How to Study for the Cisco ICND2 200-101 Exam on a Budget

It took nearly eight and a half month, but I finally got around to sitting my INCD2 200-101 exam--and Passed! I wrote a prior post on How to Study for the Cisco ICND1 100-101 Exam on a Budget. Although the materials I used for the 200-101 have not changed much, these are the study materials I used to pass my test and become CCNA certified on a budget.

BEST OPTIONS FOR UNDER $25

Buy: Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND2 200-101 Official Cert Guide by Wendell Odom ($25)

Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND2 200-101 Official Cert Guide is hands down the best exam preparation material that can be purchased for both networking neophytes and veterans. The book is well written and breaks topics down into small, easy to read chapters. Before each chapter you can take a short quiz to determine if you already know what the chapter covers. In addition, a companion CD is included with the book. The companion CD has quizzes for the end of each section as well as simulation labs, and a lot more supplemental material.

Trial: CBT Nuggets offers a trial of it's entire IT training video library for one week, which should be plenty of time to watch the entire Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND2 200-101 series for free! The total course duration for the Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND2 200-101 series is 13 hours and 40 minutes--easily watchable in a one week for most people. Additionally, the series' audio tracks can be downloaded and listened to offline.

Be sure to check out my post on how to avoid being charged after the CBT Nuggets trial ends. 

I went with this $25 option for the ICND2 200-101 exam. I found the time to watch the entire Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND2 200-101 series in just one week and then proceeded to read Wendell's book cover-to-cover--using the companion CD along the way.

BEST OPTIONS FOR UNDER $125

Buy: Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND2 200-101 Official Cert Guide by Wendell Odom ($25)

Subscribe: CBT IT Training Videos ($99 Per Month)

If you can't find the time to watch all the CBT Nugget the entire Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND2 200-101 series in a week, your next option is to pay for a full month. The sticker price is expensive, but the content quality is worth every penny if you can't squeeze watching the entire series in one week during the trial.

CONCLUSION

Try to do the $25 option. Don't worry if you do not fully grasp all the material after watching the CBT Nugget series once. I used the CBT Nugget series as an introduction into the INCD2 200-101 topics. I then used Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND2 200-101 Official Cert Guide by Wendell Odom to really learn everything I needed to know for the exam. While the CBT IT Training Videos helped introduce me to a new topic and make it less scary, Wendell's book gave me the details I needed to pass the exam. 

Lastly, make sure know all the topics that Cisco lists on the exam's webpage before sitting the exam. As soon as you know each topic well enough to be able to explain them to someone else, you should be ready to sit the exam. Good luck!

How has your experience been with these products? Do you have any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments below.

How to Study for the Cisco ICND1 100-101 Exam on a Budget

Earlier this month I passed the Cisco CCENT 100-101 ICND1 Exam. It took a lot more studying than I was used to and the exam experience was new as well. However, before I started studying, I researched the best material to study with when money is tight. Now that everything has worked out, this post is dedicated to the top study materials money can buy when you're on a tight budget.

Options for Under $50

Buy: Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide by Wendell Odom ($28)

Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide is by far the best exam preparation material that can be purchased for both beginners and for those that have been in the field for a long time. The book is well written and breaks topics down into small chapters. Before each chapter you can take a short quiz to see if you already know what the chapter covers. In addition, a companion CD is included with the book. The companion CD has quizzes for the end of each section as well as simulation labs, and a lot more supplemental material.

Rent: Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide by Wendell Odom ($20)

If you're very low on funds, you can just rent the book. However, I would make the investment if you plan on going into the networking field.

Options for Under $100

Subscribe: CBT IT Training Videos ($99 Per Month)

The sticker price is expensive, but the content quality is worth every penny. The total course duration for the Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 series is 23 hours and 20 minutes--easily watchable in a one month subscription. Additionally, the series' audio tracks can be downloaded and listened to offline. The video and audio content combined is worth $99.

Best Option for Under $150

Buy: Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide by Wendell Odom ($28)

And

Subscribe: CBT IT Training Videos ($99 Per Month)

This is the option I went with. I watched all the CBT Nugget videos in less than a month and listened to the audio tracks on my daily commute. After I finished the nuggets, I read Wendell's book cover-to-cover--using the companion CD along the way. The combination of both products seemed to work out well. I passed the exam the first time with a pretty decent score. Furthermore, feel much more confident about my networking fundamentals than my friends who used other products feel about theirs.

Conclusion

If you can only afford one product, buy Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide. While the CBT IT Training Videos helped introduce me to a new topic, Wendell's book got into the detail I needed to pass the exam. Good luck!

Finished with the ICND1 100-101? See my post on How To Study For The Cisco ICND2 200-101 Exam On A Budget.

UPDATE: CBT Nuggets now offers a one week free trial, which should be enough time to watch the entire Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 series for free. 

How has your experience been with these products? Do you have any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments below.

My Cisco CCENT 100-101 ICND1 Exam Experience

After months of hard work, I passed the 100-101 ICND1 exam today. I studied enough that I felt confident that I would pass. However, I was still anxious because I had never taken a test in a testing center, and I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know when my score would be posted, what the testing center needed, how long the entire process would take, and so on. Now that it's over, I want to share my experience in the testing center.

First off, the testing center advises showing up 15 minutes before your appointment. I somehow missed traffic and arrived 45 minutes early, which meant 30 minutes of psyching myself out in my car before entering the testing center—hoping I wasn't about to waste the $150 testing fee.

The testing center required two forms of identification when I entered. One ID required a signature and one had to be a photo ID. I used my driver’s license and social security card. However, I have heard that you can use a credit card as a signature ID. After I handed over my IDs, I had to fill out a couple of simple forms consisting of check boxes and signatures. Afterwards, I signed a digital signature pad and take a photo. The proctor had me place all my person belongings in a locker including my analog watch, phone, keys, and wallet. I was then given a laminated paper and erasable marker before entering the testing room.

The proctor logged into the computer and opened the exam. A timer started counting down from 15 minutes when the proctor left—time to read the exam rules and review the Cisco Certification Exam Tutorial. The same tutorial on the Cisco website linked HERE. Many individuals suggest watching the tutorial at home before the exam and instead using that time to write all the notes in your head. I decided against using my paper, but I advise making notes during your tutorial time if you plan on using notes.

The test finally started. I had 90 minutes to answer 50 questions. The exam consisted of multiple choice, multiple answer, drag and drop, simlets and testlets. Keep in mind that while taking an exam the testing center can get noisy as was the case when I took the exam. Many individuals advise bringing foam ear plugs. Just be sure to check with your proctor before bringing the ear plugs into the testing room.

The computer congratulated me and presented my preliminary score after the exam was over. I was then asked to participate in a short survey. The preliminary score will range from 300 to 1000; however, you will need at least an 804 to pass. On a piece of paper you are given before you leave, this preliminary score and does not constitute an official score report. Cisco still has to analyze your exam responses for validity before it is official. The paper I was given says to allow 10 days for Cisco to receive your exam results. After 10 days you can view your certification status by logging into the Certification Tracking System at http://www.cisco.com/go/certifications/login. Furthermore, you will receive an email from Cisco when your results are finalized.

So now I am waiting for my exam to show up in the Certification Tracking System before I can say I am officially CCENT certified. Good luck!

UPDATE: My certification status was posted in the Certification Tracking System 11 hours after I took the exam—not 10 days. However, I'm sure this varies.

How was your testing experience? Or do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments below. If you're preping for the exam, check out my post on How to Study for the Cisco ICND1 100-101 Exam on a Budget.