Arista Networks has become a major player in modern networking, powering cloud-scale data centers and enterprise environments worldwide. As organizations increasingly adopt Arista’s software-driven solutions, earning an Arista Certification—such as the Arista Certified Engineering Associate (ACE-A) or Arista Certified Engineering Professional (ACE-P)—can significantly boost your career prospects.

However, preparing for an Arista exam isn’t just about memorizing commands or watching a few training videos. It requires strategic planning, hands-on practice, and a clear understanding of Arista’s unique network architecture and EOS (Extensible Operating System). Many candidates underestimate the exam’s depth and make avoidable mistakes that lead to frustration or failure.

To help you prepare effectively, here are the most common mistakes to avoid when studying for Arista Certification exams—and what to do instead.

1. Ignoring the Official Exam Blueprint

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is skipping the official Arista exam blueprint. This document outlines exactly what topics the exam covers, how they’re weighted, and what skills you need to demonstrate.

Without reviewing the blueprint, you risk wasting time studying irrelevant material or overlooking key topics like Arista EOS architecture, MLAG, VXLAN, and automation using eAPI and CloudVision.

Avoid this mistake by:

• Downloading the latest exam blueprint from the official Arista website.

• Mapping each topic to your study plan and tracking your progress.

• Prioritizing high-weighted sections and ensuring you can explain them clearly.

The blueprint is your roadmap—treat it as your guide, not just a suggestion.

2. Relying Only on Theoretical Knowledge

Arista exams are known for emphasizing real-world, hands-on skills. Many questions require you to analyze configurations, troubleshoot issues, or interpret command outputs. Simply reading PDFs or watching tutorials won’t be enough.

Candidates often fail because they can explain concepts but can’t apply them in a live network environment.

Avoid this mistake by:

• Practicing in Arista’s vEOS lab environment—it’s available for free and simulates real devices.

• Configuring common features like Spanning Tree, BGP, VXLAN, and EVPN manually.

• Troubleshooting misconfigurations on purpose to understand how the system reacts.

Practical experience reinforces theory and makes your answers more accurate and confident during the exam.

3. Not Understanding EOS Deeply Enough

Arista’s Extensible Operating System (EOS) is unique compared to other network operating systems. While it shares similarities with Cisco IOS or Juniper JunOS, its Linux-based architecture and programmability set it apart.

Some candidates approach Arista certification as if it were “just another Cisco exam,” which is a costly mistake.

Avoid this mistake by:

• Learning EOS fundamentals—its process model, SysDB, and modular structure.

• Exploring CLI commands, eAPI scripting, and the switch’s Linux shell.

• Understanding how EOS supports automation and DevOps integration.

Knowing how and why EOS operates differently will help you grasp advanced topics faster and handle scenario-based questions effectively. Follow arista certification.

4. Skipping Automation and CloudVision Topics

Modern Arista networks are designed for automation and scalability. Yet many candidates still focus exclusively on traditional networking concepts, overlooking crucial topics like CloudVision, APIs, and network programmability.

Since automation is at the heart of Arista’s ecosystem, ignoring it can cost you valuable marks.

Avoid this mistake by:

• Practicing basic Python scripting for network automation.

• Learning how to interact with Arista eAPI for configuration and monitoring.

• Exploring CloudVision Portal (CVP) and understanding how it simplifies management.

Even if you’re not a programmer, having a foundational understanding of automation will make your skillset far more valuable—and exam-ready.

5. Neglecting Time Management During the Exam

Many candidates underestimate the importance of time management. The Arista certification exams often feature detailed scenario questions that require careful reading and multiple steps to solve.

Spending too long on one complex question can cause you to rush through easier ones later.

Avoid this mistake by:

• Practicing mock exams under timed conditions.

• Quickly identifying which questions you can solve immediately and which to revisit later.

• Leaving at least five minutes at the end to review your flagged answers.

Developing a sense of timing is just as important as mastering technical knowledge.

6. Using Outdated Study Materials

Networking technologies evolve rapidly, and Arista frequently updates its certifications to match industry trends. Relying on outdated study guides or old lab setups can lead to confusion and missed information.

Avoid this mistake by:

• Using official or verified training resources like those from 591cert, which provide up-to-date Arista certification training.

• Checking community forums and Arista’s official documentation for the latest changes.

• Staying current with Arista EOS release notes to understand feature updates.

Quality and relevance matter more than quantity when it comes to learning materials.

7. Skipping Practice Exams

Some candidates think they’re ready because they’ve covered all topics—but without practice tests, it’s hard to gauge true readiness.

Avoid this mistake by:

• Taking multiple mock exams to assess your knowledge and timing.

• Reviewing every incorrect answer to understand why you got it wrong.

• Tracking your improvement over time until you consistently score above the passing mark.

Practice exams not only reinforce knowledge but also boost confidence and reduce exam-day anxiety.

Final Thoughts

Earning an Arista certification is an excellent way to validate your expertise in modern networking and automation. However, success depends on more than technical skill—it requires strategy, discipline, and the right mindset.

Avoid the common mistakes above by focusing on hands-on practice, updated materials, and consistent study habits. Whether you’re pursuing ACE-A, ACE-P, or higher-level Arista certifications, preparation is the key to standing out in a competitive networking field.