Re: R&S ATTEMPT

Great write up and words of advice.
I passed the lab 8 years ago - the content changes, but he need to have an effective strategy that includes time management has not.
Your advice to practice things like you will do them in the "real" lab, is what I tell folks all the time. My phrase is: Practice like you fight (a phrase I picked up in the military).

You have a good handle on things and you will get your number the next time around!!!

Thanks
Larry Hadrava
CCIE #12203
Check Out MyBlog: http://ccie12203.wordpress.com/

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bryan Stair" <uptown.ccie_at_gmail.com>
To: ccielab_at_groupstudy.com
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 10:55:16 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: R&S ATTEMPT

Guys,

I'm back with another critique of the lab exam. Here are my thoughts without
disclosing anything harmful or breaking the NDA. I view this as a tremendous
learning experience that is helped make me stronger. You've got to be strong
to study day and night and remember the amount of material presented on the
test. With that said....the test is never hard, but quite tricky. This
attempt they had some vague questions that can be interpreted the wrong way.
Ah ha...that's what the proctor is there for and I made use of it. I asked
questions about what are they really asking since there are several meanings
to the question. If you are not the person crafting the question...good
luck. The proctor made some things clearer, but from the answers even they
felt this was quite ambiguous.

The troubleshooting was quite tricky. Now I feel that I am an excellent
troubleshooter since I have worked on many large scale networks getting to
the bottom problems that no one else seems to catch. The problem is they
only give you a short period of time to get to the answer. Time management
is very important and I will not let it get past me the next time. I missed
passing this part right under the radar.

I studied the things I knew I was weak at. I went over them in detail to the
point I could remember things by heart and in my sleep. I did not black hole
or felt clueless about anything. I knew what they were after and had a
method to get it right. I left a few points on the table as I expect I
passed this part, but without the troubleshooting no dice. Close but no
cigar.

Here is my advice for anyone making an attempt soon. Cover the material you
are weak at or at least know why you are weak at it. If you thing its not
going to be on the test or I can skip this part, you are in for a rude
awakening. Second practice what you are actually going to do on the exam.
Redraw diagrams make notes, etc.... It will help you when you start to feel
stuck, or just overwhelmed from the experience.

I have a new game plan already and I am going to change one thing which will
make me a lot more successful. I would share it with everyone, but this is
something personal I realized about myself. If I incorporate this with some
additional vigor then I have no choice but to be successful.

I Can't Accept Not Trying.....

Setbacks are Setups For Comebacks

Ciao

Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net
Received on Sat May 21 2011 - 19:32:25 ART