Taking CCNA in 19 days

Hi -

This is my first post.

I'm scheduled to take 640-821 July 23.

The passing score is 825? However, I've heard you get 300 points for just showing up? What percent of the questions do you need to get correct to pass (approx. - I know sim questions are weighted a little higher).

I've read you need to recertify every 3 years by either passing the composite CCNA test (now 640-801 or soon 640-802) or by passing any 642 series exam? If become a CCNA in Nov '07 and pass a 642 series exam in June '08, would your CCNA be good until June 2011?

Thanks
Erich

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Comments

Paul Boz

You heard wrong. Cisco doesn't disclose what you get points for or how questions are graded and weighted. You may get an exam with 45 questions, and only 42 of them will be graded because they slip in some "test" questions that don't count against you for the purpose of making the exam better. Mind you, my numbers are purely hypothetical.

The method of re-upping the CCNA you posted should work, but i don't see why you'd want to do that, given that by 2010 the exam will be drastically different and you'll probably want to re-test with the updated material since it'll be more pertinent to the real world.

calaverasgrandes

from what I understand, you dont need to recertify as a CCNA as long as you pass another cisco cert which is higher up or equivalent. CCNP fer instance.

Paul Boz

calaverasgrandes wrote:

from what I understand, you dont need to recertify as a CCNA as long as you pass another cisco cert which is higher up or equivalent. CCNP fer instance.

This is also correct. In addition, to re-certify a professional-level certification you only need to pass one professional-level exam from the certification curriculum you wish to renew.

bearfan

Thanks for the answer. I have another question.

I get nervous for tests and like to get them over with. My study is going well. I can subnet without a calculator. I'm getting about 80% on Transcender tests. I've read the Sybex
and Exam Cram books.

I'm scheduled July 23rd with a Vue test center. Its possible in a week, I'll decide I'm ready and I want to take the test NOW.

If so, the Vue centers are pretty booked. I notice one Prometric test center has a lot of openings - easy to get in on short notice.

If you passed INTRO at a Prometric center, and ICND at a Vue, would it create 2 Cisco ID's each thinking you passed just 1 test?? Or do both companies access the same database? Would you have to go through a hassle to get your records merged to get your CCNA?

Thanks

Paul Boz

There's no such thing as prepping too much, so just keep hammering your fundamentals until your scheduled test date. You won't regret it! You've already gone through the time and process of scheduling it, so if I were you I'd just keep grinding out the material and wait a few more weeks. I wouldn't bother taking the CCNA exam(s) with less than mid 90%'s on practice tests. The INTRO and ICND were much harder than any practice tests I took.

bearfan

Thank you Paul. I will take that advice and keep the 10 AM July 23 appt.

I do have another question. Does the test have a built in calculator similar to the Windows calculator? Or might you have to do hexadecimal to binary or decimal conversions by hand?
I can do subnetting without a calculator, but not hex.

Thanks
Erich

Paul Boz

The Prometric site that I test at provides a simple non-scientific calculator and two laminated sheets of paper with a dry erase marker. If I were you I'd call your testing center to make sure a calculator is provided, and if not, ask if you can bring a simple non-scientific calculator.