How long it takes to study for a given certification will come down to a few different factors.
We all have different learning needs and styles, as well as different levels of existing knowledge and experience. Some of us retain knowledge well from books, while others will need additional material and more lab time to really cement the information in place. You should study in the manner that works best for you as an individual.
It also depends on how much time you have available to spend. If work is busy, or you have family or community commitments, then it is only natural that certificaton will take longer.
One important thing to remember is that certification is not a race. You should take the time you need to feel comfortable that you can pass the test. It is better to work your way through the material a bit slower and retain it, than to cram everything in as fast as possible and forget it all two weeks after the test.
Another thing I want to suggest is putting an upper bound on how long you plan to study for a particular certification. I think the longer something goes on, the less interested we become in it, and the easier it is to put it down for something else. Having a self-imposed deadline can create a sense of focus and urgency.
JNCIA
The JNCIA level exams are usually focused on Juniper specific information, some technology concepts, and less knowing the exact configuration commands. Training material does not tend to teach basic networking concepts, so you will want a basic idea of how networks work beforehand.
You are unlikely for example to get a specific subnetting question, but you may need to know subnetting to choose the correct answer.
Study time to pass JNCIA level tests is around 3 to 4 weeks.
If you have a decent amount of existing experience, then you may be able to get away with about a week of study. You can also reduce the amount of time spent using labs.
I don’t recommend taking much longer than 4 weeks to study, as it becomes more likely you will forget the things you learned in the first week.
JNCIS
At the JNCIS level there is more of an expectation that you will know how to implement a given technology or protocol, and that you are familiar with configuring it on the device.
Study time for the JNCIS is around 4 to 6 weeks. You will need more lab time than you do with the JNCIA level tests, and the material is likely to be expanded in the breadth of topics and depth of knowledge.
Previous knowledge and experience can reduce the time, and a couple of weeks may be reasonable.
JNCIP
The JNCIP is harder again. At this level, you need to be very familiar with configuring and troubleshooting all the material on the exam blueprint. I certainly don’t consider any of the tests at this level to be “easy pass” tests, or something that can be passed by simply skimming through the training material.
You will need to be able to interpret the output of commands. For example, if you are given output from the IS-IS or OSPF database, what can you discern about the device that generated that entry?
A lot of lab time or hands-on experience is required to build an understanding of how the various protocols and features work, and how they can be configured to achieve different outcomes.
I would put study time for a JNCIP level test at around 2-3 months if you are focused, and up to 6 months if you are taking things slower. I wouldn’t recommend taking longer than 6 months from starting the studying process to sitting the test.
If you already have a lot of relevant hands-on experience or have a lot of time to spend studying then you could do it in around 4 to 6 weeks, with less time spent labbing scenarios.
When using a JNCIP test to recertify a JNCIE certification, I’ve managed to study and pass JNCIP-level tests in around 2 weeks or so. Since this was a re-cert, it was largely about brushing up on what topics have changed, and refreshing knowledge in areas I don’t often work with. Very minimal time was spent labbing anything up and I relied a lot on previous knowledge and experience. Not a great idea to be honest, but I didn’t have a lot of time left to sit the test.
JNCIE
How long does it take to study for a JNCIE? It becomes heavily dependent on how much time you have available to read and lab things up. It takes a lot of time, work, and effort.
Studying for the JNCIE is about going in-depth on topics, digging into the details, and becoming very proficient at implementation and troubleshooting. Study will be easier if you already spend your day working with Juniper equipment.
The majority of your time should be spent on lab scenarios. You need to understand not just each protocol or feature in-depth, but the way they interact with one another as well.
In terms of study time, I would suggest the following:
If you’ve just passed the JNCIP and are very focused, then 3-4 months. 6 months if you’re less focussed.
If you passed the JNCIP some time ago, then probably 6 months by the time you get back up to speed again.
If you are time constrained or taking things easy then it could easily be 12 months. Personally, I’d avoid anything longer than 12 months of study for a first attempt. Unless you are constantly refreshing the knowledge you started with, you risk it becoming stale and unfamiliar.
If you’ve never sat a JNCIE or other expert level exam in the past, it is common to fail your first attempt. If you need to re-sit, I recommend doing it within 2 to 3 months of your failed attempt, so you don’t lose the knowledge and momentum from your first attempt, or lose the study habit you built up.
How Long To Go From No Juniper Certs To JNCIE Certified
When I did my first JNCIE, it was still the old M series track, where the JNCIP was also a practical lab exam, rather than the written test it is now.
I think it took me around 2 to 2 and half years of elapsed time to go from having a CCNA and never touching a Juniper device to having the JNCIE-M (now -SP). That includes the JNCIP lab and two attempts at the JNCIE lab.
If you are focused and consistent in your study, I think 18 months to 2 years is a reasonable timeframe if you are starting from the beginning. Obviously, if you have more time available in your life to study and lab, it is possible to do it faster.
Closing Thoughts
As mentioned at the start of this post, certification is not a race. It will take each of us however long it takes, and as many attempts as it takes.
You should pursue whichever level of certification you want and enjoy the learning experience as you work towards it. Not everyone needs to be a JNCIE.
Finally, without trying to sound too woo-woo, there are definitely more important things in life. Try not to put study ahead of everything else. Make time for family, friends, and yourself. The exam will still be there tomorrow.