What is a CCENT?

CCENT stands for Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician. The CCENT is the ICND 1, the first exam of the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).  Passing the CCENT ICND 1 and ICND 2 are the requirements to receive a CCNA or by passing one exam that encompasses material from both the ICND 1 and ICND 2. These exams test for basic networking knowledge and are often used to help people obtain entry-level networking jobs.

CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-105 Book

After doing some research on Youtube and by asking various networking professionals on Twitter I decided to use the  Official Cert Guide CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-105 as my main studying book. The chapters are bite size, lots of study tips, chapter reviews and really great mind maps.

Flashcards & Highlighters

While I am reading I annotate my Official Cert Guide CCENT/CCNA with different color highlighters. I’ll highlight new vocabulary words, key topics and concepts that take me a few rereads to understand. When I am done reading a chapter, I will make notecards of vocabulary words, chapter questions and mind maps.

CBT Nuggets 

As of now I am mainly focusing on reading my Official Cert Guide CCENT/CCNA book, doing labs and reviewing my flashcards. But, once I am finished reading the book as part of reviewing for the exam, I plan to spend a few weeks watching the Cisco CCENT/CCNA 100-105 ICND1 videos on CBT Nuggets.

Real Life Work Experience

I have been working in IT for about 7 years mainly working in asset management and help desk support/management. In that time I have picked up some very basic knowledge on networking. I notice that as I am studying, the concepts that tend to make the most sense and stick to my brain are the concepts I have interacted with in real life while working in IT. So, I have made it a point to get involved with as many networking related projects at my current job to help me connect what I am learning to real life experience.

Pearson CCENT Simulator Lite Software

This might be shocking to some of you but for studying for the CCENT ICND 1, I am not using a home lab. However, I do plan to use a home lab for ICND 2. I chose to go with a simulation software and not real gear because I wanted to just jump right into studying. Also, since I work with real gear at  my full-time IT job and in addition to that I plan to eventually get a part time job in networking in  the near future, I did not feel the need to rush into building a home lab. I also wanted the flexibility of studying on the go whether it was at work during a break, at a friend’s house or a coffee shop. Which brings me to the next part of my CCENT study kit.

Coffee Shops

I like to treat studying as treat to my mind so whenever I can I like to read, lab or review my notes at some of my favorite coffee shops here in Boston. Coffee, pastries and CCENT is such a Sunday morning treat!

TO HEAR MORE CCENT STUDY TIPS, LISTEN TO MY PRETTY TECH SAVVY PODCAST EPISODE #5: MY CCENT STUDY KIT

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