I can’t stress enough the importance of being realistic about how much time you need to study and prepare for an exam.

It’s better to be safe than sorry. Give yourself plenty of time.

How much time will vary by exam. For example, it could take someone 700 hours to study for the CCIE exam. That same person could need just 40 hours for the CCNA. What’s tricky is that everyone learns differently, and at his/her own pace. The key thing is to allow yourself enough (or more than enough) time to really understand the content.

Not having enough time is why most students inevitably complain about boot-camp-style classes. They just cannot possibly retain all the information they are being taught or expected to know in a week. Again, the goal isn’t just to pass the exam, it’s to master the content. This can take a lot longer than you might think.

So use a tracker, as we discussed in a previous blog post, and ensure your mastery! Overall, this is much more important than merely passing an exam by a certain date —it’s about making sure you can apply your knowledge and skills to gain experience, land an interview, or get a job.

Until the next tip, study with passion and take your time!