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Cisco exam day

Cisco professional exams such as CCNA and ENCOR are delivered by Pearson VUE; CCST exams are delivered through Certiport. Expect scenario questions, drag-and-drop and simulations.

Covers: CCST Networking 100-150 v1.0, CCNA 200-301 v2.0, ENCOR 350-401 v1.2

How scoring works

Cisco reports a scaled score. The passing score is set per exam and can change as the exam is maintained, so Cisco does not promise a fixed number.
Your score report shows pass or fail plus a percentage breakdown by exam section, which is the most useful thing to study from if you need a retake.
Exams can include unscored questions under evaluation.

Question types

Multiple choice, single and multiple answer.
Drag-and-drop matching and ordering, often used for protocol characteristics or process steps.
Simulations and simlets: you work at a simulated device command line to configure or troubleshoot, or answer questions from show command output. Testlets present a scenario with several questions attached.
Know your IOS show commands and their output well. Many questions give you output and ask what it means.

No going back

On Cisco Pearson VUE exams you cannot return to a previous question once you move on, and there is no flag-and-review at the end.
Treat every question as final. Read it fully, check the exhibits, answer, and then let it go.
Because you cannot skip ahead and come back, pacing matters more. Keep an eye on the clock and do not sink too long into one simulation.

Test center vs online

CCNA and CCNP exams can be taken at a Pearson VUE test center or online through OnVUE, with the usual ID check, room scan and clear-desk rules.
CCST exams use Certiport, either at a Certiport testing center (often a school or training provider) or online with Certiport's proctoring. Follow the setup steps Certiport sends.
Online exams generally allow no breaks. Check the current rules for your delivery method in the exam confirmation.

Booking, rescheduling and retakes

Book through Cisco's certification site, which links to Pearson VUE or Certiport depending on the exam.
There are cut-offs for rescheduling or cancelling without losing the fee, and a waiting period before you can retake a failed exam. Check Cisco's current exam policies before booking.

Results and next steps

You see pass or fail when you finish. The certification then appears in your Cisco certification tracking account after processing.
Cisco certifications such as CCNA and CCNP are valid for three years. You recertify by earning continuing education credits, passing qualifying exams, or a mix of both.
Passing ENCOR is the core requirement for CCNP Enterprise; you also need a concentration exam to earn the full CCNP. ENCOR also counts as the qualifying exam for the CCIE Enterprise lab.

Policies change. Check the vendor's candidate handbook and your booking confirmation for the current rules.