HPE Aruba Switching Expert (Written, HPE7-A06)

It is a proctored exam delivered at a testing site with no reference material allowed. HPE lists 70 questions in 2 hours, a 63% passing score, and delivery in English, Japanese, and Latin American Spanish. HPE also notes the exam may contain beta test items for experimental purposes.

HPE's datacard states the exam length is 70 questions and the duration is 2 hours. That works out to roughly 100 seconds per question, so pace yourself and flag lengthy scenario items rather than letting them consume time you need elsewhere.

The passing score published by HPE is 63%. Because the exam may include beta items that HPE says are for experimental purposes, treat every question as if it counts and do not assume any item is unscored.

HPE describes the exam as validating campus networking mastery with a specific focus on wired networking, including routing/switching, security, connectivity, performance optimization, and troubleshooting. HPE also states that knowledge of some campus mobility topics is required.

HPE lists English, Japanese, and Latin American Spanish as the delivery languages. If you plan to test in a non-English language, confirm availability when you schedule, since delivery options can vary by location.

Start with routing and switching fundamentals, since the other domains build on them, then move to security and connectivity, followed by performance optimization and troubleshooting. Add campus mobility last, because HPE describes it as a supporting knowledge area rather than the exam's focus.

This is an expert-level written exam, so configuration knowledge alone is rarely enough. Build labs that force you to diagnose faults, read show output, and justify design tradeoffs across routing, security, and performance scenarios, then practice explaining your reasoning concisely.

Two frequent causes are over-studying mobility at the expense of wired routing, switching, security, and troubleshooting, and relying on memorized commands instead of understanding why a design or fix is correct. The 63% threshold leaves little room for weak domains, so audit every objective area before testing.

HPE's datacard does not state a retake policy or exam fee on the page reviewed here, so we do not publish those figures. Check the HPE credential management platform and HPE's exam price list, linked from the datacard, for current pricing and scheduling terms.

The HPE datacard reviewed does not specify a validity period for this exam or credential. Confirm the current recertification or renewal requirements directly with HPE before you schedule, and do not rely on secondhand claims about validity length.