About the CCNA exams
The path to certification is pretty straightforward. In order to become a CCNA, you have a choice of taking a single exam or a two-test option. If you are new to networking, then I would advise against the single exam as it is in-depth, fast-paced, and has a high fail rate. The upside is that you get a CCNA from taking one exam. The easier way to get a CCNA is by taking two tests, ICND1 and ICND2. The great thing about this approach is that it takes the exam material from the one test option and chops it in half. If you’re new to networking, it’s a lot easier to study the basics and take the ICND1 before moving on to the ICND2, which covers more advanced topics.
Exams
Single exam: 640-802 - 90 minutes (45-55 questions)
Costs $250 and passing gets you a CCNA certification.
Two-tests option: ICND1 640-822 & ICND2 640-816 - 90 minutes (45-50 questions)
Costs $125 each, and you earn a CCENT for passing the first exam, then a CCNA for passing both of them.
The types of questions you will encounter are multiple-choice single-answer, multiple-choice multiple-answer, drag & drop, simlets, and simulations. To get familiar with these types of questions visit Cisco’s online simulator.