Taking 640-554 this coming weekend

markulous

I saw all of the CBT Nuggets videos, read Barker's Cert Guide, and I've been taking the Boson practice exam. Any hints or tips? After taking the Security+ earlier in the year and the CCNA just recently, it seems like it's just a mix of the two. I'm nervous about such a high passing score. Only certs that I've gotten that good of a score on is the N+ and CCENT.

EDIT: Passed with 898

RouteMyPacket

It's not about your score or even if you pass, it's about you actually possessing the knowledge and having the ability to walk into an environment and apply that level of skill. I mean that is what certification is supposed to portray right? "This person has demonstrated CCNA, CCNA Security level knowledge"

I know I am in the minority but I personally get a bit nervous as I go along, you are putting a target on your back parse. With each higher level certification you are raising the bar or expectations one should have of you. We want to be paid like a "CCNA", "CCNP" or "CCIE" but those skills will be expected of you in return. You can very well have the practical knowledge yet score low or even fail an exam so don't focus on the score, focus on the content and being able to apply it in the real world.

I don't remember the CCNA Security being anything special, it was quite disappointing actually. The CCNP material was great minus IPS (Crap Crap Crap). Here is a rundown of the exam

11% 1.0 Common Security Threats

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8% 2.0 Security and Cisco Routers

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11% 3.0 AAA on Cisco Devices

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12% 4.0 IOS ACLs

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10% 5.0 Secure Network Management and Reporting

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12% 6.0 Common Layer 2 Attacks

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13% 7.0 Cisco Firewall Technologies

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11% 8.0 Cisco IPS

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12% 9.0 VPN Technologies

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markulous

You are right of course. I unfortunately am not in the position right now to utilize any of my Cisco certs very efficiently so my biggest goal at the moment is getting through school which this cert will give me credit for. I do definitely want to be able to apply this knowledge and not just be a cert hound with no applicable skills. I'd feel more comfortable though if I was able to work on Cisco equipment with my job but I'm at a remote level 2 helpdesk/team lead position. I got a little bored with Packet Tracer as I'm the type of guy that needs practical real-life application after so much practice.

Thanks for the breakdown. The Boson practice exam seems to run over a lot of that stuff too. I think I have down all of the concepts, it's just some of the more technical things that I have issues remembering.

JoJoCal19

Good luck Markulous. Definitely post your feedback on it as I am studying for the CCENT now and will pivot to the CCNA:S afterwards.

Krusader

Good luck

I'm taking it myself next Monday.

I've also used the same resources and also Chris Bryant's vids. The Boson Exam Sim has been invaluable well worth the money.

Post back after the exam and let us know how you got on

AD227529

Good luck and let us know how you do. I passed the old CCNA Security exam back in September of 2012, so I have to re-certify in 2015. I'm just now beginning studying and I'm a little nervous about the passing score as well. I feel like I know the material, but I don't like racing the clock.

RouteMyPacket

markulous wrote: »

You are right of course. I unfortunately am not in the position right now to utilize any of my Cisco certs very efficiently so my biggest goal at the moment is getting through school which this cert will give me credit for. I do definitely want to be able to apply this knowledge and not just be a cert hound with no applicable skills. I'd feel more comfortable though if I was able to work on Cisco equipment with my job but I'm at a remote level 2 helpdesk/team lead position. I got a little bored with Packet Tracer as I'm the type of guy that needs practical real-life application after so much practice.

Thanks for the breakdown. The Boson practice exam seems to run over a lot of that stuff too. I think I have down all of the concepts, it's just some of the more technical things that I have issues remembering.

Build topologies in GNS3, also remember R&S is the foundation and if your knowledge of core fundamentals is lacking, Security means nothing. You can't secure what you don't understand. Again, GNS3 and reading configuration guides can help you maintain and keep topics fresh

markulous

Agreed. What I learned in CCENT/CCNA is going to be way more valuable than what I learned in CCNA Security.

markulous

Passed. Minimum score is 898 and that's exactly what I got. Can't believe it.

Krusader

Congrats!

You can enjoy the Xmas now.
I'm up on Monday

markulous

Krusader wrote: »

Congrats!

You can enjoy the Xmas now.
I'm up on Monday

Good luck. I probably could have studied longer than the two to three weeks I did and not rushed through the test and gotten a better score. Not that hard of a test overall.