While the networks become more popular and needed in different businesses, network professionals have become the most sought-after candidates the most HR managers are looking for. To grow into such a valuable specialist, you should possess updated skills and knowledge and it would be better to verify them with a proper credential. For example, the CCNP Routing and Switching badge by Cisco.

The Steps to Become CCNP R&S Certified

The CCNP Routing and Switching View More On The URL credential refers to the professional level in the Cisco Certification Program, that’s why it’s not easy to gain it. First of all, you should know that it’s intended for network engineers who should possess skills to troubleshoot and complete tasks related to local and wide-area enterprise networks. 

Before sitting for this badge, you should have at least one year of working experience with networks and be the owner of the valid CCNA R&S credential or any CCIE badge. Along with these prerequisites, you have to pass three exams — 300-101 Route, 300-115 Switch, and 300-135 TShoot.

About Cisco 300-135 Exam Details 

The Cisco 300-135 exam is a great choice for getting new both professional and academic career possibilities. It gives you a chance to showcase your skills and aptitude towards potential employers. Passing this test indicates that you have acquired the skills and knowledge required to use the systematic ITIL-compliant way and technological approach to conduct network troubleshooting, and properly strategize and maintain complex enterprise networks that are routed and switched.

To dive deep into details, 300-135 exam is a 2-hour test that contains 15-25 questions. 

To take the exam confidently, you need to understand the types of questions asked and how to tackle them. Thus, 300-135 assessment comprises the following types of questions: 

• Simlet (scenarios with multiple questions)
• Testlet (scenarios with multiple questions)
• Simulation
• Fill in the blanks 
• Drag and drop 
• Multiple choice questions with multiple answers 
• Multiple choice questions with single answers 

To take this CCNP exam you need to be proficient in the following topics: 

• Infrastructure services – 5%
• Infrastructure security – 5%
• VPN technologies – 5%
• Layer 3 technologies – 40%
• Layer 3 technologies – 40%
• Network principles – 5% 

Career Prospects 

So, passing the Cisco 300-135 exam and getting the CCNP R&S badge offers you excellent job opportunities in the field of networking. The most common roles for the certification holders are System Engineers, Network Technicians, Network Engineers, and Network Administrators. Note, that their annual salary is about $94,000. 

Now, knowing the main facts about the exam, let’s move towards the tips on how to pass your Cisco 300-135 exam.

Tips to Prepare for the Cisco 300-135 Exam? 

#1 Organize your prep materials and place

Gather all the study materials in one place and choose the resources that will help you study each topic. Either it will be a study guide, an optional book, a training course or a practice test. This tactic will allow you to prepare for the exam strategically.

Also, you need to create a study plan. It will make the process of covering all exam topics much easier. In addition, it’s a great tool to manage your time wisely. 

So, make sure that you have got everything covered and have all the resources at hand. This is important because if you come across any barrier, you can easily find a solution for that issue. 

#2 Revision is the key 

Correlating with the first point, your study plan should include periods of revision of the learned topics. It’s important to find out which topics or concepts deserves your attention more and where to fill in the gaps before the exam date. Note, that both theoretical knowledge and practical skills are essential, they all contribute much to your successful exam performance. 

Use the questions after each topic given in the books to check the learned theory. Or set up a home lab and create a dummy version of enterprise networking. Keep practicing different methods of executing queries and try to solve questions practically. This will effectively prepare you to tackle the Cisco 300-135 exam. 

#3 Keep practicing 

Memorize the definitions and terminologies is not enough to succeed in 300-135 exam. You need to have practical skills as well to tackle various exam questions and have an idea of what is waiting for you at the test. For that visit the PrepAway website and use its dependable practice tests in your preparation. 

Their actual and updated mock tests are offered of two types - free and paid. You can start your prep journey from practicing free files, then get the premium. By the way, premium practice tests have been verified by IT experts. For 300-135 exam, you can find the Premium Bundle, which contains 184 verified questions and answers, a study guide, and a video course on a cost of $39,99. In addition, you’ll need the ETE Software to practice the files. By using this tool, you will learn the required topics and questions, get familiar with the real exam structure, see your results and improve them. 

Upcoming changes

If you are in the process of taking 300-135 exam you still have time, cause from 24th February, 2020 this test as well as the CCNP R&S certification will be retired, according to the planned Certification Program changes. This credential will be replaced by the CCNP Enterprise to gain which you need you’ll have to pass only two tests- a core 350-401 by code, and a concentration one. For more details, check the vendor’s official website. 

Final Words 

The Cisco 300-135 exam is one of the challenging tests to take on your way of being CCNP R&S certified. But with resources like PrepAway.biz with its practice tests, among other study materials, you can easily prepare for it and succeed. With competition getting tough day by day, it has become important for the students and professionals to upskill themselves in order to remain marketable. Hence, having the CCNP R&S certification you’re going to be a sought-after specialist. Wish you success!