Moving onto the written
I'm prepared to sit the ONT exam to complete my CCNP. The only thing I'm waiting for is a test voucher to become available so that I don't have to pay the full price. I got laid off a month ago so getting exams comped is out the window.
That being said, I don't really need to hark on the ONT studies any further than I have so I've moved to the CCIE Written.
Here is my plan of attack:
I've printed out the latest exam blueprint from Cisco's site and pasted it to my wall. I'm going down the list, first briefly reading up on the technology for a review then next going into further detail through RFC's, IEEE standards, and books. Once I have a firm understanding of the material I go over it again and take semi-detailed notes by hand.
So far I've gone through the General Networking Theory section and I'm most of the way through Bridging and LAN Switching. I'm spending between 6-10 hours a day studying since I don't have a job at the moment. It's hard to stop myself from over-studying and over-running my buffers, so to speak. None the less, I hope to get through this quickly and with a good plan of attack.
I've read most of the threads here regarding the written (did so before reading the blueprint actually) so I feel relatively confident that I'm tackling this correctly, but if any of you have some parting advice that may help me please share.
Thanks brothers!
That being said, I don't really need to hark on the ONT studies any further than I have so I've moved to the CCIE Written.
Here is my plan of attack:
I've printed out the latest exam blueprint from Cisco's site and pasted it to my wall. I'm going down the list, first briefly reading up on the technology for a review then next going into further detail through RFC's, IEEE standards, and books. Once I have a firm understanding of the material I go over it again and take semi-detailed notes by hand.
So far I've gone through the General Networking Theory section and I'm most of the way through Bridging and LAN Switching. I'm spending between 6-10 hours a day studying since I don't have a job at the moment. It's hard to stop myself from over-studying and over-running my buffers, so to speak. None the less, I hope to get through this quickly and with a good plan of attack.
I've read most of the threads here regarding the written (did so before reading the blueprint actually) so I feel relatively confident that I'm tackling this correctly, but if any of you have some parting advice that may help me please share.
Thanks brothers!
CCNP | CCIP | CCDP | CCNA, CCDA
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
Comments
Free Microsoft Training: Microsoft Learn
Free PowerShell Resources: Top PowerShell Blogs
Free DevOps/Azure Resources: Visual Studio Dev Essentials
Let it never be said that I didn't do the very least I could do.
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
Hi Paul,
Im sorry to hear you got laid off. Sounds like you have some serious study time opening up. My tips for the written are for you to look at the recommended white papers on the CCIE written reading list. Download those and put them in binders. Then go through them all. That's what I did. Once you have completed that activity, put a couple of months in with Wendall Odom's CCIE Routing and Switching Guide. One chapter a day is plenty. Do the end of chapter test. Once you are through the book once, go over each chapter again briefly and try the end of chapter test a second time. Then try the mock exam that comes with the book. Eventually you weed out the questions you seem to keep getting wrong. Try and answer those open book by researching the questions. That seems to help things stick.
Netmaster also do a mock written test you can use.
Good luck.
Are you checking out opportunities with local Cisco Business Partners?
No, not at all. I'm actively trying to NOT get employed in a 9-5 40hour/week job. I dropped out of school two years ago to pursue raises at my job and it wasn't worth it. I've let myself down by not completing my degree so I'm just going to do some kitchenwork part time so that I can finish school. I'll have a lot more time to dedicate to the CCIE this way as well.
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
Are you planning to come back out swinging with a degree and a CCIE? Or are you just focusing on the degree and CCIE study and preparation for now, and then hitting the job market before hitting the Lab?
I take it that by dropping out of school this gave you more time and energy to throw yourself into work for your employer? It sucks that the rewards didn't come. I hope you can make some progress on your degree now. Employers like graduates for senior roles.
The rewards came for sure. I was able to buy a house that I can sustain on my current budget and that was my goal. In hindsight I'd rather have a house and no degree in this economy than continue renting.
Either way, I'm going to finish my degree and hopefully the CCIE written prior to seeking employment elsewhere. Having the lab paid for would be pretty nice
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
Good luck with the push for CCIE status.... I hope to join you there one in the near future
You certainly did breeze through the CCNP!!!
