About This Study Plan
This 7 days study plan breaks the CCNA (CCNA) exam preparation into 7 focused study sessions with a total of 29 actionable tasks. The plan covers all 6 exam domains — Network Fundamentals, Network Access, IP Connectivity, IP Services, Security Fundamentals, Automation and Programmability — ensuring complete coverage of the exam blueprint. An intensive 7-day study plan for the Cisco CCNA 200-301 exam. Best for candidates with hands-on networking experience who need a focused final review before the exam.
Prerequisites
- Solid understanding of TCP/IP and OSI models
- Hands-on experience with Cisco IOS CLI
- 5–7 hours of study time per day
Study Schedule
- Review OSI and TCP/IP models, encapsulation, and protocols per layer
- Master IPv4 subnetting: CIDR, VLSM, and subnet calculations
- Review IPv6 address types (GUA, LLA, multicast) and EUI-64
- Take a 25-question Network Fundamentals quiz
- Review VLANs, 802.1Q trunking, native VLAN, and DTP
- Study STP/RSTP: root bridge election, port roles, port states
- Review EtherChannel (LACP configuration and verification)
- Take a 25-question Network Access quiz
- Review routing table components, administrative distance, longest prefix match
- Master static routes: default, floating static, and next-hop vs exit interface
- Study single-area OSPFv2: neighbor adjacency, DR/BDR, cost, configuration
- Take a 25-question IP Connectivity quiz
- Review DHCP operation (DORA), relay agents, and DHCP snooping
- Master NAT: static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT (overload)
- Study DNS, NTP, SNMP, syslog severity levels
- Review QoS concepts: classification, marking, queuing
- Review port security, DHCP snooping, DAI, and storm control
- Study ACLs: standard, extended, named, wildcard masks, placement
- Review AAA, RADIUS vs TACACS+, and 802.1X
- Study VPN types and wireless security (WPA2/WPA3)
- Review SDN concepts, REST APIs, JSON/YAML, Cisco DNA Center
- Study Ansible vs Puppet vs Chef for configuration management
- Take a full-length timed practice exam
- Review all incorrect answers thoroughly
- Review all cheat sheets and flashcards
- Focus on weak areas identified from practice exams
- Re-read OSPF, subnetting, and ACL cheat sheets
- Take a second practice exam if time allows
- Rest well before exam day
Study Tips
Subnetting questions are guaranteed — practice until you can solve them in under 30 seconds.
OSPF is the only dynamic routing protocol on the CCNA — know it deeply.
Understand Layer 2 vs Layer 3 troubleshooting methodology.
On exam day: ~90 seconds per question. Flag and return to difficult questions.
Recommended Cisco Study Resources
Supplement this study plan with Cisco's official cert guides (published by Cisco Press) and free Packet Tracer labs. The Cisco Learning Network community forums are valuable for discussing exam topics with other candidates and CCIEs. Allocate at least 30% of your study time to hands-on lab practice — configuring, troubleshooting, and verifying are skills that can only be built through repetition.
Ready to Practice?
Put your study plan into action with CCNA practice questions.