Cisco · 2026 Edition
A complete preparation guide written by Cisco-certified engineers. Covers the exam format,all 6 blueprint domains, a week-by-week study plan, and proven tips for passing first time.
4–6 months
Prep time
Advanced
Difficulty
90
Exam questions
Variable
Pass mark
Exam code
350-501
Full name
CCNP Service Provider
Vendor
Cisco
Duration
120 minutes
Questions
90 items
Passing score
Variable
Domains covered
6 blueprint domains
Recommended experience
3+ years of service provider networking experience; CCNA SP or equivalent recommended
Typical prep time
4–6 months
CCNP Service Provider is the credential for engineers operating carrier-grade networks. MPLS, BGP at scale, QoS, and segment routing are skills demanded by ISPs, telcos, and large-scale infrastructure providers.
Job roles this opens
Domain percentage weights are not currently available for this exam. The checklist below is still useful for planning your study.
Passing score: Cisco passing scores vary by exam version and are not always publicly listed. Check the official Cisco exam page before booking.
Month 1
Architecture: SP reference designs, IOS XR fundamentals, OSPFv3, IS-IS
Tip: 350-501 SPCOR is the core exam; you also need one concentration (SPAUTO, SPRI, SPOC, or SPCNI). IOS XR differs from IOS XE in commit-based configuration model — know how to commit, rollback, and use configuration sessions.
Month 2
Networking: MPLS fundamentals, LDP, L2/L3 VPNs (L2VPN, L3VPN, EVPN)
Tip: MPLS label operations (push, swap, pop) and the label forwarding information base (LFIB) are foundational. Know the difference between PHP (penultimate hop popping) and UHP (ultimate hop popping) and why PHP is the default.
Month 3
MPLS Traffic Engineering, Segment Routing, BGP at scale
Tip: Segment routing is the future of SP networks and appears heavily in the exam. Understand SID types: Node-SID (router-level), Adj-SID (link-level), and how the SRGB (Segment Routing Global Block) is allocated.
Month 4–5
QoS, Infrastructure Security, Automation
Tip: SP QoS uses DSCP marking and traffic shaping/policing. Know the DSCP per-hop behaviours: EF (voice), AF (assured forwarding classes), CS (class selector), and BE (best effort). Exam questions describe a service type and ask which PHB applies.
Month 6
Concentration exam prep and full mock exams
Tip: SPCOR is one of the hardest CCNP exams. Budget 4 hours of focused study daily in the final month. Segment routing and EVPN together constitute a significant portion of the harder questions.
L3VPN fundamentals: MP-BGP carries VPNv4 routes with Route Distinguishers (RD) making them unique and Route Targets (RT) controlling import/export policy. Know the difference between RD and RT — they are frequently confused in exam distractors.
IS-IS is the IGP of choice in service provider cores. Unlike OSPF, IS-IS runs directly over Layer 2 — no IP required. Know Level 1 (intra-area), Level 2 (inter-area), and L1/L2 boundary routers.
BFD (Bidirectional Forwarding Detection) is used throughout SP networks to provide sub-second failure detection for OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, and static routes. Know what BFD does and what it does not replace.
IOS XR commit model: changes are staged in a candidate configuration. `commit` applies them; `commit replace` replaces the running config entirely; rollback points allow recovery. This is fundamentally different from IOS/IOS-XE.
SPCOR requires passing 350-501 plus one concentration exam — plan two separate Pearson VUE bookings and confirm your concentration track before you start studying.
Apply everything in this guide with adaptive practice questions, detailed answer explanations, and domain analytics.
Deep-dive explanations of the key topics tested on 350-501 — with exam key points and common misconceptions.