Overview
The Cisco Certified Network Associate Exam (CCNA 200-301) is the most popular Networking Certification exam. This is not a surprise as Cisco is the leading vendor for Networking devices. Taking the CCNA is a great way to kickstart a career as it gives you a competitive advantage over other similar Networking Certifications.
If you are looking forward to taking this certification exam, I have made a list just for you in this blog – It is a collection of the best free courses for the CCNA 200-301 exam. I took the certification and will share the best resources I used to pass with you.
Why does it matter to have this list? Well, If you do a Google search for study materials on the CCNA exams, you will see lots of study materials; the bulk of which are either paid courses, outdated, misleading, or not in tune with the latest updates in the exam syllabus. You want to study with fresh materials.
Also, you want to save valuable time collecting your study materials so start your preparation as soon as possible. You will also save valuable time searching for the right materials and get right into your studies.
So let’s get down right into it.
FREE CCNA COURSES
Some of the best Free CCNA Online Courses and Resource materials you can use to prepare for the CCNA 200-301 exam are listed below.
1. JEREMY’S IT LABS FREE CCNA COURSE
This is most arguably the best free course offered fully free for the CCNA 200-301. It takes you from an absolute beginner to a professional level, from the basic definition of what a network is to advanced concepts in Wireless and Network Automation. Jeremy takes you step-by-step through the CCNA journey.
It is a video course, offered through YouTube. Each video is about 20-30 minutes long and comes with a separate lab. configuration. You will have enough material to get your hands on enough practical work with this course. Jeremy also constantly updates his course.
Jeremy introduces the main subject discussed for each topic, outlines the learning objective, and then goes through each of them step-by-step. You get a recap at the end of each topic, a series of test questions or quizzes.
He also features a free bonus Exam Practice question from Boson ExSim (one of the best exam simulation software). Each Topic also comes with a dedicated video for Labs. You get to practice the concept you learned in a simulated environment.
Another feature that makes this course a great study resource is that it comes with a separate deck of Anki flashcards for quizzes, which is a good memory aid. The flashcards are downloadable and you can add to the deck by creating new ones. Also, you can review the deck of cards leisurely. Jeremy’s IT free CCNA course Playlist is available at the link: https://youtu.be/H8W9oMNSuwo
Key Takeaways: Jeremy’s IT Lab Course for the CCNA is a complete course to help you pass the CCNA. Each topic has a dedicated video for labs, and there are downloadable Anki flashcards for quizzes, The course features limited Exam practice questions from Boson Exsim.
2. Free CCNA 200-301 Course: Complete Unlimited By DAVID BOMBAL
This is a complete CCNA course by the most popular Cisco-Networking YouTube channel – David Bombal. He is a renowned Cisco Networking expert with several decades of experience to his credit. You really cannot talk about CCNA online without really making mention of David Bombal.
He has one of the largest collections of materials relating to CISCO and has inspired many (myself included) to switch to IT. David is a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert or CCIE ( The highest level of the Cisco Certification Hierarchy). You will find a link to his complete free course at https://courses.davidbombal.com/
In the CCNA course, you will find a hands-on practical to help cement the various networking concepts. The course is not just designed to pass the CCNA, it goes beyond teaching you what you will likely encounter in real life. You will sometimes find him demonstrating some Lab exercises using a real networking device.
David is more of a practical guy and encourages you to build your own labs with the Packet Tracer software. You may initially struggle with the Labs as a beginner, but with consistent practice gain mastery and confidence.
He likened learning new technology to learning to ride a bicycle, you only become better by actually practicing to ride- not reading about how to ride a bicycle. You will find more than enough Practical labs for each topic covered and the answers demonstrated in subsequent videos.
Key Takeaway for this course: It is complete, with a lot of emphasis on practicals, It goes a bit beyond what you need to pass the CCNA exam. An excellent way to learn the technology and a good reference to solve real-world networking challenges – on the job. It is best to combine with other courses to cover the more theoretical aspects.
Other Free CCNA Course Material
These are not full CCNA Courses but they are great materials you can use to supplement your studies for the CCNA
1. Free CCNA Course Guide
These study notes are especially useful for revision purposes, probably just a few days before the examination. They contain CLI commands and other things that may be easy to forget. It is available at https://study-ccna.com/free-cisco-ccna-study-guide/ or you can download your Free CCNA Course Guide
2. CCNA Labs PDF
This is available from Neil Anderson, as part of his materials on the CCNA 200-301. He is one of the older hands on the course with lots of experience. This is a complete collection of all the labs in the CCNA. This, as well as other free materials, are available for download at https://www.flackbox.com/ or Download CCNA Labs Pdf
3. CISCO OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION
What better place to get excellent information on the Cisco course than the official Cisco Guide or website? You will need to familiarize yourself a lot with the documents. You will find these in the official guide.
I would suggest you only pay attention to subjects that are related to your CCNA exams as the official guide tends to be voluminous. You do not want to spend too much reading things that you really do not need as a beginner.
4. Official Certification Guide by Odom Wandel
The official certification Guide by Wandel Oddem is the compendium and the main reference resource for the CCNA. It is kind of pricey for some people and voluminous. It is in two volumes, each containing over 1000 pages)
5. CCNA Quiz
You will find CCNA exam-type quizzes at https://ccnax.com/free-quiz/. The quiz topics are for Subnetting, Binary, Decimal, Hexadecimal conversions, and subnet quizzes.
