From: Hooman Parta (hooman@voipsol.com)
Date: Tue Jan 10 2006 - 17:00:12 GMT-3
Thanks Anthony for sharing. It is great and congratulation for your
achievement.
-----Original Message-----
From: nobody@groupstudy.com [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of
Anthony Sequeira
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 10:49 AM
To: Cisco certification
Subject: How I Passed the CCIE Lab Exam
I began seriously studying for the CCIE-R/S in the summer of 2004. I had
completed my CCNP a year earlier and was starting to pile up more and more
hands-on router time, so I figured I had to be close. Boy was I wrong.
I had two "old school", two-day format CCIEs tell me what to expect on the
lab and give me a rough outline of how to attack it. My company then
volunteered to pay for my first and last attempt at the lab.
Armed with this I took my first attempt in January of 2005.
FIRST ATTEMPT
This was the most disastrous attempt of them all. Rather inexplicably, I
become so nervous the night before that I sleep for 2 hours total. I do not
function well on little sleep, and this proves to magnify my lack of
preparedness dramatically. The proctor calls time while I am in the BGP
section! I do not attempt about 35 points of the lab.
Swell!
FINDING INTERNETWORK EXPERT
I quickly realize that I need a lot of help to actually have a chance to
pass such a test. Thanks to Group Study I quickly find Internetwork
Expert. I examine their free workbook lab sample and I am stunned at the
excellent representation of the lab that it presents. I immediately purchase
the Volume 1 workbook and begin renting rack time from them and my
favorite rack rental vendor racktimerentals.com.
SECOND ATTEMPT
In June of 2005 I feel ready for another go at it. I had worked on my
approach to the lab a bit using the various checklists that float around
on Group Study and I had really increased my hours of hands-on thanks to
the workbook and hours of rental racks.
During this attempt I meet Tim from Group Study at RTP. We have kept in
touch ever since, and I begin to realize the importance of becoming more
involved with Group Study and extending study relationships as much as
possible beyond the group.
I complete the last task of the lab as the proctor calls time. I feel
convinced that I have passed. I am stunned to receive my failing mark and
learn that I scored poorly even on sections where I thought I did well.
MORE HELP FROM INTERNETWORK EXPERT
It is clear to me that the workbook is not enough for me as far as
Internetwork Expert products go. I quickly purchase the COD series and begin
to really learn the technologies more deeply and most importantly learn
how to verify and troubleshoot my work more effectively.
I also do a Mock Lab. I score a 63. Brian McGahan indicates I better tread
lightly regarding scheduling another attempt. I tell him he is crazy and
that his Mock Lab is just too hard.
THIRD ATTEMPT
In September of 2005 I try again, ignoring some key advice from Internetwork
Expert. Sure enough I score about a 65 eerily similar to my performance
on the Mock Lab.
I realize one of my main problems on this attempt. I am SLOW painfully
SLOW at making configurations. I really need to work on my speed.
FORTH ATTEMPT
November 2005. I am now completely addicted to trying to pass the lab
regardless of what others are telling me. I have tried two more Mock Labs
from IE I have not passed them and sure enough I fail to pass the
actual lab once again. This time, I run out of time again! It seems like I
am working backwards.
DROP EVERYTHING
After the forth failure I decide that enough is enough. It is time for me to
drop everything else that I enjoy writing, poker, flying, playing music,
etc and focus 100% on passing the lab. Thanks to Group Study I meet another
CCIE candidate, Jerry Hulbert of Fluke Networks.
He is right where I am in preparation it seems and is able to help me
dramatically through lab strategy discussions and practice methods.
I also become addicted to Group Study. Helping others whenever I can and
reaping the rewards of assistance from such greats on this list as Scott
Morris and Chris Lewis.
CHECKiT LABS
Because of my poorly thought through study approach, I realize that I have
not made the most of Internetwork Expert's materials. In not taking their
advice in how to use the workbooks and Mock Labs I have become fairly good
at completing their labs, and fairly bad at approaching the actual exam. I
decide to mix it up as I prep for my
(hopefully) final attempt. I speak with India Teller at NetMasterClass and
end up (per her advice) completing three of the CHECKiT labs from
NetMasterClass. These labs are absurdly difficult. I mean ABSURDLY.
They really test my approach and abilities. I finally score in the mid 70s
on one and I feel pretty darn ready for the real animal. Funny to think that
I never pass any Mock Lab from any vendor.
FINAL (FIFTH) ATTEMPT
On January 5, 2006 I pass the lab. During the entire lab session all I can
think of is THIS IS IT YOU ARE CRUSHING THIS. Apparently, this was not
far from the truth. For the first time ever I finish early go back and
find some errors, fix them, and feel pretty darn solid after the exam.
TIPS FOR PASSING
1. Listen to what people like the Brians and India tell you to do.
They know. Trust me. This journey would have been cheaper, less painful, and
more rewarding if I had trusted Brian and Brian out of the gate.
2. Whatever vendor you pick and like me you should consider using
multiple vendors make sure you are getting the most from their products.
They can help you to do that and so can Group Study.
3. During the lab exam, re-diagram even if there is only a slight
chance the new diagram can help you. I tended to quickly diagram just about
every task.
4. During the lab exam, use a TCL script for reachability testing
after your IGPs are complete. Then use a TCL script again before you finish
the lab. Make sure you leave time for troubleshooting problems you may
discover after the second TCL test.
5. Master use of the DOC-CD.
6. As Internetwork Expert taught me verify everything that you can
before you move on.
7. As NetMasterClass taught me know to spot the issues. Is the task
really as simple as it sounds or are there hidden pitfalls?
8. Try the different proctors at your facility with your questions.
Some seem more helpful than others.
9. Stay positive and relaxed through the entire process. I had to turn
to the writings of Dr. Wayne W. Dyer for help in this area.
I will maintain my Group Study subscription and I will be one of those that
is here to help you whenever I can. I hope to chat with you soon.
Anthony Sequeira
CCIE #15626
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