I dont think i can do this

Hey all i have depressing news. I have finished my sybex book but when i tried Bosons ICND1 practice exam i failed miserably. Maybe i just dont have what it takes to do this, am i studying wrong? what can i do differently?

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networker050184

You could try reading through the Cisco Press exam cert guides and also have a look at the CBT Nuggets as most people find them very helpful.

Just don't give up! Keep at it slowly and you will get it eventually.

mitchellislearning

idk im gonna start on page one of cisco and just pretend i dont know anything. as for cbt i dont have the cash for that im unemployed at the moment, and (the stuff on the torrent sites is like 5 years old. ive been hitting the books hard for like 1.5 months and i feel burned out, but i kno that i cant just quit studying

Mishra

Labbing a lot and having a solid understand of what you are doing is essential. You need to figure out what kind of learning style you have, which is probably hands on if reading didn't work for you.

I solidify my knowledge by answering questions and teaching others what I have learned.

For example, answer this question for me. What do I need to do in order to flash and upgrade my IOS?

mitchellislearning

copy tftp flash

mitchellislearning

i am verymuch hands on but i dont have the equipment. i have RouterSim but its not my pc. the only time i can do labs is daytimewhile i babysit two ADHD kids. i try to do them at night too after the kids and their parents go to bed but by that time im tired as can be. any suggestions?

dynamik

Whatever seems overwhelming and difficult today will seem like common sense a month or two later. Just take your time and learn at your own pace. If you rush yourself, you're just going to get discouraged with your results.

aaronchristenson

I had the same problem at first. I read both Odem books and thought I was ready, took the practice exams then took the 802 exam and failed big time. I re-read the second Odem book and took the exam again a few weeks later and passed. I am sure that you will get it, do not spend all your time reading the book. Follow the examples along with Packet Tracer or some other Cisco Sim.

Good Luck

hypnotoad

If you fail it, don't fret, retakes are free with the SECONDCHANCE promotion code.

Mishra

mitchellislearning wrote:

copy tftp flash

You need to be a lot more thorough in your answers and understanding. If I was a newbie I would have no idea what you are doing about. The more thorough you are in both teaching and learning, the better you will have a total understanding of the study material.

I think answering some CCNA questions that are asked here and other forums would do you a lot of good.

Tech109

What kind of background do you have in computers and networking? If you don't have any work experience, perhaps you should consider starting with something a bit more entry-level like A+ or even Network+ and pursuing a job related to those skillsets. At least then you will start getting a better feel for networking concepts and troubleshooting, even though you won't be exposed to IOS.

nicklauscombs

definitely don't give up

is this exam hard? yes! can you pass it? of course

I gotta be honest I read the sybex book and exam guides about 50 million times before I started to figure it out, don't get discouraged it's a tough exam but like I said with some determination it will start to click

mike3

dynamik wrote:

Whatever seems overwhelming and difficult today will seem like common sense a month or two later. Just take your time and learn at your own pace. If you rush yourself, you're just going to get discouraged with your results.

Take this advice. I did that.

nel

hi mate,

Well think of it this way, if it was easy it would be worth jack sh*t!

Thats why it is highly regarded in IT.

But like others have said it takes time, reading, practice and more practice! This aint a cert where you can read a book once and pass the exam. i aim to read the odom book at least 3 times, do lots of labs then read the sybex book a few times!

If your a hands on guy then you will learn easier when you start labbing.

Just remember even the guys who are top of the ladder and have CCIE's come across a stumbling point - were only human but dont let it deter you. Stick around the forums - its the best place on the web for IT certs

Good luck and dont give up.

ITdude

The material on this exam is not only complex for someone coming from a non-networking background but as has been said before the CCNA ia a mile deep and ten miles wide. In other words you are given a veritible Smorgasbord of material to learn but not in great detail.

While reading and doing the labs, etc. try always to keep in mind that if it were easy to learn this material and pass the related exams, EVERYONE would be doing it!

Last but not least, you have a superior resource in this forum. Try to figure out something first on your own. If you still cannot understand it, ask questions.

Good luck and don't throw in the towel.

mitchellislearning

hey all thanks for the encouragment. it is hard ill agree with that. i have no Legit exp. i am sa self taught PC hardware guy, and i can do anything on windows (OS Wise) with my eyes closed. as far as networking goes.... NOTHING. I took an A+course in highschool but all i did was use the hi speed internet to supplement my Dialup at home. but im gonna go back to Odem's books i dont think my Sybex book covers all the material anyway. its 5th ED

ITdude

If you cannot afford the latest Sybex book, read Odem first and if you don't understand something, see if it is in the 5th edition and if he explains it more clearly. Also keep in mind that the best teacher can be yourself. If you can figure out something in a way that is easily understood/remembered by yourself, it will tend to stick better.