CCNA | CCNA:Security | CCNP | CCIP
JNCIA:JUNOS | JNCIA:EX | JNCIS:ENT | JNCIS:SEC
JNCIS:SP | JNCIP:SP
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
I enjoyed studying for the written more than previous exams. The fact it is so open on content and scope meant I didn't restrict myself to certain areas as I did on the CCSP exams (human nature is what it is and everyone has a timetable to keep to so as much as you want to read side material the fact is you won't as much as you could/should on the CC*Ps, the CCIE written requires taking any of those time imposed blinkers off, you just can't afford them - makes it a tougher but richer experience imho)
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
Good luck with everything Paul.
This is great news to me because I can fully dedicate my time to the CCIE now. Once I passed the exam I told my wife (who took a day off to take a day trip to the testing center with me) that I couldn't wait to get home to study. She was a bit disappointed that I didn't want to go out to dinner to celebrate, I'd rather hit the books
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
Thats great news man. I know everything will work out for you. keep up the great (and hard) work!
Looks like you'll be one of the next ccie's around here! Good luck man.
Bsc (hons) Network Computing - 1st Class
WIP: Msc advanced networking
I just took the ccnp QoS exam a few days ago so I'll get through the MQC stuff very quickly, and I worked for a service provider for five years so WAN should be cake also. On the other hand, multicast is a foreign topic briefly covered on the BCMSN that I took as a part of the composite about a year ago. I'm going to have to lab the heck out of that. For now I'm going to bed. My head is steaming.
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
I guess better that than streaming! Just to continue with the multicast theme.
__________________________________________
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
(Leonardo da Vinci)
CCNA | CCNA:Security | CCNP | CCIP
JNCIA:JUNOS | JNCIA:EX | JNCIS:ENT | JNCIS:SEC
JNCIS:SP | JNCIP:SP
I'd love to get your views on your study plan for the written. I have read through all of Turgons CCIE lab study and I am hoping to nail down a realistic study plan for both the written and lab.
My draft study plan for the written:
Breakdown by technology, either via IE or Narbiks definition.
Read all books on the list relating to said technology and do all the labs from Narbik and IE. Also view all the COD videos from IE. When completed, take the written. Realistically looking for a 6-9 month plan and then hoping to lay out a 12month plan for the lab.
I think that should give me a pretty good base to start the climb to the LAB.
Thanks,
l6
Do remember not to burn yourself out though, serious study is 10x more taxing on your brain than work. Remember to take breaks and enjoy other things as well.
Cheers,
Good luck with all that. I hope that my diary has been helpful in some way. Although it's not gospel as each candidate's journey is different. Some are more relaxed than mine, others more aggresive. Much depends on your priorities at the time. The main thing though is to take the elapsed time you need to cover the necessary material properly. Your timelines look good to me!
I over-studied a bit for the CCNP because I understood that my ultimate goal is the CCIE so I'm not doing so badly on the written right now. I'm about 3/4 of the way through the blueprint. Basically here is my approach: I've printed out the written blueprint and posted it to the wall near my computer. I'm keeping detailed notebooks of every subject, point by point, and injecting valid information as I see fit. Every five days or so I go back and re-read all of my notes then do the end of chapter quizzes in the CCBootcamp written workbook. It ensures that I don't suffer from memory leak. As for the lab, I'm not in any hurry to sit the written. I'd like to be around 65-70% prepared for the lab before I sit the written because all the written does is start a timer. I don't need to create any deadlines if they're avoidable. I wouldn't read every book on the list or even read every RFC. It's beneficial for clarification sometimes but there are better books than what is on Cisco's recommended list.
I agree completely. Keep in mind that I really enjoy this stuff and have just as many books on routing in my bathroom as I do on my desk! This is mostly pleasure for me. There's nothing good on TV and video games have their place, but for me, studying is where it's at. It's only 11:30am and it's already almost 100 degrees outside. Parking it for 10 hours at my desk is a great way to dodge the heat, too
I started feeling the burn a little yesterday so I just played some Forza 2 and got my mind right for today. I hope to get completely through EIGRP.
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
I disagree to some extent. I think you need to focus on the written and get that out of the way before you embark on heavyweight lab prep. The written does indeed start a timer and that's a good thing, but you want that written learning process down before you start working practice labs. You will always refer to books during lab prep no matter how hard you studied for the written, but getting the theory down before you start lab prep will help you later on.
That being said, I simulate most everything that I study, so "labbing" is a relative term. I'm not doing dedicated CCIE practice labs but I do get my commands in per technology.
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/