From: John Matijevic (matijevi@bellsouth.net)
Date: Wed Jul 30 2003 - 13:06:34 GMT-3
Congradulations Joe,
Well deserved!
Sincerely,
Matijevic
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Martin" <jmartin@capitalpremium.net>
To: "CCIE GroupStudy" <ccielab@groupstudy.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 11:28 AM
Subject: Passed in SJ Yesterday!!!! CCIE #12035
> I finally did it!!!
>
> Why it took me 5 attempts:
>
> 1) When I took the written I had no idea what I was really getting into. I
> had no business being there on attempt 1 back in March 2002.
>
> 2) I tried to "get away" with passing this lab. I have never had any
> problem with written certification tests. I have been blessed with the
> ability to retain information, which I then would regurgitate onto the
test.
> You CANNOT do this with the CCIE lab. It is not just information, it must
> become knowledge. YOU CANNOT "GET AWAY" WITH PASSING THIS TEST, YOU MUST
> BECOME AN EXPERT.
>
> 3) I still was not prepared, but luckily I found a flaw in the BGP section
> of my lab, which cost me some valuable time. Steve Barnes from the CCIE
lab
> content team confirmed that it was a flaw; so attempt 4 was free. I say
> "luckily" because I know that I would not have passed regardless of the
> flaw.
>
> 4) After attempt 3 I realized that I needed to step it up a notch. I had
to
> become an "expert", at least on the core topics. I had a solid foundation
> on the technologies and concepts, but not an intimate knowledge of the
> intricacies in configuration and fine tuning. I purchased the IPExpert
R&S
> lab book. What a wonderful resource. Yes, there are little mistakes in
the
> book; no, it is not perfect. But it did simulate the lab for me, and
present
> me with new scenarios. THis help in finding the areas I was weak in and
> giving me an idea where I was at as far as speed. On lab day I knew I was
> ready. I had all layer 2, IGP, and BGP done by lunch. Spent 2 hours
after
> lunch configuring the rest. Finished everything with about 2 hours to go.
> WOW!! I'm done. I got complacent and spent the rest of the afternoon
> randomly checking things. I was devastated when I got my score report.
>
> 5) I was ready and should have passed on attempt 4, but made a lot of
silly
> stupid mistakes that I should have checked. So I scheduled attempt 5 as
> soon as possible. Took a few practice labs on a rental rack to stay fresh
> and covered some of my weak areas again. I went into the lab confident
yet
> scared, because I was so confident on my previous attempt. I had
everything
> configured by 1:30. Spent the last 3 hours checking and rechecking
> eveything. Clarified any posible ambiguities with the proctor. I doubt
he
> even needed to grade my test because I asked so many questions. The
proctor
> is your friend if you ask the right questions. Use him and abuse him.
>
> I PASSED!!!
>
> Standard books, IPExpert Lab book, various rental racks. I prefer
> cconlinelabs.com and Ipexperts rental racks. Paid for everything myself
> including books, home lab, airfare, etc.
>
> Thanks to everyone on this list for all your help!! Despite all the fluff
> and crap on this list, it is still the best CCIE resource available.
Thank
> you Paul, for you sacrifice of time, money, and equipment. I'm sure if
you
> were to ask, you would get plenty of voluntary donations.
>
> To those still trying, especially those with a few attempts under your
belt,
> keep at it!! You can and will do it!!!
>
> Joe Martin
> CCIE #12035
>
>
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