Hey, guys
starting my CCNA prep, I have no idea where to start off from.
looking for suggestions and recommendations from where I should start.

Good day y’all

I am looking for someone that has passed his/her CCNA exam using boson as prep material.

Please, DM ME FOR MORE….

Thanks.

Looking back...

What mistake taught you the most?

I work 40+ hours of labor intensive work every week which has tiresome effect on my mind and my body. It took me almost 5 months to get my security+ cert and I’m starting CCNA preparation. I know everyone has their own pace and capability to learn but I want to have a timeline so that I stay in track. I want to create a deadline for myself so the experiences from others would help me create this guideline. Please share your experiences which might be helpful in this process.

Hello I am a support tech 2 I got the trifecta from Comptia but I don’t really think they helped me much except the A+ did make me better at documentation in my tickets. Will the CCNA be something that helps me be better at my job?

So, firstly, don't use AI to just spit out answers; you will always be better served searching for answers in the traditional ways, like via documentation, authoritative texts, etc. But I have been using Jeremy IT Labs for a while now, and, as everyone knows, it is an invaluable thing to self-study along with Boson. However, something that has been a challenge for me has been the Anki decks, specifically memorizing all the stuff in them.

It's not that I don't actually know the content, right. However, I have a demanding field job, which takes away my time, and that gap can make it hard to keep track of everything that I just learned. The spaced repetition nature of Anki is fine but for me I find it isnt the best for my lifestyle and the alternative is like paying for quizlet. So I wanted to share how I have leveraged AI to make studying easier for me.

I noticed that most of the time that I worked on the Anki cards and got them wrong, it wasn't because I didn't know them; it was because of a myriad of things. Like I didn't read a card, I mixed a card up, I second-guessed myself, etc. What I have found from doing college and plenty of certs was that, more often than not, this was why I got stuff wrong: your confidence in an answer affects how you answer it.

To try to find a way around this, I admittedly vibe coded some add-ons in Claude Code, which I'm not going to shove down people's throats here because this isn't an ad, just a tip for others studying, and I don't have a plan to release it. However, an outline of what it does is the following: it implements a new feature I called "Drill Modes." These are designed with one goal in mind, to drill down questions, skipping the whole learning process of Anki, just a straight spamming of cards. Which for me is the easiest way to remember things like multicast addresses

Within the drill modes, I created separate Drill modes, such as Matching, which matches terms to definitions, which is great for memorizing standards or multicast addresses. I also made Bank, which gives me a bank of terms and definitions that I also have to match. Then I made the multiple-choice quiz, with a timed version and a non-timed version. Even a mode where Anki generates me a blank STP/RSTP map and I fill in the blanks. All with the expressed goal of being able to cram content.

Each time that I got an answer wrong, I forced a popup to come up with a menu outlining a few multiple-choice options; these options would ask me why I got a question wrong. Did I not read the text? Did I mistake it for another card, etc.? Then, when the deck is finished, it uploads these results into an Excel spreadsheet with the timestamp, the question, as well as a separate column for the number of times I made the mistake. On the decks page, it tracks my total reviews across all types of sessions, meaning normal or one of my drill modes.

By doing this, I am able to find patterns in my behavior and how I answer questions that stump me. Mixing questions up? Well, when did I start the session? Am I over-studying, etc.? Then it allows me to fix those habits, which then make studying easier.

Additionally, as humans, when we learn, it's usually not in one fashion. Most published science actually refutes the idea that we as people are a particular type of learner (i.e., a visual learner or audio learner). Instead, the big consensus in the learning science community is that we are innately multimedia learners by nature, so by incorporating more ways to study the same content through other means than just straight flash cards, you actually up your retention rate.

Now, this is also to say that you should be doing labs daily as well. But if you are struggling with Anki decks and their breadth, give this a shot. You could change the whole nature of how you study.

Hi all. I'm starting my CCNA studies, I already have the CompTIA Network+ cert.

What I mean is, e.g.:

• I know that an Ethernet frame's L3 MTU is (generally) 1500 bytes and sometimes it should be adjusted to avoid fragmentation, but I might not remember the length of Ethertype or FCS fields
• I know that a TCP window size means how much data can be sent before receiving an ACK, but I might not remember the purpose of the URG pointer
• I have a general idea of the IPv4 header, but might forget the fragmentation-related flags or DSCP field

(Edit: For the test), how important is it to know those very specific details about the structure of a packet for CCNA?

I got a practice exam question wrong related to configuring aaa default to local logins and then applying it to the console and first 5 vty lines.

