From: darbyweaver@yahoo.com
Date: Sun May 07 2006 - 04:31:22 ART
OK - I took it...
Not the score I had hoped for, but then it was supposed to be an assessment and I got assessed...
:)
With that said, I will say I found the questions to be fair for the most part.
I did find some things to be inconsistent (or at least I thought so).
I did think that not being able to print was a HUGE (!!!) inconvenience.
The feedback is pretty decent. At first I thought there was very little, a score report and a few hints...
Then I dug into my report...
Yeppers:
Lots of feedback: I have over 100 pages of feedback - Impressive!!!
In addition to the feedback they provided, Cisco was very generous to provide links where each numbered item and sub-item could be researched to allow the CCIE Assessor Candidate the ability to read more about what s/he might have missed.
I just paid $279.00 for a 4 hour (50 point) assessment lab exam with extensive feedback. No instructor. No retake.
So far I have purchased a a $4000.00 Class for NMC and a $4500.00 for a 5-day (4-Lab) Workshop. 3 Instructors / 7 Students (MAX) and then you get their Tech Library (Very Comprehensive) and their ShowIT (the hidden jewel of CCIE preparedness and complete and utter understanding - very accurate).
Also I have paid for the Mock Lab workshop from InternetworkExpert with Online Instructors (seems like it was $995.00) and the nice thing was is that you can listen and watch the lab walk-through for a full-year at your convenience after the labs.
Disclaimer!
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Both of the above vendors also allow retakes on a space available basis - check with each to verify if this is still a fact at the time of your reading this.
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So for a mere $279.00, I got to get my feelings hurt, get a glimpse at just how brutal grading can be and how much more intense I need to make my studies if I really want to have a reasonable chance at this lab...
I got a chance to see the lab topology, which is freely available on the net anyway.
I did call their support number a day before my exam was scheduled and I think the phone only rang once or twice, to be picked up by an actual live HUMAN voice...
I was impressed. The gentleman answered my question clearly, consicely, and positively in a professional manner. And did I say was impressed (maybe just getting through to a human in only a couple of rings?).
So overall, I think it was a good exam.
I do have a few issues to ask them about and I guess unless I lab them up on my own and see things differently, I might call them complaints.
But in any event, getting a feel for the types of questions and getting the feedback I got and in such a timely manner, I think it was a bargain.
If they had more of these labs, I would probably buy them.
The price I paid was discounted and I think that it will now be offered for about $349.00 retail from now on.
I don't think I've broken any rules of disclosure and I think I have given an honest opinion...
Took me all day to get finished reviewing it... :)
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