The short version
The 200-901 CCNAAUTO exam lasts 120 minutes and is delivered by Pearson VUE. Cisco does not publish the number of questions or the passing score. If you fail, you wait five calendar days before a retake.
What Cisco publishes
Cisco’s exam page and exam topics document give a short list of facts. The rest you will find on forums, and most of that is guesswork.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Automating Networks Using Cisco Platforms |
| Code and version | 200-901 CCNAAUTO, exam topics v1.1 |
| Time | 120 minutes |
| Languages | English and Japanese |
| Credential earned | CCNA Automation |
| Questions | Not published |
| Passing score | Not published |
Cisco’s own exam topics page says the topic list is a general guideline. Related topics can appear on a specific delivery of the exam, and the list can change without notice. So treat the six domains as the core, not as a fence.
Number of questions
Cisco does not state how many questions you will see. Some websites quote a range, and the ranges differ from site to site. We do not repeat them, because none comes from the vendor. What you can plan for is the clock: 120 minutes for the whole exam. If you divide the time by a guess of 100 questions you get about 70 seconds each, and that is a useful rough pace, not a fact about the exam. Longer code-reading questions will take more, quick definition questions less.
Passing score and scoring
Cisco says it does not publish passing scores. It sets them statistically, and they can change over time. For you this means two things.
- Do not trust a “magic number” from a forum. Percentages quoted online do not come from Cisco and can be out of date.
- Aim well above any threshold. If you consistently score high in practice under timed conditions, you have a margin.
After a written exam you get a score report that shows your performance by exam section. Cisco also notes that scores can be revised later, for example if there is evidence of misconduct or a scoring error, so check your score online afterwards.
Question types
Cisco’s public pages do not describe the question formats. Expect the exam to test reading and reasoning: short code samples in Python, bash or YAML, JSON or XML payloads, HTTP requests and responses, Git output, and network diagrams. You may see more than plain single-choice questions, so read each prompt for instructions such as how many answers to select. Our own practice sets include multiple-select questions to get you used to that habit. For a general overview, see exam question types.
Delivery
The exam is proctored by Pearson VUE. You can take it at a test center, and Cisco’s exam policies page says you can also take written exams at home or in an office with online proctoring. Check the current requirements when you book, because rules about rooms, equipment and identification are set by the provider and can change.
Cisco’s policies page states that you must present two types of personal ID, both with your signature, and that one must be a government-issued photo ID. Bring what your booking confirmation asks for, and read the exam day guide for the practical side.
Retakes and waiting times
- After a failed attempt at an associate-level written exam, you wait five calendar days, counted from the day after the attempt.
- After passing, you wait at least 180 days before taking the same exam again.
Cisco’s policies page does not state a maximum number of attempts for written exams. Every attempt is a new booking and a new fee, so it pays to be ready before you book. See certification costs for how to think about the total.
Validity and renewal
Cisco’s certification page states that CCNA Automation is valid for three years. Within that period you can renew by passing the current exam, by passing a higher-level Cisco certification exam, or by earning continuing education credits (the page names 30). The exact rules for credit types and for what counts as a higher-level exam are Cisco’s to define, so read them on the vendor page before you plan a renewal.
Rescheduling
You schedule, reschedule or cancel through Cisco’s certification tracking system. Cisco’s public policy page does not give rescheduling windows for written exams, so look at the terms on your booking.
How to use this information
Treat 120 minutes as your fixed constraint. In practice sessions, work with a timer. Mark questions that take too long, move on, and come back. Many candidates lose points by spending five minutes on a hard code snippet early on. A steady pace and a second pass beat perfection on every question.
More guides for CCNAAUTO-200-901
- 200-901 CCNAAUTO Domains Explained
- 200-901 CCNAAUTO Sample Questions
- Is the 200-901 CCNAAUTO Exam Hard?
- 200-901 CCNAAUTO Prerequisites
- 200-901 CCNAAUTO Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is 200-901 CCNAAUTO Worth It? An Honest Look
- 200-901 CCNAAUTO Cheat Sheet: Key Facts
- CCNA vs CCNA Automation: Which Exam First?
Next step
Continue with the study plan to turn this into a schedule. When you want timed practice, the 200-901 practice exams include a full-length 100-question set that you can run against the clock.
FAQ
Does Cisco publish the passing score?
No. Cisco says passing scores are set statistically and can change.
Can I take the exam at home?
Cisco’s policies page says written exams can be taken at home or in an office with online proctoring. Confirm availability for this exam when you book.
How soon can I retake after failing?
Five calendar days, counted from the day after the failed attempt.
Is there a break?
Cisco’s public policy page does not address breaks for written exams. Check the provider’s rules on your booking before exam day.