Cisco Certified Network Associate (200-301 CCNA) Exam Guide
At a glance
- Time limit
- 2h
- Exam fee
- $300
- Governing body
- Cisco
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a foundational networking certification that validates your ability to install, operate, and troubleshoot network infrastructure. It's designed for networking professionals entering the field or looking to advance their careers in network administration and support roles.
The exam covers six core domains: Network Fundamentals, Network Access, IP Connectivity, IP Services, Security Fundamentals, and Automation and Programmability. IP Connectivity is the most heavily weighted domain at 25%, followed by Network Fundamentals and Network Access at 20% each, with the remaining domains comprising 15% and below.
The CCNA 200-301 exam fee is 300 USD. The certification is valid for 3 years from the date you pass, after which renewal or recertification is required to maintain your credential.
The exam is 120 minutes long and delivered through Pearson VUE as a proctored test. You can sit for the exam at an authorized Pearson VUE test center or take it online through OnVUE with a live remote proctor (requires a minimum internet speed of 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload). Schedule your exam through the Pearson VUE testing portal using your Cisco certification account.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the CCNA 200-301 exam cost, and how long does the certification last?
<p>The CCNA 200-301 exam fee is 300 USD, paid to Cisco's testing partner Pearson VUE, and it covers a single attempt. Because each retake means paying the full fee again, it's worth delaying your booking until practice results show you're consistently ready rather than scheduling as a motivational deadline.</p><p>Once you pass, the CCNA certification is valid for 3 years, so factor recertification into your longer-term planning.</p>
Which CCNA 200-301 exam domains should I prioritize when studying?
<p>The official exam topics are organized into 6 content domains with these weights:</p><ul><li>IP Connectivity — 25%</li><li>Network Fundamentals — 20%</li><li>Network Access — 20%</li><li>Security Fundamentals — 15%</li><li>IP Services — 10%</li><li>Automation and Programmability — 10%</li></ul><p>IP Connectivity is the most heavily weighted domain at 25%. Taken together, the three core networking domains — IP Connectivity, Network Fundamentals, and Network Access — account for 65% of the exam, so mastering subnetting, switching, and routing gives you the biggest score return per study hour. The two 10% domains still matter, but they reward a focused review pass late in your prep rather than equal time from day one.</p>
Can I take the CCNA exam online, or do I have to go to a test center?
<p>Both options exist. The CCNA 200-301 is delivered in a proctored environment at a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center — Pearson VUE is Cisco's authorized exam delivery provider. Alternatively, you can take it online through the OnVUE online proctored service, with a live proctor monitoring you by webcam.</p><p>If you choose OnVUE, your connection must meet a minimum internet speed of 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. It's smart to verify your setup well before exam day — if your home internet or testing space is unreliable, booking a test center removes a whole category of things that can go wrong mid-exam. Either way, you schedule through the Pearson VUE testing portal by signing in to a Cisco certification account.</p>
How long is the CCNA 200-301 exam, and how should I pace myself?
<p>The CCNA 200-301 is a 120-minute exam. Within that window you'll face questions drawn from all 6 content domains, so pacing matters: a topic you're slow on doesn't just cost points in that domain, it steals minutes from everything after it.</p><p>A practical approach is to drill the heavyweight material — IP Connectivity is the most heavily weighted domain at 25% — until tasks like subnetting and route selection feel automatic. Speed on the high-frequency topics is what buys you thinking time for the questions that genuinely need it.</p>