CCNA - Just took the test!

Author

Just took the test!

aschifman

2002-06-07, 3:27 pm

I failed by one question!

I got an 847, and passing is 849. Bummer!!!

Areas to concentrate on:
1. Rip and IGRP routing
2. Access lists - I had two or three using IP
3. Know how to set passwords and routing
4. Know the OSI inside/out upside/down (very important!!!!)
5. A few subnetting questions - what is the network address for 192.168.1.32/28 for example and how many hosts/networks there are
6. Know the basics - how the router boots and what it looks at in what order/backing up as well
7. Know WAN - had three questions - LMI, PVC and Frame relay, the Bri chanels
8. IPX - know that it is read network then node

I hope this may help. There is certainly more to this test, but it is not as cumbersome if you concentrate on the above info.

buckwheat

2002-06-07, 3:49 pm

Sorry to hear that you were only 2 pts from passing it. Don't be too glum about it. At least you have a better idea of the test format now. Get right back on that horse by scheduling another exam real soon. You shouldn't have too do too much studying other than on your weak spots. Good luck the next time!

tknterry

2002-06-07, 4:18 pm

Yeah I just took the test too.....and failed with an 821. Ive taken 3 comptia exams and they were all easy compared to this Cisco exam. I did very well with Boson's practice CCNA exams, but the real thing today was nothing like the Boson practice tests (surprise!). Ive read the Sybex CCNA study guide 3 times, used the routersim607, but I wasnt prepared for the difficulty level I encountered today in the CCNA Cisco exam. I felt like I was fighting the clock most of the time. I may try this test again....or I might not. The chances of me finding a decent IT job in this market are next to nil anyhow. Im glad that I already have a good non-IT job. It just irritates me that I succombed to this Cisco exam. In my test there were lots of Frame Relay questions, VLAN, troubleshooting networks, access lists, subnetting, etc. Well, Im humbled today by the Cisco. Life goes on.

harbyma

2002-06-07, 4:30 pm

Dont give up! I passed the exam today and although it was hard I found my biggest problem was being scared of the exam before even sitting it! Im sure that now you have seen the format the second time will be a breeze. Good Luck to all.

aschifman

2002-06-11, 5:40 pm

quote:
Originally posted by tknterry
I may try this test again....or I might not.

DON'T base your certification success on the fact that it MAY or may NOT help!. Damn, I was very lucky I found a job doing this sort of thing, but my job wont take me where I want to go either. I will get the studying I need to make myself available to do this. Whether I get hired to do this specifically or not???? Who cares, as long as you know you worked very hard to get there, who cares if it helps monetarilly?

My brother-in-law could be making BIG bucks as an accountant, but he would rather plant trees. Go figure. He went throught a very good college and got his CPA, but his success is not in the money, it is in what he really wants to do.

Take the test to gain the knowledge, not the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sea ya.....

cciewannabe

2002-06-11, 9:42 pm

dido, i failed last friday with an 847 out of 849. i swear we had the same test, my sentiments exactly. it was a very long drive back home. i did the sybex book too and read it twice, then after failing i picked up the Cisco Press 607 book. after reading a bunch ive realized that sybex is a good foundation and is easy to read and understand, but the author uses non-cisco terminology to explain concepts and the cisco press book uses the same terminology as on the exam, a major plus when your competing against a clock, you dont have time to mentally translate how you learned it to how cisco words the concept. after getting bored learning the same stuff, i just went to the chapter foundation summaries and reading the answers to all the sections. the answers section has the questions right above them (no flipping). i can think of 5 questions that i was just stumped on the wording and after reading the cisco press summaries i get what they were asking for.

if you read 507 Sybex, do yourself a favor and buy the cisco 607 book and just read the foundations and answers sect. or do what ive done a lot and to loiter at barnes and nobles with a cappacino. beleive me they wont complain, people do it all the time.

my only concern is my nerves, failure is not an option for me, and my hand shaking on the mouse is a big hurdle. im like a deer in the headlights when it comes to tests.

good luck, and don't give up, the way i look at it the victory will be even sweeter having failed once already, and i cant live with myself if i dont conquer it. and then ccnp and then ccie.

aschifman

2002-06-12, 5:40 pm

quote:
Originally posted by cciewannabe
i cant live with myself if i dont conquer it. and then ccnp and then ccie.

I would wish you luck, or to break a leg, but I would just waste my time. We both know now what to expect on the test. Fortunately for me, I have a test voucher I receivied from a testing facility that I will use in this case. A $125 savings is good!

Se ya

tknterry

2002-06-12, 6:59 pm

aschifman, just curious, how did you get a testing voucher? Im planning to retake the test, by the way. I dont feel right to just let this go. Ive never bombed on any test before like this. Even if I never get a job in the field (haha) I still want to get this CCNA cert now. So im re-studying Lammle's book, subnetting, ACLs, etc. Im going to use Cert21's practice exam this time. It has about 420 questions. -------Terry

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