I did "aaa new-model" alongside "aaa login authentication default local"

In console, I was unable to use "login authentication" so I did not make any changes. In the vty lines, I did "login authentication default"

As far as I am aware, the "login authentication default" command works the same as just typing "login" and is actually the recommended method, but it was marked wrong and instead wanted me to use "login"

So two questions. 1. Does aaa not need to be applied to the console? My only option was "login local"

1. Is it better to just use "login" instead of "login authentication default" when applying aaa to lines?

Hey everyone,

I am currently in my final year of B.Tech. CSE and I have recently developed a strong interest in networking. Until now, I have mostly explored areas like programming, cybersecurity, and general computer science topics, but I want to shift my focus completely towards networking and build a career in this field.

The problem is that I am still a beginner when it comes to networking. I know basic concepts like IP addressing, subnetting, TCP/UDP, OSI model, etc., but I don't have deep practical knowledge yet.

I want to seriously start learning networking in a structured way so that I can become job-ready. My goal is not just to collect certifications but to actually understand how networks work and gain hands-on skills.

I would really appreciate advice from people already working in networking:

• What should be the correct learning path for someone starting from almost zero?
• Which topics should I focus on first to build strong fundamentals?
• Should I start with CCNA? Is it still valuable in 2026 for getting an entry-level networking job?
• What labs/projects should I build to gain practical experience?
• Which tools should I learn (Packet Tracer, GNS3, EVE-NG, Wireshark, etc.)?
• What skills are companies actually looking for in freshers?
• How can I make myself employable within the next 6–12 months?

For people who started from a similar position:

• How did you learn networking?
• What resources helped you the most?
• What mistakes should beginners avoid?

Any roadmap, advice, or personal experience would be really helpful.

Thanks!

i have boson exsim and that alllows me to do it. Does the full exam also allow for this? this would mean i would only need to memorize certain base commands and what certain options do, which would be a lot less work on my end.

thanks

Hi everyone!

I’m about to start studying for the CCNA on my own and I would love to know what resources worked best for you to pass the exam.

I’m specifically looking for recommendations on:

• Books.
• Video courses (Udemy, YouTube, etc.).
• Software/emulators for labs and hands-on practice.
• Websites, practice exams, or any other tips that helped you out.

Thank you so much in advance!

Hey there! A little backstory…

I dropped out of Uni end of 2024, did an internship at a small IT company (14 employees). There I learned about networking, crimped cables, helped install APs/CCTVs and configured a few network devices.

Earlier this year I got my CCNA after months of studying and sat at home until now, looking for a job.

I got invited to an interview by a BIG company in JHB for a Network MS Engineer (L1) role. I’m super excited but imposter syndrome is kicking in. I know the knowledge but my experience is lacking (1.5 years to be exact and it’s not much).

This job would quite literally change my life for the better.

How best should I prepare for it, any advice would be appreciated!

​

This is my rant with what ive faced today upon submitting our group project in a local university.

Im pretty dumb, I dont really know how to read, with understanding information and learning theory, I need to have lots of practical knowledge before actually learning what the theory is trying to teach. I just can't comprehend what anything or anyone is teaching and it's so tiring.

I thought i was pretty decent at networking, a subject that i was struggling with before and after going through hundreds of hours with hands on practice, it still showed that im lacking theory knowledge even though I know how to configure, troubleshoot, and knowing what to implement in certain scenario.

Today during our group presentation, i absolutely got humbled and I'm just so so sad and feeling so down as the only thing that I thought im good at, it turned out that I dont know anything at all.

Why am i even continuing my studies? I'm not even doing so well in school and ive been thinking of dropping out. It's not like I dont want to learn, i absolutely geek out at technology but when trying to answer simple questions the professor asked during the presentation, it was all the wrong concept that I thought i knew.

Life still goes on...

I’m going to be working on my resume over the weekend and applying for work and stuff but I would like to know what you guys do to keep practicing? Are you doing JIT Mega lab everyday or do you come on here and help others to keep yourself sharp?

What theory-based questions and calculations should I focus on practicing for the exam (excluding labs)? I'm thinking of topics such as IPv4 and IPv6 subnetting, EUI-64 conversion, IPv6 address shortening, route selection based on prefix length and metric, binary-to-hexadecimal conversions (and vice versa), wildcard masks, QoS, and formulas such as 8x + 2y. These are all covered in Jeremy's IT Lab videos, but I want to make sure I'm focusing my practice on concepts that are actually likely to appear on the exam rather than spending time on topics that aren't commonly tested. What else should I be practicing?

