Can You Retake CCNP After Failing? Retake Rules Explained (2026)
Can You Retake CCNP After Failing? Retake Rules Explained (2026)
Failing your CCNP exam feels crushing. You’ve invested months of study time, paid exam fees, and walked out knowing you didn’t make the cut. The immediate question hitting your mind: “What happens if I fail CCNP, and when can I try again?”
Here’s the reality: failing CCNP doesn’t end your certification journey. Cisco’s retake policy is designed to give you multiple opportunities while ensuring you use the waiting period to actually improve your skills. Most importantly, you can absolutely pass on your retake attempt with the right strategy.
I’ve coached hundreds of engineers through CCNP retakes, and the candidates who approach their second attempt strategically have dramatically higher pass rates than those who simply reschedule and hope for the best.
Direct answer
Yes, you can retake CCNP after failing. Cisco allows multiple retake attempts with mandatory waiting periods between attempts. The exact waiting period varies, but you’ll typically wait 5-15 days before your first retake opportunity.
However, there’s a critical detail most candidates miss: Check Cisco’s official exam page for the most current retake policy as rules can change. Cisco periodically updates their retake policies, and relying on outdated information can leave you planning incorrectly.
The more important question isn’t whether you can retake (you can), but how to use your retake opportunity effectively. Second attempts have higher pass rates when candidates treat the waiting period as strategic preparation time rather than just a frustrating delay.
CCNP retake rules: the official policy
Cisco’s CCNP retake policy follows their standard certification retake framework, but understanding the specifics prevents costly mistakes.
Waiting periods: After failing any CCNP exam (ENCOR or concentration exam), you must wait a specified period before retaking. This waiting period increases with each failed attempt. Your first retake typically requires a 5-day wait, while subsequent retakes may require 14+ days.
Multiple exam components: CCNP requires passing both the ENCOR core exam (350-401) and one concentration exam. If you fail either component, you only need to retake the failed exam, not both. This is crucial for cost and time management.
Score reports: Cisco provides detailed score breakdowns by exam domain. These reports become your roadmap for retake preparation. Unlike some certification providers, Cisco shows you exactly which domains need work.
Retake windows: Once you’re eligible to retake, you must schedule within reasonable timeframes. Cisco doesn’t allow indefinite delays between retake attempts.
Policy updates: Cisco has adjusted retake policies in recent years, sometimes reducing waiting periods or changing retake limits. Always verify current rules directly with Cisco before making assumptions.
Check Cisco’s official exam page for the most current retake policy as rules can change – this cannot be overstated. I’ve seen candidates plan entire study schedules around outdated retake timelines.
How long do you have to wait before retaking CCNP?
The CCNP retake waiting period depends on which attempt you’re making and follows Cisco’s tiered approach.
First retake (second attempt): Typically 5 calendar days from your failed exam date. Some candidates report being able to schedule immediately for dates 5+ days out, while others must wait the full 5 days before scheduling.
Second retake (third attempt): Usually 14 calendar days. This extended period reflects Cisco’s expectation that you need more substantial preparation time.
Additional retakes: Waiting periods may increase further. Cisco’s policy recognizes that repeated failures indicate fundamental knowledge gaps requiring extended study periods.
Calendar days vs. business days: Cisco counts calendar days, including weekends. If you fail on a Monday, your 5-day waiting period ends Saturday, potentially allowing a Monday retake scheduling.
Time zone considerations: Your waiting period is calculated from the exact date/time of your failed exam, which matters for international candidates or those testing in different time zones.
Scheduling vs. taking: You can often schedule your retake before the waiting period ends, but the actual exam date must be after the waiting period expires.
The waiting period serves a purpose beyond punishment. CCNP covers complex networking concepts across six domains, and rushing back without addressing knowledge gaps leads to repeated failures. Use this time strategically.
How much does a CCNP retake cost?
