CCNA - class or no class

Author

class or no class

djwheels

2001-08-23, 8:29 am

do you think its better to take the class for this test? Our is the book and a little practice enough to pass? if so what book do you recommend?

thanks

pddw

2001-08-23, 10:06 am

That is a good question one I asked myself over a year ago when I decided to pursue my CCNA. I decided to do both. I took the CNT140 -170 classes and found it to be very helpful. Not only are you reading words but you also get the hands on experience you need in a real world sitsuations. Just to let you know that when you take the class it is not all fun and games. I started out with over 25 people in my CNT140 and only 9 people actualy passed the first class. The first one is the hardest because they want to know who is serious. The classes are setup just like high school. They keep getting easier until you get to the CNT170 and then its like a work release program where you only come in long enough to take the final 4 test and complete the Washington Project. I found that after I took the class there were still alot of unanswered questions and it was nice having an instructor who was CCNP certified to ask the questions to.

Also if you are looking for the best deals and what book to buy you can go to Bookpool.com.

CCNA Certification Kit
1 Copy, ISBN 0782127290, $79.50

Subtotal $ 79.50
UPS 2 Day $ 8.90
Total $ 88.40

This will give you the Sybex book by Todd Lammle and the virtual lab. Also before you take your CCNA exam go to Cheetsheets.com and pay the 30 plus dollars for the exam. This has 7/8 of the actual exam question and answers that you will see on the CCNA exam (no need to pay $100 for the exam and not pass it). I hope this information is helpful.

djwheels

2001-08-23, 4:33 pm

thanks for the great answer

Adam3

2001-08-23, 4:44 pm

Just so you know, there is enough info with the Todd Lammle Sybex package to pass the exam. I know because I did it and I only got one question wrong on the actual exam. My study method is this:

1. READ THROUGH THE BOOK ONCE AND HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANT STUFF.

2. GO THROUGH BOOK AND REWRITE HIGHLIGHTS IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

3. USE THE VIRTUAL LAB FOR SOME HANDS ON AND STUDY YOUR OWN WRITTEN NOTES LIKE CRAZY.

4. TOP IT OFF WITH VARIOUS WEB CRAMS THAT YOU CAN FIND FOR FREE.

I find that when you write your own study guides they work better.

Silkysmoothe1

2001-08-24, 1:18 am

Well you asked,,,,(you shall receive)

I had not one drop of Network experience before exam,,,,,,,,studied on my own,,,,passed exam,,,,now CISCO certified.

what is it specifically you want to know,,seriously,,,,,,,,,,

Can you learn the material and pass the test without classes,,,,,why yes!

What is the best way that you learn???????

THIS is a decision you must answere for yourself,,,,,I struggled with it "the question" myself, it is not an easy one to answere but, then again in the end it was for me. My roomate started taking classes before I began studying for the test,,,,,I took the test and passed it,,,,He has 8-more months of classes to take,,,,,,he is currently not taking classes and studying on his own.

If you have any other q's, simply post them and you will for sure find out what to expect,,,,

I wish you well,,,my friend,,,,

,,,,silky,,,,,

djwheels

2001-08-24, 12:58 pm

adam i studied th exact same way for n+ and passed with 887. Its the best way to go. thanks for the posts everyone

007

2001-08-24, 3:33 pm

the question is what do you want to know when your done with the exam and you have ccna cert??

I bet most people pass the ccna and cant configure a router for corporate use. So you have a cert and understand basic concepts, but theres no application of your newly aquired knowledge.

There is a ccna academy, I found my local class locations, and talked with the proctor so he enrolled me directly into semester2, (router config).... Before I showed up I read the book passed the ccna exam, and then spent a few months using the labs to practice configuring equipment. This way you have both self study directed to passing the test, however you apply your knowledge and get a little closer to not being a paper ccna.

Retired-Mod

2001-08-24, 5:39 pm

There is no CCNA class that prepares you to configure anything but the most basic of setups and if they lead you to believe you can step right into a corporate network and understand the complexity of even a remote site config on a 25xx or 26xx router, then they have sadly misled you. In reality you may be prepared to recognize alot of the terms, but don't be discouraged, the knowledge will come.

Retired

PS I don't mean to say the classes are bad, only that you must realize where you stand when you are done.

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