Cisco certifications are, without a doubt, the standard for networking-related job hires. Employers use CCNA and CCNP certification to prove someone’s abilities, as the score on a degree doesn’t translate directly to the real world. Also, the company isn’t going to let each candidate handle their network infrastructure for one day to see how each one of them performs. That would be like giving a medical candidate without any proof of experience surgery to perform.

But as you might know, there are two different exams in this field for achieving the CCNA and CCNP certification (Click for more information). Are these two tests the same thing, or are they completely different? Which one is better? Let’s find out:

What Are Differences Between CCNA And CCNP Certification?

On a wider scale, both CCNA and CCNP certification exams represent the same industry. But at a closer level, both of these exams pertain to a different part of the industry. CCNA is an associate exam with career paths that lead towards network technicians and support engineers. 

These jobs pay decently but fall short when compared to CCNP. The CCNP certification is a professional exam with career options ranging from an IT team leader to a network specialist. The salaries of these jobs are more often than not in six figures with plenty of other benefits.

Which One Is More Difficult To Achieve?

The difficulty of any exam depends heavily on the preparations of the person taking the exam. A first-grade exam might appear to be difficult for someone completely illiterate. So, saying that one is more difficult will be wrong. Good preparation from Spoto will make both CCNA and CCNP certification easy to get. 

We can, however, look at it objectively. From this point of view, the CCNP certification is more difficult as it is for a higher level of work and requires you to pass not one but two exams. When you are going to compare both the syllabus and the examination pattern, you will understand the CCNA and CCNP certification.CCNP certifications are much tougher as the syllabus is descriptive, and the examination is also hard to score.

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Do You Need CCNA For CCNP?

No, a CCNA certification is not required in order to attempt the CCNP exam. Although, going through CCNA and preparing for it will definitely give you a leg up when studying for CCNP.

Both the CCNA and CCNP certification is adding great value to your CV. But the CCNP certifications examinations are more challenging and tougher. For the freshers and when you can enter the entry-level networking-related jobs, the CCNA certifications are enough. But for the experienced ones, the CCNP certifications are working better. Many network employees want to dive for the next job with higher salaries. For that type of jump, the CCNP certifications are pretty effective.

So, when you want to start your career in the networking field first, you have to know from which level you want to start. For the freshers, the CCNA certifications are suitable. But for the experienced ones, and when you want to go to the next level after your CCNA course, CCNP is your ultimate choice.

Which One Is Better For You?

Both CCNA and CCNP certifications, although part of the same industry, lead to different career paths. There is also a clear difference in the level of expertise required. But, one of them is not better than the other. It all depends on what you are good at and want to do in your life.

For the expertise cv and showing your advanced knowledge, CCNP certifications are suitable. For starting from the entry-level start with the CCNA.As for the starters, this is the best networking course that lets you start your job in the networking domain.

Conclusion:

Hence CCNA and CCNP certification both are part of the same industry, but the value is not the same. Two certifications are clearly showing the different expertise levels of the candidate. So when you are planning to go for the certifications, always first understand which level you want to reach and from where you want to start. After you know the differences, your choice is turning to be more simple.

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