ShahmikhThe CCNA 200-301 v1.1 exam lasts 120 minutes and covers six domains, with IP Connectivity the largest at 25%. Cisco's own blog says the last day to take v1.1 is 2 February 2027 and that v2.0 launches on 3 February 2027, with more practical assessment and troubleshooting. If you are close to ready, Cisco's advice is to take the current exam now. The best preparation is hands-on: configure the topics in a simulator or on equipment, instead of only reading about them.
Key takeaways
- CCNA 200-301 v1.1 is a single 120-minute exam, and its six domains carry weights from 10% to 25%.
- IP Connectivity (routing, OSPF) is 25%, and Network Fundamentals and Network Access are 20% each, so networking basics make up most of the exam.
- Cisco says the last day to test for v1.1 is 2 February 2027, and v2.0 launches for testing on 3 February 2027.
- Cisco's advice to candidates is to take v1.1 now rather than wait, because the skills carry over to v2.0.
- Lab practice with real commands and troubleshooting beats rereading: v2.0 is described as adding more practical and troubleshooting tasks.
What is on the CCNA 200-301 v1.1 exam?
Cisco's CCNA v1.1 exam topics list a 120-minute exam with six domains. The notable topics below come from that document:
| Domain | Weight | Examples of topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Network Fundamentals | 20% | Routers, switches, firewalls, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and subnetting, TCP vs UDP, wireless basics |
| 2.0 Network Access | 20% | VLANs, trunking, spanning tree, EtherChannel, CDP and LLDP, wireless architectures |
| 3.0 IP Connectivity | 25% | Routing tables, static routes, single-area OSPFv2, first-hop redundancy |
| 4.0 IP Services | 10% | NAT, NTP, DHCP and DNS, SNMP, syslog, QoS concepts, SSH |
| 5.0 Security Fundamentals | 15% | Threats and mitigations, ACLs, VPNs, Layer 2 security, AAA, WPA |
| 6.0 Automation and Programmability | 10% | Controller-based networking, REST APIs, Ansible, Terraform, JSON |
Subnetting appears in the first domain, but you will use it across the whole exam, so make it automatic early.
What is changing in February 2027, and should you wait?
Cisco's blog post Stay on track, get certified before the CCNA refresh gives the dates: the last day to test for CCNA v1.1 is 2 February 2027, and v2.0 launches for testing on 3 February 2027. It describes v2.0 as not a complete overhaul but a change in how deeply topics are covered, with more practical assessment, security and AI woven through, and more troubleshooting.
The blog's advice is plain: take the current v1.1 exam now, since the skills carry into v2.0 and waiting only delays certification. I agree with that if you are within a few months of ready. If you are starting from zero today, work out whether you can realistically be ready by early February. If not, studying for v2.0 with fresh materials is a legitimate choice, but do not pause your studying while you wait for new books.
Whichever you choose, check the current Cisco pages before booking, because dates and exam details can change.
What should a study plan look like if you have until February?
From late October 2026, 2 February 2027 is about 14 weeks away. This is an example schedule of my own, not an official one, for someone with basic networking knowledge studying 6 to 8 hours a week.
- Weeks 1 to 3: Network Fundamentals. Do subnetting drills every day until you can do a /24 to /30 split in your head.
- Weeks 4 to 6: Network Access. Build VLANs, trunks and EtherChannel in a lab, and break them on purpose.
- Weeks 7 to 9: IP Connectivity. Static routes first, then single-area OSPF. This is the biggest domain, so give it the most lab time.
- Weeks 10 and 11: IP Services and Security Fundamentals. NAT, DHCP, ACLs and Layer 2 security are all things you can configure and verify.
- Week 12: Automation and Programmability. Read JSON, understand REST, and know what controllers do.
- Weeks 13 and 14: Practice exams, weak topics and a final review. Book your exam date near the end of this period and leave slack for a reschedule.
How should you practise labs?
Use a simulator or real equipment and work in a loop. Cisco points candidates to its CCNA Learning Path and Cisco Learning Labs, and to the practice exam before booking.
- Configure from a blank device. Do not copy a config. Type commands from memory, then check them.
- Verify with show commands. Every config should end with a check that proves it works.
- Break it, then fix it. Change a VLAN, an OSPF area or an ACL line and troubleshoot why traffic stops. Cisco says v2.0 adds more troubleshooting, so this is time well spent either way.
- Write a one-page cheat sheet of the commands for each domain, and recreate it from memory the next week.
If you would like a lab plan built around your schedule, my Security+ and CCNA lessons are one-to-one, and you can book a free call to start.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the CCNA 200-301 exam?
Cisco's v1.1 exam topics document lists 120 minutes for a single exam. It covers six domains, so budget your time per question rather than per domain.
When does CCNA v1.1 retire?
According to Cisco's blog, the last day to test for v1.1 is 2 February 2027, and v2.0 launches for testing on 3 February 2027. Check Cisco's current pages before you book, because dates can change.
Which CCNA domain is the biggest?
IP Connectivity, at 25% of the v1.1 blueprint. It covers routing tables, static routes and single-area OSPFv2, so it deserves the most lab time.
Sources
- Cisco: CCNA 200-301 v1.1 exam topics
- Cisco blog: Stay on track, get certified before the CCNA refresh