In short: 12 weeks of 8 to 10 hours a week is enough for most people to pass CCNA, if at least half of that time is spent configuring devices in labs. Subnetting must become automatic.
Read Is CCNA still worth it in 2026? if you are still deciding. This guide is for people who have decided.
The 12-week plan
| Week | Topics | Labs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OSI and TCP/IP models, cabling, Cisco IOS basics | Console in, basic device setup, save configs |
| 2 | IPv4 addressing and subnetting | 20 subnetting questions a day (keep this up all course) |
| 3 | Switching, MAC tables, VLANs, trunks | Build VLANs and trunks between two switches |
| 4 | STP and EtherChannel | Find the root bridge, configure EtherChannel |
| 5 | Routing basics, static routes | Route between three routers |
| 6 | OSPF single area | Configure OSPF, read the neighbor and route tables |
| 7 | IPv6 | Addressing, static routes, OSPFv3 basics |
| 8 | DHCP, DNS, NAT, NTP | Configure DHCP and NAT on a router |
| 9 | Wireless and WLC concepts | Review controller-based wireless |
| 10 | Security: ACLs, port security, device hardening | Standard and extended ACLs |
| 11 | Automation: controllers, REST APIs, JSON | Read and edit JSON, understand Ansible basics |
| 12 | Revision and mock exams | Re-do the labs you found hardest |
Cisco updates the exam blueprint from time to time; compare this plan with the current CCNA exam topics on Cisco's site.
Master subnetting early
Subnetting appears everywhere: in addressing questions, in ACLs, in routing. Practice until you can answer "How many hosts in a /27? What is the broadcast address of 192.168.10.70/26?" in under 30 seconds.
Use a simulator every week
Packet Tracer (free from Cisco Networking Academy) covers most CCNA labs. The goal is not to copy commands, but to predict what will happen before you press Enter.
Know when you are ready
You are ready to book when:
- you score 80% or more on several different mock exams
- you can configure VLANs, trunks, OSPF, NAT and ACLs without notes
- subnetting no longer slows you down
Check yourself with the free CCNA practice test, which shows your score for each topic.
Study with a trainer
The CCNA course at INFOTICS follows this structure with live classes and labs every week. Book a free demo class to see a session first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pass CCNA without real equipment?
Yes. A simulator is enough for the exam. Real devices are nice to have but not required.
How much time per day?
About 1 to 1.5 hours on weekdays plus a longer session at the weekend works well.
What should I learn after CCNA?
CCNP Enterprise for senior networking, or a cloud certification such as AZ-104 or AWS, where networking knowledge is a big advantage.