CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Study Guide 2026: Syllabus, Exam Topics & Study Plan -Edureify
📋 2026 Edition  ·  Updated September 2026

CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Study Guide 2026

Complete exam coverage for the CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR): syllabus, domains, key topics, study plan and practical exam preparation strategy.

110
Questions
120 min
Duration
83
Passing score
6
Domains
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Exam at a Glance

CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Exam Overview

Key facts about the CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) exam structure, format and scoring.

🆔
ccnp-encor
Exam code
📝
110 questions
Total questions
⏱
120 minutes
Duration
🎯
83
Passing score
📋
6 domains
Exam domains
🏆
Certification
Credential type
ℹ️
Scoring method: Scaled scoring (300-1000). Approximately 825/1000 required to pass (Cisco does not publish exact passing score). 90-120 questions in 120 minutes. Version 1.2 effective March 19, 2026. Requires 350-401 plus one concentration exam for CCNP Enterprise certification.. The exam may include unscored pilot questions - treat every question seriously.
Focus Areas

What should you study for the CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) exam?

Start with the domains that make up the CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) exam. Use the detailed syllabus below to work through the individual topics.

⚠️
Common mistake: Candidates often memorise terminology but struggle with scenario-based questions. Focus on when to use what, not just what exists.
🔐
Architecture (15%)
Covers enterprise network design including 2-tier, 3-tier, and spine-leaf architectures, SD-WAN, SD-Access, and cloud connectivity.
🏗
Virtualization (10%)
Covers network virtualization including VRFs, GRE/IPSec tunnels, VXLAN, and server virtualization concepts.
⚡
Infrastructure (30%)
Covers Layer 2 (STP, VLANs, EtherChannel), Layer 3 routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP), and QoS. Wireless infrastructure content was removed in v1.2 (March 2026) and moved to Cisco's wireless specialty certifications.
💰
Network Assurance (10%)
Covers network monitoring, troubleshooting methodologies, IP SLA, NetFlow, SNMP, Syslog, and Cisco DNA Center assurance features.
🔄
Security (20%)
Covers network security including device hardening, AAA, 802.1X, DHCP snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection, and control plane protection.
📊
Automation (15%)
Covers network programmability, REST APIs, Python scripting, Ansible, YANG data models, NETCONF, RESTCONF, and Cisco DNA Center APIs.
Full Syllabus

CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Exam Syllabus and Topics

The CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) exam is divided into 6 domains. Each domain covers specific skills and topics. Expand a domain to see the detailed syllabus.

