| UPDATED: Cisco Releases New CCNA Exam with Hands-On Tasks |
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3/12/2002 --Cisco Press announced today that Cisco's certification program has replaced CCNA exam #640-507 with a new version, #640-607, which features hands-on simulation questions.
"With this new exam, Cisco has introduced performance-based testing elements that will measure a candidate's ability to accomplish certain tasks in a time-critical setting," Cisco Press said in a press release sent out this morning. "Cisco Systems' goal is not to make the exams more difficult, but rather to present a testing environment that assesses both a candidate's practical and theoretical mastery of CCNA objectives."
The new CCNA exam still includes multiple-choice questions, but also features interactive questions which will "require cut-and-paste solutions, IP addressing input, and networking simulation comprehension," the release said. Cisco Press also said that although Cisco hasn't changed the objectives for the exam, the entire multiple-choice question pool has been replaced.
Although the press release sent yesterday said that the new version would immediately replace the old version, there does appear to be an exception: Cisco told CertCities.com today that anyone who registered for the CCNA of the exam before March 12 will still take the 507 version that they originally registered for, as long as the actual exam date is before April 23. Any new registrations for the CCNA will be for version 607, however.
Aside from Cisco's CCIE exam, which takes place in an actual lab, this new CCNA exam is the company's first to include hands-on questions. In an e-mail sent to Cisco certification candidates, the company expressed its intention of adding such interactive elements to its other exams.
In conjunction with the announcement, Cisco Press said it has released two new self-study titles, to replace its crop of 640-507 books:
- Cisco CCNA Exam #640-607 Certification Guide
- Cisco CCNA Exam #640-607 Flash Card Practice Kit
A special bundle of preparation material will be available from Cisco Press in April.
CCNA, which stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate, is Cisco System's most popular entry-level certification, and requires passing one exam. The CCNA exam's last major update came in November 1999, when #640-507 was released.
Current title holders won't have to take the new exam to retain their certifications. Cisco has a policy of keeping the CCNA credential valid for three years from the time a title holder obtains it.
More information about the new exam, including a demo of the new interactive elements, can be found on Cisco's Web site (here and here).
We will continue to update this story as more details become available. Those looking for more information may also want to attend a chat about the new exam scheduled for March 27 at 4 p.m. on TCPMag.com, in which trainer Andy Barkle will answer your questions. More information on this chat can be found here.  -B.N.
What's your take on this story? Post your comments below!
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Post your comment below, or better yet, go to our Discussion Forums and really post your mind.
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Current  user comments for "UPDATED: Cisco Releases New CCNA Exam with Hands-On Tasks"
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| 3/13/02 - Matthew from Charleston, SC says: |
I think this was a smart move on behalf of Cisco. I don't see where warning perspective test-takers would have done any good, unless those test-takers were seeking a 'paper CCNA' So, to all the people who read and memorized BrainDumps, and practice-tested until they knew just enough to pass the test, TOUGH titties :) About the college vs certification thing - I guess I'm lucky, my local college allows me to earn college credit toward my associates in Telecommunications Systems Mgmt. while preparing me for A+, Network+, MCSE, and MCNE. I think it's the coolest program ever :) |
| 3/13/02 - pradeep from bangalore says: |
wow!!!that is really nice to hear that cisco is upating ccna exam pattern and it even made to know better networking before taking the exams. |
| 3/14/02 - Marian from Spain says: |
Hi! Could anyone tell me what is the actual pass-rate of the exam? Everybody is speaking about a higher one, but I am not able to find it anywhere. I would also like to know if the exam is somehow adaptative. Thanks. |
| 3/14/02 - Lisa from from the Pentagon says: |
After all these months of studying and the books that I have purchased and you suddenly changes things without ADVANCED WARNING to your customers, this is not good customer relations or business practices. |
| 3/14/02 - Anonymous from New York says: |
Who cares? If you know the material you'll be fine. Hands on is what counts, and not a single paper that is just pure business to make CISCO richer than what they are. |
| 3/14/02 - Anonymous says: |