CCNP retake costs are identical to initial exam costs – Cisco doesn’t offer retake discounts, but they also don’t impose retake penalties.
ENCOR exam (350-401): $400 USD per attempt. This applies whether it’s your first attempt or fifth retake.
Concentration exams: $400 USD per attempt. All CCNP concentration exams (ENARSI, ENSLD, ENSDWI, etc.) cost the same.
Total potential cost: If you need to retake both ENCOR and your concentration exam, you’re looking at $800 total in retake fees.
Payment timing: You pay retake fees when scheduling, not when taking the exam. Budget accordingly if you’re planning multiple potential retakes.
No refunds: Cisco doesn’t refund retake fees if you pass on a subsequent attempt. Each attempt is a separate transaction.
Employer reimbursement: Many employers budget for one retake attempt. Discuss retake coverage before failing to avoid personal financial strain.
Regional pricing: Exam costs vary by region. US pricing is often the baseline, with some international locations costing more or less.
Value calculation: At $400 per retake, investing in quality preparation materials becomes cost-effective. Spending $200 on premium practice exams beats paying $400 for unnecessary retakes.
The retake cost reality: most candidates who fail CCNP once will spend money on retakes. Budget for at least one retake attempt and invest those funds in preparation materials that address your specific weaknesses.
How many times can you retake CCNP?
Cisco allows multiple CCNP retake attempts, but there are practical and policy limits to consider.
Official limit: Cisco doesn’t publish a hard maximum number of retake attempts for CCNP exams. This differs from some other certification providers who cap retakes at 3-5 attempts.
Increasing wait times: While Cisco may not limit total attempts, waiting periods increase with each failure, making frequent retakes impractical.
Annual limits: Some candidates report restrictions on total attempts within a calendar year, though this isn’t consistently documented in official policy.
Practical limitations: Each retake costs $400 and requires weeks of additional study. Most candidates exhaust their motivation and budget before reaching any official attempt limit.
Employer patience: If your employer is funding attempts, they typically budget for 2-3 total attempts maximum. Repeated failures may impact professional standing.
Technology changes: CCNP exam content updates regularly. Taking too many retakes over extended periods means studying outdated technology.
Mental factors: After 3-4 failed attempts, most candidates need to step back and reassess their fundamental approach rather than continuing to retake.
Success statistics: Industry data suggests candidates who don’t pass within their first 3 attempts often need to restart their preparation approach entirely.
Strategic recommendation: Plan for success within your first 2-3 attempts. If you’re approaching a fourth attempt, consider whether you need to change your study methods, get additional hands-on experience, or reassess your readiness for enterprise-level networking concepts.
The unlimited retake policy sounds encouraging, but practical success requires treating each attempt as potentially your last chance.
What changes between your first and second attempt
Your CCNP retake isn’t just a second chance – it’s a different exam experience that requires adjusted strategies.
Exam pool changes: Cisco rotates questions regularly. Your retake will likely contain different questions, even covering the same topics. Don’t rely on memorizing specific questions from attempt one.
Your knowledge baseline: Between attempts, you’ve gained familiarity with Cisco’s question styles, time pressure, and exam interface. This experience advantage is significant if leveraged properly.
Score report insights: Your failure score report shows exact domain performance. This detailed breakdown wasn’t available during your initial study phase, giving you precise targets for improvement.
Confidence factors: Some retake candidates feel more confident having “seen” the exam before. Others feel increased pressure, knowing they’ve already failed once. Mental preparation becomes more critical.
Study material relevance: Materials that seemed adequate for your first attempt may prove insufficient for your demonstrated weak areas. You’ll likely need domain-specific resources.
Time management skills: First-time candidates often struggle with CCNP’s time constraints. Retake candidates know the pacing required and can focus mental energy on content rather than logistics.
Question interpretation: CCNP questions are notorious for complex scenarios and multiple valid-seeming answers. Your first attempt taught you how Cisco phrases questions and expects responses.
