Roadmap to Success is a series that helps learners understand certification pathways, career options associated with them, and the next steps beyond certification.
Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA), is a certification that affirms a learner’s basic network design skills. These skills are essential in enterprise networks where performance, availability, scalability, and flexibility to meet constantly changing demands are all important. This certification is typically intended for network engineer, systems engineer, network administrator, and other job roles.
Cisco Certified Design Associate – (CCDA). The Cisco Certified Design Associate certification (CCDA), focuses on design methodologies and objectives. It also addresses routing protocols and network expansion considerations in basic campus, data center and voice networks. The CCDA certification is an entry-level qualification. We recommend that learners have at least 1-2 years of experience in networking before they can begin the design path.
The CCDA consists of two exams. Both are covered by SPOTO Training:
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TrainingCisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100 -105*
Cisco CCDA 200-310 DESGN
*Please note that the prerequisite for the CCDA certification can be fulfilled by either the CCENT, CCNA Routing & Switching, or both. To complete their certification, learners who have received their CCNA Routing & Switching certification can only take the CCDA 200 310 DESGN exam.
Exam DetailsThe following details are for each exam required to obtain CCDA certification.
CCENT/ICND1 Exam time: 1.5 hours (90 mins)Number questions:45-55 Questions per examPassing score is not published by Cisco.
CCDATime allotted to exam: 1.25 hours (75 mins).Number of questions; 55-65 questions.Passing score: Cisco doesn’t publish the passing score for its exams. Questions types: Multiple choice/single answers; Multiple choice/multiple answers; Drag-and-drop; Fill-in–the-blank, Simulation; Testlet. **Learn more about exam fees at Pearson VUEExam topics Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions (200-310) (free resource).
RecertificationCisco’s Associate-level certifications, including CCDA, are valid for three years from the date of certification. Recertifying learners can be done by passing any Cisco Associate-level exam, 642-XXXX or 300XXX exam, any CCIE practical or written exam, the CCAr interview, and the CCAr board review.
The Next StepMany learners who have earned their CCDA certification will continue their career in network design and within Cisco. Many will pursue the Cisco Certified Design Professional certification (CCDP). This certification is made up of three exams that are covered by SPOTO training. The third exam is coming soon!
300-101 ROUTE
300-115 SWITCH
300-320 ARCH
Some learners may decide to pursue the CCDE certification. SPOTO currently does not offer training for the CCDE exams.
Some learners may wish to diversify their certification portfolio/resume by pursuing certifications outside of the scope of Cisco products. SPOTO learners frequently pursue the following network design certifications:
Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate (JNCIAJunos), consists of one exam: JN0-102.
Juniper Design Certification Track