What Site Should I Use When Preparing for a Cisco Certification?

We often get asked to compare and discuss the various different Cisco preparation platforms. Today we will look at three different study options so you can decided what best fits your learning strategy.

Cisco Academy

I would encourage many to join a Cisco Academy and use AlphaPrep.net at the same time. The advantage an academy has over alphaprep.net is instructor led courses. In an academy students will spend upwards of a year with an instructor going over, in detail, real world problems. However, academies can’t confidently let you take your exam until close to the courses end. This can be a big hindrance for anyone looking to start at an entry level job in short order. If one decides to partake in an academy and AlphaPrep.net at the same time they can get a head start on a career by passing their exam quickly and continue to reinforce their skills with the academy while they already have a job.

CBT nuggets

CBT nuggets offers a wide range of competent study material. Their Videos are top notch and while they don't offer a robust question bank they do have some practice tests to familiarize you with an upcoming exam. It is safe to say that if one decides to use CBT nuggets that they could, with a large time commitment, pass a Cisco exam. All things considered, I would still have to say that AlphaPrep.net takes the cake. They have very clearly separated themselves in the market with their earned level concept. Their exam generator quickly learns your knowledge level and provides you with questions that are specific to your current understanding of course material. It may take up to a year to prepare for a Cisco exam with CBT nuggets and with AlphaPrep.net most become exam ready much quicker.

Book and brain dump

If you already have a solid background in computer networking and you are a quick learner, then this might be a great path for you. With this path, I want to stress the need to have a solid background in networking! If you are a quick learner that does not have a good background in computer networking, potential employers will know if you just crammed for the exam. If you do have the proper experience then I recommend reading the Wendell Odom books.