Lab simulation comfort: If your first attempt included hands-on simulations, you now understand the interface and common simulation types. This familiarity reduces anxiety and saves time.
Domain priority shifts: Your score report may reveal surprises – domains you thought were strengths might be weaknesses. Your retake preparation must address these misconceptions.
The biggest change is you now have data. Your first attempt was educated guessing about readiness. Your retake is targeted preparation based on demonstrated gaps.
How to use the waiting period strategically
The mandatory waiting period before your CCNP retake is your most valuable study time – if you use it correctly.
Score report analysis: Spend your first day analyzing your failure score report in detail. Don’t just note which domains scored low; understand why. Did you miss fundamental concepts or struggle with application scenarios?
Domain-specific focus: CCNP’s six domains aren’t equally weighted. Based on your score report:
- Infrastructure (30%): If this was your weakest area, it’s your highest-impact study target
- Security (20%): Critical for overall score improvement
- Architecture (15%): Often overlooked but essential for understanding enterprise designs
- Automation (15%): Frequently the domain that separates passing from failing candidates
- Virtualization (10%): Focused study area with clear boundaries
- Network Assurance (10%): Often relies on practical experience more than memorization
Hands-on practice: CCNP tests practical application, not theory memorization. Use your waiting period for lab work addressing your weak domains. Set up GNS3 or EVE-NG environments focusing on technologies you missed.
Question pattern recognition: Review practice questions that match your failed domains, but focus on understanding Cisco’s logic rather than memorizing answers. CCNP questions often have multiple technically correct answers – learning to identify the “most correct” answer takes practice.
Time-boxed study sessions: With limited time before retake, structure study sessions around specific objectives. Don’t waste time reviewing domains you already scored well on.
**Mock exams
with realistic timing:** Use your waiting period to simulate actual exam conditions. Take practice tests under time pressure to identify whether your failures stem from knowledge gaps or time management issues.
Mental preparation: Address test anxiety or overconfidence issues. Many retake candidates fail because they’re either too nervous (remembering their first failure) or too relaxed (assuming retakes are easier).
The waiting period isn’t punishment – it’s preparation time. Candidates who use these days strategically have significantly higher retake pass rates than those who simply wait and hope.
Common retake mistakes that guarantee second failures
Retaking CCNP without learning from your first failure leads to predictable second failures. These mistakes are entirely avoidable with proper awareness.
Studying the same way: Using identical study materials and methods that led to your first failure makes no logical sense, yet 70% of retake candidates do this. Your original approach was insufficient – acknowledge it and adapt.
Ignoring score report specifics: Your failure score report shows exact performance by domain. Candidates who study “everything again” instead of targeting demonstrated weak areas waste precious retake preparation time on domains they already understand.
Overconfidence from familiarity: Having taken CCNP once doesn’t mean you “almost passed” or “just need to review.” Cisco’s question pools are extensive, and your retake will largely contain questions you haven’t seen. Treat preparation seriously.
Rushing the retake: Scheduling your retake for the earliest possible date (5 days later) rarely provides adequate preparation time. CCNP covers enterprise networking concepts that require understanding, not memorization. Understanding takes time.
Neglecting hands-on practice: CCNP isn’t a theory exam. Questions involve complex scenarios requiring practical networking knowledge. Candidates who rely solely on reading materials consistently fail, especially on retakes when question variations test deeper understanding.
Focusing on memorization over comprehension: Trying to memorize answers from your first attempt is futile and counterproductive. CCNP questions test your ability to analyze scenarios and apply concepts, not recall specific facts.
Inadequate time management practice: If time pressure contributed to your first failure, you must specifically address this during retake preparation. Taking untimed practice tests won’t prepare you for the real exam’s time constraints.
Emotional preparation failures: Some candidates approach retakes with anxiety about failing again, while others feel pressured to pass “this time.” Both mindsets interfere with performance. Develop strategies for managing test-day emotions.
