Disaster on my CCNA Exam yesterday

Hi all,

Any tips for a nervous guy? Strange request I know but failed my CCNA yesterday mostly because of shear nervousness.

I was all prepared, feeling really confident but as soon as I got to the testing area I just completely fell to pieces, hands shaking, dry throat, could not concentrate on any of the questions at all, I guess you could say it was some kind of panic attack! It was worse than taking my driving test!

What was worse, I got to the EDITED after only about 5 questions in and I was kind of getting through it, then disaster!!! I hit the power off button on the keyboard instead of backspace. The whole comp shut down!! This just completely finished it for me. The guy came and powered it back up but what happened is the EDITED came back but with different IP addresses and different host to be allowed.

It was all over, I couldn’t figure out my problem I kept going over it until I realized what had happened. Trouble is I spent so much time going over the EDITED problem I ran out of time…. I honestly didn’t realize how little time I had left and had to rush through the rest of the exam…needless to say it was a complete disaster.

I must admit, I not at all happy that the test centre had a comp with a power button on the keyboard. If it wasn’t for that I may of well passed but it was all just too much for me.

I shall retake it this week, maybe I’ll buy some sedatives to calm me down…

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Comments

sprkymrk

Kenjin wrote:

I must admit, I not at all happy that the test centre had a comp with a power button on the keyboard. If it wasn’t for that I may of well passed but it was all just too much for me.

I shall retake it this week, maybe I’ll buy some sedatives to calm me down…

Wow, I would be ticked! A power off button on the keyboard? I would definately say something to the test center about replacing that keyboard. Sorry to hear about your trouble.I would avoid the sedatives - they may make you drowsy and you need to be a little keyed up to be sharp. To me the best way to avoid the jitters is to KNOW you are ready. However, you did state that you were pretty confident going in so I don't know.

Do you normally have test anxiety, or was this the first time this has happened? Maybe take a couple of practice exams between now and your next retake. Avoid coffee or caffine for 5 hours before you sit the exam. Do something that is both relaxing and distracting right before you go in to avoid any build up of anxiety - play a round of golf if you enjoy it or watch a favorite movie. Make sure whatever you do won't add to your anxiety by making you late or something. Eat something light too so you don't get hungry during the exam, but nothing that sits heavy or that aggrevates your stomach.

Good luck!

Kenjin

Hi thanks for the advice, I am thinking about complaining about that to cisco, gonna call on Monday, I want to see if I can get some refund because I can guess I am not the first this has hapeened to and its really off-putting and cost me the exam
BTW if I had passed the EDITED I would of had enough points to pass the exam or so I am told....

networker050184

You can not disclose the information about the exam like you did. Not only is it not allowed by Cisco, it is just bad ethics. It is an exam to test peoples abilities which can not properly be done if they know what will be on the test.

Everyone gets nervous, trust me. If you have some sort of medical problem like panic attaks thats a different story. You should just try to relax and concentrate on the test and not how nervous you are. Also like sprkymrk said ensure you know the material and you won't be nervous. Good luck in the future.

sprkymrk

networker050184 wrote:

You can not disclose the information about the exam like you did. Not only is it not allowed by Cisco, it is just bad ethics. It is an exam to test peoples abilities which can not properly be done if they know what will be on the test.

I did miss that, and this is correct. We do like to keep pretty strict on the topic of NDA's. However, he really didn't give away the farm by stating the subject of a lab - which everyone pretty much expects anyway. If Mike or Webmaster (who have keys to this forum) or the OP himself would like to edit that out I am sure there was no harm intended.

networker050184

I'm sure he didn't mean any harm by it, but like you said it is against the NDA and therfore not allowed. Just giving a heads up to the guy!

Kenjin

yes your correct, I shall try and edit that bit, my appologies

LOkrasa

Dont stress... just do some more practice exams to get yourself ready for that feeling. Pretend thats the real one and just sit down and try to take it. I have the same problem you described... I am a nervous wreck when I take an exam but the last time I took it I was ok. I took it one question at a time... you really have to believe in what you know and if you spend enough time studying you will be ok. Good luck!

Netstudent

I'm sure you will do much better next time. It's just the first time that really geeks you out. Now you know what to expect and you have already seen a lot of the questions. Stay confident and give yourself positive encouragement. When you fist sitdown in the seat, close your eyes, totally relax, and take a deep slow breath. Keep taking deep breaths untill your heart rate slows down a bit. Take yourself to the bahamas or something. Then begin. Keep a clear head and focus on the task at hand. Good luck!

Tricon7

I had a similar kind of problem, but not as bad. I was nervous, too, and as I was going through the initial survey questions with sweaty hands before the test, my computer locked up. Of course I freaked (especially after I found out they had set me up with the wrong test!), and the teenage girl at the front counter (who was the proctor, believe it or not) said that, yeah, it happened all the time. What the-?!

Don't worry, you can always take the test again and do well, I'm sure. There's that guy here who passed his CCNA on his eighth attempt. Talk about not giving up! Just stay with it and you'll slay the CCNA good.

Kenjin

Tricon7 wrote:

I had a similar kind of problem, but not as bad. I was nervous, too, and as I was going through the initial survey questions with sweaty hands before the test, my computer locked up. Of course I freaked (especially after I found out they had set me up with the wrong test!).

Yes I forgot to mention about 2 hrs before the exam I recieved a confirmation email from the test center stating i was the 802 and not the 801!! that also freaked me beause I havn't been studying the new exam. So after a few calls I got it sorted but that set me off too.

And yes, the survey I was even feaking then... Its crazy I know.. don't know why I reacted like that.