CCNA Cheat Sheet.
The night-before summary, built like the exam.

CCNA 200-301 Cheat Sheet

Fast-reference guide for the Cisco Certified Network Associate exam. Use this the week of your test to confirm logistics and refresh high-yield concepts.

Exam Logistics At a Glance

• The exam is delivered through Pearson VUE, Cisco's authorized testing provider, either at an Authorized Test Center or via the OnVUE online proctored service with a live remote proctor.
• If testing online, OnVUE requires a minimum of 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload internet speed — test your connection well before exam day.
• Book your seat through the Pearson VUE testing portal using your Cisco certification account; scheduling early secures preferred dates and time slots.
• Your CCNA certification stays valid for 3 years from the pass date, after which recertification credits or a retake are required.

Official Content Domains

1. Network Fundamentals — 20%
2. Network Access — 20%
3. IP Connectivity — 25% (the most heavily weighted domain)
4. IP Services — 10%
5. Security Fundamentals — 15%
6. Automation and Programmability — 10%

The blueprint is organized into 6 official content domains. Because IP Connectivity carries the single largest weight, prioritize routing concepts — especially OSPF operation and route path selection — over lower-weighted topics when time is tight.

Key Terms and Concepts to Memorize

• VLAN vs. subnet — a VLAN is a Layer 2 broadcast domain; a subnet is a Layer 3 logical grouping. They are commonly mapped one-to-one but are conceptually distinct.
• OSPF vs. EIGRP — OSPF is a link-state, standards-based protocol using cost as its metric; EIGRP is a Cisco-proprietary advanced distance-vector protocol using a composite metric.
• STP roles — root bridge, root port, designated port, and blocking port prevent Layer 2 loops in switched networks.
• NAT vs. PAT — NAT maps one private address to one public address; PAT (NAT overload) maps many private addresses to one public address using port numbers.
• IPv6 address types — global unicast, link-local, and multicast each serve distinct roles; link-local addresses are required on every IPv6-enabled interface.
• AAA framework — Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting underpin Cisco's approach to network access control.
• APIs and automation — REST APIs, JSON data structures, and controller-based networking (e.g., SDN) appear in the Automation and Programmability domain and are easy to underprepare for.
• Wireless fundamentals — know the difference between autonomous and lightweight access points, and the role of a wireless LAN controller (WLC).

Common Gotchas and Traps

• Don't confuse switch port security violation modes (protect, restrict, shutdown) — each behaves differently when a MAC address violation occurs.
• Subnetting errors are the most common cause of lost points; practice VLSM and CIDR math until it is automatic, not just theoretically understood.
• Distinguish administrative distance from metric — administrative distance picks the best source among differing protocols, while metric picks the best path within the same protocol.
• Access control list processing is top-down and stops at first match — an early overly broad line can silently block or permit traffic you didn't intend.
• Don't assume default VLAN and native VLAN are the same configuration concept — mismatched native VLANs across a trunk cause silent connectivity issues.
• Simulation and simlet-style items reward methodical CLI verification (show commands) over guessing — always confirm state before answering.

Night-Before Checklist

• Confirm your exam appointment time, location or OnVUE link, and bring a valid government-issued photo ID that matches your Pearson VUE registration name.
• If testing online, re-run the OnVUE system test to confirm your connection meets the 6 Mbps download / 2 Mbps upload minimum and that your testing space is clear and private.
• Do a final pass on subnetting drills, OSPF vs. EIGRP comparisons, and STP port roles — these are high-frequency, high-value topics.
• Review the domain weighting one more time so your last-minute review time is spent proportionally, with extra focus on IP Connectivity.
• Get sleep rather than cramming new material; recognition speed on scenario-based questions benefits more from rest than last-minute memorization.
• Arrive or log in early — plan for check-in time separate from the 120-minute exam window itself.