Campus and WAN Architecture
2-tier (collapsed core) and 3-tier (core-distribution-access) designs
Spine-leaf (fabric) architecture for data center
High availability: FHRP (HSRP, VRRP, GLBP) design
WAN connectivity: MPLS, internet, and hybrid approaches
SD-WAN and SD-Access
Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) components: vManage, vSmart, vBond, vEdge
SD-WAN control plane and data plane separation
Cisco SD-Access architecture: fabric control plane, data plane, policy plane
LISP for SD-Access routing and mobility
Cisco DNA Center as management and assurance platform
~17 questions
150 marks
15% of exam weight
VRF and Overlay Technologies
VRF and VRF-Lite for network segmentation
GRE tunnel configuration and use cases
IPSec VPN: site-to-site and DMVPN
VXLAN for overlay network encapsulation
Server and Cloud Virtualization
Hypervisor types: Type 1 (bare-metal) vs Type 2 (hosted)
Container networking fundamentals
Virtual switching: vSwitch and distributed vSwitch
~11 questions
100 marks
10% of exam weight
Spanning Tree and VLANs
STP variants: STP, RSTP, MSTP
STP port roles and states: root port, designated, blocked, alternate
STP optimization: PortFast, BPDU Guard, Root Guard, Loop Guard
VLAN configuration and trunk negotiation (DTP/802.1Q)
EtherChannel: LACP and PAgP configuration
OSPF
OSPFv2 and OSPFv3 operation and configuration
OSPF area types: backbone, standard, stub, NSSA, totally stubby
OSPF DR/BDR election on multi-access networks
LSA types and their function in OSPF flooding
OSPF authentication and route filtering
EIGRP
EIGRP neighbor relationships and DUAL algorithm
Feasible successor, successor, and feasibility condition
EIGRP named mode vs classic mode configuration
EIGRP stub routing for hub-and-spoke
BGP
iBGP vs eBGP and AS path attribute
BGP path selection: weight, local preference, AS path, MED, next-hop
BGP communities for route manipulation
Route reflectors for iBGP scalability
BGP best practices for internet peering
QoS and IP Services
QoS models: Best-Effort, IntServ (RSVP), DiffServ
DSCP markings and QoS classification
Queuing mechanisms: CBWFQ, LLQ, WFQ
Network Time Protocol (NTP) and DHCP configuration
NAT/PAT: static, dynamic, overload
~33 questions
300 marks
30% of exam weight
Network Monitoring Tools
SNMP v2c and v3 configuration and MIB structure
Syslog severity levels (0-7) and log management
NetFlow and IPFIX for traffic analysis
IP SLA for proactive network testing
Cisco DNA Center Network Assurance: AI-driven insights
~11 questions
100 marks
10% of exam weight
Device Hardening
Control Plane Policing (CoPP) to protect router CPU
Management plane security: SSH, HTTPS, ACL restrictions
AAA with TACACS+ and RADIUS for device authentication
Role-based CLI access levels
Layer 2 Security
DHCP Snooping to prevent rogue DHCP servers
Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) to prevent ARP spoofing
IP Source Guard for IP spoofing prevention
Port security: MAC address limiting
802.1X port-based authentication for network access
VPN and Encryption
IPSec: IKEv1 vs IKEv2, AH vs ESP
Cisco GETVPN for MPLS environments
DMVPN phases 1, 2, and 3
FlexVPN and SSL VPN overview
~22 questions
200 marks
20% of exam weight
APIs and Protocols
REST API: HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH)
NETCONF for configuration management (SSH-based, YANG models)
RESTCONF as HTTP-based alternative to NETCONF
gRPC and gNMI for streaming telemetry
Cisco DNA Center APIs for intent-based networking
Automation Tools and Scripting
Python for network automation: Netmiko, NAPALM, requests library
Ansible for network configuration management: playbooks, modules
Terraform for infrastructure as code in network contexts
YANG data models: structure and use in NETCONF/RESTCONF
Configuration management: IaC principles applied to networking
~16 questions
150 marks
15% of exam weight
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Study Plan

CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Structured Study Roadmap

Choose a preparation timeline based on how much time you have available. For a plan based on your actual readiness and weak domains, use the personalised Edureify study experience. Get My Training Plan →

Weeks 1-2
Core Services + Highest-Weighted Domain
Deep-dive into the most heavily tested domain. Spend more time here when its exam weight is significantly higher.
Official exam guideDomain 1 completeCore conceptsPractice questions
Week 3
Domain 2 - Hands-on Practice
Focus on scenario-based study and reinforce concepts through practical application where applicable.
Domain 2Scenario walkthroughsHands-on practicePractice questions
Week 4
Domain 3 - Deeper Concepts
Work through complex concepts and decision scenarios.
Domain 3Scenario drillsPractice examReview
Week 5
Remaining Domains + Weak Area Targeting
Identify your weaker domains and spend focused time closing those gaps.
Remaining domainsDiagnosticTargeted reviewStudy notes
Week 6
Full Simulations + Final Preparation
Use timed simulations to test your preparation and review the reasoning behind incorrect answers.
Full mock examsWrong-answer reviewFinal reviewExam logistics
Exam Strategy

Tips to pass CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) on your first attempt

Practical advice for applying what you know, managing questions and preparing for exam conditions.

