CWNA study plan

Convert between dBm, mW, and dB gain/loss for the common values (0, 3, 6, 10, 20 dBm) without a calculator

Calculate EIRP for at least five transmitter + cable-loss + antenna-gain combinations and compare each result to a stated regulatory limit

Explain how frequency, wavelength, and antenna element size relate to one another for 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz

Describe how each band behaves when passing through drywall, brick, metal, glass, and water-bearing materials

Classify at least eight interference sources as narrowband or wideband and as intentional or unintentional

Compute free-space path loss for three distances at 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz and rank the results

Calculate Fresnel zone radius at the midpoint of a 5 km link and state the required clearance percentage

Differentiate multipath effects: scattering, reflection, refraction, diffraction, and absorption, with one mitigation per effect

Explain how MIMO, spatial multiplexing, and beamforming exploit multipath rather than suffer from it

Sketch the azimuth and elevation radiation pattern shape for dipole, patch, panel, sector, and Yagi antennas

Convert gain values between dBi and dBd and justify when each unit is quoted

Predict how narrowing azimuth and elevation beamwidths changes coverage footprint and side-lobe behavior

Select an appropriate antenna for a warehouse, an auditorium, and a point-to-point building bridge, with written justification

Build a non-overlapping channel plan for 2.4 GHz and for 5 GHz across a multi-floor building

Place access points on a sample floor plan and justify each mount location, height, and orientation

Distinguish predictive, pre-deployment, validation, and post-deployment site surveys and state when each is used

Outline the step-by-step procedure for both a manual AP-on-a-stick survey and a predictive survey, including the data each captures

Calculate PoE power budgets for 802.3af, 802.3at, and 802.3bt and match each to device classes

Compare WLAN architecture options (autonomous, centralized controller, distributed, cloud-managed) and state one trade-off for each

Interpret a site survey report: coverage heat map, SNR targets, channel utilization, and secondary coverage requirements

Map 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax to their supported bands, channel widths, and headline data rates

Identify the role of IEEE, the Wi-Fi Alliance, the FCC, ETSI, and the IETF in defining and certifying WLAN technology

Explain BSS, ESS, IBSS, BSSID, SSID, and the four 802.11 frame classes with the purpose of each

Describe CSMA/CA, DCF, EDCA, and RTS/CTS behavior during contention and hidden-node conditions

Explain the function of 802.11k, 802.11r, 802.11v, and 802.11w during client roaming and management-frame protection

Compare autonomous, controller-based, and cloud-managed AP operation, including CAPWAP discovery and split-MAC responsibilities

Explain how band steering, airtime fairness, MU-MIMO, and OFDMA change capacity in a high-density design

Describe WMM/QoS access categories and how DSCP or 802.1p markings map to them

Differentiate client, AP, controller, and management-plane software functions, including firmware upgrade paths

List the hardware specifications to check before deploying an AP: radio chains, PoE class, mounting, antenna connectors, and environmental rating

Differentiate WPA2-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3-SAE, and WPA3-Enterprise, including what each protects against

Describe an 802.1X/EAP exchange with RADIUS, naming the roles of supplicant, authenticator, and authentication server

Identify deauthentication, evil twin, rogue AP, and MAC-spoofing attacks and state one mitigation for each

Apply a structured troubleshooting sequence from physical layer upward to isolate a client connectivity fault

Interpret channel utilization, retry rate, SNR, and spectrum-analysis output to distinguish interference from coverage problems

Re-attempt every missed item from weeks 1 through 7 and write a corrected explanation for each

Complete two full timed 60-question practice exams under exam conditions

Rank your nine domains by practice-exam accuracy and re-study the two lowest-scoring domains

Recite from memory the key formulas: dB conversions, EIRP, FSPL, Fresnel radius, and PoE budgets

Review all personal reference sheets and confirm each fact is stated without needing a lookup