Q. What is the CCNA
qualification?
A. CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. You may
already be aware of the fact that it is the hottest certification in
the IT industry. The CCNA qualification is Cisco's entry level
qualification for any person who wishes to show they have the
necessary skills to install and troubleshoot Cisco networking
equipment. For more info go to:
www.cisco.com/go/ccna
Q. What is your
pass rate? A. Passing the CCNA comes down to hard work and
dedication. It has nothing to do with how clever you are or
using 'secret tricks' to pass the exam. On the course, we give
you a blueprint to CCNA
exam success, and if you use it you will pass first time.
It worked for these students
and it will work for you.
Q. How much do I
need to know about IT to do the course?
A. We presume some basic knowledge about IT such as how to work
a PC and the difference between a LAN and a WAN. The course notes do
start from the very beginning which means a complete novice can read
them. For the weekend training, all of the hands-on labs are written
out for you to follow. As you gain more confidence, you will be able
to configure the routers and switches without even looking at the
book.
Q. Are the trainers
any good?
A. You know you are in good hands when you understand that our
trainers are all Cisco consultants working for big clients during
the week. They can show you how to apply your skills to the real
world of IT rather than just talk about theoretical principles.
Q. Can I really
pass the CCNA after one weekend?
A. If you follow our plan to the letter then you will pass first
time as these students did. You need
to thoroughly read through all of the course materials before coming
on the CCNA boot camp. We recommend
reading our course manual for about an hour a day for two weeks
before you attend. The CCNA boot camp is there to cover any areas
you are uncertain of, but mainly to give you as much hands on
practise as possible. About two weeks after the boot camp you should
feel ready to sit the exam. Any problems or questions after
the course can be discussed with your
CCNA mentors.
Q. Why are other companies teaching the CCNA over a week? A. They spend three and a half days giving you all of the
theory, most of this time you will spend day dreaming and doodling
on the page. We suggest that you learn most of the theory in the
comfort of your own home or during lunch breaks and come ready to do
the hands on part.
Q. Can I get a job
after I pass the CCNA? A. Yes. There is currently an upturn in the IT industry and a
need for skilled and qualified engineers all over the UK. If you are
already have IT experience, the CCNA will enable you to freelance if
you wish.
Q. How does the
CCNA Compare to the MCSE. A. Our CCNA boot camp trainers hold both the MCSE and CCNP
qualifications. The CCNA is far harder to pass than any of the MCSE
exams - fact. In the CCNA exam you will be tested thoroughly on your
knowledge of networking theory but also your hands-on ability to
configure and troubleshoot a network. This is why Cisco qualified
engineers command more money in the market than Microsoft qualified
engineers.
Q. I am studying
for my MCSE/MCSA at the moment. Should I finish that first? A. That all depends upon what it is you want to achieve after
all that studying. If you want to get into IT or get a pay rise then
you could easily take a few weeks out and take the CCNA and then
complete the MCSE/MCSA. Give us a call on 01908 263335 to talk over
the best way forward for you.
Q. What if I want
to be a security expert or go into another IT field. A. You must build your IT career on a strong foundation. You
have to learn the fundamentals before choosing a specialist route.
The CCNA will give you the necessary skills to develop as an IT
consultant.
Q. What support do
I get after the course. A. You get e-mail support from your
CCNA mentors up to the time that you
pass the exam. If you use the
CCNA blueprint
given to you, you should be a CCNA within around two weeks of coming
on the boot camp.
Q. What about
training companies who offer a guaranteed pass? A. Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is. In
order to give this guarantee, you will be forced to take many mock
exams until you are ready to take the real one. These companies
sacrifice hands-on training tailored to real life for cramming your
head full of questions that are likely to come up in the exam. The
choice though, is entirely yours.
Q. Where can I stay
when I come on the CCNA course? A. The course is held at the Holiday Inn Express in Milton
Keynes. It is just off junction 14 of the M1, is close the Luton
airport and Milton Keynes bus and train stations. You can book a
room by calling 01908 681000 or via
www.hiexpressmiltonkeynes.co.uk. The cost of the room is around
£44.95 for Friday or Saturday nights including breakfast (but may be
more if there is an event on). Please quote the CCNA course for the
best rate. There is ample free parking.
Q. Can’t I just do
the Cisco academy instead? A. The Cisco academy course takes two years to complete,
costs around £2000 and is taught by lecturers most of whom have
passed their CCNA in order to teach the course. Most have never
consulted or applied their skills in the real world of IT. Please do
shop around, but make sure your course trainer is at least a CCNP
(Cisco Certified Network Professional) and has consulted recently. A
live network is very different to a classroom network.
Q. What do I get
for my money? A. Our famous CCNA study guide 'Cisco
CCNA Simplified' value (£97), the 'Easy
Way to Subnet Guide' (value £27), a
free CCNA cram guide
(value £17) and a comprehensive
CCNA lab guide (value £67) plus other goodies (over £225 in
total). You get to spend a weekend doing lab after lab. You get 20
hours with a highly experienced Cisco consultant who is applying his
skills for blue chip clients all over the UK. You will learn how to
pass the exam first time and by knowing your stuff so you can
translate what you have learned into MONEY.
Q. How much can I
earn as a CCNA? A. As an employee you should command around £25000 (more in
London). Working as a contractor you should aim for at least £25 an
hour or around £48000 a year allowing yourself four weeks off for
holidays.
Q. You're joking
aren't you? A. No, we're serious. There is no reason why, if you work
hard and apply yourself, you can earn that much money and a lot
more. You will be told exactly what to do to pass the exam and how
to do it. We can’t do the studying, that bit for you but we
are always here to help, even after the course. For the latest Cisco
salary survey
CLICK HERE.
Q. Is it better to
take the two exam route for the CCNA qualification or the one exam?
What about the CCNA Logo? A. We strongly recommend just doing the one exam (640 801 is
the latest version). You can get the whole thing over in one go and
start to use the prestigious CCNA logo right away. Remember
that the CCNA logo is highly respected the world over.
Q. What if I don’t
have any IT experience? A. We could tell you that due to recent changes in the IT
industry there is an increased demand for certified staff, but you
probably already know that. We can help with this by recommending
the next step to give you the best chances of success in the IT
industry. We have helped several past students with CV, references
and interview preparation.
Q. Your CCNA
course is really cheap. Why is that and is your company for
real? A. We keep our prices rock bottom by hiring the training
venue only when we need it. We put the money we save into
giving you more equipment and extras to make the course a fantastic
experience for you. If you ever want to come along and sit in
on a course you
are more than welcome to try before you buy.
Contact Us now for a chat.
