Latest ccna 200-301 Practice Test 2025 | Certification Guide | Exam Prep | Try Free

1. Increased Emphasis on Network Automation and Programmability

One of the largest changes in the CCNA 200-301 exam is simply the added focus on network automation and network programmability. Automation has become very important to running and scaling a network in today’s fast-paced IT world.
What Has Changed:
Network Programmability: The exam has sections on the tools and technologies of automation, such as REST APIs, python scripts, and Ansible.
Automation and SDN (Software-Defined Networking): The updated exam has items that refer to SDN and automation of processes, including network device configuration and monitoring.
Why This Is Important
As networks are growing larger and more complex, manual configuration and management of changes is becoming more inefficient. It is important for the IT professional of today to understand how to automate network processes. Fundamentally, by adding automation elements into the CCNA exam, Cisco is ensuring CCNA certified professionals are well-rounded and ready for the future of networking.

2. Increased Security Emphasis

Security has come to the fore in networking, and is becoming central to it. Cisco has incorporated security in the CCNA 200-301 exam, further emphasizing the relevance of securing network infrastructures from an increasing number of cyber threats.

What’s New:

Networking Security Basics: The exam now includes more content about securing network devices, implementing, securing VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), leveraging ACL’s (Access Control Lists), and securing access to routers and switches.

Content such as firewall basics, 802.1X authentication, and port security has been given a more in-depth perspective.

Why it is Important:

While cyberattacks may increasingly appear amateurish, they are becoming more robust forensically, structurally, and methodologically. Organizations now need network engineers with network security foundations, and will be looking for recruiting professionals who understand how to secure their respective networks, if they don’t already have these fields filled. Thus more relevance was added in the CCNA exam for global relevance for professionals expecting potential threats and appropriately defend a future attack.

3. IPv6 Coverage

The CCNA 200-301 exam places a greater importance on IPv6 than in previous versions of the CCNA exam. While IPv4 is still the most widely used protocol, IPv6 is quickly gaining traction due to the depletion of available IPv4 addresses.

What’s New:

There is an increase in the number of IPv6 concepts such as IPv6 addressing and subnetting and configuring IPv6 on Cisco devices.

There is greater emphasis on IPv6 routing and how it can be integrated into modern networks.

Why It Matters:

As organizations continue to go global, the use of IPv6 may become inevitable due to its scalability; it is becoming imperative for any professional working in networking to understand IPv6 as the inventory for IPv4 continues to run out.

4. Introduction of Cisco’s Intent-Based Networking

Cisco has taken the initiative and broadened their outlook with Intent-Based Networking (IBN), which focuses on automating the network and configuring it to support a desired business outcome. The CCNA 200-301 exam is reflecting this transition to an automated, intent-based network approach.

What is New:

Cisco now has its new architecture of Cisco DNA (Digital Network Architecture) in the exam objectives.

The exam includes basic concepts of Cisco’s SD-Access and network intent.

Why is this Important:

Intent-based networking is a futuristic idea that allows the network to self-configure by using high level policies. Now that many organizations are embracing new technologies it is critical that CCNA certified professionals understand how they work in order to stay relevant.

5. Expanded and Updated Wireless Networking

Wireless networking will always be an important part of current networks. The CCNA 200-301 has added expanded wireless technology topics, including more information on Wi-Fi 6 and Wireless LAN (WLAN) configuration.

What is Changed:

More emphasis on Wi-Fi standards (including Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6).

Configuring and managing wireless networks using Cisco wireless controllers.

Why this is Important:

As more and more mobile devices are introduced, organizations are moving to wireless networks. Knowing how to configure and secure wireless networks is a skill that is now expected for CCNA candidates.

6. Simplicity of Topics and Less Scope

Cisco has simplified some topics from earlier versions of the exam (300-115 and 200-125) and therefore made it easier for candidates to focus on topics that matter or are important.

What’s New:

Less emphasis on routing protocols such as EIGRP and RIP, with more emphasis on OSPF, static routing, etc.

Switching is simplified but still covers the key concepts of VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), and EtherChannel.

Why It Matters:

By trimming some of the bottom end content, Cisco has allowed candidates to be able to take the exam easier with less content while still being expected to have necessary skills for today’s networking environments.