From: Kevin Latham (kevin.latham@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
Date: Fri May 25 2001 - 07:26:18 GMT-3
Hi all,
Well I am waiting to fly back to Ottawa after passing my exam yesterday
in
Halifax. It is a real relief let me tell you. I guess I was fortunate as
it was only my second try. Steve is an excellent proctor and I really felt
comfortable there. He took the time to explain things and was very
responsive to questions. And I encourage you to ask questions. Assumptions
don't win you any points.
I used the common prep strategy, Doyle I and II, Halabi, OSPF Design
Solutions, CCIE Lab practice kit and Fatkid among others. I took the CATM,
CIT and BCMSN courses as well as I don't have any ATM or big Cat switches in
my lab. I was too cheap to spring for CCBootcamp so I just made up my own
labs. I was very fortunate to have an 8 Router lab with a 1900 provided by
my company, including voice. I studied for about 1 year off and on, Day and
night, but really intensifying during the last 4 months.
For troubleshooting practice I would recommend having a study partner w
ho
can telnet into your rack and break it for you. Unfortunately I didn't have
that so I took the CIT course. I would recommend the other method though,
it's cheaper and probably more effective.
The exam itself went quite well but I still ended up second-guessing my
self
through the whole thing. I finished Day 1 at about 1 pm but still made some
stupid mistakes that I should have researched better. I was happy to come
back after the first part of Day 2 when Steve said, "OK, let's do some
troubleshooting." Not knowing how much you need really puts the pressure on
you. When he shook my hand and said he would just go and get my number I
couldn't believe it. I think I am still in shock.
The real recommendation is to try and relax. My first attempt in RTP w
as
an absolute failure. I almost made it to Day 2 but I left day 1 feeling
totally defeated. It was hard to pick up the books and get back into it. I
was lucky to get a date only a month and a half later though. This time
through I didn't study for about 2 days before the lab and not at all at
night between days. I also tried to keep my mind off the whole thing and
just really apply myself during the actual test. I think that that had as
much to do with my success as anything else.
I am looking forward to spending time with my wife and kids. I think the
have really missed me these past months.
I wish you all the best of luck in getting your number.
Regards,
Kevin Latham
CCIE #7476
Systems Engineer
Netricom - East(Ottawa)
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