When you wake up from a dream and you want to write down every thought or random fleeting memory right away, but it evaporates in front of you too quickly. Here's my list: ARP vs DNS, default clock rate set? DTE/ DCE interface, cell switched? PVC, ATM, wiring solutions between midpoints, DSLAM, TCP headers, sequence numbers, HELLO, NAT, service password-encryption, WAN, T1.
I had enough time to do the exam, but it was one of those things where I wished I could go back and change the answer to a previous question. You can't do that on these exams.
About four questions in, on the first router simulation question I didn't realize that you had to click on the console computer graphic to launch the CLI of the router to access the running-config. I kept looking through all the windows for the console login, but I just didn`t clue in. Well duh, how else would you answer the questions. Anywayz I messed up that question probably worth 30 marks and made a guess on the int fa 0/1 address and the multi-part answers were all based on that first assumption which I probably got wrong.
I only practised subnetting questions in Class C, but in real time I had to do subnetting for Class B. Not a big deal because I think I got that part right but still a bit stressful under time pressure.
Another random fact - Routers breakup broadcast domains; each interface on the router is a separate network. Routers breakup collision domains too but a layer 2 switch can do that too.
WAN is an important topic. Frame relay is not supposed to be part of ICND1 but you still had to know enough about it to get some facts straight. I will need to clarify some aspects of Permanent Virtual Circuits.
Here's the breakdown of the modules tested and my score.
Describe the operation of data networks - 71%
* Implement a small switched network - 60%
Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP services to meet network requirements for a small branch office 80%
Implement a small routed network - 67%
* Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks required for a WLAN - 0%
Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats - 100%
Implement and verify WAN links - 75%
So I end the exam with my score of 787 out of 1000. You need 804 to pass which means I missed it by a margin of 17. That makes me knowledgeable enough to be dangerous.
It is my own fault for not passing I`m sure, but I will still launch a complaint because I noticed a couple of peculiarities with my exam experience. I felt like I was doing question 9 and then I clicked the mouse one too many times and I was on question 13. So I probably missed a four part question. I was a bit perplexed, probably should`ve said something at the time but I was like whatever. I`m wondering if those are the WLAN questions I completely skipped over. I only remember doing two questions on that whole subject and they did not adequately cover the topic of Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks required for a WLAN.
I have the Pearson Vue 1 800 number so I may lodge a complaint and try to ask Cisco for a rebate on the retake of the exam. But do I really want to do this again after 10 days. Do I really want to re certify in 3 years and do this again. Right now though, I just feel like I want to crawl under a rock and die, but I can`t help but pulling my books to... restudy! All the kids are napping so I have 2 hours!!!
I have the difficult task of explaining to my boss that I didn't pass the exam. Hopefully if I show him the report card with the marks broken down he can see that I passed the important stuff and even got a 100% on the network security portion (comforting). However I feel that I have temporarily lost my geek status so the blog will not be named Barbie Geek Tech Bytes for now...
Showing posts with label Exam Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exam Tips. Show all posts
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
CCNA, ICND1 and ICND2 Practice Exams
I found a really good link on the Cisco Learning Network website for practice questions here.
There are questions for the six modules:
Module 1: OSI Layer and IP questions
Module 2: Hardware, bridges, Hubs
Module 3: WLAN
Module 4: IP addressing, IOS Commands, Routing basics
Module 5: WAN, nat
Module 6: cdp, hardware and memory
There are tabs and links to study modules, 15-20 training videos and lab simulations.
At the login page I also found an ad for a new "game". Cisco Aspire CCNA Edition! Practice for your Cisco CCNA exam by solving realistic networking problems. Seriously? That's a game?
The website Cisco Tests dot org also has a timed exam with pretty realistic questions! It's not for the ICND1 and ICND2 but it would cover the similar line of questioning if you just wanted a timed practise exam experience.
CCNA
There are questions for the six modules:
Module 1: OSI Layer and IP questions
Module 2: Hardware, bridges, Hubs
Module 3: WLAN
Module 4: IP addressing, IOS Commands, Routing basics
Module 5: WAN, nat
Module 6: cdp, hardware and memory
There are tabs and links to study modules, 15-20 training videos and lab simulations.
At the login page I also found an ad for a new "game". Cisco Aspire CCNA Edition! Practice for your Cisco CCNA exam by solving realistic networking problems. Seriously? That's a game?
The website Cisco Tests dot org also has a timed exam with pretty realistic questions! It's not for the ICND1 and ICND2 but it would cover the similar line of questioning if you just wanted a timed practise exam experience.
CCNA
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Test Tips for CCNA, Simulators and a bullet-proof Guarantee!
1. Manage your time
The number one hint I have to give everyone: the CCNA Exam is a test of power and speed, you have to know your material solid and answer the questions quickly. The prof said that the number one reason for failure on the exam is not lack of preparation (I could argue with that) but rather, running out of time! You have remember to ask yourself, "Is this your final answer?" because once you click "yes" or "submit", there is no back button, you cannot go back!
