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!