CCNA Refresh
Frequently Asked Questions
On 26 March 2013, Cisco Systems announced a redesign of the Cisco Associate-level Certification program. The CCNA Certification has
been updated and renamed to the CCNA Routing and Switching Certification, bringing it in line with the other technology specific CCNA
certifications such as Security, Voice and Wireless.
The Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices - Part 1 (ICND1) and Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices - Part 2 (ICND2) and the
accelerated CCNA courses (CCNABC/CCNAX) have all been updated, while the old exams will go end-of-life on the 30th of September 2013.
ICND2 will no longer be a requirement for CCNA Voice, Wireless and Security. This change will take effect immediately.
ICND1 will also become a requirement for CCDA certification – Effective 1st of October 2013.
Whilst the courses required to meet the new CCNA Routing and Switching Certification remain the same, the content within those courses
and the exams has changed significantly.
Q: Why did Cisco rename CCNA to CCNA Routing and Switching?
A: The CCNA job role has evolved within the Routing and Switching area as network engineers are expected to perform more
implementation and troubleshooting duties. The redesign of the curriculum and exams reflect these job role changes and is reflected
in the renaming.
Q: What is CCNA Routing and Switching and how is it different to CCNA?
A: CCNA Routing and Switching is the same certification as CCNA, however the curriculum and exams have been redesigned to align
with changing job roles and technology advancements in routing and switching. CCNA Routing and Switching hones your ability to
perform critical new job tasks including how to:
• Manage the latest IOS software running on the newest Cisco routers and switches
• Configure and manage IPv6 addressing
• Manage IOS Licensing
• Perform more comprehensive troubleshooting
Q: I am currently a valid CCNA. How can I achieve CCNA Routing and Switching?
A: If you are currently a CCNA, you will automatically become a CCNA Routing and Switching in the Cisco database. You will receive
your new CCNA Routing and Switching certificate upon recertification. If your CCNA certification is due for renewal within the
next 6 months, we would recommend taking the old ICND2 (640-816) or CCNA (640-802) exam before the 30th of September 2013.
Alternatively you could:
•
Pass the current CCDA DESGN exam, or
•
Pass any current CCNA Concentration exam (wireless, or security, or voice, or SP Ops), or
•
Pass any current 642-XXX Professional level exam, or
•
Pass any current Cisco Specialist exam (excluding Sales Specialist exams or MeetingPlace Specialist exams, Implementing Cisco
TelePresence Installations (ITI) exams, Cisco Leading Virtual Classroom Instruction exams, or any 650 online exams), or
•
Pass any current CCIE Written Exam, or
•
Pass the current CCDE Written Exam or current CCDE Practical Exam
A significant amount of additional study would be needed if you elected to do the new ICND2 or CCNA Exams.
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© 2013 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved.
Q: Are the CCNA Routing and Switching exams changing?
A: Yes. The exams are changing to reflect the refresh of the CCNA curriculum. The current exams will go end-of-life on September 30,
2013. In order for the current exams to apply towards the CCNA Routing and Switching, you must take and pass the exam before
September 30, 2013. There is no change in the price of the exams.
Exam 640-822 ICND1 is being replaced by 100-101 ICND1.
Exam 640-822 ICND1 will go end-of-life on September 30, 2013.
Exam 640-816 ICND2 is being replaced by 200-101 ICND2.
Exam 640-816 ICND2 will go end-of-life on September 30, 2013.
Exam 640-802 CCNA is being replaced by 200-120 CCNA.
Exam 640-802 CCNA will go end-of-life on September 30, 2013.
Q: Can I mix and match the current exams with newer exams to achieve CCNA Routing and Switching?
A: Yes you can, however due to the amount of content that has changed, we strongly recommend that if you have already started your
certification journey, you complete on the old curriculum before the 30th of September 2013.
Q: Should I take the newer exam 100-101 ICND1?
A: If you have not yet started your preparation for ICND1, we would recommend that you begin with the latest version ICND1 v2.0, as
the new course is more relevant for today’s Routing and Switching engineers and take the new exam. If you have already taken the
ICND1 course but not yet taken the exam, then you should take the old exam before the 30th of September 2013.
Q: Should I take the newer exam 200-101 ICND2?
A: There are significant differences between the old and new ICND2 courses. If you have attended the old ICND2 course, you should take
the old 640-816 ICND2 exam, this will go end-of-life on September 30, 2013. The new exam should only be taken if you have attended
the new ICND2 v2.0 course or if you have undertaken additional studying to cover the new content.
Q: How can I achieve the CCENT certification?
A: If have already attended ICND1 but not taken the exam, you should take the old 640-822 exam. If you have not yet started your study,
you should take the new ICND1 course and take the relevant 100-101 ICND1 certification exam.
Q: I am new to CCNA Routing and Switching. Which exams should I take – current or new?
A: If you are just starting out on your path to CCNA Routing and Switching, then the recommendation is that you should take the new
courses and exams.
Q: I have passed the 640-822 ICND1 exam and have a valid CCENT. What are my career options to achieve an
associate-level certification?
