Resources for Cisco CCNA Exam

My Go-To Subnetting & CCNA Study Resources (Simple Guide)

When I first started studying subnetting and CCNA, I felt overwhelmed by the amount of information out there. After trying a lot of different resources, these are the ones that actually helped me understand the concepts and feel more confident for the exam.

1. Subnetting Made Simple – Practical Networking

If subnetting feels confusing, start here:

Resource: Practical Networking – Subnetting Mastery Video Series

This is an 8-video course focused only on subnetting. Out of all the subnetting videos I’ve watched, this series is:

Clear and easy to follow
Very efficient and exam-focused
Great for practicing under time pressure You can also use the same website to practice subnetting questions and access the videos directly from there.

2. Hands-On Practice – Boson Network Simulator

Understanding theory is good, but you really learn networking by doing.

Resource: Boson Network Simulator

Why I recommend it:

Simulates real networking devices and scenarios
Great for CCNA exam practice and real-world skills
Covers many different configuration tasks you’re likely to see If you want to move beyond just reading and really do networking, this tool helps a lot.

3. Beginner-Friendly CCNA Course – Jeremy’s IT Lab

If you’re new to networking (like I was), this free course is an excellent starting point.

Resource: Cisco CCNA Free Full Course by Jeremy’s IT Lab

What I like about it:

Completely free and available on YouTube
Very clear explanations of core concepts
Jeremy takes time to really teach, not just rush through topics If you watch this series from start to finish, you’ll build a strong foundation for the CCNA.

4. Packet Tracer Labs – Practice What You Learn

Watching videos is helpful, but you’ll remember more if you follow along and do the labs.

Resource: Labs for Jeremy’s IT Lab Course (Packet Tracer)

How to use this:

Watch a lesson from Jeremy’s IT Lab
Open Packet Tracer
Do the matching lab from this folder This “watch + practice” approach helps lock in what you’ve learned.

5. CCNA Cheat Sheets – Quick Daily Review

Sometimes you just need a quick way to review key topics.

Resource: CCNA Exam Cheatsheets by Network Walks

Why they’re useful:

Short, simple explanations of CCNA domains
Easy to scan and review
Great for last-minute or daily revision Tip: Print the cheat sheets and keep them somewhere you can see every day—like near your desk or on a wall. A quick glance each day really helps concepts stick.

6. Extra Practice Questions & Advanced Labs – How to Network

Once you understand the basics, it’s important to test yourself.

Resource: How to Network – Free CCNA Exam Questions and Labs

What you’ll find there:

Free CCNA exam-style questions
Modules that guide your learning
More advanced labs to challenge yourself This is great for checking if you’re really ready for the exam.

How I’d Use These Resources Together

If I were starting again, I’d follow this simple plan:

Learn the basics with Jeremy’s IT Lab course.
Practice subnetting using the Practical Networking Subnetting Mastery series and website.
Do labs in Packet Tracer using Jeremy’s lab files.
Use Boson Network Simulator for more realistic, hands-on scenarios.
Review daily with the Network Walks cheat sheets.
Test yourself with questions and labs from How to Network. You don’t have to use everything at once. Start with one or two resources, build momentum, and add more as you go. The key is consistency—study a little bit every day, and you’ll see real progress toward passing your CCNA exam.