How I Passed the CCNA in 3 Months — On My First Try

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Step 1: The Decision
No, really — this is the first (and most important) step. Committing to the CCNA takes clarity and intention. For me, even after completing a Master’s in Computer Science and leaning into Cybersecurity, I kept feeling like something was missing.
I’d spend hours diving into complex topics, only to hit roadblocks — voids in my foundational networking knowledge that made the learning process harder than it had to be. Eventually, I realized I needed to go one step back in order to move forward. And that meant CCNA.
If you’re in Cybersecurity (or any area of IT), don’t skip this foundation — you’ll keep running into it later anyway.

Step 2: Finding the Right Resources
Honestly, this part was easy. Unlike other subjects like Python, where I struggled to pick a good course, the top CCNA resources were clear:
Neil Anderson’s course is a no-brainer. The reviews speak for themselves. Neil is an outstanding instructor who provides not only high-quality video lectures, but also:

  • Hands-on lab demonstrations
  • Labs for you to solve yourself
  • Flashcards for spaced repetition
  • A study schedule template

The course structure gives you everything you need — all that’s left is your consistency and effort.

Step 3: Make a Plan Before You Start
This is where a lot of people fall off. Mapping out your study timeline (even roughly) gives you a “God’s-eye view” of the journey ahead. You don’t need to lock yourself into a rigid routine — flexibility is key.
I was going through a transitional period with a lot happening (moving, travel, interviews), so I aimed for 2–3 hours per day and adjusted weekly. It wasn’t perfect, but the plan helped me stay on track through the chaos.

Step 4: Deep Understanding with Practice — Not Just Memorization
Neil’s course shines here. The combination of theory and practice (via labs) made the material stick. Pretty soon, I felt comfortable and confident using the CLI. That hands-on experience makes all the difference — you don’t just “study,” you understand.

Step 5: Spaced Repetition & Active Recall
Theory is one thing, but if you can’t recall it, it’s gone. I relied heavily on flashcards (Neil provides a set) for spaced repetition and active recall. These two strategies are critical for long-term retention — especially with the depth of CCNA topics.

Step 6: Supplement with Additional Resources
After finishing Neil’s course, I wanted to go deeper. That’s when I came across Jeremy McDowell’s books. I’m a big fan of learning from books, so I grabbed them — and I’m really glad I did.
Jeremy adds another layer of clarity. He dives deeper into the “why” behind concepts. The books aren’t just well-written — they’re thoughtfully structured, with helpful appendices (like CLI command summaries categorized by topic). You can really tell he comes from a teaching background.

Step 7: Final Review & Practice Exams
I wrapped up my final week with Boson’s ExSim practice exams, which are honestly fantastic. They’re tough — and that’s a good thing. They give you a realistic sense of exam readiness, and expose any weak spots early.
I did all four exams twice and used them to simulate test-day pressure and pacing.

Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
Mistake #1: Theory Overload
This is a habit I’ve been trying to break for years. I’ve always been a passive learner — rushing through theory to “feel productive.” But skipping active recall only means you forget things and have to loop back.
Lesson: Slow is fast. Take your time. Use flashcards.

Mistake #2: Starting the Books Too Late
I waited until the last month to start Jeremy’s books, which forced me to cram 3 chapters a day. It felt more like a race than a review. My brain was exhausted — and again, I skipped recall in favor of speed.
Lesson: Integrate books earlier alongside videos.

Mistake #3: Leaving Practice Exams for the Final Week
Those Boson exams were also a learning tool — not just a test-readiness check. By saving them for the end, I added stress and missed out on more prep time.
Lesson: Start practice exams at least two weeks before the test.

What Worked
Final summary notes: I kept a mind map during my studies, but what really helped were my final condensed notes, which I reviewed outside the testing center right before the exam.
✅ Consistent effort over perfection: Life happens — be flexible, but keep showing up.

✅ Practice-based learning: Labs are key. Don’t just watch — do.

✅ Self-awareness: Recognize what learning style works for you and adjust as needed.

Resources I Used
Here are the exact materials that helped me succeed:

Affordable or Free Alternatives
If you’re on a budget, keep in mind that there are free or more affordable alternatives to paid CCNA training programs—many of which are just as effective. Some notable options include:

More Money-Saving Tips
You can often find discounts on popular CCNA resources, especially around summer. Here are a few examples:

  • Boson ExSim: Occasionally runs sales—worth checking their site during seasonal promotions.
  • Jeremy’s Books (via Manning): The Manning website runs sales pretty often. Just note that there’s usually a shipping fee.
  • Pearson VUE (Exam Booking): They were running a promotion offering a free retake if you booked your exam before June 12.

In general, keep an eye out—many platforms offer limited-time discounts throughout the year.

Final Thoughts
CCNA isn’t just a certification — it’s a foundation. Whether you’re into Cybersecurity, cloud, or sysadmin work, your networking knowledge will either help you or hold you back.
I’m really glad I went for it. If you’re thinking about doing the same — go for it. With the right plan and resources, it’s absolutely doable.
Feel free to reach out or leave a comment if you have questions — I’m happy to help.

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