How long is the CCNA exam?
Cisco lists the 200-301 CCNA exam at 120 minutes, offered in English and Japanese and graded pass/fail.
Source: Cisco: CCNA exam page · checked October 29, 2026
The format, field by field
| Field | Cisco’s statement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 120 minutes | CCNA exam page |
| Item formats | Performance-based questions, multiple choice, drag-and-drop | Exam topics |
| Tutorial’s breakdown | Multiple-choice single answer, multiple-choice multiple answers, drag and drop, labs | Exam tutorials |
| Number of questions | Not published; see how many questions are on the CCNA | CCNA exam page |
| Languages | English and Japanese | CCNA exam page |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE, in person or online | Exams overview |
| Results | Pass/fail, typically online within 48 hours | CCNA certification page |
The item types, read as tasks
- Multiple choice, single answer
- One option is the answer. Practice by saying why each of the other options is wrong; that habit is what separates two close statements.
- Multiple choice, multiple answers
- The stem tells you how many to pick. The CCNA practice test on this site uses the same Choose two convention, so the format is familiar before exam day.
- Drag and drop
- Cisco lists it as a format. Prepare by recalling pairings both ways, protocol to port and port to protocol, so either orientation works.
- Labs and performance-based items
- Cisco names labs on its tutorial page and performance-based questions on its topics page. Prepare for them by configuring and verifying on a simulated device, beyond reading about the commands.
Preparing for the lab items
The lab items are the part of the exam often called simulations. Cisco publishes an exam tutorial on the Learning Network that describes the item formats; go through it once so nothing about the interface is new on the day.
What you can rehearse is the command line. Configure routers and switches in Packet Tracer or Cisco Modeling Labs and pair every change with the show command that proves it worked. Cisco’s own advice on lab time, and the topics it flags for newcomers, are on the page about how hard the CCNA is.
Exam length and course length
Two lengths get mixed up. The 120 minutes is the exam appointment. Preparation time depends on where you start; the CCNA study plan lays out 4-, 8- and 12-week routes as our suggestion, weighted by the blueprint.
Format questions
Are there simulations on the CCNA exam?
Cisco’s exam tutorials page lists labs among the item types, and the 200-301 topics page lists performance-based questions.
Can I take the CCNA exam online?
Yes. Cisco offers all Associate written exams both in person and online through Pearson VUE (Cisco exams overview). The steps are in how to register for the CCNA.
Which languages is the CCNA offered in?
English and Japanese, per Cisco’s CCNA exam page.
References
- [1]Cisco: CCNA exam pageLength, languages. Checked October 29, 2026.
- [2]Cisco Learning Network: 200-301 v1.1 exam topicsItem formats. Checked October 29, 2026.
- [3]Cisco Learning Network: exam tutorialsItem types incl. labs. Checked October 29, 2026.
- [4]Cisco: certification exams overviewDelivery in person and online. Checked October 29, 2026.
- [5]Cisco: CCNA certification page and FAQPass/fail; results within 48 hours. Checked October 29, 2026.