From: Eric Phillips (ephillips@squick.cc)
Date: Mon Nov 26 2007 - 13:22:54 ART
Congratulations Steve,
Thanks a lot for posting your story too. Stories like yours give me the
kick I need to keep going through the long months of studying.
One topic that I do not see discussed often is actual test taking strategy.
For example, when doing test labs, I write a "To Do" list that corresponds
to each item, so I can go down and check off each item as I am done. Do you
have any thoughts or suggestions on how you go about breaking down a lab
into more manageable sections?
-Eric
On 11/26/07, Stephen Lee <slee@packet360.com> wrote:
>
> Well, after 8 months and 4 attempts I finally passed on 11/21. I found
> out Thanksgiving morning and it was the best Thanksgiving I ever had. I
> passed the written in January and spent the next couple months putting
> together a home lab. I really started studying in April and took my
> first attempt in mid May. I came really close to passing with about 75
> points. I thought sweet I will nail it on my second attempt, well not so
> much. I took it again in June and failed miserable not even 50%. So I
> really buckled down and got after it and took it again in August. Well I
> got about the same score as my second attempt. So I really started
> doubting it and took a few weeks off to regroup. So after the summer was
> over I got back after it and had an October date scheduled, but my wife
> broke her leg and I had to take care of her and the kids for a few weeks
> until she got back on her feet. So I rescheduled for Nov. I was thinking
> if I don't get it this time I am going to have to take a break. All the
> studying was really starting to affect my family life as Daddy was
> locked in the office every evening and all weekend.
>
> What got me the entire time was question interpretation. I felt like I
> knew the material the entire time and had a good base of knowledge. My
> problem I think was question interpretation. On my 4th attempt it was
> like I could see through the vague wording and finally understood what
> they wanted. I only asked the proctor 2 questions as I found it pretty
> clear.
>
> To all those that are struggling with this I hear ya. But just know if
> you stick with it you can pass.
>
> What I used to pass:
>
> - 10 years experience designing and implementing Cisco networks for
> various Fortune 100 companies.
>
> - Internetwork Expert V4.0 workbook and the Advanced Technologies VOD
> and the 5 day bootcamp VOD. These are really great products and I
> learned immensely from them. I would highly recommend their material for
> learning the technologies.
>
> - NMC CheckIt labs. I think these are most closely aligned with what the
> real lab is like. The wording and vaguearies are very close to how Cisco
> does it. It would recommend this to people who are close to their date
> and want a good lesson on question interpretation.
>
> - The Cisco Press CCIE R&S book. Good for the written and has some good
> tables for reference.
>
> - I built my own home lab made to the IEWB V4.0 format. I decided I
> wanted my own lab that I could use anytime I had time to study and
> didn't want to deal with rack rentals or dealing with all the Dynamips
> issues.
>
> - Finally but definitely not least was my wife. She supported me through
> the tough times and entertained two kids every evening and every weekend
> for about 8 months straight. I could not have done it without her.
>
>
> Steve
> #19413
>
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