Preparing for ENAUTO? Most People Need At Least 5 Months to Study
by Ross Heintzkill | Published on January 20, 2025
You may come across the Automating and Programming Cisco Enterprise Solutions exam (300-435 ENAUTO) in your journey toward the CCNP Enterprise or DevNet Professional. To help you plan how long you’ll need to prepare for ENAUTO, we reached out to IT professionals who have already passed the test through surveys shared on social media and via email.
If you're curious about how much time most people invest when studying for ENAUTO, their responses can help you prepare.
What is the 300-435 ENAUTO Exam Used For?
The 300-435 ENAUTO exam counts toward three different certs: CCNP Enterprise, Cisco Certified DevNet Professional, and the Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist – Enterprise Automation and Programmability. Unlike the CCNP or DevNet Professional, which both also require a core exam, you’ll only need one exam to earn your DevNet Specialist — and ENAUTO is one of the options on the list of specialization tests you can take.
The content covered on the ENAUTO exam is useful for network engineers, automation specialists, and software developers alike. The test is part of the broader Cisco DevNet program and validates skills in automating enterprise network solutions. It focuses on leveraging tools like Python and APIs to automate and streamline network operations and management tasks.
Having the DevNet Specialist (Enterprise Automation and Programmability) proves you can implement and manage solutions using Cisco platforms like DNA Center, SD-WAN, and Meraki. This makes it a key credential for professionals working on network automation and DevOps. There are no prerequisites for earning it, but the 90-minute 300-435 exam does cost $300 to attempt.
RELATED: Which CCNP Enterprise Specialty Exam Should I Take?
How Long Does it Take to Study for the DevNet Specialist?
Since ENAUTO is the only exam needed to earn the DevNet Specialist, we’ll focus the findings of the survey on that credential. Check out the study times for CCNP Enterprise Core (ENCOR) or 350-901 DEVCOR exams if CCNP Enterprise or DevNet Professional are on your goal list.
Even though it’s just the one exam needed, earning your DevNet Specialist is really, really challenging. The survey results show that studying for ENAUTO will most likely take months, not weeks.
ENAUTO Study Time Survey Results: A Breakdown
This test takes deep understanding and solid preparation. A high-quality ENAUTO training course can help you prepare — but even then, it won’t be easy. The test covers a lot of ground and involves learning and refining both development skills and networking knowledge. Plan to set aside enough time to review the ENAUTO exam material a few times.
The majority (85%) of IT pros who took the test reported needing more than 6 weeks to prepare for ENAUTO.
70% of respondents said they needed over 3 months to feel ready for the DevNet Professional exam.
Nearly half (42%) reported needing more than 5 months of preparation.
Only 11% of respondents managed to get ready in less than 6 weeks, showing this is not a certification you can cram for, even if you have some experience in network automation and development.
The DevNet Specialist isn't just about brushing up on a few concepts. You’ll need to master complex topics that take time to absorb.
What's on the DevNet Specialist Test?
The exam needed to earn your DevNet Specialist (Enterprise Automation and Programmability) certification is 300-435 ENAUTO, a 90-minute exam that covers enterprise automation solutions, programming concepts, Python programming, APIs, and controllers.
Even experienced DevOps professionals will need to prepare for the test, which has six sections:
Network Programmability Foundation
Automate APIs and Protocols
Network Device Programmability
Cisco DNA Center
Cisco SD-WAN
Cisco Meraki
The DevNet Specialist exam focuses on applying software development and automation skills to manage and monitor network devices. You'll want to know how to use Git for version control, understand APIs, and have experience using Python. Python plays an important role in the test – you'll want experience with data types, functions, and looping as well as using virtual environments. First-hand experience automating network operations on Cisco platforms using configuration tools like Ansible and Terraform will be very helpful.
Another major part of the exam is working with YANG models and different data formats like JSON and XML for network management. You should know how to manage devices using NETCONF and RESTCONF protocols and have experience deploying configurations with Python and Ansible. You'll want to know telemetry’s role in network health and troubleshooting.
