So I popped along to the testing centre today ....

aquilla

Today was the day I took the exam. I was nervous as hell as I hate exams. All the practice exams I had taken were resulting in scores of just below the required mark. I had to do it.

I drove into the car park and sat there for 10 minutes franticly flicking through my notes and the book I had bought with me. Could I remember subnetting? What were the timers for RIP / IGRP? Was a frame an Ethernet_II or was it Ethernet 802.3?

Finally I put the stuff away and walked into the testing centre. I signed the necessary papers and was taken to my testing station. I started to scribble out some notes (tip: the subnetting chart is a good idea). Now the test begain - first question was a sim.

Ploughed my way through although I was running short of time. At one point I had ten questions left and 12 minutes!!! Anyway, finished the exam with less than 2 minutes on the clock (phew).

Then the bit everyone dreads, I crossed everything and prayed to god I had done enough (partly because work won't let me have any time off before xmas and the testing centres in the UK only test Mon - Fri). I couldn't believe it when it said "CONGRATULATIONS".

A passing score of 923.

91% - Planning & Designing
91% - Implementation & Operation
83% - Troubleshooting
92% - Technology

r_durant

Nice...congrats!!

Good score too, which means you definitely knew your stuff...

Now as Mike would say, even though it's Monday...hit the pub, but don't get too knackered ...work is tomorrow!!

mikej412

Congratulations!

If this networking thing doesn't work out, you may have a future as an author/screenwriter!

Celebrate!

aquilla

Cheers guys. I will certainly be having a drink or two of (non-alcoholic) liquor.

I have just been on an amazing high all day - it's fantastic.

mikej412 wrote:

Congratulations!

If this networking thing doesn't work out, you may have a future as an author/screenwriter!

Celebrate!

My English teacher at school always did say I wrote excellent short stories!!

Kcolon1

I hope the same results happen to me next week ...

How was the whole experience? What kind of Qs did you face? Alot of _____? Not so much ____? THANKS!

aquilla

Kcolon1 wrote:

I hope the same results happen to me next week ...

How was the whole experience? What kind of Qs did you face? Alot of _____? Not so much ____? THANKS!

To be honest the whole thing is really a blur. I can't say too much because of the NDA you agree to. All I will say is this:

- Know how to subnet
- Know your commands and what they show you (e.g. 'sh ver', 'sh vtp status', 'sh vlan').
- Attempt every question using a process of elimination if you don't know the answer.

Hands-on experience is a must. I was using Dynamips & Dynagen to get my experience.

Kcolon1

Thanks! Much appreciated. good thing I know my subetting very well. I still have to go home and punch commands and do some router/switch configuration screnarios to practice my memory and knowledge of commands.... I hope everything goes well, if I pass - I'm buying a new car! lol

aquilla

Kcolon1 wrote:

if I pass - I'm buying a new car! lol

Thanks for the reminder. My gift to myself was a new 19" widescreen monitor and a small PC upgrade (and possibly an iPod).