| nettminder 2002-08-21, 8:29 pm |
| Ok, so I did pass the Network+ exam only a few hours ago. I felt elation
after I saw the word "congratulations" pop up on the screen after I hit the
"End" button. This is a great feeling. I did good on the exam, but I knew I
could have done even better if I would have made more of a commitment. I
have now learned my lesson (while I was panicking for the 39 minutes I took
the test in). I have four years of networking experience, but only in one
type of network. This helped me to pass parts of the exam but not all of it.
If you do not have the hands-on experience in everything, study harder and
longer. Now for my advice for the Brave and the Bold that are planning to
take the Network+ exam. 1.) Get a good book (I used Mike Meyers All in One
Network+ Certification) and then get another one if you can just for added
insurance and coverage. 2.) Commit the time to Read, Study, Understand, and
Memorize. Make sure you take the time to study and understand, do not try to
cram everything at once. Take a break for a day or two after a daily study
routine, just make sure you go back to studying! 3.) No matter what you
think you know, take the extra time to go back and review everything you
have squeezed into your brain. 4.) Inhale, exhale, repeat. 5.) Take some
practice exams. The ones that I had with the All-in One book were good and
they get your blood pumping (you can buy more exam questions too, I think).
Use the free online (usually demos) Network+ practice exams out on the net.
There are a couple of good ones out there. If you have the money, buy a full
version practice exam from a respectable source. These practice sessions
will prepare you for some of the questions asked on the exam and get you
used to the feel of things. They are also a good measuring stick of what you
know and understand and what you need to go back and study. 6.) A prayer
never hurts. After you are done praying, go back and study if you prayed for
too long. 7.) The day before or the day of (if you have the time) do a quick
review of all topics, port numbers, connectors, topologies, cable
requirements and so forth. Basically everything you can. I scheduled my test
at 2:00 pm so I would be able to do a good review that morning. Of course,
work or other sinful things may negate this. If it is work, see if you can
take the day off. This will take a little stress out of the equation that
day. During the car ride to the testing center, put in some of your favorite
music and relax. If you do not know it by then, you won't know it walking
into the testing center.
In closing (finally), the test is not overly hard. It is not set up to trick
you, although there were 2 or 3 questions I just did not undertsand at all
what they were asking. That was probably just me. Just know your stuff,
'nuff said!
nettminder
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