CCNA Books Blog

The CCNA Certification

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is one of Cisco’s entry-level (Associate) networking certification. A qualified CCNA is certified to deploy, configure and support a small-sized Cisco network and is highly sought after by employers everywhere. Currently, the certification consists of 1 exam (640-802 CCNA) or 2 exams (640-822 ICND 1 and 640-816 ICND2). The 640-802 exam contains approximately 75-80 questions and lasts approximately 2 hours.

There are several ways to prepare for the CCNA exam including attending the Cisco academy and doing classroom-based learning at a Cisco Learning Partner, but the cost of these options typically run into a couple of thousand dollars. For many of us, these are not options due to the cost. Certainly, the most cost-effective way to study for and pass the CCNA exams is to purchase a good CCNA book and studying the material therein.

Purchasing the Right CCNA Book

Purchasing the right CCNA book can mean the difference between passing the exam easily and having to retake the exam over and over again, which can be immensely frustrating, not to mention expensive. A good CCNA book should cover the current Cisco syllabus and should not be based on an older exam version. It is important to purchase a book that is based on the current exam because Cisco does change the exams (sometimes rather drastically) between revisions. As of this writing this is 640-802 CCNA.

Another important factor is the technical ability of the author and whether the CCNA book is written in clear and concise language. There are also several kinds of books, each targeted at different audiences. Generally speaking, there are CCNA books that cover comprehensively the whole CCNA syllabus at a very detailed level and also some CCNA books that provide a quick summary of the material, which are more suitable for last-minute revision before the exam.

In buying CCNA books, it is really important that you must do a research first before buying it, just like buying a herbal medicine. You won’t buy tongkat ali immediately without knowing it’s purpose and how it is beneficial to your health. You need to compare prices from different bookstores so you will know whether you need to take a personal loan or not.

Our Recommended CCNA Book

For a comprehensive study guide for the CCNA exam, the book Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide: Exam 640-802 (Sybex) by Todd Lammle, is highly recommended.  Why?

• This book is up-to-date with the current version of the CCNA exam.
• Rated 4.5 stars at Amazon
• Written by popular CCNA author Todd Lammle
• Complete coverage of all CCNA Exam objectives
• Comes with 4 practice exams
• Searchable PDF included
• Available in Paperback – This means that this CCNA Book is cheaper than the equivalent Cisco Press titles which only come in hardcover.

Click here to get Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide: Exam 640-802 from Amazon.com now!

With the right CCNA book, and adequate preparation, passing the CCNA exam will be a breeze. With these tips, here’s hoping you pass CCNA exam the first time without breaking the bank or getting a personal loan.

NB: CCNA and Cisco are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems Inc.

Click here to browse CCNA books at Amazon.com now!

Choosing the right CCNA Book can be an intimidating process for somebody who is new to self-study for Cisco certifications.  Here we outline a few categories of books and the recommended titles in each category.  The titles outlined below are all for the latest version of the CCNA Exam (640-802).

Self-Study Books

These CCNA books assume no prior knowledge of networking and will provide detailed information on the material to be tested for the CCNA Test.  For Cisco Press titles, these are published under the “Authorized Self-Study Guide” series of books.  These are suitable for candidates who are not taking a separate course with a Cisco Training Partner or with a Cisco Academy.  These CCNA book titles are also extremely useful for learning about the basic (CCNA Level) configuration of Cisco routing and switching technology and provide a good introduction to networking in general.

• Pros: Comprehensive study material for the CCNA test.
• Cons: Not particularly useful as a quick reference before the exam.

Our Recommended Self Study Books

• CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide: Exam 640-802 – Todd Lammle (Sybex) – This is my top pick of the CCNA book for complete CCNA preparation.
• CCNA Preparation Library (7th Edition) (Self-Study Guide) – Stephen McQuerry CCIE#6108 (Cisco Press)

Exam Certification Books

These CCNA books are more exam focused and are written perfectly in-line with the objectives for the CCNA Exams.  These are suitable for candidates with prior networking knowledge, or who are already taking a certification course with a Cisco Training Partner or Academy.  They provide less detail and are generally written with a clear objective of having concise (but complete) information to pass the exam.  For Cisco Press titles, these are in the “Exam Certification Guide” series of books.

These titles are also suitable to be used together with the more comprehensive self-study guides as a quick review before the actual exam.

• Pros: Complete but more concise when compared to self-study series. Good for candidates with prior knowledge or candidates who are recertifying their CCNA certification.
• Cons: Might be more difficult for a candidate with no prior knowledge to grasp.

Our Recommended Exam Certification Books

• CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (CCNA Exam 640-802) (Exam Certification Guide) – Wendell Odom CCIE#1624 (Cisco Press)
• CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate: Fast Pass – Todd Lammle (Sybex)

Choose Right!

Choosing the CCNA Book can can be confusing.  Hopefully this article has helped provide details on what is available for a self-study candidate. Hope you can find the right book for CCNA so you can pass the exam in your first take without getting a personal loan. But if you think your budget isn’t enough, taking a personal loan is always the best option. Best of luck for the exam!

Be sure to check out my 5 top tips for passing the CCNA Exam.

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Click here to browse CCNA books at Amazon.com now!