How long does it realistically take to self study for the CCNA exams?

I think a lot of that depends on your base knowledge, your study habits, and how you understand information. I took CCNA Level 1 about 3 years ago - I studied about 2 hours per week for 14 weeks, and maybe 6 hours before the exam, and I did pretty... mediocre. I think I got about a 65 on it.

However, I also went in without knowing anything, and I was in a class that wasn't taught well at all. If you have a good base knowledge of how the internet works, I'd say about 3 weeks of solid studying (a couple hours, a few times a week) should be enough to have a thorough understanding. There IS quite a bit that just has be be memorized (I found, anyways).

Also take into consideration how many times you have to read over something to memorize - I can usually write it out once and remember it. However, I only took CCNA1, so I can't say for sure what the full test is like! I know many people taking higher levels, and they say each level is a similar amount of information, and it doesn't get *harder* persay, but they're still equally as long, drawn out, and dry to study for.

I would say it's unlikely practical experience would help you much - it's a lot of little random facts that you wouldn't learn anywhere except out of a book, and terminology no one really uses. Note: This answer comes from a programmer who isn't all that great at the networking side of things. This answer is just my experience.

I generally leave the networking to the networkers. Thought you should know. Good luck!

.....I hav undergone the CCNA Training . I completed the training in 21 days covering all the topics of H/W and CCNA module.....but if you would like to do it own your own ...it all depends on your skills and background in the networking field. All you need is to go through each module deeply and try to implement the same on simulator like packet tracer ,this will surely help you your way....bye 4 nw.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.