Re: Cisco Announced change to R&S

Frequently Asked Questions

*1 - Q: What exactly is being changed on the CCIE R&S written exam?*

*A: *The CCIE R&S v4.0 written exam will be refreshed with new questions to
reflect the current job role expectations of employers. Scenario-based
questions will be added to the multiple choice questions. New topics include
the skills associated with planning and evaluating network changes,
implementing MPLS, Layer 3 VPN, IPv6, EIGRP and multicast; and configuring
performance-based routing. More information is available on the CCIE
Written Exam Overview
page<https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/community/certifications/ccie_rout
ing_switching/written_exam?tab=1>
.

*2 - Q: What exactly is being changed on the CCIE R&S lab exam?*

*A:* The CCIE R&S v4.0 lab exam will be refreshed with new questions to
reflect the current job role expectations of employers. The equipment in the
testing lab will be updated with Cisco 1800 and 3800 Series Integrated
Services Routers running Cisco IOS. Software Version 12.4(T) and Cisco
Catalyst. 3560-E Series Switches running Cisco IOS Version 12.2 Advanced IP
Services. The biggest change will be the testing of hands-on troubleshooting
for the first two hours of the eight-hour exam. Candidates will be presented
with a series of trouble tickets for preconfigured networks, and they will
need to diagnose and resolve the network fault or faultsa realistic and
challenging job task. Candidates who finish the troubleshooting section
early can move on to the configuration section, but they will not be allowed
to go back to the troubleshooting section, since their equipment will need
to be reinitialized for the configuration portion of the exam.

To make time for new material, CCIE R&S v4.0 exams will put less emphasis on
equipment operation and concepts generally understood at the professional
level. These skills are still assumed, but will not be the sole objective of
CCIE test questions. Go to the Lab Exam
Study/Learn<https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/community/certifications/cc
ie_routing_switching/lab_exam?tab=2>section
for more information.

*3 - Q: Now that the CCIE R&S v4.0 has been announced, can I still take
the CCIE R&S v3.0 exam? How long will it be valid?*

*A: *The CCIE R&S v3.0 written exam will be available through October 17,
2009, at all Pearson VUE testing centers. Passing the v3.0 written exam
qualifies a candidate to take any available version of the CCIE R&S lab
exam. As with all CCIE written exams, a passing score on v3.0 written exam
will remain valid for three years, as long as the candidate attempts the lab
exam once within the first 18 months. If the lab is not attempted, the
written exam becomes invalid and the candidate will have to retest using
whatever written exam is available at that time.

*4 - Q: If I take the CCIE R&S written beta test in July or August 2009,
will I still be able to schedule the CCIE R&S v3.0 lab exam?*

*A: *Scores on CCIE written beta tests are not available until 4 to 6 weeks
after the close of the beta period. At this time, there is no guarantee the
CCIE R&S v3.0 lab exam will still be available when a beta test candidate
receives his or her score. Beta testers should plan on taking the CCIE R&S
v4.0 lab test to achieve certification.

*5 - Q: If I dont pass the CCIE R&S v4.0 written beta exam, can I take it
again in five days?*

*A: *No, a candidate can only take a CCIE written beta test once during the
beta testing period.

*6 - Q: Will there be any changes to the recently-added Core Knowledge
portion of the exam, the part with the short-answer questions?*

*A: *The questions in the Core Knowledge section of the lab exam may cover
any area on the CCIE R&S v4.0 Lab Exam topics.

*7 - Q: What can a candidate expect in the troubleshooting portion of the
lab exam?*

*A:* Troubleshooting is allotted two of the eight hours required for the
CCIE lab exam. Candidates will be presented with a series of trouble tickets
for preconfigured networks and will need to diagnose and resolve the fault
or faults. As with previous CCIE labs, the network will need to be up and
running for the candidate to receive credit. Candidates who finish the
troubleshooting section early can move on to the configuration section, but
they will not be allowed to go back to the troubleshooting section.

*8 - Q: Does a candidate have to pass both the troubleshooting and
configuration sections in order to pass the entire CCIE R&S v4.0 lab exam
and earn a CCIE?*

*A: *Candidates will receive a single pass/fail grade on the entire exam,
including both configuration and troubleshooting. Failing score reports will
give an indication of where the candidate scored lower, to help the
candidate prepare for another attempt.

*9 - Q: Will the CCIE R&S mobile lab exam also be updated?*

*A: *Yes, CCIE R&S mobile labs use the same lab version as Cisco office
locations, and they will switch to the v4.0 lab exam on October 18, 2009 as
well.

*10 - Q: Which exam will be used for recertification?*

*A:* As of October 18, 2009, CCIEs who take the CCIE R&S written exam for
recertification will be given the v4.0 exam and should prepare using the
exam topics found on the Cisco Learning
Network<https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/community/certifications/ccie_r
outing_switching/written_exam?tab=2>
.

*11 - Q: Are the previous Cisco 360 components applicable to the CCIE R&S
v4.0 exams? Should candidates studying for CCIE R&S v4.0 exams wait for the
new Cisco 360 materials to begin work?*

*A:* The learning components available at first launch of Cisco 360 are
still relevant to candidates studying for the CCIE R&S v4.0 certification
exams. No Cisco 360 Learning Program components are being retired. There is
no need for candidates to wait for revised Cisco 360 material to begin their
study and practice. The subscription model ensures that Cisco 360 customers
can take advantage of all new content as it is released and do not need to
wait.

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Received on Tue May 05 2009 - 08:27:17 ART