From: Scott Morris (smorris@ipexpert.com)
Date: Wed Feb 27 2008 - 12:36:35 ARST
On the bright side, you aren't anywhere close to setting a record for number
of attempts. :)
To carry your baseball analogy a little bit, taking th lab and failing it is
much more like a foul ball than a strike per se. The good part about foul
balls is that only two of them count as strikes no matter how many you have.
So you aren't COMPLETELY missing it or just catching air. :)
Now, my geography may be a little off, but I wasn't aware that Maryland was
big enough to have a "middle of nowhere" at all, let alone a middle of
nowhere specific to nortnern Maryland! (grin) There is a lot to be said for
having a study partner, but no reason that person has to be local to you.
E-mail is good. It's better if you are able to work out certain hours where
at least you'll know you get a reply.
Otherwise, there are mailing lists out there to get to LOTS of different
people who may help you sound things out.
Most often after failing the lab a few times, you are aware of the different
technologies, and can certainly identify any gaps you may have, and
therefore correct them. Many times though, it comes down to "I did it, my
lab worked, but I didnt' get points" which translates into a
misunderstanding or overthinking of the requirements in the lab itself.
That's the hardest part to fix.
it's good that you are using multiple vendors to get things done, but that
still doesn't guarantee that everything the real lab tells you would be
exactly like in the practice labs! Interpretation is a key.
Another thing that may help, if you have the time/resources, is to take a
bootcamp from one of the vendors. It may well be lots of review on the
technologies (which is always good to validate the things you know!) but it
may also fill in some blanks, or cause some unanticipated "Ah-Ha" moments of
something you didnt' know. But it also gives you a different focus, and
instantaneous feedback and reviews to go through that you haven't already!
NetmasterClass is the closest in physical proximity to you, if travel is an
issue. Otherwise, I'd be happy to see you in one of our bootcamps in order
to help get over that last little (well, ok, it seems much bigger) hump
needed to pass the lab exam.
But short of a bootcamp, I (and others as well) will be more than happy to
answer your questions here.
Cheers,
Scott Morris, CCIE4 (R&S/ISP-Dial/Security/Service Provider) #4713, JNCIE-M
#153, JNCIS-ER, CISSP, et al.
CCSI/JNCI-M/JNCI-ER
VP - Technical Training - IPexpert, Inc.
IPexpert Sr. Technical Instructor
A Cisco Learning Partner - We Accept Learning Credits!
Telephone: +1.810.326.1444
Fax: +1.810.454.0130
http://www.ipexpert.com
-----Original Message-----
From: nobody@groupstudy.com [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of
Jeffrey Biggs
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 6:54 AM
To: 'Cisco certification'
Subject: Down for the count.....
Took the RS Lab for the 3rd time..no go.
I am getting to the point where all the time and money I am spending is out
weighing the reward here. Not to mention the family sacrifice that my wife
and kids are making to allow me the time to study. The frustration is
kicking in big time, I lab with Netmaster and IPExpert (this is not a knock
on them, they have been GREAT) but I am just missing something.
I have no one to study with because I live out in the middle of nowhere in
Northern Maryland, so I have to rely on what I read or do and have no one to
bounce it off of. I know I have the GS site, but that is not the same as
having a couple of study partners to work with on a topic over a weekend. I
am beginning to think that the "3 strikes you're out" rule is coming into
play.
I am not sure what else to do; is there anyone who can offer some assistance
here? Been in this position and made it? I just have had it with the long
drive down to RTP and back, spending $1500 (hotel cost and lab) for lunch
and getting pissed off at every return. I put in at least 4+ hours a day
studying and lab'ing. I have my own rack of equipment that I can access
from work, so when things are slow there, I am lab'ing.
Signed.
Frustrated to NO end.
JB
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