2. Core Knowledge
Videos for ICND1 and ICND2 free on the Cisco Learning Network.
Here is a breakdown of the core areas the exam was testing, taken from my real score sheet in November 2011. I am not breaking any oaths or sharing any secrets about the exam.
A good collection of resources at www.cisco.com/go/ccna-study
3. Hands On Experience
Apparently the original purpose of CCNA was to certify someone already with the job experience as a Network Administrator, who has spent years on the job doing this. In fact Cisco never offered Bootcamp courses and it was the training delivery vendors that developed their own courses to cover relevant subjects, in preparation for the CCNA Exam. Now it seems like everyone is taking the boot camp courses: the newbies, managers, purchasers. The courses often come with extra lab time on the router simulation lab, but it is better to have your own equipment. Unfortunately not many people have access to a test lab or one with enough routers to generate any trouble to troubleshoot!
Packet Tracer is another program folks use for router simulation. My buddy recommends http://www.gns3.net/ and it's free, if you have your own IOS images then you're set.
4. Read the Fine Print
Rather I should say, read between the lines. For multiple choice questions, there will always be an obvious oddball answer, and perhaps one or two that are very close but there is something that makes one answer more correct or superior.Unless of course the question was, choose two then you should make sure you choose two.
If you're really pressed for time, well you still have to give an answer for every question. Make a guess, pick C or ACDC whatever random pattern you have to resort to in a bind.
5. Get it Right the First time...
However, heaven forbid if you should fall short of 825/ 1000, read the fine print on the vendor's exam guarantee. I took my bootcamp course with the Global Knowledge and I'd have to say their certification guarantee is bullet proof. Upon course completion you get one CCNA exam voucher and 10 hours of lab time with KAPLAN. If you have fail the exam, fax in the fail results and ask for a voucher for the retake exam (within one year of the course date). If you fail the second round, perhaps you should reconsider your career choice. JK! Global Knowledge offers a free retake of the course (provide your own course materials from the first run). Then I suppose the brave could do the exam a third time. Just remember you will have to recertifiy again in three years anyway.
The number one hint I have to give everyone: the CCNA Exam is a test of power and speed, you have to know your material solid and answer the questions quickly. The prof said that the number one reason for failure on the exam is not lack of preparation (I could argue with that) but rather, running out of time! You have remember to ask yourself, "Is this your final answer?" because once you click "yes" or "submit", there is no back button, you cannot go back!
2. Core Knowledge
Videos for ICND1 and ICND2 free on the Cisco Learning Network.
Here is a breakdown of the core areas the exam was testing, taken from my real score sheet in November 2011. I am not breaking any oaths or sharing any secrets about the exam.
- Describe how a network works
- Configure, verify, troubleshoot a switch with VLANs and interswitch communications
- Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP services to meet network requirements in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network
- Configure, verify, and troubleshoot basic router operation and routing on Cisco devices
- Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks required for WLAN
- Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats
- Implement, verify and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network
- Implement and verify WAN links
A good collection of resources at www.cisco.com/go/ccna-study
3. Hands On Experience
Apparently the original purpose of CCNA was to certify someone already with the job experience as a Network Administrator, who has spent years on the job doing this. In fact Cisco never offered Bootcamp courses and it was the training delivery vendors that developed their own courses to cover relevant subjects, in preparation for the CCNA Exam. Now it seems like everyone is taking the boot camp courses: the newbies, managers, purchasers. The courses often come with extra lab time on the router simulation lab, but it is better to have your own equipment. Unfortunately not many people have access to a test lab or one with enough routers to generate any trouble to troubleshoot!
Packet Tracer is another program folks use for router simulation. My buddy recommends http://www.gns3.net/ and it's free, if you have your own IOS images then you're set.
4. Read the Fine Print
Rather I should say, read between the lines. For multiple choice questions, there will always be an obvious oddball answer, and perhaps one or two that are very close but there is something that makes one answer more correct or superior.Unless of course the question was, choose two then you should make sure you choose two.
If you're really pressed for time, well you still have to give an answer for every question. Make a guess, pick C or ACDC whatever random pattern you have to resort to in a bind.
5. Get it Right the First time...
However, heaven forbid if you should fall short of 825/ 1000, read the fine print on the vendor's exam guarantee. I took my bootcamp course with the Global Knowledge and I'd have to say their certification guarantee is bullet proof. Upon course completion you get one CCNA exam voucher and 10 hours of lab time with KAPLAN. If you have fail the exam, fax in the fail results and ask for a voucher for the retake exam (within one year of the course date). If you fail the second round, perhaps you should reconsider your career choice. JK! Global Knowledge offers a free retake of the course (provide your own course materials from the first run). Then I suppose the brave could do the exam a third time. Just remember you will have to recertifiy again in three years anyway.
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