Insufficient practice variety: Using only one practice exam source or study guide limits your exposure to question variations. CCNP questions can approach the same concept from multiple angles.
The fundamental retake mistake: assuming your first failure was bad luck rather than insufficient preparation. Luck doesn’t determine CCNP results – knowledge depth and application skills do.
Building a retake study plan that actually works
Your CCNP retake study plan must address the specific reasons you failed initially, not just cover the same material again.
Week 1 - Diagnostic and planning:
- Analyze your score report in detail
- Identify your three weakest domains
- Create a weighted study schedule prioritizing high-impact areas
- Gather domain-specific study materials you didn’t use initially
Week 2-3 - Targeted knowledge building:
- Focus 60% of study time on your weakest domains
- Use multiple learning methods: reading, videos, labs, and practice questions
- Practice realistic CCNP scenario questions on Certsqill — with AI Tutor explanations that show exactly why each answer is right or wrong.
- Build lab environments addressing your weak areas
Week 4 - Integration and application:
- Take full-length practice exams under timed conditions
- Review mistakes focusing on understanding, not memorization
- Practice complex scenarios combining multiple domains
- Address time management issues identified during practice
Week 5 - Final preparation:
- Focus on confidence building and review
- Take final practice exams
- Address any remaining knowledge gaps
- Prepare mentally for test day
Daily structure recommendations:
- Morning sessions (2-3 hours): New content learning in your weakest domains
- Evening sessions (1-2 hours): Practice questions and review
- Weekend intensive: Lab work and full practice exams
Resource allocation:
- 40% - Your weakest domain identified in score report
- 30% - Your second-weakest domain
- 20% - Integration practice and full exams
- 10% - Review of stronger domains
Progress tracking:
- Weekly practice exam scores in each domain
- Lab exercise completion rates
- Time management improvements
- Confidence levels by topic area
The most successful retake candidates treat their second attempt as completely separate from their first, with targeted preparation addressing demonstrated weaknesses rather than generic CCNP review.
FAQ
Q: If I fail ENCOR but pass my concentration exam, do I need to retake both?
No. CCNP requires passing both ENCOR (core exam) and one concentration exam, but they’re separate requirements. If you pass your concentration exam but fail ENCOR, you only retake ENCOR. Your concentration exam result remains valid for three years. This saves both money and study time – focus your retake preparation entirely on ENCOR domains where you scored poorly.
Q: Can I take a different concentration exam instead of retaking the one I failed?
Yes, but this strategy rarely makes sense. If you failed ENARSI (Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services), you could switch to ENSLD (Enterprise SD-WAN and Large-Scale Deployment) or another concentration. However, you’d need to learn entirely new material instead of addressing your specific weaknesses in your original concentration choice. Most candidates find it more efficient to retake their failed concentration exam after targeted study.
Q: Will my retake exam be harder than my first attempt?
No, retake exams aren’t intentionally harder, but they feel different. Cisco draws questions from the same question pool for all attempts, maintaining consistent difficulty. However, you’ll likely see different questions covering the same topics, which can feel more challenging if you relied on memorizing specific questions from your first attempt. The perceived difficulty often reflects your mental state and preparation approach rather than actual exam changes.
Q: How long is my ENCOR passing score valid if I need to retake my concentration exam?
Your ENCOR passing score remains valid for three years from the date you passed it. This gives you substantial time to pass your concentration exam without worrying about ENCOR expiring. However, don’t wait too long – CCNP technology evolves rapidly, and delaying your concentration exam means studying outdated material when you eventually retake.
Q: Can I schedule my retake before my score report is available?
Technically yes, but this is strategically unwise. Your score report provides crucial information about which domains to focus on during retake preparation. Scheduling immediately after failing means you’re guessing about your weak areas rather than targeting them specifically. Wait for your score report (typically available within 24-48 hours) before scheduling your retake. The few extra days of planning will significantly improve your retake success probability.