From: Palacios, Gonzalo (gpalacios@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Date: Tue May 28 2002 - 14:41:29 GMT-3
Congratulations David!
The Force was with You!
GP
8726
-----Original Message-----
From: CCIE-Maillist [mailto:CCIE-Maillist@foxgal.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2002 11:44 AM
To: ccielab@groupstudy.com
Subject: CCIE# 9369
I passed the CCIE Routing & Switching Lab Saturday, May 25, in RTP, NC,
making me CCIE# 9369.
This was my third try and it has been a longer than anticipated journey.
Longer than expected as I thought that obtaining a CCIE would be like
obtaining my MCSE+I or other certifications. I was very wrong. I had never
heard of the CCIE prior to May 2000 when I ran across an old friend while
investigating Cisco products who worked for Cisco and was a CCIE. I thought,
"hmm, I should get this CCIE thing too". I was slightly surprised when he
told me that it took him twice to pass and it was extremely difficult. I
thought that was strange considering he worked at Cisco and had been working
as a SE for them, and other companies, for a number of years. I thought "how
hard could it be?" and was again wrong in my deductions.
I had been working with 3Com LAN/WAN products for about 6 years prior to
obtaining my CCNA in 6/2000. I obtained my CCNP & CCDA in Jan 2001. I passed
the written in 4/2001 and sat for my first attempt in 8/2001 at the Sao
Paolo, Brazil lab (as there was such a long wait). The first attempt showed
me that I didn't comprehend the magnitude or complexity of the exam, at all.
However, it was a good learning experience as then, with the two-day, the
proctor sat down with me and went over the items that I had done incorrectly
during the first day. Then, I found out that the lab changed to the one day
version in October, 2001.
After that, I did many practice labs and read a great deal. In Jan 2002, I
made my second attempt in RTP. I left feeling quite confident that I had
passed. I was disappointed again to find that I had not and my percentages
weren't even worth asking for a re-grading of the test. That was yet another
wake-up call that this exam is more difficult than any other test I had ever
tried. The bar was much higher than I thought.
Over the next 3-4 months I did more labs and studying and attempted the lab
last Saturday, May 25. I felt that I needed more time but there is no option
for a last-minute reschedule. I went and saw Star Wars the night before with
my family. After sharing a bad breakfast at the Waffle House with my wife, I
arrived at the test site. There was myself and seven other there. From
listening to the others talk, I believe everyone there was "returning"
except for one. The lab was brutal but fair and doable. My strategy was to
take my time reading the entire lab, make notes on the tasks as to how I was
going to do them and how many points they were worth. I also drew a diagram
that I used during the lab. I had to ask Jeff, the proctor for more paper in
the first 30 minutes. He said "already, you need more paper?". Jeff was very
helpful throughout the exam (thanks Jeff!). He answered what he could and
was polite when he couldn't. In the last 45 minutes of the lab I had too
many tasks le!
ft and not as much time as I had wanted. I was in a panic as had a technical
issue that was out of my control. The proctor told me that the issue didn't
affect whether I could complete the lab, to pretend I did not have this
issue, and continue the test. This made me feel uneasy. Also, I didn't get
to run my "fantastic ping script" as I had wanted, causing more uneasiness.
As it was Memorial Day weekend, I had to wait Sunday and Monday without any
grade. Over that time my head spun with thoughts of "did I forget this, or
that?" and calculating the points that I probably missed and would they
cause me to fail... I know I drove my wife crazy with sudden outbursts of
"Oh my gosh, I think I forgot to configure the XYZ on the fladoodle, great!
Now I'm surely doomed!" I didn't get my report until Tuesday morning. I was
amazing to see that I had passed. Absolutely amazing...
I read all the same books and did most of the same labs that others have
done. I think everyone is familiar with that list. If not, it is in the
archives.
First, I'd like to thank my wife and daughter for the patience and support
they provided while I spent long hours and in the spare bedroom with the
door shut. Hopefully I can find some way to repay them for all the things
they took care of for me and for all the times I had to tell them "no,
sorry, I can't go as I have to stay here and study". Also, I'd like to
thank my family for all their moral support. I'd like to thank my boss for
supporting me with dollars and time to pursue this venture and my work
associates for taking care of things for me. Thanks to my study partner,
David, for his support. Finally, thanks to Paul for running this list and
thanks to all the people on the list who took the time to answer my
questions- you are what make this list possible.
One of the messages that I read on this list that was especially helpful
advice was from Gonzalo #8726 (in the archives) who said that the trick to
passing is precision on the test, focusing only on the lab, enjoying the
test, knowing everything, making a commitment, and seeing a movie the night
before. Scott #9340 pointed out that the CCIE lab is a marathon, not a
sprint, and should be considered as such. I tried to always keep these
things in mind and the advice seems to have paid off.
Best of luck to all who are in the pursuit of the CCIE- don't give up, it
can be done!
David Davis
CCIE #9369
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