How I Passed the CCNA and Landed a Job 8 Weeks Later — My Full Journey (2025)

I studied for about a year with no real prior networking experience. I was working full-time, clocking over 50 hours per week, married with three toddlers, and caring for a pregnant wife who was severely ill and hospitalized for a period. Balancing it all was a challenge, but it made success even more meaningful.

On weekdays, I studied for about 3+ hours: 30 minutes during lunch breaks at work and 2+ hours in the evenings after dinner and family time. On Saturdays, I studied for 6+ hours, and on Sundays for around 2 hours.

While I studied casually for a year, I committed to two months of intense preparation — practicing, doing labs, and taking mock exams.

I felt ready after I passed two Boson ExSim practice exams. That’s when I knew I had filled most of my knowledge gaps.

• Jeremy’s IT Lab (videos and flashcards)

• Boson ExSim

• Cisco Packet Tracer

Yes, I used Packet Tracer and GNS3. I also had the opportunity to manage a small network at work, which let me get hands-on with a basic hardware setup. However, Packet Tracer was my main tool throughout.

No. I relied entirely on virtual labs and simulators.

I used Boson ExSim, purchasing the one-year plan about three-quarters into my study process. It helped me identify and revisit weak areas.

Not really. I had one semester in college that introduced me to networking, which piqued my interest and led me to pursue the CCNA on my own.

I kept work and study completely separate. I used my one-hour lunch breaks to study for 30 minutes and talk to my wife and kids for the other half. After work, I prioritized family time, then studied late into the night. I had a strict study schedule and blocked out time for labs.

I studied alone. However, my wife supported me by occasionally quizzing me with flashcards, which helped tremendously.

The Network Access section was tricky — identifying the path a packet would take in a limited time was difficult. I also found Security Fundamentals challenging.

Yes, I passed on my first attempt! I didn’t receive an overall numeric score but did get breakdowns per section. I scored 80% in both Network Access and Security Fundamentals.

There were 85 questions. The passing score was 825 out of 1000 (82.5%).

Yes. The simulations weren’t overly difficult but required time and focus. You needed to analyze and troubleshoot ACLs, routing protocols, and topology maps under time pressure.

I used the full 120 minutes. I went back to review the tougher questions I had skipped.

It was about what I expected, thanks to Boson ExSim. Some questions were time-consuming, which added to the challenge.

No, I passed on my first attempt. However, I failed Boson ExSim several times — around five — before reaching the 825 mark consistently. That gave me the confidence to sit for the real exam.

It was nerve-wracking! I used a few personal techniques to calm myself down, which I share in detail in my Prep Schedule PDF.

Practice, practice, practice. I completed all of Jeremy’s IT Labs, including the 2+ hour Mega Lab — which I did at least six times.

Subnetting became second nature because I practiced extensively. I memorized key binary-to-decimal conversions and CIDR notations. I used the notepad in the exam tool to jot down quick reference notes before starting.

I focused heavily on hands-on labs, watching Jeremy’s IT Lab videos alongside his flashcards. My workflow looked like this:
Video → Lab → Simulation → Flashcards → Repeat

Absolutely. I’d say 97% of the content was covered, and Boson ExSim filled in the remaining 3%.

I followed a highly structured plan. You can download it from the Study Guide section.

Yes! Anki was a game-changer. I even used it during bathroom breaks — no shame in that!

I printed Cisco docs, highlighted areas I felt confident in, and studied the rest intensively. I also visited Reddit and YouTube comment sections, but many of my questions went unanswered — which inspired me to create this resource.

Not officially. I learned a lot from reading YouTube comments (especially on Jeremy’s IT Lab) and Reddit threads, but I studied independently.

I kept a journal. Rewriting key concepts helped with retention. I wrote things over and over — like the 7-layer severity levels — until they became automatic.

I waited until I felt about 80% ready, then scheduled it. Setting a date created urgency and pushed me to accelerate my momentum.

Boson ExSim was 95% close to the real CCNA questions. Jeremy’s end-of-lesson quizzes were also excellent for reinforcement.

Just 8 weeks! I had interviews within a week and received two offers, one in the $90K–$95K range. I chose the other for personal reasons.

Network Engineer.

Yes — 100%. It opened the door to interviews. From there, my personality, soft skills, and work ethic helped seal the deal.

I transitioned from a Media Director/Network Technician to a full-time Network Engineer. It was a major leap forward.

Yes, without question. It made a huge financial difference for my family and gave us a more comfortable lifestyle.

CCNA was more than enough. I am now studying for my CCNP out of passion and a desire to keep learning.

I was a Media Director with 6 years of experience. I hold an Associate’s in General Studies and am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Information Systems Technology (with a focus on Cybersecurity).

Yes — I created personal lab projects to strengthen my resume and showcase my skills.

CCNA opened the door, but I knew I had to apply anyway, even if I wasn’t 100% confident. Companies can train you on technical gaps, but they can’t fix poor character or work ethic.