CCNA 200-301 v2.0 Exam Format and Retakes

The short version

CCNA 200-301 gives you 120 minutes. Cisco reports a pass or fail with a breakdown by section, and it does not publish a passing score. If you fail, you wait five calendar days before you can try again. Cisco has not published a question count on the pages we could read, so do not trust a fixed number from a forum.

Which version this page describes

The current exam is v1.1. Cisco Press gives February 3, 2027 as the first testing date for v2.0, and the code stays 200-301. Cisco’s exam page shows the 120-minute duration, and Cisco’s v2.0 topics document describes v2.0 as a 120-minute exam too. The scoring, retake, and delivery rules below come from Cisco’s general exam policies page, which applies to written exams rather than to one version. We checked it on October 18, 2026. Cisco can change policies, so reread the policy page before you book.

Time and number of questions

Cisco lists 120 minutes for the exam. Allow extra time for check-in, the agreement screens, and any tutorial. The number of questions is not stated on Cisco’s exam page or in the v2.0 topics document. Plan around the clock instead. If you are used to practice runs of 100 questions, remember that a real attempt has a hard 120-minute limit, so practice pacing as well as knowledge. In our study plan, the last practice runs are timed for that reason.

Passing score and scoring

Cisco says results are reported as pass or fail, and that passing scores are not published. After the exam you get a score report with a performance breakdown by exam section. Cisco also says scores can be revised after testing if there is evidence of misconduct, scoring inaccuracies, or unusual response patterns, and it suggests you verify your score online.

What this means for you:

  • You cannot aim for “70%” or “80%” as the real target, because Cisco gives no percentage.
  • The section breakdown shows where to study if you need another attempt.
  • Our own practice sets use a pass mark of 80% (85% on the final simulation). That is our readiness bar, set higher on purpose to give you a margin. It is not Cisco’s passing score.

Question types

The Cisco pages we could read do not list the question types for CCNA, so we do not claim a list here. Cisco publishes exam tutorials on the Cisco Learning Network, and it is worth watching one so the interface is not a surprise. What Cisco does say about v2.0 is that you may need to evaluate output and recommendations from agentic AI and digital network assistants. Prepare for questions where you read a command, a show output, or a suggested fix and decide whether it is correct. Our question types guide explains how to approach common formats.

Languages

Cisco’s CCNA exam page lists English and Japanese. The page does not say which version that list refers to, so confirm the language options for v2.0 when you schedule.

Delivery

Cisco’s policies say written exams can be taken at a test center or through online proctoring. Whether online delivery is offered for your appointment is shown when you schedule, so confirm it there. At a test center, Cisco requires two types of personal identification, both with your signature, and one of them must be government-issued photo ID. A digital photo and signature are captured at admission. For the day itself, see our exam day guide.

Cisco’s policies also say exam questions, answers, and diagrams are confidential, and you must accept a confidentiality agreement during registration and again before the exam. Breaking it can lead to a ban and loss of earlier credentials. This is one reason our practice questions are original and never copied from a real exam; see how we write our questions.

Rescheduling and breaks

For written exams, Cisco says you can reschedule or cancel in its certification tracking system, but the policies page does not give a written-exam deadline or fee. We also could not verify the break rules for written exams. Ask the test provider when you book, and do not assume you can pause the clock.

Retakes and validity

  • After a failed attempt: wait five calendar days, starting the day after the failed attempt.
  • After a pass: Cisco says you must wait at least 180 days before taking the same exam number again.
  • Maximum attempts: the policies page does not state a limit for written exams.
  • Validity: Cisco lists three years for the CCNA. You can renew by passing the current CCNA exam or a higher-level Cisco exam, or by earning 30 continuing education credits. Credits must be earned before expiry.

Fees are not printed here. Check Cisco’s exam page for the current fee at booking, and see our certification costs guide for the general picture.

What to do with this

Book a date that leaves a few days of buffer, because a five-day wait after a failed attempt plus rescheduling can cost a week. Decide v1.1 or v2.0 first. If your deadline is before February 3, 2027, you are preparing for v1.1 and should use Cisco’s v1.1 topics.

More guides for CCNA-200-301-V2

Next step

Plan your weeks with the study plan. To rehearse the clock, try a full set from the CCNA 200-301 v2.0 practice tests.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a published passing percentage?

No. Cisco says passing scores are not published and reports pass or fail with a section breakdown.

How soon can I retake after failing?

Five calendar days, counting from the day after the failed attempt, according to Cisco’s exam policies.

Can I use notes during the exam?

Cisco’s pages we read do not describe a notes policy for CCNA. Assume you cannot, and confirm the rules with the test provider when you book.

Try the CCNA-200-301-V2 practice exams