Hey, this section is meant for sharing your CCNA experience. You may discuss the training you undertook, study method you adopted, & the materials you have used . I'll start with my own journey -I've been studying for my CCNA exam for a 6 months period.I'll give you a short description about everything I used during my studies:

- I used Cisco Curriculum Exploration v4, and it has great method to teach you the fundamentals of Networking. it includes flash, and alot of diagram to help the explanation.

- I've watched Jeremy-CBT Nuggets videos, and Chris Bryant-TrainSignal videos. IMO, Jeremy explains the material in more funny way, less boring. but Chris Bryant starting with you from scratch and building the fundamentals. I liked more TrainSignal product, although it was much more boring than CBT.

- CiscoPress ICND1+ICND2 FEB 2008 Edition, those books are really nice, but they are assuming you got some fundamentals knowledge in networking. they are explaining the more complex concepts better than the others.

- Sybex Todd's Lamle 6th Edition, I think you all know this book. Great book, explains the material very good. Although CiscoPress got some concepts that were more clear to me in their books than Todd's.

- Packet Tracer v5 (Cisco). This is one of the best tools you can ask for. This program actually lets you simulate an exam oriented networking environment, if you are like me, and you got no Cisco switches / routers to build your study network then packet tracer is something to grab!!!


NOTE: I'm against brain-dumps. dumps can't help you study or understand the concepts and acquire knowledge that you need for passing the CCNA and as a matter of fact any other certification. The exam isn't about who has a better memorizing skills, so don't use dumps instead study books . Don't waste your time on dumps. FIRST read the books, DO ALOT OF LABS, and then, only then go over any exam enviornment program you come acrss, if you wish to use them.

I found it easier to first watch a video, and then read the books chapter. That made it easier for me to read, since the videos would serve the purpose of a summary. After every chapter you're done with, use Packet Tracer to make up LABs and see how it really works!

PT has a great simulation mode that gives you the option to see the process step-by-step! use it, its awesome and very beneficial! Then, go over your book questions at the end of each chapter. Mark the questions you answered wrong, and review them. If you want, you can take notes while watching the videos.. for later reference - very helpful.

This process should take you atleast 6 weeks, no way it will be shorter. Using dumps is something that you should know ,i do not encourage using dumps as study material you may use if like it,as a testing material.

Remember CCNA exam will test you in 3 things :
1) Concepts
2) Configuration
3) Troubleshooting