CCNA Syllabus 2026: the 200-301 Exam, Domain by Domain
The short answer
The CCNA 200-301 exam tests six domains: Network Fundamentals (20%), Network Access (20%), IP Connectivity (25%), IP Services (10%), Security Fundamentals (15%) and Automation & Programmability (10%). One exam, roughly 120 minutes, around 100 questions, no prerequisites. The syllabus below follows Cisco's official exam topics — always confirm the current blueprint on Cisco's site before booking, as Cisco revises it periodically.
1. Network Fundamentals — 20%
The foundation everything else stands on: the role of routers, L2/L3 switches and access points; network topologies; interface and cabling issues; IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and subnetting (the single most practised skill in the exam — our subnet calculator and /1–/32 reference exist for exactly this); TCP vs UDP; wireless principles; virtualization fundamentals; and switching concepts.
2. Network Access — 20%
VLANs across multiple switches, access vs trunk ports, EtherChannel, and Rapid PVST+ spanning tree. Also the Cisco wireless architecture: AP modes, WLC connections, and configuring a WLAN for client connectivity.
3. IP Connectivity — 25% (the biggest domain)
Reading the routing table; how a router decides a forwarding path; static routing for IPv4 and IPv6; and single-area OSPFv2 — neighbour adjacencies, point-to-point vs broadcast, router ID. First-hop redundancy (HSRP) rounds it out. If you can only over-prepare one domain, make it this one.
4. IP Services — 10%
NAT (static and PAT), NTP, DHCP and DNS in the network, SNMP, syslog, per-hop QoS behaviour, SSH access, and the function of TFTP/FTP.
5. Security Fundamentals — 15%
Threats vs vulnerabilities vs exploits, security program elements, device access control, password policy, remote access and site-to-site VPNs, ACLs, Layer-2 security (port security, DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection), and WPA2/WPA3 wireless security.
6. Automation & Programmability — 10%
How automation changes network management: controller-based vs traditional networking, REST APIs, JSON, and configuration tools like Ansible and Terraform at recognition level. Our Ansible for networking guide covers more than the exam needs.
How we teach it
Every domain above is practised on real Cisco routers and switches, not just simulators — the lab is open 24/7 and repeating the batch costs nothing. The full course is 2–3 months at ₹21,000 flat; the Cisco exam itself is a separate USD 300 paid to Pearson VUE — see the full cost breakdown.
FAQ
How many domains does the CCNA 200-301 syllabus have?
Six: Network Fundamentals (20%), Network Access (20%), IP Connectivity (25%), IP Services (10%), Security Fundamentals (15%), and Automation & Programmability (10%). IP Connectivity is the largest single domain.
Is there any prerequisite for the CCNA exam?
No formal prerequisite. Cisco recommends one or more years of experience with networks, but students routinely pass 200-301 after a structured 2-3 month course with real lab practice.
Did the CCNA syllabus change in 2026?
Cisco revises exam blueprints periodically. The domain structure above is the current 200-301 framework; always download the official exam topics from Cisco's certification page before you book, and check the date on any syllabus a website shows you — including this one (last checked 13 July 2026).
Which part of the CCNA syllabus is hardest?
For most students: subnetting under time pressure (Network Fundamentals) and OSPF behaviour (IP Connectivity). Both are practice problems, not talent problems — they yield to lab repetition.