- [Instructor] The difficulty level
of the new 200-301 CCNA exam has definitely increased.
Cisco's website describes the new CCNA certification
as the first step in preparing
for a career in IT technologies.
However, in my opinion, the breadth and depth of knowledge
required to pass this exam is extraordinary.
Even if you currently work in IT,
I recommend taking a class to prepare you for your exam.
It's not only the number of topics covered on the exam
that is challenging, it's the level of detail
of those topics that might make it out of reach
for some wishing to earn their certification.
There are a variety of course formats
you might want to consider.
We have traditional classroom
that consists of scheduled days and times,
and they're in brick and mortar buildings.
Advantages of a physical classroom
is immediate assistance from an instructor if required.
Hopefully that classroom has wiring racks
filled with lots of routers and switches,
and you also have in-person demonstrations.
The disadvantages would include travel,
no flexibility in meeting times,
and increased risk of virus exposure.
The next type of course format
is called distance learning or synchronous learning.
Synchronous learning is an online course,
however, you have a live instructor
and you meet with the same students for every class,
and you have scheduled times and days.
Advantages of distance learning
would be immediate assistance from a live instructor,
virtual demonstrations,
comfort of attending class from home.
And the disadvantages would be no physical equipment racks,
and no flexibility in meeting times.
We also have recorded course options,
which is known as asynchronous learning.
These are prerecorded online courses,
and there are no scheduled dates and times.
Advantages of recorded courses
include comfort of attending from home,
convenience of choosing your own time,
and the disadvantages would be no immediate assistance
from the instructor, and it requires discipline on your part
to actually sit down and complete
the requirements for the course.
In today's day and age,
educational institutions offer a variety of course formats.
These formats provided opportunities to students
who never had the time to attend formal courses
due to their workday or other commitments.
Whatever course format you choose,
remember the certification courses are rigorous.
If you miss five minutes of class,
you may miss the information you need
to cause that light bulb to turn on,
or to answer that one exam question
that's the difference between a pass and a fail.
Well, we've come to the end of my course,
and the beginning of your journey
to achieving your 200-301 CCNA certification.
I wish you success.
And please, look for me on LinkedIn.