640-801 Battle

wannanet

After reading all these posts, I thought I'd share my own experience (breifly) with the exam.

Seven years ago (2000) I took and passed the ccna exam without much experience and without much difficulty. Wow, has it changed! In January I took the exam (1 exam option) and failed with a 732. During the exam I didn't feel any confidence at all that I was going to pass it. There were just too many things that confused me and the simulations totally through me for a loop.

I retook the exam a month ago (mid June) and failed again, this time with a 770. Thought I failed again, I felt far more confident this time and felt like I knew what I was doing most of the time. Had only 2 simulations, one of which I nailed, but the second one was about 5 questions from the end with only 3 minutes to spare. It was a 5 part informational sim, and I made the decision to guess all 5 parts so I could get on to the last few questions. That probably was a mistake, but overall, I felt far better about the experience. I had a lot of questions containing diagrams where I needed to figure out what was wrong with the scenario and think I did very well on them.

Anyway, I'm in a panic now--my boss doesn't really want me studying cisco stuff, he wants me to get the MS certs, but I had made this decision prior to his request so I have really been trying to apply myself to it. I've scheduled the exam again for next Wed. and stealing as much time as possible from work and family to study though its been very difficult (I have 2 yr old twins at home--if anyone here knows anything about raising twins, you'd probably call me a criminal of the worst kind!) If I fail again (a very real possibility) I thought that I'd still be able to take the exam one more time before the month ends and then that's possibly it for me whether or not I get it.

I read the Sybex book (good) and trying to make my way thru the icnd book from the certification guide by Odom (probably good, but doesn't make me feel very good about myself!) As final preparation, I proably ought to include some more practice tests and was just reading about the practice tests from the Odom book on the cd. I'll try it, but suppose I would value any other opinions for some last minute preps! Thanks! /Joel

mysql1988

I didn't see anything in your writing which says "lab" The CCNA has become hard over the years

If you do not get a lab in the house or an advanced simulator your chances of passing will not be good.

I failed my first CCNA test with 800. I had no labs or simulatos. I went home and bought a couple of routers from ebay. 3 months later, I passed it with 984

LABS LABS LABS--I hope you get the picture

ITdude

Ditto Ditto Ditto! My mind went exactly where mysql1988 went.

Gone are the days of just reading a few books and having enough info to pass the exams. You really need hands on with the boxes to drive the concepts home.

While simulators are okay nothing beats getting "physical" with the routers and switches. Get inside one, play with cabling them etc etc. It is more than just learning the commands.

Even if the exams had not changed what kind of network engineer would one be on the job without this valuable experience.

Good luck and keep us posted

bearfan

Good luck to you on your next try.

I know what you mean about the tests being much harder. I took the Windows NT tests back in 1999. The Windows NT TCP/IP exam was much easier than this. We just need to work harder if we want to pass these tests!!

I agree you should have a small lab or router simulation software. I have a Cisco 871W router.
I hyperterminal into it and practice commands, but I haven't set up a network. I ordered a 2924 switch to help me with ICND but it hasn't arrived.

I take the Intro test on Monday morning. I've never taken a Cisco test before. I feel well prepared. I've studied pretty hard.

ITdude

Yes, the NT4 TCP/IP test was met by most with trepidation. However, it was a cakewalk by comparison with today's exams both Cisco and Microsoft.

Good luck to you both!

bearfan

I know the CCNA Intro test will be harder than TCP/IP, but I hope the later isn't a cakewalk compared to it!!! ICND yes, but I hope not Intro too!

I plan to get more gear for a lab. Right now I have a Cisco 871W and I've ordered a 2924 switch. Do I need anymore gear for the ICND? What about a 2521 or a 2610?

wannanet

I forgot! After the first exam, I did get the Boson Simulator for CCNA and that really did help a lot. It beats not having anything.

ITdude

The Intro exam is probably more akin to the old Networking Essentials exam from NT4. So, not too bad.

The ICND will be a completely different ballgame though. I took the 801 so can't say for sure but this would be my read.

A simulator is definitely better than nothing! There is nothing wrong with it at the NA level but the physical contact with the boxes just adds more "color" to the endeavor.

Good Luck!