While I commend Cisco for attempting to maintain high caliber certification exams, changing the format of the CCNA exam without notice is unconscionable. Those people who are presently preparing for their CCNA certification have spent money on study guides, books, software or schooling and time preparing for the 640-507 exam. The preparation for the CCNA or any certification is not just learning/knowing the concepts but preparing for the format of the exam. Of those who already have taken certification exams, Cisco, Microsoft, CompTIA etc., I can not believe any of you can honestly say that preparing for the exams was not a big deal or that your choice of study guides, books, software or schooling was not at least partially based on the format of the exam. For those preparing for the CCNA exam, do not be dismayed, move forward and get your certification. But, in the future, be wary of companies who make changes like this, without forethought or concern for those it would affect, because they will do it again. |
| 3/14/02 - Anonymous says: |
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| 3/14/02 - Andy Barkl from Phoenix, AZ says: |
You do not need to worry about the CCNA 640-607 exam update when purchasing books and study guides. The exam content has not changed. I will be teaching a CCNA class next week and I just ordered the same books (507) that I always use. I will be taking the new exam on Friday March 15 and I will report back here. Also watch for my complete review article here on CertCities.com in the coming weeks. Andy Barkl CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP Online chat editor for MCPMag.com, TCPMag.com |
| 3/14/02 - Steve from GA says: |
Personally, I think the task-based test more effectively evaluates your skills than just multiple-guess questions. |
| 3/15/02 - Need help from Betty Nagel from USA says: |
I registered and paid for CCNA 640-507 before price change with Vue online. Rescheduled exam for April 28, 2002. Read your article and tried to change date to on or before April 23. The online system will NOT permit changes. Call Vue on the phone and they do not know if they can help me. They did not take into account people who paid before March 12 and scheduled past April 23, 2002. I just want to move my exam earlier to take the 507 not the 607. They currently have no answer for me. Please investigate. Thank you. |
| 3/18/02 - Dave from Washington, DC says: |
Look everyone, when you get to the test either you know whats on it or you don't. If you don't you don't deserve to pass. It's as simple as that. Oh, by the way, that's the WHOLE idea behind testing isn't it? I've been in telecom for 3 years and just passed my CCNA on 3-14 with a 924. When I had 6 questions left I was really sweating but I thought to myself "These 6 questions probably aren't going to make me pass or make me fail. At this point either I know it or I don't. Period." As for the hands on schtuff BUY A SIMULATOR from www.routersim.com NOT from boson (their routersim is buggy and doesn't support all of the commands) or better yet BUY A ROUTER and a 1900 switch off of ebay for $350. I say all of that to say this "QUITCHERBITCHEN" to take something from Mark. Good luck everyone. I'm going for my CCNP now:) |
| 3/18/02 - Anonymous says: |
Cisco can test all they want.It's their product. But I hope someone comes along to give them some good competition. |
| 3/18/02 - Becky Nagel from Web Editor, CertCities.com says: |
To Need Help -- Yes, unfortunately, if your original registration date is after the six weeks, you're stuck with the new version of the exam. Again, though, the material is based on the same objectives, so you should be OK (at least that's Cisco's take on it -- talked with them Friday). Definitely check out the demos on Cisco's Web site and get familiar with the scenarios. You could also try e-mailing Cisco themselves, but I wouldn't be too hopeful -- they're pretty firm that they're not going to give out any "new" registrations for the 507 exam. -- Becky Nagel, Web Editor, CertCities.com, [email protected] |
| 3/18/02 - Brandon from Indiana says: |
I won't get into the whole opinion oriented arguments, but I took the 640-607 exam today and passed, but used all of my study material from the 640-507. Granted, the practice exams that I used were not any help, but the Cisco Press Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices is all you would need in order to pass the 640-607 exam. I would have to say that the format of this exam is good. It will provide the industry with less "paper" CCNA's applying for jobs. |
| 3/18/02 - ujas selarka from india says: |
i scored 99% (989) on CCNA last month. i used BOSON practice tests and the ICND Course book. thats all it took for me to pass. Best luck to ye all. If you know subnetting and commands-syntax you are in !! |
| 3/19/02 - Anonymous says: |
It's simple people...the previous comments from those who said hands on knowledge counts, not just rote question memorisation or reading a book are 100% correct. So buy a training course that also gives you hands on training with a built in simulator. there's one company out there that does that, is authorized by Cisco, and gives a 100% money back guarantee. Go find it. |
| 3/19/02 - sa from Madagascar says: |
pongada venna ponavangala |
| 3/19/02 - Kuyu Bolly says: |
How much help will the CCNA Virtual Lab e-trainer developed by Sybex be? Access to real routers is not an option for me now. |
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