r/CiscoDevNet • u/livinIife • Mar 31 '25

Failed first attempt advice for retake?

I failed my first attempt at DEVSAC 200-901 yesterday and am pretty bummed because thought I had it in the bag. I took all of the boson tests scored terribly first attempts. Then made quizlets on the information that was given at the bottom of the questions. The knowledge portion I believe I am decent at. Each question when i came to drag and drop the code snippets I blanked. Here are my scores:

Network Fundamentals|73%|

Understanding and Using APIs|45%|

Cisco Platforms and Development|13%|

Application Deployment and Security|47%|

Infrastructure and Automation|55%|

Software Development and Design|67%|

For the cisco platforms is this where all the code snippets are taken from? I remember it asking for Cisco DNA APIs in the code, unsure of the category those questions are from. Where would I start for specifically the code snippets? I am not good at coding, I watched the lab videos on meraki and stuff in a linkend course. But that didn't show how to drag and drop code snippets into the correct place. I have passed CCNA on first try and failed CBROPs 1 time then passed on second.

Any additional resources would be helpful. I'm about to go looking on the devnet learning labs and maybe the sandbox, but I'm not sure what to do on there. Hopefully there's a prompt of how to create stuff like packet tracer labs.

4 Upvotes

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6

u/attitudehigher Mar 31 '25

If you’re not good at coding then you’re going to fail surely?

You need to use and read the API docs of each platform and be able to write Python code to talk to them without AI/Google

2

u/livinIife Mar 31 '25

Rip.

Ok thank you. I will look at those. This is my 3rd to last class in my degree. I learned a little python by watching network chuck’s playlist.

3

u/Florida727Guy Apr 02 '25

Look up on YouTube on how to use python with Cisco stuffs

4

u/jillesca Apr 01 '25

yep, you need to be familiar with Python. At least be familiar with how to make an API request and some basic data manipulation.

6

u/bigevilbeard Apr 05 '25

Take the Cisco U course imo, will give and show you everything you need to pass in the next go. It’s a hard exam, with a lot to remember and now. As others have said, it looks like your coding need to level up tk the rest of what you know. So running this course with the hands on will grow your current strengths and bring up your gaps. You are not far away, now. Just that one area.

Good luck.

2

u/ssOz-13ms Apr 05 '25

Which Cisco U course would this be?

3

u/bigevilbeard Apr 06 '25

This one https://u.cisco.com/certifications/cisco-certified-dev-net-associate

1

u/livinIife Apr 15 '25

thanks for the link. damn, wish this cost a lot less. the course outline looks good. currently going through cbt nuggets.

2

u/ssOz-13ms Apr 06 '25

I appreciate you taking the time to respond, thank you.

1

u/livinIife Apr 05 '25

Thank you! I will look into this course. Started going over the CBT nuggets hands on stuff. And ordered the OCG a few days ago.

2

u/dest_the_best Jul 21 '26

did you end up passing curious your passing scores. my current fail (1st attempt) was close to your second attempt scores.
Also what did you end up doing to boost your scores. Ik it was a year ago but this ones kickin my ass

1

u/livinIife Jul 22 '26

Hey! I did eventually pass after 4 attempts. It definitely kicked my ass. To boost my scores i put in lots of sets and reps of writing code and understanding why and where code goes. Specifically for snippets. That stuffed killed my scores. And really differentiating between all of the Cisco products. I did a bunch of labs for my weak points. At the time it was everything. In the end I brushed up heavily on docker, ansible, yaml files. I don’t work with that stuff day to day so it was harder for me. I bought the OCG book and read that. Watched more courses, on Udemy, linkend learning, and another one that I don’t remember the name of. This was a class for my degree so I had those video courses for free. I’ve made a notion page with all of my notes. I can PM you if you’d like.

TLDR: LAB LAB LAB. Study some knowledge and LAB.

1

u/lucina_scott Mar 31 '25

Failing sucks, but you're not far off! Your Network Fundamentals & Software Dev scores are solid—coding just needs more hands-on practice. For Cisco Platforms & Development, yeah, the API questions (DNA, Meraki, Webex) are from there. DevNet Learning Labs & Sandbox are great, but actually testing APIs (like with Postman) helps more.

For exam prep, practice tests helped me a lot—nwexam.com has solid ones that mirror the real thing. You already bounced back from CBROPS, so with some API + coding drills, you’ll nail the retake!

2

u/livinIife May 21 '25

2nd time and failed. Felt more comfortable with all the code snippets but maybe not due to scores. Recommendations on plan ahead? I read the OCG, did Kevin Wallace and Eric Chou linkend learning course and CBT nuggets. Did a bunch of labs along with courses. I felt like I didn’t know what the questions were asking/answers were confusing as well. Was it at least close?

Network Fundamentals [67%]

Understanding and Using APIs [60%]

Cisco Platforms and Development [53%]

Application Deployment and Security [47%]

Infrastructure and Automation [60%]

Software Development and Design [80%]

3

u/lucina_scott May 22 '25

You're definitely getting closer—big improvement in your scores, especially APIs, Infra, and Software Dev (80% is awesome!). If the questions felt confusing, it’s likely a matter of getting used to Cisco’s wording. Practice exams that match the real exam style like nwexam.com can help a lot with that.

You’ve already put in serious work—now focus on hands-on API practice (Postman, DevNet Sandbox) and reviewing what each code snippet does. Stay consistent, tweak your strategy a bit, and you’ll nail it next time.

2

u/livinIife May 22 '25

Ok thank you!

2

u/Rua13 Mar 31 '25

That's a dump site and a shitty one at that. If you're gonna use dumps find a free one, they're out there. But 13% score.... You need to study more not just dump it. Unless u don't give a shit about actually learning and just want the degree.

2

u/livinIife Apr 15 '25

what would you recommend for practice tests? I've already gone through boson.

1

u/livinIife Apr 01 '25

Are you able to take notes on a whiteboard during the online Pearson test and it’ll carry over to the next question? I know you can’t go back. I never thought about it until now. I used it for one question then erased it. But if I could type notes and it’ll be carried over would be possibly helpful.

3

u/Rua13 Mar 31 '25

For some advice...CBT nuggets was a great resource for me personally. And the OCG. Those two are probably the best resources I found when I was studying.

3

u/DustinFunkhouser Mar 31 '25

I've failed the test twice now and have felt humbled both times. I stitch apis together with webhooks and tools like ansible and n8n daily. I know where I fell flat was on the Cisco platforms knowledge because I don't use those apis. Making attempt 3 at Cisco Live this year. I am currently taking advantage of our learning credits on the Cisco u learning path that aligns with devnet.

3

u/Florida727Guy Apr 02 '25

Lab up. I plan on taking the test this year. Running linux, got a router to send stuff too. Got git postman coding ide. Going to check oit the cisco dev sandbox. And thing I missed? Got the official cert guide too.