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Cisco Networking Academy
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| Jax_Jaguars 2002-09-25, 12:05 am |
| Which one do you recommend
1. Self study
2. Cisco Networking Academy
Do you get certified by only passing the assessment after each semesters or do u need to take the ccna exams after completion of all 4 semesters? Do u need to pass 1 semester before moving to another one. Wat r the benefits of Cisco Networking Academy. Please advice. | |
| chodan 2002-09-25, 6:15 am |
| The Cisco Academy has nothing to do with getting the certification other than providing you with training.
If you have much expierience at all I'd say go with self study. 4 semesters is far to long a time to spend on a CCNA.
But if you require someone prodding you along then by all means go for the academy.
Just check out the instructor and ask some students what they think. | |
| CoffeeFreak 2002-09-25, 5:16 pm |
| The only reason i took the Cisco academy was for hands on with REAL router's and someone over my shoulder to help me when i couldn't figure something out,,,
the CCNA doesn't really require you sitting infront of a real router, just use a simulator and read the ciscopress books..
ANd,, maybe it will make you look better on your resume, that you actually took time in a classroom. Learning hands-on..
but if you just want the cert, you would be better of on your own. | |
| sukuvi 2002-09-25, 6:11 pm |
| Jax,
I definitely recommend the Cisco Academy. Even though it is long, it is worth it because of the foundation that you need in order to continue with the other certifications. Actually there are even some schools that are have reduced the length to 8 weeks. If you finish the 4 courses then you will have all the basics to fly on your own for anything about Networking certifications. If you instead go Self Study you will lose the basics on which to stand and build on.
The curruculum is structured in such a way that the courses will give you all the Computer Networking basics such as Network Devices, Cables and their connectors, TCP/IP protocol suite, OSI Reference Model, LANs and and different topologies, Subnetting and Supernetting... There is also a lab book where there is an assignment for every chapter in the course book.
To answer your questions:
Like Chodan said Cisco Academy is just a training process so after you are done you'll have to take the real CCNA test. Each semester ends with a final test and the passing score is 70%. Actually after each chapter you have to take a test online too.
I think it's worth it especially if you are heading into Networking.
Just my opinion. | |
| thecomeons 2002-09-26, 3:14 am |
| i have heard some say that another way is to spend the money you set aside for the academy and invest it instead in 2nd user routers via ebay, that can be sold on when you pass your exam. | |
| vschristopher 2002-09-26, 6:02 am |
| CCNA isnot so diffculy that u need 2 months in a router lab, its more about learning the basics of router config that u can do in a week , so dont waste ur time fella, do it with a private institute in 7 days and then prepare for ur exam for 2 weeks thats all, dont put soo much money going to the academy.
im giving my exam tomm and im ready for it, i only spent 7 days on a router that too in a class.
use Ciscopress books and take some practise questions.
thats is all u need.
and plz plz plz take ur subnetting basics seriously, all Cisco certs are based on that.
faith
chris | |
| Spides 2002-09-27, 1:03 am |
| I have completed the Cisco Networking Academy about 18 months ago and I don't think it's worth the money. Get the latest RouterSim that allows V-Lan configuration etc and work on that. You don't that much REAL experience in the Academy, it is way too much theory. I felt I was going backwards because I had to trudge through so much b**lsh*t theory. I just passed my CCNA and you wouldn't need to do the Academy to get your CCNA...I've worked in the real world with Routers and Switches and you won't use half of what you learn. In fact a half is being generous!! | |
| RayGavel 2002-10-02, 11:04 am |
| As a mature student with a background in computers I decided the Network Academy was the best way to go, especially when I compared prices with some of the private schools. I've literally saved thousands of dollars by choosing the Network Academy route, I'm learning at ~MY~ pace, and I'm actually ~learning~ about the details involved in networking. I've only been at this a very short time, but so far I'm enjoying it.
RG | |
| bassackwards 2002-10-02, 2:10 pm |
| I picked the academy for the hands on exp. Where else would you be able to work with 5 routers and 2 switches? Our instructor is a systems administrator by day, so you also get professional help when you need it. | |
| bassackwards 2002-10-02, 2:17 pm |
| I picked the academy for the hands on exp. Where else would you be able to work with 5 routers and 2 switches? Our instructor is a systems administrator by day, so you also get professional help when you need it. | |
| Spides 2002-10-02, 7:47 pm |
| Where else would you be able to work with Five Routers and two switches!!!! How about a Router Sim from Sybex!! The difference is that you don't plug the serial cables in, well sorry, but big deal!!!
