From: subodh.rawat@wipro.com
Date: Wed Jul 16 2008 - 09:52:35 ART
Hi All,
Many have asked me in person about my strategy for exam. I would
definitely like to help without violating Cisco NDA:
1. As I said I was preparing for almost past one year. There is no
shortcut to success and I also realized during my CCIE journey that it
needs lots of hours to put your efforts.
2. I used mostly Internetwork Expert Workbooks for my study. I used them
3 times.
3. I had gone through IE COD two times. They are simply beautiful.
4. I also used CCIE Practice Labs (They give you some glimpse of how
Cisco can ask questions differently).
5. For Doubts clarifications, I studied TCPIP Vol1/2 (Jeff Doyle). But
not end to end.
6. BIGGEST----I always used to read mails in GS. And, whenever I saw new
topics asked by someone, I would go to Internet/Cisco website to find
answers OR see answers provided by other experts (no doubt NARBIK's
answers are just phenomenal). TIP FOR EVERYONE---If you see many similar
kind of questions asked by people, expect very high probability of the
same in the exam. Dont ask how much I got ;-).
7. I used to make my own digram and practice scenarios and practiced
them differently. THIS STRATEGEY IS ALSO VERY USEFUL
8. For final week's preparations, I did labs again (4-5 labs) just to
keep me updated (not for knowledge, because you should be very good with
concepts/technology/speed by that time.)
9. Now about real lab day:
a) I spent initial 1.5 hours in Making L2/L3 diagram, Reading all the
questions once quickly and making notes of important points, checking
all the configuration of all devices (this is very important). It is
always good practice to check configuration first than finding yourself
in troubled state later on the day.
b) Once I read all the questions, i was confident that I can do this
lab with much time to spare. By lunch time, I had completed core
secsions and rebooted all devices.
c) After lunch I did rest of the questions and completed all with 1.5
hours left.
d) After that I verified my answers from beginning (this is very
important). I found 2 questions (4 point) answered wrongly. I corrected
them and checked end-to-end connectivity again.
e) I rebooted devices again and tested end-to-end connectivity again. I
left 20 minutes before the exam once I ensured that I am done.
10. I used Dynamips(amazing product) for 80% of my practices.
11. I also used CCIERACK.COM for rack pratices (specially for switching
portion and end-to-end connectivity).
12. I also did IE Mock labs 2 times in final month. I failed in both of
them. But please note they give you good understanding of how to manage
time and how things can be there in real lab, but they are definitely
not the benchmark to pass the real lab. It is good to have them though
atleast 2 labs in final month. ((Brian-I received score of my 2nd Mock
lab after my 1st attempt (10 days later :-( ))
13. DOCCD---went though them once and really did not spent much time on
them. Just knew where things can be there to find if needed in real
exam.
One more advice, there is a forum section at www.internetworkexpert.com
site. One can go there and see discussion/answers posted by people.
Their blog section is also good.
I will soon plan for other tracks for my CCIE and will definitely turn
to Internetwork Experts for their material.
Thanks
Subodh
----- Original Message ----
From: "subodh.rawat@wipro.com" <subodh.rawat@wipro.com>
To: ccielab@groupstudy.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:15:46 PM
Subject: Yes...done my CCIE(R&S)
Hi All,
It gives me great pleasure to write this email that I have completed my
CCIE(R&S) on 14th July in Bangalore.
It has been a long journey so far. I started my studies from Sep 2007.
I failed by very low margin on my first attempt last month. However, I
was determined that I can do it. So I immediately booked my next slot
for 14th July.
A big contribution in my success and journey goes to my Wife. Without
her support it would not have been possible. Initially she was of view
that it would be easy go. But when I showed her too many success/failure
mails in groupstudy, she agreed that it needs lot of time and
dedication. She managed very well my 1.5 yrs old son and never
intererfed in my study. I still remember when she would give me tea 3-4
times in the midnight ;-). I used to tell her that a sip of tea gives me
boost to study. Thanks honey for your tea and full support.
Now regarding preparation, I would say stick with one vendor. I
primarily used Internetwork expert workbooks and they are deifinetly a
GEM. Although I did "CCIE pratical studies" as well.
In my final preparation, I did two mock labs from IE. They were really
good.
In the real lab exam, stick with what all others say: Make your own
diagram (L2/L3), read the entire questions first, go through full
configuration of routers and switches once. I spent 1.5 hours in these
things on my 2nd attempt. It was only after 1.5 hrs. when I started
doing lab configuration. And this strategy really paid.
I would like to thanks GS for being such a wonderful forum.
I would also like to thanks CCIERACK.COM <http://ccierack.com/> (though
I am not their agent),
they are very good (in terms of support) and extremely reasonable too.
Thank you everyone in GS and best wishes to all newbies.
Thanks & Regards,
Subodh Rawat | CCIE(R&S) | Wipro Technologies (www.wipro.com
<http://www.wipro.com/>
<blocked::http://www.wipro.com/> ) | Email: subodh.rawat@wipro.com
<blocked::mailto:subodh.rawat@wipro.com>
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