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  • 1.  HPE7-A08 Aruba Switching

    Posted Sep 29, 2025 02:56 AM

    Team,

    I have attended HPE7-A08 but unfortunatly i was failed in the exam.Could you please help me with a budget training or any exam preparation tricks which i can use to pass the exam.

    SInce i enrolled for the exam and failed,Would i get one more try?oR need to register again?



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  • 2.  RE: HPE7-A08 Aruba Switching

    Posted Sep 30, 2025 08:04 AM

    New exams are more demanding than previous version. You should at least attend Implementing ArubaOS-CX Switching training or at bare minimum get the study book from Digital Press. And you will also need to at least briefly review materials from ArubaOS-CX Switching Fundamentals training.

    You will need to enrol again for exam.

    The most budget option is to get study guides from Digital Press. But you also need quite a lot of practical experience to pass it.

    There are also free Exam Preparation Workshops available from time to time. Check community and HPE Learning calendar for schedule.

    Best, Gorazd



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    Gorazd Kikelj
    MVP Guru 2025
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  • 3.  RE: HPE7-A08 Aruba Switching

    Posted Nov 05, 2025 12:34 PM
    Edited by JulesK Nov 05, 2025 12:35 PM

    Edit: sorry, below answer applies to the Associate Study Guide, not the Professional.

    Hi, I don't recommend the Study Guide unfortunately. It has some glaring errors and it doesn't really prepare you for the exam, imho as a professional in this domain for 25 years.

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  • 4.  RE: HPE7-A08 Aruba Switching

    Posted Nov 06, 2025 07:25 AM
    Hey @FA11, don't worry, this happens to a lot of people with the HPE7-A08 exam. It's not an easy one, especially if you haven't worked hands-on with Aruba switching for a while. For prep, you don't have to go for expensive training. Here is what usually works well:
    HPE Press study guide for HPE7-A08 follows the exam blueprint closely. The eBook is the cheapest option if budget is tight. Hands-on lab time is what really makes the difference. If you don't have physical gear, you can lab VSX, VLANs, OSPF, VRRP, etc. using EVE-NG, Aruba virtual images, or even a couple of test switches if you have access at work.
    Go through the Aruba Validated Design Guides and practice questions as the exam loves design reasoning questions (for example, why you'd choose VSX instead of stacking in a certain scenario). Try to understand the "why" behind recommended designs instead of just memorizing commands.
    I'd honestly suggest taking a week or two just doing basic configs and some break/fix scenarios in your lab. Once that part feels comfortable, the exam questions start making more sense because a lot of them are scenario-based. You'll get it next round, good luck!
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