My Lab Attempt R&S v4.0

To All,

I just attempted the latest version of the R&S lab in RTP. I had been
reading the threads on people's assumptions about the exam, so I'd like to
chime in. First off the OEQ on both my attempts V3.0 & 4.0 were gimme
points. If you passed any other certification or studied like I have the
questions were a breeze. I suspect I answered them all corectly just like
last time. The troubleshooting I did well on. One caveat is the first
question Cisco is trying to scare you into believing you know nothing about
networking. I spent my career troubleshooting all the complex problems on
everybody's network so this was actually something I felt at home with. The
diagram is intimidating but again if you put your time into the lab you
should have no problems. Plus while studying for this attempt after working
all day and night (yes some of us have families to feed) I've made careless
mistakes on my home lab and spent lots of time figuring out the problems
(just look at one my last threads and you'll see what I mean). I believe
that good engineers are made up of a couple of things and troubleshooting
must be one of them. If you can document and design as well as explain
things in layman's terms then in my eyes you can walk on water.

Now for the not so good part. I've attempted the lab several times in
different countries and this one was a little different. I think the
questions were actually simpler than any labs I have taken, however the you
better have a system down on how to keep a track of the way they set things
up. For instance no more lab book, all on one screen. Difficult!!! if you
think your going to redraw the lab and have time for each section Good Luck
(remember your less two hours for the same number of tasks). Cisco has a way
of throwing some tricks into the mix that if your not ready will stop you.
They got me again, if I didn't blackhole twice I would have completed
everything. DON'T BLACK HOLE JUST MOVE ON!!! If you master the screen
layouts and how to navigate all the topology diagrams plus the questions
your home free, since they are not throwing too many complex problems at
you. The trick here is to practice redrawing, and keeping a track of the
screens, plus any check lists. They had several questions on things that I
practiced at home, but most people would not think is on the lab. I don't
want to break the NDA so I can't say, but most people over look that one.

I am optimistic I already getting ready for the next attempt, since I always
believed I can pass. This format is DO-ABLE. YES YOU CAN PASS, just like the
gentlemen the other day. My road ahead is just organizing my strategy, and
brushing up on a few things. I'll keep trying until I succeed. I can't
accept not trying "Michael Jordan".

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Received on Tue Dec 22 2009 - 11:11:48 ART