The exam covers automation through Cisco DNA Center, Cisco SD-WAN vManage, and Cisco Meraki APIs, with tasks related to creating, configuring, and troubleshooting networks. Before taking the test, you'll want to practice using APIs to automate network discovery, configuration, and monitoring. You should know how to work with these platforms with Python scripting and API calls. The test ultimately prepares candidates to leverage network automation to create more responsive, efficient, and scalable network systems.
With a list like that, you can see how it might take 5 months or more of prep time to get ready for the Cisco DevNet Specialist. An online course is your best bet for staying on track. CBT Nuggets’ 300-435 ENAUTO course can offer you step-by-step lessons on APIs, automation, and network programming. Hands-on labs, an ENAUTO study plan, and mock exams give you a structured way to learn the information and help you quickly build the confidence to tackle the DevNet Specialist certification.
5 Months is a Lot. Do I Really Need to Spend that Long Studying for ENAUTO?
If you’re shooting for your Cisco DevNet Specialist, you might be able to squeak by with only a few months of planning, especially if you have a few years’ experience in automation and programming. But if ENAUTO is part of your journey toward CCNP Enterprise or the DevNet Professional, it would be wise to proactively clear your calendar for some serious study sessions for the next few months (at least).
That said, the DevNet Specialist is a powerful cert for network professionals in programming and automation. If you’re aiming to manage network automation or move into DevOps, the Cisco DevNet Specialist delivers high-demand skills like API integration and Cisco platform automation.
Better yet, this certification’s focus on tools like Python and REST APIs help network pros advance into roles where network automation is critical. A 5+ month investment can be a lot to confront, but the DevNet Specialist equips you for the fast-paced world of modern network infrastructure better than basically any other certification out there.
How to Study for the DevNet Specialist as Fast as Possible
Cisco’s DevNet Specialist certification can take several months to prepare for, but utilizing the right study tools, like online courses, virtual labs, and practice exams, can make the journey faster and smoother. Here’s how to make the most of your study time.
Use Online Training Resources
While there may be free resources on network automation, it’s a challenge finding comprehensive, well-organized materials tailored to the DevNet Specialist. Courses from CBT Nuggets are worth it for the structured approach and expert guidance they provide, covering crucial DevNet tools like Python, APIs, and Cisco platforms in exam-specific detail.
Use Virtual Labs
With virtual labs, you can practice automation techniques in an environment that simulates real Cisco network conditions, giving you practical experience with the tools and concepts needed for the DevNet Specialist exam. A training program that contains virtual labs is especially helpful for learning how to implement automation and programmability, significantly speeding up your study process.
Test Yourself Using Practice Exams
Practice exams are a game-changer for exam readiness, especially with DevNet’s programming and automation content. Using practice exams will help you identify gaps in your knowledge and strengthen your test-taking confidence, saving you time by focusing on areas needing the most review.
Learn From Experts
Find an ENAUTO training that leverages the guidance of experienced Cisco and automation experts who can break down complex programming and automation topics into easy-to-understand modules. Expert-led, illustrated courses from trainers like Knox Hutchinson and Ben Finkle are the next best thing to personal coaching, helping you master DevNet topics faster than you could on your own.
Let’s Recap: Smart Study Hacks for ENAUTO
If you’re planning to tackle the DevNet Professional, expect a long study period and consider seeking additional resources like formal training, study groups, or online courses. With the majority of people needing several months to prepare, going in with a solid game plan and enough time to really learn the material will be key to your success.
Earning your DevNet Specialist means you have what it takes to dive deep into network automation and stand out in today’s job market. It may take months of preparation ahead of ENAUTO test day, but it helps to have hands-on labs and targeted lessons that cover everything you need.
Save time and study smarter with expert guidance that makes the material stick. The future of network automation awaits — let CBT Nuggets get you there faster.