From: Jonathan Stevens (jonathanstevens.net@googlemail.com)
Date: Thu Jan 12 2006 - 19:12:52 GMT-3
Congratulations!
It was interesting to hear your view of the Netmaster CheckIts. My lab's
two weeks tomorrow, and I have just done my second CheckIt. I have three
more before the lab, and as many DoIt's as I can fit in... It's
reassuring you feel they are difficult enough to prepare you for the lab
(Thanks!)
Just gotta get me faster!!!!
Hooman Parta wrote:
>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
>
>_______________________________________________________________________
>Subscription information may be found at:
>http://www.groupstudy.com/list/CCIELab.html
>
>_______________________________________________________________________
>Subscription information may be found at:
>http://www.groupstudy.com/list/CCIELab.html
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