6. CCNA Syllabus
The CCNA 200-301 Exam has 6 sections. You can find the details of each section and the weight each carries for the exam in the PDF below. It is advisable to keep a copy as a reference for your preparation. Download the CCNA Syllabus PDF
7. Packet Tracer Download
Create your own practice labs with the Packet Tracers software. It is great to learn and prepare for the CCNA 200-301 Exam. You do not have to get real Cisco equipment to practice how to configure networking devices. Packet Tracer is the recommended software for labs at the CCNA 200-301 exam difficulty.
To download a free copy of the latest Packet Tracer software, you may need to sign up and log in to the Cisco Network Academy (Netacad.com), Select resources > Download Packet Tracer
Download the Cisco Packet Tracer
8. CCNA Audiobook Download
This is available for free by Paul Browning. It is the Audiobook of Cisco CCNA Simplified. You can study for the CCNA rather passively – while engaged in other activities such as your daily workout or driving. This Audiobook is a 9-hour long audio file, although this was made before the latest CCNA update, the key concepts have not changed fundamentally.
Also, note that you cannot pass the CCNA with this audiobook alone as you will need to do some hands-on practice. It helps you learn the CCNA subconsciously while you are active in other activities.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2YLY2sDznI (Credit: https://www.howtonetwork.com/)
Exam Practice For the CCNA
To pass the CCNA Exam, you MUST be familiar with the style and difficulty of the CCNA exams. It is essential to include an Exam Simulator or Practice Exam in your study materials collections. Often you will need to pay for this. A good simulation is worth every penny.
The two common Exam Question Simulations are the Boson Exsim Package and The Alphaprep for The CCNA. For a review of the Boson Exsim Package, you can check THE LATEST REVIEW OF THE BOSON EXSIM PRACTICE EXAM
STAY AWAY FROM EXAM DUMPS as they are illegal and counter-productive. Your goal is to learn the technology, pass the exam, and become employable. Exam dumps can derail that goal. Also, there are stiff penalties if caught using them.
Additional Study Resource (Paid)
If you choose to explore further with some paid courses, here is a list of relatively cheap courses on Udemy, taught by some of the authors mentioned earlier. They are the best-rated courses on Udemy for the CCNA. This is a viable alternative if you do not like YouTube videos.
Best Udemy Courses For the CCNA
- 1. Jeremy’s IT Lab Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/course/complete-cisco-ccna-200-301-course/ Rated 4.7
- 2. Neil Anderson Udemy Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/ccna-complete/ Rated 4.8
- 3. David Bombal Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/course/complete-networking-fundamentals-course-ccna-start/ Rated 4.6
Frequently Asked Questions
What Competencies Does the CCNA Certification Provide?
The CCNA 200-301 is a Networking certification. Networking involves devices such as computers, routers, mobile phones, switches, etc. communicating and sharing information. It is the bedrock of many Information Technology careers.
The CCNA is designed to give a complete foundational and mid-level knowledge of the core concepts of Networking. It is an Associate-level course to teach and validate competencies in 6 core areas or sections.
These are;
- Basic Routing and Switching – You can configure routers and switches.
- Networking Fundamentals – To help you troubleshoot a network
- Network Access – Allow or deny certain communication
- Wireless Access Point – Wi-Fi, radios, etc
- Internet Protocol (IP) Services – Understand various IP Services and protocols such NAT, DNS, DHCP, etc
- Automation and Programmability – Know the basics of Cisco DNA Center, Automation, Configuration management, etc.
Can you learn CCNA by yourself?
Most people are used to the idea of being taught a concept or technology, which explains the need for many boot camps for certification courses. These are sometimes good learning and networking opportunities, albeit, prohibitively expensive in some cases. So can you self-study for the CCNA certification? Can I learn the technology and pass the exam through self-study or with free Online courses? The answer is a resounding yes.
The fact is a large chunk of people who become IT professionals achieve it through self-study. All it takes is access to good study resources, and the discipline to commit to a study routine. It also matters little if you are a beginner, or lack a college or university degree. You can learn the CCNA course materials all by yourself, excel at it, and pass the exam. It takes your commitment and discipline.
How long does IT take to self-study for CCNA?
It took me about 6 months to complete the entire CCNA curriculum and pass the exam. I believe you can reasonably complete it in 3-5 months if you put in 1-2 hours daily for studies.
I wouldn’t suggest the 1-month marathon suggested by some course promoters. The CCNA is a broad certification and you will need some reasonable time to grasp the concepts; especially if you are an absolute beginner.
Overall, the amount of time you spend will depend on several factors including your prior experience and individual learning pace.
Conclusions
The CCNA 200-301 exam is a Networking Certification exam that is widely accepted by many Hiring Managers, With a disciplined study routine, a beginner can hope to gain valuable Networking skill sets and pass the exams in about 3-5 months. Some of the best free Courses to help you achieve this include the Free CCNA Course by Jeremy IT Labs, David Bombal, and Neil Anderson. They come with lab practicals, quizzes, and practice questions. Other materials include a downloadable complete lab guide, Cisco official documentation, Quiz practice, etc.
