CCNA 200-301 exam format: score and cost
The CCNA 200-301 exam lasts 120 minutes and costs 300 USD at the time of writing, according to Cisco’s exam page. Cisco does not publish the number of questions or the passing score for this exam; it is graded pass or fail. The exam is offered in English and Japanese, and a passed CCNA is valid for three years.
| Exam title | Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (200-301 CCNA) |
| Certification | Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) |
| Level | Associate |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Number of questions | Not published |
| Passing score | Not published (pass/fail) |
| Languages | English, Japanese on Cisco’s page for v1.1; Cisco has not published the v2.0 language list |
| Price | 300 USD at time of writing; Cisco Learning Credits accepted. Local taxes and currency may differ at booking |
| Prerequisites | None required |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Recertification | Pass the current CCNA exam or a higher-level Cisco exam, or earn 30 continuing education credits |
Two versions, one exam code
The code 200-301 has covered several blueprint revisions. Two matter right now:
- v1.1, with six domains (Network Fundamentals 20%, Network Access 20%, IP Connectivity 25%, IP Services 10%, Security Fundamentals 15%, Automation and Programmability 10%).
- v2.0, with five domains and a new AI section. Cisco’s v2.0 exam topics document carries an effective date of May 14, 2026. Cisco’s announcement on its learning blog states that the last day of testing for v1.1 is February 2, 2027 and that v2.0 goes live for testing on February 3, 2027. Until then v1.1 is the exam you can book.
Because Cisco’s own exam page still names v1.1 while the v2.0 document is already published, check which version your booking confirmation shows before you pick study material. Both award the same CCNA, and a CCNA earned on v1.1 stays valid for its full three years. This site is written against the v2.0 outline.
The five v2.0 domains
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1.0 Network Infrastructure and Connectivity | 25% |
| 2.0 Switching and Network Access | 25% |
| 3.0 IP Routing | 20% |
| 4.0 Network Services and Security | 20% |
| 5.0 AI, and Network Operations and Management | 10% |
Cisco’s description of v2.0 says the exam validates expertise in IP routing, switching and network access, network services and security, network infrastructure and connectivity, AI, and network operations and management. It adds that you may need to evaluate output and recommendations from agentic AI and digital network assistants during troubleshooting.
What the weights mean for revision
Domains 1 and 2 are half the exam. Between them they contain subnetting, IPv4 and IPv6 troubleshooting, wireless principles, DHCP, trunks, EtherChannel and Rapid PVST+. Spend your first two study weeks there, because later topics (OSPF, ACLs, NAT) all assume you can subnet quickly and read a switch configuration.
IP routing and services/security are 20% each. They are narrower but more configuration-heavy: you need to read OSPF output, write wildcard masks and know what NAT translates.
The AI and operations domain is the smallest at 10%, and its objectives are mostly descriptive: SNMP, syslog severity levels, Ansible, management approaches and prompt design. It is the cheapest domain to pick up marks in.
Troubleshooting is a theme
The v2.0 objectives lean on verbs such as diagnose, troubleshoot, interpret and validate. Expect to be shown command output and asked what is wrong, not just which command configures a feature. Cisco does not itemise the question types on the pages used for this guide, so practise reading show output rather than memorising syntax.
Time and cost planning
120 minutes is generous only if you can subnet without stopping. Practise until a /19 or a /27 takes seconds. Because the question count is unpublished, do not assume a per-question budget; keep a steady pace and flag items you cannot resolve in a minute or two.
At 300 USD, a failed attempt is an expensive way to find a weak domain. See the certification costs overview for how exam fees compare, and the exam day guide for what to do on the day. Cisco’s recertification policy sets a wait of 5 calendar days after a failed attempt and 180 days after a pass, and each retake costs the same as the first attempt unless you bought an Exam Safeguard; the renewal and retake rules page has the details and the sources.
For tracking outline changes, use the exam changes page.