What Happens If I Fail the Cisco CCNA Exam? Complete Retake Guide 2026

Failing the Cisco CCNA exam means a 14-day wait and $330 retake fee—but you're far from alone. The CCNA is one of the most challenging entry-to-mid-level networking certifications, covering everything from IP addressing and routing protocols to network automation and security fundamentals across 100-120 questions in 120 minutes. Cisco allows unlimited retakes with no escalating wait periods, so a failed attempt is simply a stepping stone, not a dead end.

The modern CCNA consolidated multiple older CCNA tracks into a single comprehensive exam, making it broader than previous versions. This means candidates must demonstrate competence across networking fundamentals, IP connectivity, security, and automation—a combination that requires both deep theoretical knowledge and hands-on CLI skills with Cisco IOS. The simulation questions that require you to actually configure routers and switches are where many candidates lose the most points.

CCNA remains one of the most in-demand networking certifications globally, consistently appearing in job postings for network engineer, network administrator, and systems administrator roles. The investment in retaking is almost always worthwhile—CCNA holders earn significantly more than their uncertified peers, and the certification serves as a gateway to the entire Cisco certification ecosystem including CCNP and CCIE.

CCNA Retake Policy Explained

Cisco requires a flat 14-day waiting period between retake attempts with no limit on total attempts. Each retake costs $330 USD, and Cisco does not offer discounted retake vouchers directly. However, authorized training partners like Cisco's own Learning Network may bundle exam vouchers with training courses at a reduced total cost.

Unlike (ISC)²'s escalating 30/60/90-day wait policy or Microsoft's 5-attempt annual limit, Cisco's consistent 14-day wait with unlimited attempts is relatively generous. This means you can realistically attempt the CCNA every two weeks if needed, though investing in proper preparation between attempts is far more productive than rapid-fire retakes.

Cisco's score report after a failed attempt provides valuable domain-level performance feedback. You'll see how you performed across all six exam domains, with indicators showing whether each domain was above or below the passing threshold. This directional feedback, while not as granular as CompTIA's percentage breakdowns, gives you clear guidance on where to focus your retake study efforts.

Understanding Your CCNA Score Report

After failing, Cisco provides a score report breaking down your performance across six domains:

Domain	Weight	Key Topics
Network Fundamentals	20%	OSI/TCP-IP models, IPv4/IPv6, wireless, switching concepts
Network Access	20%	VLANs, STP, EtherChannel, wireless architectures
IP Connectivity	25%	Static routing, OSPF, first-hop redundancy (HSRP)
IP Services	10%	NAT, NTP, DHCP, DNS, SNMP, syslog, QoS concepts
Security Fundamentals	15%	ACLs, AAA, port security, DHCP snooping, 802.1X
Automation & Programmability	10%	REST APIs, JSON, Ansible, Puppet, SDN concepts

IP Connectivity at 25% is the heaviest domain, covering routing concepts that many candidates find most challenging. If your score report shows weakness here, prioritize OSPF configuration, static routing, and understanding how routers make forwarding decisions. This single domain can make or break your exam result.

Top 7 Reasons Candidates Fail CCNA

1. Subnetting weakness. If you can't subnet quickly and accurately, you'll lose points across multiple domains. Practice until you can calculate subnet masks, network addresses, broadcast addresses, and valid host ranges in under 30 seconds per problem. Subnetting is the foundation that underlies IP connectivity, network design, and ACL configuration.
2. Insufficient Cisco IOS hands-on practice. Simulation questions require you to enter actual CLI commands. Without regular Packet Tracer or CML lab practice, even strong theoretical knowledge won't help with "configure OSPF on this router" simulations. These PBQ questions are often worth more points than standard multiple choice.
3. Skipping automation topics. The 10% Automation domain catches many traditional networking candidates off guard. REST APIs, JSON data format, Python basics, and configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet) are all testable. Don't skip these "free points" just because you're more comfortable with routing.
4. Shallow OSPF knowledge. CCNA expects you to understand single-area OSPF configuration, neighbor adjacency requirements, DR/BDR election, and basic troubleshooting—not just "OSPF is a link-state protocol." You need to know the commands to configure OSPF, verify neighbor relationships, and troubleshoot adjacency issues.
5. Poor time management. With 100-120 questions in 120 minutes, you have roughly 60-72 seconds per question. Flag difficult simulation questions and return to them after completing multiple-choice questions. PBQs typically take 3-5 minutes each, so plan accordingly.
6. Neglecting wireless and security. Many candidates from wired networking backgrounds underestimate the wireless architecture and security fundamentals domains, which together account for 35% of the exam. These are not throwaway topics.
7. Memorizing instead of understanding. CCNA simulation questions test your ability to apply concepts, not memorize answers. You need to understand why a specific routing configuration works, not just know the commands. Understanding the "why" behind network design decisions is what separates passing scores from failing ones.

