Entry — CCST
Foundational · no prereqsCisco Certified Support Technician — job-ready basics, no expiration.
Cisco Certification Practice Exams
Free practice questions for all 32 Cisco certifications — from entry-level CCST through CCNA, DevNet, CyberOps, and the full CCNP track (Enterprise, Security, Data Center, Service Provider, Collaboration, Wireless), plus Cisco Meraki and the new Cisco AI exam. 10 free questions and detailed explanations on every exam.
Associate
Level 2 · 1+ year exp.Broad, job-ready credentials across networking, security ops, and automation.
CCNP Enterprise
ProfessionalCore ENCOR plus one concentration — routing, SD-WAN, design, automation, cloud.
CCNP Security
ProfessionalCore SCOR plus a concentration in firewalls or identity services.
CCNP Cybersecurity
ProfessionalSOC-focused professional core (formerly CyberOps Professional).
CCNP Data Center
ProfessionalCore DCCOR plus a concentration — design, troubleshooting, ACI, automation, AI.
CCNP Collaboration
ProfessionalCore CLCOR plus a call-control, cloud, or contact-center concentration.
CCNP Wireless
ProfessionalCore WLCOR plus a wireless design or implementation concentration.
CCNP Service Provider
ProfessionalService-provider core technologies — MPLS, segment routing, automation.
Specialist
Focused expertiseCisco Meraki cloud networking and the new Cisco AI practitioner credential.
Brand new to IT
Start with a CCST exam — 100-140 IT Support, 100-150 Networking, or 100-160 Cybersecurity. No prerequisites, job-ready basics, and these credentials don't expire. They're the gentlest on-ramp before CCNA.
Going for your first networking job
Go straight to 200-301 CCNA. It's Cisco's flagship associate certification and the broadest base for any network-engineering, NOC, or infrastructure role. If your focus is security operations or software/automation, the sibling associates are 200-201 CCNA Cybersecurity and 200-901 CCNA Automation.
Specializing at the Professional tier (CCNP)
Each CCNP track is one Core exam plus one Concentration exam, earned within three years:
- Enterprise — 350-401 ENCOR + a concentration (ENARSI, ENSDWI, ENSLD, ENAUTO, or ENCC).
- Security — 350-701 SCOR + SNCF or SISE.
- Data Center — 350-601 DCCOR + DCID, DCIT, DCACI, DCNAUTO, or DCAI.
- Collaboration — 350-801 CLCOR + CLACC, CLHCT, or CLCCE.
- Wireless — 350-101 WLCOR + WLSD or WLSI.
- Service Provider — 350-501 SPCOR.
- Cybersecurity — 350-201 CBRCOR (the professional SOC core).
Each Core exam also doubles as the qualifying exam for the matching CCIE lab.
Focused specialist credentials
Outside the CCNP ladder, 500-220 Cisco Meraki Solutions (ECMS) validates cloud-managed Meraki networking, and 810-110 Cisco AI Technical Practitioner is Cisco's new standalone AI credential.
Why Cisco skills matter
Cisco runs the world's largest installed base of enterprise networking equipment, so Cisco certifications are recognized at virtually every enterprise IT shop. The fundamentals — routing, switching, security, and increasingly automation and AI — transfer directly across the industry, and the CCNP/CCIE tiers remain among the most respected credentials in networking.
Which Cisco certification should I start with?
For most candidates, start with CCNA (200-301) — broad foundational networking. With no IT background at all, the entry-level CCST exams (100-150 Networking, 100-160 Cybersecurity, 100-140 IT Support) are gentler starting points.
What is the difference between CCST, CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE?
CCST is the entry tier (job-ready basics). CCNA is the Associate tier (broad coverage of one track). CCNP is the Professional tier — one Core exam plus one Concentration exam. CCIE is the Expert tier — a qualifying exam plus an 8-hour hands-on lab.
How is CCNP structured (Core vs Concentration)?
Every CCNP track has one Core exam (350-xxx, e.g. 350-401 ENCOR) plus one Concentration exam (300-xxx, e.g. 300-410 ENARSI). Pass both within three years to earn the CCNP. The Core also qualifies you for the matching CCIE lab.
Are these practice exams really free?
Yes. Each exam page offers 10 free practice questions with detailed explanations — no credit card required. For multiple full-length practice exams per certification, consider our premium courses.
How long are Cisco certifications valid?
CCNA, CCNP, and Specialist certifications are valid for three years; you recertify by retaking an exam, passing a higher exam, or earning Continuing Education credits. CCST certifications do not expire.
What passing score do I need?
Cisco uses scaled scoring and does not publish a fixed passing score. Your report shows pass/fail with a scaled number; the cut score is set per exam form and isn't disclosed. Aim for consistent 85%+ on practice tests before booking.