I did the Academy and we didn't even get certificates at the end of it! Waste of money, get a good router sim and your set!! | |
| Jax_Jaguars 2002-10-02, 9:05 pm |
| How much does the Cisco Network Academy normally costs in the US? I applied for it, it is partially sponsored by the state & 1 semester cost approx USD150. Do u think it's any good? | |
| Spides 2002-10-02, 11:48 pm |
| Well I did mine 18 months back and I did that in the UK. It was cheaper at the time because it was a new Academy and they were trying to get interest started in the academy, it cost me £1400 (roughly $2200) it was run badly and there was three lecturers and there only qualification to teach at the Academy was to be a CCNA.
With the Academy there was just way too much theory involved, if you could skip the first two semesters it would be good! | |
| bassackwards 2002-10-03, 8:23 am |
| If you get a good instructor it's well worth the money. We've been learning things that's not in the curriculum that you would face in a real life networking environment. And by the way, router sims are no where near as good as working on the real thing!! | |
| thecomeons 2002-10-03, 9:48 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by Spides
Well I did mine 18 months back and I did that in the UK. It was cheaper at the time because it was a new Academy and they were trying to get interest started in the academy, it cost me £1400 (roughly $2200) it was run badly and there was three lecturers and there only qualification to teach at the Academy was to be a CCNA.
With the Academy there was just way too much theory involved, if you could skip the first two semesters it would be good!
four semesters at a local college here costs £500. | |
| duanesnyder 2002-10-03, 7:11 pm |
| Same here, 4 semesters in Miami cost $ 588.00 | |
| Spides 2002-10-03, 10:02 pm |
| Well if it costs £500 then it's worth doing! Does anything compare as good as to the real thing!!!!!!!!!!
At the end of the day if you want to configure Routers etc then a Sim is a bloody good start. And as for the price drop well there you go, how good are the Academies now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
If you really want to do the Academy then check out your Instructor first, the Co I was working for at the time paid for mine, if I paid myself i would of been seriously pissed off. The class as a collectiver wrote to Cisco and complained and we were ignored......... | |
| shagtiger 2002-10-04, 2:21 am |
| I'm having a tough time in my Academy....
approaching my sem 4/final exam with very little practical experience at all.Until yesterday,I thought a Lab was a golden retreiver!!!
It's a strain on my self confidence.
The tutors tend to help larger classes,to the detriment of mine,which has a population of 2! We were just ignored,and told it wasn't important.Shocking behaviour.
Added to that,my threaded case study must be done sometime in the next 8 weeks,as nobody has bothered to go through it with me.(It should be started when you enter sem 3)
So I'm a nervous wreck,because I'm in a bad academy.
Anyone have any words of encouragement for me? | |
| bassackwards 2002-10-04, 5:56 am |
| If all you want is to have the CCNA letters tacked onto the end of your name then READ A BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!! | |
| shagtiger 2002-10-04, 10:33 am |
| To a certain extent,that's all I want,as I plan to expand my IT knowledge much more before looking for a job in the industry.
If I can pass the exam purely from reading the books,COOL!
But there ARE bad academies out there,and I am in one.I paid £1200 for academy tuition,when two £25 books would have got the same result.Anyone seeking employment on the back of my experience,would be in big trouble,and would require thick skin and a load of fast excuses!! | |
| bassackwards 2002-10-04, 11:00 am |
| My apologies Shagtiger. That previous post wasn't directed to you. People saying the academy is bad because they attended a bad one is just as misleading as saying it is good. For those people considering attending the academy, check it out first. | |
| Spides 2002-10-04, 6:22 pm |
| Well I guess that is aimed at me Bassackwards, but I don't care if it is. If you see my last posts I do say to check out the Instructor first, Shagtiger sounds like you had a similar Academy to me. Bassackwards you have said some good points but if you ask an opinion on an Academy wouldn't you want to hear the opinion of a CCNA, which I am...... Peace.... |
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