A: If you are a valid CCENT, then you need to pass just one more exam to achieve one of the following certifications:
•
Pass 640-816 ICND2 or 200-101 ICND2 and achieve CCNA Routing and Switching or
•
Pass 640-554 IINS and achieve CCNA Security or
•
Pass 640-722 IUWNE and achieve CCNA Wireless or
•
Pass 640-461 ICOMM and achieve CCNA Voice or
•
Pass 640-760 SSPO and achieve CCNA SP Operations.
Q: I wish to pursue CCDA. What is my career path?
A: To achieve your CCDA, you must pass the DESGN Exam before September 30, 2013. Effective October 1, 2013, Cisco is adding the
CCENT as a pre-requisite for the CCDA. On or after the 1 October 2013, you will need to pass both the ICND1 exam and the DESGN
Exam.
Q: What are the recertification requirements for CCNA Routing and Switching?
A: The CCNA Routing and Switching certification is valid for three years, at such time you will need to recertify.
Q: What are the differences between the current exam 640-822 ICND1 and the newer exam 100-101 ICND1?
A: Old topics have been removed and some topics previously included in ICND2 have been moved into ICND1.
Q: What are the differences between the current exam 640-816 ICND2 and the newer exam 200-101 ICND2?
A: There is a significant difference (approx. 40%) between the topics covered in the old and new exams. If you have already attended an
ICND2, but not yet taken the exam, then you should take the old exam before the 30th of September 2013.
Q:What are the differences between the current exam 640-802 CCNA and the newer exam 200-120 CCNA?
A: Older topics have been removed and several new topics have been added to the CCNA exam.
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© 2013 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved.
Q: I recently passed ICND2 to achieve CCNA so that I can pursue a CCNA concentration such as CCNA Security.
Now I understand ICND2 is no longer a pre-requisite for CCNA concentration. This does not seem fair to me.
A: If you passed ICND2 on your path to CCNA concentration, then you will have an advantage over others because you will achieve three
certifications – CCENT, CCNA Routing and Switching and CCNA concentration. Those who proceed to a CCNA concentration after
passing only ICND1 will have only two certifications – CCENT and CCNA concentration.
Q: Does passing the ICND1 and ICND2 recertify any other certifications?
A: Yes. Passing ICND1 will recertify CCENT. Passing ICND2 will recertify CCDA, CCNA Data Center, CCNA Routing and Switching, CCNA
Security, CCNA SP, CCNA SP Ops, CCNA Video, CCNA Voice and CCNA Wireless.
Q: What self-study materials are available to help me prepare for the new exams?
A: Global Knowledge offers a comprehensive range of self-study materials:
•
•
•
E-Learning
Practice Exams
Practice Labs
More details can be found on the ICND1 and ICND2 course overview pages on the Global Knowledge website.
Q: Do these changes impact the Cisco CCT for Routing and Switching?
A: No, there is no change to the CCT requirement.
Q: Do these changes impact CCNP Routing and Switching?
A: No, there is no impact to CCNP Routing and Switching.
Q:
When will these changes take effect in the Channel Partner Program?
A: Cisco will continue to allow valid CCNA certificates until expiration. Following expiration, partner candidates will need to hold a valid
CCNA R&S certification for program pre-requisites.
Q:
I am part way through studying for my CCDP? If I do not pass all the exams before the 30th of September
2013, will I then have to go back and take ICND1.
A: Yes, you will need to go back and take the new ICND1 exam.
Q:
Will the Old ICND1 still count towards the updated CCDA requirement effective the 1st of October 2013.
A:
Yes, it will still count.
Exam and Certification Options
EXAMS
EXAM1
EXAM 2
CERTIFICATION ACHIEVED
EXAM 3
CCENT
ICND1
CCNA
R&S
CCNA
SECURITY
CCNA
WIRELESS
CCNA
VOICE
CCNA
SP OPS
CCNA
SP
CCNA
DC
CCNA
VIDEO
CCDA
X
CCNA
Composite
X
ICND1
ICND2
ICND1
IINS
ICND1
ICND2
ICND1
IUWNE
ICND1
ICND2
ICND1
ICOMM
ICND1
ICDN2
ICND1
SSPO
SPNGN1
SPNGN2
DCICN
DCICT
ICOMM
VIVND
ICND1
DESGN
**
X
X
X
IINS
X
X
X
X
X
IUWNE
X
X
X
X
ICOMM
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Notes: ICND1 (640-822* OR 100-101); ICND2 (640-816* OR 200-101); CCNA Composite (640-802* OR 200-120); IINS (640-554); IUWNE (640-722);
ICOMM (640-461); SSPO (640-760); DESGN (640-864); SPNGN1 (640-875); SPNGN2 (640-878); DCICN (640-911); DCICT (640-916); VIVND (200-001)
*Exams End of Life on Sept 30, 2013;
**ICND1 is prerequisite effective Oct 1, 2013.
Recertification: Any exam in Exam 2 column or DCICN recertifies a CCNA.
info@globalknowledge.co.uk
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© 2013 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved.