Failed 640-801 today..Feel like jumping off a bridge!

Just kidding about the bridge part. I did attempt to jump off a router though!

The only source I used was TestOut and I had really mastered all it had to offer, but the test today, my first, took me by surprise. I ran out of time with 7 questions left to go!
The practice exams had fairly brief questions that got right to the point. The actual exam questions were quite lengthy and somewhat confusing. Cisco's play on words and having a password to logon to the console were ridiculous. I had to re-read several questions over and over to try to figure out what they were asking, and in the process wasted considerable time.
I went directly to Barnes and Noble and bought Exam Cram 2nd edition. Is this source any good? I have nearly 6 years of hands on experience with Cisco routers, Catalysts, Pix's, Switchs, and recently ASA's.
Any suggestions or Help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

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Comments

ITdude

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. That being said, for future reference I think that you will find only using one resource for any certification exam will usually be inadequate.

It sounds like you got stressed under the time crunch and that also affected your performance. The CCNA is no cake walk exam by any means but it is very doable if you are well prepared to handle both the material and time management. In fact, if you are entirely comfortable with the material, there really is enough time to do the exam and even have time left over.

As far as the Exam Cram goes, it is perhaps okay to use as a review after your more in depth studies but if you intend to use it as the sole source, I suspect it will disappoint you.

I would suggest getting either the Sybex book to start with or since you have some experience you might want to jump right into the Cisco Press Wendell Odom books. They are an excellent resource along with setting up a lab to practice or refresh yourself on the material. I would also check out Cisco's CCNA Prep Center. There is a wealth of info up there too.

I hope that you get back into the swing and conquer it next time!

elvant

Cheer up mate, i'm sure you will get it on the next attempt. Since you have experience the questions, you know what to expect on next try. Cisco tends to confused you but this is how they test you thoroughly. Make sure you can differentiate the topics that looks similar in concept, like stp and ospf. Also the OSI layer 2 and layer 3, they always mix this 2 things in the answers that might get you confused.

donnab

Alot of us have failed first time so it is perfectly normal and of course everyone was also upset about it.

You do need to study from more than one source though as no one book or site can give you everything. The way Cisco phrase the questions has been mentioned on several forums but that is out of our control I think.

I used several sites:

CCNA rack from www.mindtechcom.com

Subnetting from www.learntosubnet.com

Practise questions from www.free-tests.com

You should be able to pass this month if you work at doing 2 hours per day.

Best of luck

Donna

shednik

crawfsh wrote:

Just kidding about the bridge part. I did attempt to jump off a router though!

The only source I used was TestOut and I had really mastered all it had to offer, but the test today, my first, took me by surprise. I ran out of time with 7 questions left to go!
The practice exams had fairly brief questions that got right to the point. The actual exam questions were quite lengthy and somewhat confusing. Cisco's play on words and having a password to logon to the console were ridiculous. I had to re-read several questions over and over to try to figure out what they were asking, and in the process wasted considerable time.
I went directly to Barnes and Noble and bought Exam Cram 2nd edition. Is this source any good? I have nearly 6 years of hands on experience with Cisco routers, Catalysts, Pix's, Switchs, and recently ASA's.
Any suggestions or Help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I also used TestOut and in my personal opinion the exam cram for CCNA is well written. i'm using that and cisco press icnd for my last few weeks and its helping well...good luck to you there's a few weeks left get back on that horse!!

jamesp1983

I read the Cisco press books first, then I read the exam cram. Its brief, but has a good sheet that works to jog your memory before you go into the test. I think it is a good refresher, but I'd read something more comprehensive first.

geezer

Sorry to hear of your disappointment - it certainly isn't an easy exam. The result sheet should highlight which areas may need addressing.

I used the Sybex Todd Lammle book mainly and some Cisco website info on any areas which may need clarification.

ronnie1009

hi dear, sorry to hear abt ur experience but remember that winners dont quit. With ur experience, Sybex will help you better - i think it gives u the understanding better to help when questions get twisted - (u know where its going to and coming frm) and i tell u, u get some ideas when u try to read overr again. I feel its just the right book for the stage.
Once again, dont quit and work on time management wt the practise questions. I wish u luck as u face the fight.

crawfsh

After taking a few days off to sulk around the house, I'm back at it. I wrote down a few of the topics that I remembered from the test that were NOT covered in Test Out. Such things as .... MODERATED ...., etc. All of these things were first presented to me DURING the exam. Aarrrgh!!! Thank you TestOut!!!! Exam Cram seems to have these topics and more so things are looking up for me. I am optimistic and know i will whip this beast.......eventually. Like David and Goliath.
Thanks for all the post and words of encouragement. You all are great!

raulduke

donnab wrote:

Alot of us have failed first time so it is perfectly normal and of course everyone was also upset about it.

You do need to study from more than one source though as no one book or site can give you everything. The way Cisco phrase the questions has been mentioned on several forums but that is out of our control I think.

I used several sites:

CCNA rack from www.mindtechcom.com

Subnetting from www.learntosubnet.com

You should be able to pass this month if you work at doing 2 hours per day.

Best of luck

Donna

Practise questions from www.free-tests.com <- This site is absolute rubbish. Alot of their answers to questions are just plain wrong. Don't use it.

networker050184

Practise questions from www.free-tests.com <- This site is absolute rubbish. Alot of their answers to questions are just plain wrong. Don't use it.

I'd have to disagree with this. I took the practice test there and didn't find anything wrong on it. I thought some of the questions were a little off the wall, but not wrong. Overall its pretty good, and free which is nice.

raulduke

networker050184 wrote:

Practise questions from www.free-tests.com <- This site is absolute rubbish. Alot of their answers to questions are just plain wrong. Don't use it.

I'd have to disagree with this. I took the practice test there and didn't find anything wrong on it. I thought some of the questions were a little off the wall, but not wrong. Overall its pretty good, and free which is nice.

In Cisco way of thinking alot of they are. In general networking OK they are valid. I can't extact samples ATM maybe later.