I’m happy to share that I’ve managed to earn my CWAP (CWAP-404) certification on December 28, 2024. The journey to achieve it was not as easy as it might seem from my blog posts. I’ve read and heard that this exam is the toughest one in the CWNP library, and that might just be true.
The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, with a passing score of 70%, or 42/60. This looks very doable, and I initially felt confident, knowing I could make up to 18 mistakes. I bought and took the official practice tests by CWNP, scoring 75% on my first try. I noticed I made some minor mistakes, and I could clearly understand why they were wrong or ‘less correct.’ You don’t always have to choose the right answer, but rather the best possible answer. There might be multiple suitable answers, but one is more likely than the others. The exam includes several of these types of questions, which can leave you with a good feeling but not always the expected result. I had hoped to achieve closer to 90% on the practice tests, showing a gap of 9/60 between my expected and achieved scores.
One reason for this is the level of detail required. You need to confidently analyze PCAPs, understand the different information fields, identify the key elements within them, and remember their exact names. Study the differences in information elements across frame types, how QoS and EDCA work, various IFS types, PHY and MAC frame formats, and more. My blog posts cover major elements but miss some fine details. Remember, this blog series is a summary and experience guide. Practical exposure (packet captures, spectrum analysis, etc.) and additional sources like the official study guide or training are crucial to pass this exam.
During the exam, I was obviously nervous, but I felt I was doing well. I flagged only five or six questions for review, assuming my other answers were correct. When I submitted my answers, I was relieved to see the ‘Passed’ grade. I still ended up on 47/60, just below the 80% mark if I wanted to become a CWNT and teach CWAP classes in the future. But I’m sure that I’ll do everything I can do check that box in a future recertification attempt. Knowing that the deadline for CWAP-404 was by year’s end added to the pressure. If I had failed, I would have had to book a second attempt on New Year’s Eve or wait for CWAP-405 to dive into Wi-Fi 7 and MLO. To be fair, I initially wanted to start with CWAP-405 after completing CWNA in September, but the release of this version was postponed from September 2024 to January 2025. On a fun note, I found out after my attempt, that the exam deadline was moved back even further to March 31, 2025. This is due to the awaited release of the 802.11-2024 standard. Idecided to tackle CWAP-404 first because I like to tackle the hardest challenges upfront.
Study Journey
My preparation took over three months, as I don’t analyze PCAPs daily and needed ample time to prepare. It wasn’t easy balancing work, life, my wife, studying, and writing blog posts. I don’t have much experience writing blogs outside of my internship. I started with enthusiasm, but some days I was too tired to write and chose to read the study guide instead. Sitting at my desk with my computer on also made it hard to avoid distractions like doom-scrolling on social media.
After launching my website and posting my first blog, I received great feedback, which kept me motivated. Still, I couldn’t maintain the pace of posting chapter reviews every two weeks. In September, my wife and I joined a local gym, and after two-hour sessions, I was too tired to write. Despite this, I was happy with my pace and progress during September and October. However, work got busier as the end of the year approached, and I spent a lot of time commuting, losing valuable study hours. I listened to podcasts like Clear To Send, Wi-Fi Ninjas, and Heavy Wireless during my commute, but after a while, I got tired of them.
As the deadline approached, I felt stressed about meeting it. I could have chosen CWDP or CWSP and waited for CWAP-405, but I’m not a quitter. I was determined to pass CWAP-404.
In early December, I went on a week-long holiday booked months earlier. Behind schedule, I hardly opened my CWAP book during the trip, despite posting a photo of it on the plane. To make matters worse, I caught the flu upon returning home, leaving me unable to study just weeks before my exam.
Thankfully, my employer allowed me a few days to study during work hours. This helped me close the gap in my schedule just in time for the exam. The only thing I couldn’t finish was my blog post on Chapter 9 about Spectrum Analysis.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for your support along the way. If you’re reading this to prepare for CWAP-405 (for which I still think my blog posts are helpful), know that focus, consistency, hard work, and time management are essential to passing this or any other exam. If you have questions or feedback about studying for CWAP, feel free to reach out on LinkedIn.
Now it’s time for a well-deserved break. I’ll soon start preparing for my next CWNP certification!
I passed yesterday! I used your blog as part of my studies.