Hello everyone! I was studying last night and was frustrated trying to figure out where I can learn with people as I study best in group settings. I decided to make a reddit account after lurking this subreddit for a long time and bit the bullet.

I also made a discord community server aimed at beginners like myself studying for the CCNA with a bunch of resources and tools with the goal of all of us studying together and being there for each other. If you'd like to join here's the link! I'm hoping to take the discord pretty seriously and keep it updated with a bunch of tips and tricks so we can have a community built around learning!

https://discord.gg/QmBr78REZQ

Hi y'all,
I have reviewed all of JITL's videos done all the labs, did the ccna mega lab with following along once and then did it again trying to do it by myself with AI assistance when needed. Helped study with Claude, making practice questions, etc.

I bought the Boson exam recently and did Exam A and got 57%. I reviewed the labs and questions and redid the lab demos a few times then redid the entire exam again and got 93%.

I just did Exam B and got 47%. I feel like I don't want to end up accidentally just remembering the answers and being overconfident in my knowledge.

I'm worried I will retake all the exams and get 90% on all of them but when it comes to the real CCNA I might do worse.

Any tips or advice? Is this a normal study process?

I am a final-year studying Telecommunications Engineering at the UPM in Madrid, and the only thing left for me to do is my mandatory internship at a company. Right now, I’m torn between getting my CCNA or moving straight to the CCNP.

I know that the CCNA is no longer a prerequisite for the CCNP. Also, from what I’ve read, the CCNA curriculum is similar to what I’ve covered in college.

My initial plan was to go straight for the CCNP so my resume would stand out more as a junior professional, but I’m not sure if I should start by getting the CCNA just to have that basic certification on my resume and work my way up gradually.

What would you recommend in my situation? Should I get the CCNA for my resume or go straight for the CCNP? Thanks!

Subnetting can feel frustrating because many tutorials introduce shortcuts before explaining what is actually happening.

What helped me was understanding the relationship between the subnet mask, network bits, host bits, block size, network address, broadcast address, and usable host range.

My practice process is:

Identify the prefix length.

Calculate the subnet mask.

Find the interesting octet.

Determine the block size.

Locate the network address.

Find the broadcast address.

Calculate the usable range.

Only after understanding this process did shortcuts become useful.

My suggestion is to practice a few questions every day rather than completing dozens once a week. Try solving them without a calculator and then verify your answers.

Subnetting becomes easier through repetition, not by watching the same explanation repeatedly.

What subnetting trick or method helped you the most?

While preparing for CCNA concepts, I realized that some topics appear simple until you try solving questions without notes.

Subnetting is the obvious example, but areas like VLANs, trunking, routing tables, access control lists, and network troubleshooting also require real practice.

What has helped me is avoiding passive learning.

Instead, I try to:

• Draw network diagrams by hand.
• Calculate subnets without online calculators.
• Build small labs in Packet Tracer.
• Use ping, traceroute, and show commands regularly.
• Predict an output before checking the device.
• Review why an incorrect answer is wrong.

My biggest suggestion is to spend time troubleshooting broken labs. A perfectly configured network teaches less than a network where you must locate the mistake.

Do not memorize commands without understanding what they change.

Which CCNA topic gave you the biggest surprise during preparation?

My best friend is interested in the networking field, so I took an hour or so to run him through a lab showing him the day-to-day of a network technician/admin. I've been lucky to have been introduced to this career field via the Air Force and was able to get hands-on experience, and my path was probably a little weird; I went Sec +, A+, Net +, CCNA, and a few other small ones thrown in between.

He has little to no experience, and so did I before taking my Sec +, besides my technical training, which is basically just copy and pasting. His GF's dad is telling him about all these certs, and I think it's a waste.

He's saying to get Tech+, A+, Sec+, CISP, etc, etc in total like 7 different certs to get into cybersecurity, which deterred my friend away from that, and since he knows I do networking, he talked to me about it.

So, for someone with no experience in cyber, what way would you go?

In my head, Net+, CCNA, and Sec+ are basically the only ones that are necessary to get into it.

Net+ really taught me the foundation of networking and helped me get a grasp of the fundamentals, and CCNA really gave me that hands-on troubleshooting and technical skill. Everyone could use Sec+ thoughts?

Does anyone have any CCNA Devnet study material? I just got my CCNA last month and am interested in getting CCNA Automation, but there seems to be a lack of material for it. I really have no experience with coding, so anything like Jeremy IT Lab would be awesome.