From: Steven Weber (itweber@xxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Date: Fri Aug 03 2001 - 13:33:48 GMT-3
I was faced with similar issues in my lab in SJ, they gave me a diagram with
the wrong DLCI's and there was something wrong with one of my ISDN lines,
the proctors were very understanding and worked everything out for me. My
advice is, don't be discouraged, try taking the lab in another location such
as SJ where they are more accommodating to hardware issues and I'm sure
you'll make it on the next shot!!
Regards,
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Snyder <phizzog@home.com>
To: <ccielab@groupstudy.com>
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2001 4:03 PM
Subject: CCIE Experience from the depths of below...
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> I feel entitled to let everyone know what happened in my 4 days of
> misery last week in Halifax. I started Day 1 last Tuesday. It was a fair
> test with many great tricks but I was very confident moving into Day2.
> Well I received my Day 2 lab and to my delight, I had covered many of
> the topics in great detail. So I started flying through Day 2. Well
> about an hour into my test, the proctor came up and took the lab from my
> desk, he gave me another lab and told me to start over. I guess the
> other fellow who made it to day 2 received the lab that was designed for
> my rack and I had his lab. The proctor mistakenly gave us the wrong
> exams. The other guy couldn't understand why his ATM wouldn't come up
> but my lab fit on my topology so I didn't notice it. So I get the new
> lab and begin to start over. Now many of the things I had from the
> previous lab over lapped and I spent an hour fixing things. Than I got
> to a section that required a configuration that I did have an option for
> on my router so after researching it in the documentation, I found that
> I had in fact the wrong IOS on my router. I had to hunt down the
> proctor. He knew right away that it was the wrong IOS so he gave me a
> Flash card and told me to fix it! I was fit to be tied at that point. So
> all in all I pled my case and the proctor met talked with this
> supervisor Lornne Braddock (who is very pleasant to deal with in these
> situations). They gave me three options: take the test again at a later
> date, take the test again the next day, or take the 1 day exam the next
> day. The problem I faced is that they would only waive the test fee. The
> next trip would be out of my own pocket so I had to take a chance and
> start over the next day. I was beyond exhausted and tired on the morning
> of Day 3. I started Day 1 (I mean 3) and it was a completely new lab
> with similar topics but new tricks (it was fair). I finished early as
> usual and checked all my config's. I was very confident again moving
> into Day 2 but very tired. I started Day 2. It was tough!! Many new
> topics and tricks that I've never seen. I used my usual strategy: kick
> out big point topics I'm familiar with, than gimmie points and then
> research problems. Well I found a problem with one router that I just
> couldn't figure out. I tried all different kinds of solutions. It was
> close to my problem from my other day 2 that had the wrong IOS so I
> started to think that I had the wrong code again. Well once I was
> convinced it was a code issue, the proctor came in to send me to lunch.
> I questioned him about it and he told me it was a common problem. I
> immediate assumed he was referring that it was a common problem with the
> wrong IOS like my previous day 2. So later when I missed by a few
> points, I pled my case that I felt there was a problem with the code on
> the router and it cost me an hour in the lab which prevented me from
> double checking my work. He told me at that point it wasn't a problem
> with the code. I was very upset so I went to leave but then I felt that
> this was my only chance to know for sure if it was a problem or not with
> the code so I requested the proctor to show me that it was not a code
> issue. He refused! I was the only person in the testing center that day.
> I was so angry at that point because now I could never know for sure if
> it was a problem or not. So I pled my case with the management staff.
> Every single person danced right around the issue until I spoke with
> Lorrne again today. Well he addressed the issue but I couldn't believe
> what his stance was on the policy of there lab. He straight out said
> that as a test taker I am not entitled to question the proctors decision
> even if I felt there was a problem with the equipment. My stance is that
> I was not a typical client at that point because of the previous events
> that lead up this. The proctor had already proved to me that he does
> make BIG mistakes and did load the wrong IOS on my router two days
> before so I felt that with this considered how could I trust his word
> that there was nothing wrong. All he had to do is show me that the code
> did work. I didn't expect him to show me how to configure it but rather
> just check and make sure. An automated computer proctor could have just
> told me no your are wrong go home. I was under the assumption that this
> was one of the roles of the proctor is that they are available incase
> there may be a technical problem with your equipment. They kept feeding
> me the line of crap that this is the same equipment used for months but
> every time I told them that I know for a fact based on experience that
> week they do change the IOS on the routers and that would effect my
> configuration and abilities to solve the issue. Cisco basically told me,
> too bad so sad. I guess I should have known better than to trust that
> proctor a second run through. Everyone has always told me to question
> the proctor if I felt I was right but LISTEN to me you have NO RIGHTS as
> a test taker in the CCIE program. You either kill your lab so they can't
> screw you or pass on the merits of the proctor. It doesn't matter if
> there is a problem with your equipment, they got your money and they
> don't have to prove ANYTHING! I can't believe this notion when you
> consider this is a lab exam with many variables that could go wrong so
> when they tell me oh its worked 100's of times before and I just
> witnessed two days earlier that problems do happen, how can I accept
> that response? Now where does it state that I'm not allowed to question
> a hardware problem. Look I understand that you can't start questioning
> the proctors grading for everything, I know they have a review process
> and the labs and answers are pretty well covered but if I feel there is
> a problem with the equipment shouldn't I be given the opportunity to
> have the proctor double check the equipment? Now it's hard for me to say
> that the program doesn't care about its test takers because they did
> resolve my first issue. I just can't get over that as a test taker in a
> lab with variables the proctor is about as useful as computer. This also
> brings to mind many new issues with the One Day lab. I can't imagine
> taking the lab and leaving and than paying to have them check your
> config's if you felt you were correct. How could you ever prove that
> there was a problem with the rack you were on and not the config's? I
> just see dark days for this program with these attitudes and stances. I
> thought that part of the experience was to go over the lab with the
> proctor so he can let you know your weak points and gives you the
> opportunity to know if they took points away on something your know was
> out of your control or you know that it was configured correctly but it
> just might not have been in the same syntax they were looking for. So
> now I'm faced with the dilemma of deciding whether to give it another
> shot. I know I'm a marked man now so who knows what lab they will throw
> at me. I'm ready for almost anything but based on the crap I've seen
> from them last week who knows!! One thing is for sure, I will NEVER
> recommend or support the notion of anyone of my peers taking the lab in
> Halifax. I don't think anyone made it to troubleshooting all week. It's
> tough up there so watch out you! At least San Jose there are several
> proctors and they can come up with a collective resolution before they
> ship you out the door with such a crazy experience. I know some may
> disagree with me or agree but I feel better just letting everyone know
> this "un-written" rule regarding not being able to question the proctor.
> From what I've heard from others, this seems to be dependent on the
> proctor you have when you take your exam because I've heard others that
> passed solely because they argued with proctor and received points that
> were incorrectly taken away, when they were told they didn't make it to
> day two. Now I have to decide whether to move on or pursue this crazy
> program. I'll tell you one thing, I won't be taking the One Day Exam!!
> I'd rather shift directions and move into the Juniper program which will
> maintain the credibility with the two day exam. Anyway, I just hope this
> email shed's some light on the unfair and "un-written" policies of the
> CCIE program. Its been the best learning experience ever!
>
>
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> -Ken
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