Half of All People with JNCIS-ENT Needed at Least 3 Months

by Ross Heintzkill | Published on January 20, 2025

If you're eyeing the JNCIS-ENT certification and its exam JN0-351, you're probably wondering how much preparation it's going to take. To help give you an accurate idea, we surveyed professionals through social media and email. Their feedback sheds some light on study time and strategies that worked for them. 

Read on and learn how long you might need to invest in earning JNCIS-ENT certification.

What is the JNCIS-ENT?

JNCIS-ENT stands for Juniper Networks Certified Specialist, Enterprise Routing & Switching. It's a certification aimed at professionals who work with Juniper Networks products and technologies in an enterprise setting. It's a good fit for network engineers and IT professionals with a solid understanding of networking. This certification is ideal for those who want to deepen their expertise in Juniper enterprise environments.

The certification focuses on key skills such as Junos OS configuration, troubleshooting, and networking principles that are essential for enterprise networks. For employers, hiring someone with a JNCIS-ENT certification means they have a skilled professional capable of handling complex routing and switching tasks, making it ideal for mid-level networking roles in companies using Juniper technologies.

The JNCIS-ENT has only one exam: JN0-351, which costs $300 to attempt. It's a 90-minute exam with 65 questions and one prerequisite: You do have to currently hold the JNCIA-Junos before you attempt it.

RELATED: Cisco vs Juniper: The Case for Juniper in 2025 

How Long Does it Take to Study for the JNCIS-ENT?

The preparation times for JNCIS-ENT are almost evenly divided, suggesting that the time needed depends on your starting point and approach. About 21% of respondents managed to prepare in less than 6 weeks, likely because they already had strong knowledge of Juniper networks or enterprise routing and switching concepts. But for many others, it took longer, with 28% needing 6 weeks to 3 months, and about half of respondents requiring more than 3 months to fully prepare.

This even split across time ranges shows that the key to speeding up your JNCIS-ENT study time lies in the study tactics you use. Hands-on experience with Juniper devices, for example, can help you grasp the practical side of routing and switching more quickly.

If you're less familiar with Juniper, dedicating time to virtual labs or simulations early on can give you a solid foundation to shorten your study period. Efficient study methods, like breaking down the topics into manageable chunks and focusing on areas where you're weakest, could help you move through the material faster.

If you're aiming to prepare for JNCIS-ENT in less time, focus on using practice labs, online training programs, and setting a structured study schedule. Regular hands-on practice will be crucial for mastering the more complex topics.

What's on the JNCIS-ENT Test?

The JNCIS-ENT is a 90-minute exam with 65 questions that covers basic understanding of routing and switching technologies, specifically Juniper Networks technologies, and platform configuration and troubleshooting skills. Even network administrators will want to think about an online Juniper course to prepare for the following exam topics:

1. Layer 2 Switching or VLANs

2. Spanning Tree

3. Layer 2 Security

4. Protocol Independent Routing

5. OSPF

6. IS-IS

7. BGP

8. Tunnels

9. High Availability

The JNCIS-ENT exam focuses on configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting enterprise networks using Junos OS. A key part of the exam is understanding Layer 2 switching and VLANs, including the setup and management of ports, VLAN tagging, and inter-VLAN routing. You'll want to be familiar with Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Layer 2 security techniques like MAC limiting, and firewall filter configurations.

The exam also tests routing proficiency, specifically in protocol-independent routing and common routing protocols like OSPF, IS-IS, and BGP. For each protocol, candidates need to know how to establish and manage routes, configure interfaces, handle routing policies, and troubleshoot routing issues using tools like ping and traceroute. You should go into the test with practical experience with static and dynamic routes, load balancing, and tunneling options, including GRE and IP-IP.

High availability and redundancy in Junos OS are also critical topics on the JNCIS-ENT test. The exam covers configurations for link aggregation, virtual chassis setups, and high-availability protocols like VRRP and Graceful Restart. Deep knowledge of tools and strategies that ensure uninterrupted network performance, such as Unified In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) and Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) will be important. Overall, the JNCIS-ENT exam evaluates a candidate's ability to implement reliable, secure, and efficient enterprise network solutions using Juniper’s networking technologies.

Why Do Some People Need More Time to Prepare for JNCIS-ENT?

The JNCIS-ENT is a great certification for anyone working with or transitioning to Juniper equipment in enterprise environments. It’s ideal for network admins or junior network engineers ready to deepen their skills in Juniper technologies, like Junos OS. Earning your JNCIS-ENT is worth the investment if your company is transitioning to Juniper from another network provider or when you're looking for jobs at companies that use it.

While some people say they needed up to 5 months to prepare for JNCIS-ENT, it’s worth the investment. Getting certified can help you jump to the next stage of your career. But you may be able to study for the exam faster — especially if you already have a solid grasp on Juniper-based routing and switching.

Of the 113 respondents to the JNCIS-ENT study time survey, answers varied widely and were almost evenly split across categories. While fewer than the majority, it’s worth noting that some folks (21%) took fewer than 6 weeks to prepare, indicating that it is possible to prep for JNCIS-ENT in just a few weeks.

That said, the largest number of respondents (28%) say they needed between 6 weeks and 3 months to prepare. If you don’t have a lot of experience with Juniper products, it’s safe to say you’ll want to set aside about 3 months to study ahead of test day (maybe more, depending on the quality of your study materials).

How to Prepare for the JNCIS-ENT in 6 Weeks

Targeted tools like online courses, Juniper study plans, and practice exams can help streamline your preparation for the Juniper Networks Certified Specialist - Enterprise Routing and Switching (JNCIS-ENT) exam.

Investing in a high-quality JNCIS-ENT online course can provide a structured curriculum aligned with the exam’s objectives. Looking for the best Juniper courses? CBT Nuggets has Juniper training that covers everything from Junos OS to advanced routing and switching concepts, helping you spend time on what matters most.

Better yet — make sure your training instructor knows Juniper like the back of their hand. With CBT Nuggets Juniper training, expert teachers like Knox Hutchinson guide you through the material in an accessible way, using visuals and real-world examples to make complex topics digestible. Courses like this bring professional experience directly to your study routine, helping you master Juniper faster.

If your goal is to sharpen your edge in enterprise networking, the JNCIS-ENT certification will help you do just that. Though studying may take several months, the best JNCIS-ENT course lets you focus on what matters. With guided labs, in-depth lessons, and targeted practice exams, you’ll feel ready in less time. Whether it’s a promotion or a new job title you’re after, make the journey to certification easier with a course that keeps you on track and builds confidence.