Where Can I Take the CCNA Exam?
Having a CCNA can be great for those who want a career path in life without going to college to earn a degree. Of course, for you to get your CCNA certification from Cisco, you have to actually pass the exam.
So now, where can you take the CCNA exam especially during the times that it is best for us to just stay home?
You can take the CCNA exam only in testing centers authorized by Cisco’s testing partner Pearson Vue. However, just recently during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cisco and Pearson Vue now offer you a chance to take the CCNA exam online either at home or at work to ensure your safety.
Regardless of which between a face to face physical exam or an online exam you prefer, Cisco has got your back and makes sure that there are no more delays in your career advancement as you can now take the CCNA exam in more ways than one and in many other places close to you.
Pearson Vue hosts the CCNA exam
In case you didn’t know, the CCNA is a certification exam that is primarily made by Cisco, the world’s leading company when it comes to network solutions and other IT-related services.
However, even though the CCNA exam is made by CISCO, their official host for the exam is Pearson Vue, which is the only company accredited to administer the CCNA exam.
As such, if you want to take the CCNA exam, you would need to go to Pearson Vue as Cisco has diverted all of the CCNA exam-related concerns over to their official hosts and only authorized test delivery partner.
By vising Pearson Vue, you will be able to get to know more about the exam and about the different Cisco certifications available for you to take. Pearson Vue also allows you to schedule for your own CCNA exam by registering with their website.
There, you will be shown the different testing dates that you may want to choose.
Of course, the same Pearson Vue website also allows you to find testing centers near you so that you can take the exam wherever you may be. Just click on the “Find a test center” option on the right side of the page and you will be redirected to a search page where you can type in your location.
After that, the search page will show you the nearest CCNA testing centers you can choose from. It really is that easy as you will have a wide range of Pearson Vue-hosted testing centers that you can choose from depending on convenience and practicality.
Available internationally
The good thing about the CCNA exam is that it is not exclusive to those who are living in the United States or are from the United States.
That means that, if you are living outside the US regardless of your nationality, you can still take the CCNA depending on the availability of the Pearson Vue exam testing centers in your country.
Again, it is quite easy to search for testing centers that are near your location. Go back to the same “Find a test center” option and then type in your location in the search tab.
For example, if I am from a Southeast Asian country like the Philippines, I can type in Manila or any other city in the Philippines and the search results will show me the accredited testing sites that are near to my location.
Take note, however, that the CCNA exam may or may not be available in your country as it still depends on Pearson Vue and how it administers the exam in certain regions around the world.
However, even if the exam is not available in your country, the search results will still show you the testing sites in the country or city closest to your location.
If you are in the military and you are assigned to a military base in the US or in Australia, you can also take the test in a military base that is accredited by Pearson Vue. But you have to have access to that military base or else you won’t be able to take the exam.
Do’s and don’ts at the testing center
Do’s:
- Bring your government-issued ID for identity verification.
- Carry your Cisco test ID with you.
- Clear your mind and don’t let anything distract you while taking the exam.
- Pace yourself even though the CCNA is a relatively short exam.
- Take time to read each question properly so that you won’t end up confusing yourself. Pay attention to every word to get a good grasp of what the question is asking you.
- Be aware of the time you have remaining.
Don’ts:
- Don’t forget the necessary documents.
- Don’t panic while taking the exam and make sure that you stay as calm and as relaxed as possible while taking it.
- Don’t rush things because you will have enough time to finish the exam as long as you prepared well for it.
- Don’t mind the other people around you taking the exam and just think that you are the only person in the room so that you can stay focused on your own pacing and answers.
Can I take the CCNA exam online?
Because of the social distancing protocols during the pandemic, Cisco and Pearson Vue have now implemented an online CCNA exam that you can take in the comforts of your own home or in your office.
The exam is non-proctored but you have to make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements for you to take the exam. You can find out more about the CCNA online exam here.
