Top Study Resources to Pass Your Arista Certification Exams on the First Try

Preparing for an Arista certification exam — whether it's the ACE-A (Associate), ACE-P (Professional), or the upcoming ACE-E (Expert) — can be a major step in advancing your networking career. However, like any technical certification, success requires a smart study strategy and the right resources. With the right tools, you can pass your Arista exam on the first try and move quickly toward your career goals.

In this article, we’ll explore the top study resources that can help you confidently prepare for your arista certification journey.

1. Official Arista Training Materials

The first and most important resource you should turn to is Arista’s official study guides and training videos.

• ACE Courseware: Arista provides detailed courseware for each certification level. These documents outline every topic you’ll be tested on and provide in-depth explanations and examples.
  
  

• Free Training Videos: Arista also offers on-demand video training through their website and partner platforms. These videos closely mirror the exam content and are an excellent way to learn complex topics visually.
  
  

✅ Tip: Download the latest version of the courseware from the Arista certification page and go through it systematically.

2. vEOS and Lab Practice

One of the best ways to master Arista technologies is through hands-on practice.

• vEOS: Arista offers a free virtualized version of their EOS (Extensible Operating System) called vEOS, which can run on virtualization platforms like VMware, KVM, or VirtualBox.
  
  

• GNS3/EVE-NG: You can integrate vEOS into network emulation tools like GNS3 or EVE-NG to simulate complex network topologies.
  
  

✅ Tip: Set up small labs focusing on key topics like VLANs, VXLANs, EVPN, BGP, and automation tasks. Try to replicate real-world scenarios as much as possible.

3. Network Automation Skills

Arista certifications — especially at the Professional level — emphasize automation and programmability.

• Python: Learn basic Python scripting as it’s heavily used in network automation tasks.
  
  

• Ansible: Arista provides playbooks and integration guides for automating their devices with Ansible.
  
  

• API Practice: Arista’s EOS is API-driven. Get familiar with eAPI and building simple scripts to manage Arista devices programmatically.
  
  

✅ Tip: Arista’s CloudVision Portal and eAPI guides are publicly available — these are great to practice your automation skills.

4. Arista Documentation Portal

The Arista Documentation Portal is a goldmine of technical information.

• Configuration Guides: Detailed examples and explanations on setting up all major protocols and services.
  
  

• Feature Guides: Specialized documents covering advanced features like EVPN, VXLAN, Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), and more.
  
  

• EOS CLI Commands Reference: Vital for quick lookup during practice labs and real-world troubleshooting.
  
  

✅ Tip: Bookmark key documents so you can quickly refer back when studying or setting up labs.

5. Community Forums and Study Groups

Even though Arista certifications are newer compared to Cisco or Juniper, there is a growing community of engineers studying and sharing tips.

• Arista Networks Community: Arista’s official forums have discussion threads where you can ask questions or find solutions.
  
  

• Reddit (r/networking): Many threads cover Arista topics, lab ideas, and exam tips.
  
  

• LinkedIn Groups and Discord Channels: Several networking communities offer dedicated channels for Arista study discussions.
  
  

✅ Tip: Don’t study in isolation. Engaging in discussions can help you clear doubts faster and stay motivated.

6. Practice Exams and Quizzes

While Arista does not currently offer official practice exams, you can create your own mini-quizzes.

• Use the courseware to generate flashcards or multiple-choice questions.
  
  

• Test yourself regularly to check your understanding.
  
  

• Focus on weak areas and revisit topics you consistently miss.
  
  

✅ Tip: If you find third-party practice exams, ensure they align closely with Arista’s official blueprint to avoid outdated material.

Conclusion

Passing an Arista certification exam on your first try is absolutely achievable — if you prepare strategically. Focus on official materials, invest time in hands-on labs, build automation skills, and tap into community support to reinforce your learning.

With Arista certifications becoming more recognized in industries like cloud, finance, and large-scale data centers, earning your ACE credential can open doors to exciting, high-paying networking roles.

Start your preparation early, stick to a consistent study plan, and you’ll be well on your way to successfully passing your Arista exam!