In the jungle of CCNA Certification routing and switching certification research, two paths forked, as in a poem by Robert Frost. If you take one of these courses, you will first earn the Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) by passing Cisco Network Devices Exam 1 (ICND1) or exam numbers 100-105. With further study, you can take the ICND2 exam (200-105) for CCNA certification.
The second route, while more expensive, is a shorter distance than CCNA Certification. Instead of studying for and taking two separate exams, you can take the CCNA (200-125) exam. In theory, no matter which path you choose, there are no prerequisites to learning CCNA. However, if you take ICND2 before ICND1, you will not earn CCENT or CCNA certification.
Each Path Has Distinct Advantages and Disadvantages:
For example, taking one CCNA exam has a higher upfront cost and requires more study scope than taking two ICND exams individually. However, you only need to take the exam once. Taking two separate ICND exams allows you to split the total cost of certification, but you must study for and take two separate exams.
A less obvious advantage of both exam paths may be that you will get certified more quickly than if you prepared for CCNA on your own. If your certification goals include demonstrating to employers that you are on your way to becoming a CCNA, taking two exams may be more beneficial than passing one.
Knowledge or Domain-Specific Expertise:
If you currently hold a CCENT certification but have not passed CCNA, it is less expensive to retake the ICND2 exam than to be uncertified and have to retake the separate CCNA exam. On the other hand, covering individual CCNA Certification exam topics is not as straightforward.
Since CCNA covers everything, you may need a general understanding of a wide range of topics to pass CCNA. If you take ICND1 and ICND2 separately, you should expect a narrower subject focus, which may also mean that you will be faced with questions that require more knowledge or domain-specific expertise.
The path You Choose Will Depend on Your Personal Goals:
Ultimately, the path you choose will depend on your personal goals, taste, budget, and confidence in your mastery of the subject. If you want to become certified and demonstrate a desire to learn more, choose both exam paths. If you are already confident in your skill set or just need to recertify, a single exam track may be the first choice.
Your authors don't have access to statistics that would reveal the paths most CCNA applicants take, so I can't tell you which one fits Robert Frost's notion of the path least traveled. Instead, choosing the path that best matches your ambitions will make all the difference.