Building Your CCNA Lab Environment

Hands-on practice is non-negotiable for CCNA success. Here are the recommended tools:

• Cisco Packet Tracer (free): The most accessible option. Supports basic routing, switching, VLANs, OSPF, ACLs, and NAT configuration. Download from Cisco's NetAcad website after creating a free account. Good enough for most CCNA topics.
• Cisco CML (paid): Full IOS images for realistic simulation. Required if you want to practice with actual IOS-XE commands. The personal edition costs around $199/year and is worth the investment for serious candidates.
• GNS3 (free): Open-source network emulator that can run actual Cisco IOS images (if you have legitimate access). More complex to set up but very powerful for advanced labs.
• Physical lab equipment (optional): Used Cisco routers and switches can be purchased cheaply on eBay. A basic lab with 2-3 routers and 2 switches provides the most realistic experience but isn't strictly necessary with modern emulators.

14-Day CCNA Recovery Study Plan

Days	Focus	Activities
1-2	Score analysis	Review score report, identify weak domains, set up Packet Tracer labs
3-5	IP Connectivity deep-dive	Configure OSPF, static routes, and HSRP in lab topologies. Drill subnetting
6-8	Network Access + Security	Lab VLANs, trunking, STP, EtherChannel, ACLs, and port security
9-10	Automation + IP Services	Study REST APIs, JSON, Ansible basics. Practice NAT, DHCP, NTP configs
11-12	Full practice exams	Take 2-3 timed practice exams, target 85%+, review every wrong answer
13	Mistake review	Lab every wrong answer, drill subnetting problems one more time
14	Light review + exam	Quick review of key IOS commands, rest, retake

CCNA vs Similar Cert Retake Policies

Certification	Wait	Cost	Retakes
Cisco CCNA	14 days	$330	Unlimited
CompTIA Network+	14 days	$369	Unlimited
CompTIA Security+	14 days	$404	Unlimited
AWS Cloud Practitioner	14 days	$100	Unlimited
Cisco CCNP	14 days	$400-450	Unlimited

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I wait to retake CCNA?

14 calendar days after each failed attempt. No escalating wait periods. Unlimited retakes at $330 each.

What does a CCNA retake cost?

$330 USD per attempt. Cisco doesn't offer discounted retakes directly, but training bundles from authorized partners may include vouchers at reduced total cost.

What is the CCNA passing score?

Approximately 825 out of 1000 (scaled score). The exact threshold is not publicly disclosed by Cisco but is widely reported around this level.

How many questions are on the CCNA exam?

100-120 questions in 120 minutes, including multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and simulation questions requiring actual Cisco IOS CLI commands.

Is CCNA harder than CompTIA Network+?

Yes. CCNA is Cisco-specific, goes significantly deeper into routing/switching, and includes simulation questions requiring CLI commands. Network+ is vendor-neutral and broader but shallower.

Does failing CCNA affect my career?

No. Cisco does not share failed results with employers. Many successful network engineers passed on their second or third attempt. Only your certification status is visible publicly.

Does CCNA expire?

Yes, CCNA expires after 3 years. You can renew by retaking the CCNA exam, passing any CCNP core or concentration exam, or earning 30 Continuing Education (CE) credits through Cisco's CE program.