco 2501 or 2503 routers on eBay with 16 mgs DRAM and 16 mgs FLASH and the latest IOS you can get. You will at least learn and practice most of your routing commands.

3) A good test software like Transender (not cheap) or even some of the free test software that comes wth the 2 books you buy. DO NOT TRY TO LEARN FROM THE SOFTWARE - use it to see where you are - most will tell you what areas you need to improve and thewn go back to the books on that area!!!
Then take the test or a different test again - and see where you are and then back to the books on that area - do not take test until you learn the questions - THAT WILL NOT HELP !!!

4) Look into CBT Nuggets at

http://www.cbtnuggets.com

(not cheap)- these are videos that you play on your computer so when you are tired or reading you can watch a guy explain the concepts on a whiteboard

5) Would not hurt to have a good router sim to practice on when you do not have time to work on your home lab! Hands-on practice - again and again till you know what every "show" command shows you!!

Hope this helps !


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[ciscomeo]

Oh Yes! This suggestion would help me a lot, at least I know what to do now.

Thank you very much..

Maxx

 

[eurobadger]

If Cisco have down CCNA as a prerequisite, you can take the CCDA exam, but you will not have a CCDA certification until you pass CCNA as well.

I was in a similar position as my CCNP expired, taking my CCNA with it.

As far as the CCNA exam goes, it may be worth breaking it into two, by doing the INTRO and ICND exams separately, as passing one improves confidence for the other.

Do as CiscoGuy33 says, particulary point 2. Hands on practice is essential, so you can be aware of all the commands and their output, not just the samples in the books/practice tests, and more importantly you can do the simulation right first time, without too much pause for thought. The exam does not allow any time margin.

EB

 

[CiscoRC]

A product manager has a CCDA, he never took the CCNA, so you can take the CCDA Route if you wanted to.

***************
R. Corrigan Jr.
Network+, (working on CCNA)