Would you Recommend Taking the Composite Exam or the Two Exams?”

I have been asked the following question many times by my students, “Would you recommend taking the composite exam or the two exams?”

As most of you know, to become CCNA certified, you can take the composite exam (640-802) for $250 or you can take two individual exams, the ICND1 (640-822) and the ICND (640-816) for $125 each.

The CCNA (640-802) composite exam will cover the same topics as the ICND1 and ICND2 exams. There are between 45 to 55 questions with 90 minutes to complete the exam. Once completed, you become a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

The ICND1 and the ICND2 exams can be taken as an alternative to the CCNA composite exam. The ICND1 exam has between 40 to 50 questions with 90 minutes to complete; the ICND2 exam has about the same number of questions but you are only given 75 minutes to complete the exam.

The ICND1 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 is the first step in achieving the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification. This exam tests the knowledge and skills required to successfully install, operate, and troubleshoot a small branch office network. The exam includes topics on networking fundamentals; connecting to a WAN; basic security and wireless concepts; routing and switching fundamentals; the TCP/IP and OSI models; IP addressing; WAN technologies; operating and configuring IOS devices; configuring RIPv2, static and default routing; implementing NAT and DHCP; and configuring simple networks.

My recommendation is this: if you have been through the four CCNA classes at the College of DuPage, CCNA1 through CCNA4 (CIT1121, CIT1122, CIT1123 and CIT1124) then it doesn’t really matter if you take the composite exam or the two individual exams – the cost is the same. But, if you have only taken CCNA1 (CIT1121) and CCNA2 (CIT1122), you will not be prepared to sit for the ICND1. The ICND1 exam covers concepts that are not covered in the Cisco Academy curriculum until CCNA3 (CIT1123) and CCNA4 (CIT1124). For instance, wireless concepts is covered in CCNA3 and NAT/DHCP is covered in CCNA4. Unfortunately, you will see questions on wireless concepts, NAT/DHCP, Frame Relay, etc. on both exams. Therefore, if you are not already comfortable with all curriculum topics covered CCNA1 through CCNA4, you do not want to take the two-exam path. Wait until you have been through CCNA4.

It would be great if the two individual exams lined up with the Cisco Academy curriculum. If that were the case, a student could take CCNA1 and CCNA2 and be ready to sit for the ICND1 exam. Upon passing that exam, they would have that ICND1certification to add to their resume (every certification helps when you are trying to get your foot in the door).

My advise would be, if you haven’t already guessed, is to take one exam and be done with it! At least, that is my recommendation until Cisco lines the curriculum up with the certification exams.

I hope this helps! Joanne