From: Matt Smith (matt-n-donna@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Date: Sun Dec 02 2001 - 14:47:57 GMT-3
Colleagues,
I am happy to be able to write one of these emails myself. After reading
the many stories and horror tails of the lab test I am pleased to tell all of
you that it is indeed an achievable goal. I passed my lab on November 30th in
RTP. I just wanted to share my story in the hopes that it may provide some
support for those of you who are striving to achieve this accomplishment.
I received my CCNA about 2 years ago. I went on from there to get my CCNP
which I earned about 6 months later. I took a break for a little while after
getting my CCNP to prepare for the arrival of my new baby girl...priorities.
At any rate I began to study for my written around December of 2000. I passed
the written in early February 2001 and embarked on the real studying. I
scheduled the my lab date of November 30th along with my lab partner in early
March. I was lucky enough be employed my a major Cisco VAR and we therefore
have a pretty good stockpile of Cisco routers and switches with which along
with my partner we created our own VLAB. We set up remote access to the
terminal server and then had access to all 13 routers and 3 swithes 24x7. We
spent approx. 30 hours a week each on the equipment running through scenario
after scenario as well as augmenting the scenarios with our own stumpers that
we would create for each other. I used the standard set of study materials
that I am sure everyone has already mentioned in previous emails similar to
this one. (Caslow, Routing TCP/IP Vol I & II, etc). I usually spent about 12
hours a week reading here an there as well.
Ok...enough boring stuff....
We drove down to RTP on Thursday the 29th. We checked into our hotel around
4:00 and then did some light review. At around 6:00 we left to go find the
RTP facility since neither of us had ever been there. We found it easily
enough and then went and had dinner. The next morning we woke up at 5:30 and
got ourselves ready. We did some more light review and quizzed each other on
a few topics. We left for the lab at 6:50ish. We showed up at the facility
at 7:05 and waited in the parking lot until we saw the proctor in the lobby of
the building. We went into the building and waited in the lobby with the
proctor for the rest of the test takers. Once everyone had arrived we were
let in and the test began. Thats about all I think I will risk sharing with
you about the actual testing but I am sure many of you already have
experienced it.
The test can definitely be accomplished in the allotted timeframe. I was
actually finished with the initial configurations at 1:30 with 3 hours left.
I spent the 3 hours winding down clearing my head and rechecking each and
everything I could on every question. My suggestion is read the questions as
many times as you can until you are absolutely understanding what is being
asked of you. When in doubt dont hesitate to ask questions of the proctor. I
found the proctors (I had 2 present) to be extremely professional and helpful
to the fullest extent that they are allowed to be. They clarified a number of
questions that I had but were extremely careful not to divulge any information
that would give any answers away.
We finished our test shortly after 4:00pm and we all left. Neither my partner
nor I were feeling very confident about our tests. We went back to the hotel
and had dinner and some beers to calm the nerves and went to sleep. I woke up
the next morning and went home. When I arrived home my score report was
already in my inbox giving me the news that I had passed. Unfortunately my
partner did not fair as well as I did and missed the required points.
My only suggestion to those who have not taken the lab test yet is to not pay
allot of attention to the horror stories you hear on here so often. Several
people in the past have written very good accounts of their test experiences
and I implore you to listen to those stories. Time is tight but not extremely
so. The test is difficult but fair. Nervousness is your biggest enemy. I
made a few dumb mistakes early on in the test but once I calmed down and got
into my grove I overcame them easily. Stay focused and above all else believe
in your abilities.
I close with a sincere Hankyu to all of those on this list that take the
valuable time out of your day to entertain questions and provide your
insights. You are the reason this list is such a good tool. It is inspiring
to me to see how so many people from such disparate cultures and walks of life
can come together for the shear purpose of helping one another towards a
common goal. Luck to all and may you achieve your goals as well.
Best of Luck to Each
Matthew Smith CCIE 8480
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