🗓
Infrastructure is 30% of the exam — master BGP path selection attributes (Weight > Local Preference > AS Path > MED > eBGP > OSPF/Metric > Router ID) and OSPF area types in depth.
🔍
BGP weight is Cisco-proprietary and local to the router; Local Preference is shared within the AS; AS Path is the primary internet routing metric — know which attribute to manipulate for which goal.
⏭
OSPF LSA types are heavily tested: Type 1 (Router), Type 2 (Network), Type 3 (Summary), Type 4 (ASBR Summary), Type 5 (External), Type 7 (NSSA External).
📊
STP troubleshooting: know what BPDU Guard does (shuts the port on BPDU receipt), Root Guard (prevents superior BPDUs from changing root), and Loop Guard (prevents alternate ports from becoming designated).
🔁
Automation domain is growing — know REST API HTTP verbs, understand how NETCONF uses YANG models, and be able to read basic Python network automation code.
🧪
SD-WAN: know the four Cisco SD-WAN components and their roles: vManage (GUI/management), vSmart (control plane/routing policy), vBond (orchestration/auth), vEdge/IOS-XE (data plane).
📝
As of v1.2 (March 2026), wireless architecture and wireless security are no longer tested on ENCOR — that content moved to Cisco's wireless specialty certifications, so don't waste study time there.
🎯
DHCP Snooping must be enabled first before Dynamic ARP Inspection — they work together to create a trusted port model for Layer 2 security.
🗓
QoS: DSCP values — EF (46) for voice, AF41 (34) for video, CS0 (0) for best effort — know common DSCP markings and their queue treatment.
🔍
CCNP ENCOR also qualifies you for CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure written requirement — approach study with that depth in mind, going beyond surface-level configuration.
Recommended Resources

CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Study Resources

Use a focused set of resources alongside the study guide rather than trying to study from everything available.

Official
Official Exam Guide
Start with the authoritative exam objectives and blueprint.
→ Vendor website
Practice Tests
CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Practice Test
Practice questions with explanations and domain-level performance analysis.
→ Start free practice test
Mock Exam
CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Mock Exam
Timed preparation under realistic exam-style conditions.
→ Take free mock exam
Training
CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Certification Training
Structured preparation with personalised learning support and adaptive practice.
→ CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) certification online training
AI Tutor
CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) AI Tutor
Get help understanding concepts and work on weak areas with AI-powered learning support.
→ Try CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) AI tutor
Reference
CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Cheat Sheet
Quick-reference summaries for final revision.
→ Get free cheat sheet
Diagnostic
CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) Readiness Test
Assess your preparation and identify weaker exam domains.
→ Check my readiness
⚠️
Avoid brain dumps. Sites selling real or stolen exam questions may violate certification-provider rules and can leave candidates studying outdated material.
Reviews

What candidates say after passing

★★★★★
SD-WAN vs. SD-Access is the architectural distinction CCNP ENCOR tests most precisely.Edureify AI's use case scenarios - WAN connectivity optimization vs. campus segmentation and automation - made the two technologies feel genuinely different rather than overlapping marketing concepts.
Sofia R.
Scrum Master
★★★★★
BGP troubleshooting requires systematic methodology the exam tests in complex multi-step scenarios.Edureify AI's BGP diagnosis scenarios - neighbor state → route table → filter policies → next-hop reachability - built the troubleshooting sequence that finds real problems rather than guessing at configurations.
Ryan B.
IT Director
★★★★★
The automation domain surprised me most on CCNP ENCOR. Python and REST API content appeared more heavily than I'd prepared for.Edureify AI's network automation scenarios - API calls, NETCONF configuration management, Ansible playbook logic - prepared me for the domain that's rapidly becoming core networking knowledge.
Sanjay V.
Portfolio Lead
★★★★★
OSPF area type configuration is the CCNP content that seems theoretical until a misconfiguration scenario shows you exactly how it breaks routing.Edureify AI's area type scenarios - LSA flooding behavior by type, stub area implications, NSSA redistribution - made the operational consequences of each choice concrete.
Clara V.
Business Analyst
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR)

Most candidates with relevant background can structure their preparation over several weeks, depending on their existing knowledge, available study time and exam difficulty. Use the study roadmap above as a starting point and use the readiness diagnostic to identify where you need more preparation.
The guide covers the exam overview, domains, detailed syllabus and topics, study roadmap, exam preparation tips and links to practice, mock, readiness, cheat-sheet, AI Tutor and training resources.
The guide is designed to organize your preparation around the exam syllabus. You should combine it with practice questions and timed simulations so that you can test both your knowledge and your ability to apply it.
Yes. Start with the exam overview and domain breakdown, then work through the detailed topics using the study roadmap. Candidates with less experience may need additional time for foundational concepts.
Take the Edureify readiness diagnostic to assess your preparation and identify the domains where you need to focus more.
Edureify AI can help explain concepts, identify weaker areas from practice performance and support a more personalised preparation process.

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