LOkrasa

I hate to bring this thread into the light because I am not exactly proud of the number of times... it... *ahem* tookmetopass... BUT if it will help you then so be it.

Enjoy.
http://www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=161479#161479

Oh and there is TONS of stories from ppl that passed the exam and they are all inspiring. I think that this helped me a ton while studying so go through some of those and think about the joy it will bring you when you get to post your own because it really is an amazing feeling. Don't give up!

remyforbes777

If you have no experience its going to take a lot longer than 1.5 months to learn it. The CCNA is not all about just networking in general, it's networking the Cisco way. You need to have a good networking base and then take in the stuff on how to do networking the Cisco way. I personally don't think 1.5 months is enough time for a complete beginner. Don't take the test lightly. It will suprise you.

mamono

I've been studying for CCNA since mid-March. I completed 640-822 ICND1 end of April. I just took the 640-816 ICND2 exam two weeks ago to see where my weak points are and to re-evaluate what areas I need to study more. I would say that I still have another 1-2 months to go before I'm really ready. Don't give up. It is a tough exam. Everyone has a different pace.

gojericho0

I would try to break it out in chucks. That way you are not overwhelmed with the vast amount of material. Try to learn about each chunk (I usually use the objectives) one at a time. When you feel you have mastered the material move on to the next chunk. When you are finished go back and try to recall and explain how the technologies work, strengths and shortcomings.Also how they flow together i.e Switching and Routing. If you feel like you a burnt out take a week or two off and don't think about it at all. This will help recharge your batteries allowing you to rejuvenate and be more focused. You can do it, you just have to break in into manageable sections. Good Luck!

AlanJames

keep at it!

i found it quite hard at 1st as everything was new to me. i studied for the exam for about 8 months.

Download Dynagen
buy cisco press
go through cbt nuggets
relax

and things start becoming easier

good luck with take 2

mitchellislearning

i want dynagen but i cant acuire the IOS files and please dont send me another hate post because i mentioned that (IDK who it was)

LOkrasa

mitchellislearning wrote:

i want dynagen but i cant acuire the IOS files and please dont send me another hate post because i mentioned that (IDK who it was)

Can't get IOS files because no smartnet contract... cant get smartnet contract because no job... cant get job because no CCNA.... cant get CCNA because no IOS files... oh boy...

Time to look to eBay to get some cheap 2501s, at 20 a pop or even maybe less nowadays. Thats what I did and I am sure roughly 75% of the ppl here did as well, those without jobs that had Cisco gear anyways. No $ for equipment... time to save. Not hard to scrounge around $50 for two routers and make sure they have the IOS already loaded or you are back to square one.

mitchellislearning

im gonna just stick to studying now. i have wnough simulators that ill make due till i get some nickles. What is the Best Testing simulator? I have Boson, should i use others. i already use the ones here

LOkrasa

mitchellislearning wrote:

im gonna just stick to studying now. i have wnough simulators that ill make due till i get some nickles. What is the Best Testing simulator? I have Boson, should i use others. i already use the ones here

If you are trying to save some $ I would rule out getting Testing Simulators. Just use the CD that came with the book and try taking the exam at least once asap so you can attempt the free retake before October 15th. Nothing better then seeing the real deal and then getting another shot at it once you know you are ready... If you want to see some testing simulators check out the below. I haven't used either but I heard that they are pretty good.

http://www.transcender.com/
http://www.trainsignal.com/

wbosher

Don't worry too much about the Boson exam score. I only got 55% on the CCENT Boson exam but got 870 on the real Cisco exam. Just go for it!!

Essendon

Dont know about you, wbosher, but I did the the Boson tests inside out and felt really confident about the ICND exam I took more than a year ago. Guess what, I failed, I think it was a low 700 score with a pass score of 850. In my case, the problem was I didnt lab it at all, there was no guidance of any sort. I didnt have any friends in IT. I did sign up on this site in Sep 2007 but didnt bother going over the posts as I thought I had all bases covered (I was scoring well on the Boson). After that experience, I have never recommended Boson to anyone. Transcender does a good job in the MS arena, so should be good for the Cisco side of things too.

LOkrasa

MobilOne wrote:

Dont know about you, wbosher, but I did the the Boson tests inside out and felt really confident about the ICND exam I took more than a year ago. Guess what, I failed, I think it was a low 700 score with a pass score of 850. In my case, the problem was I didnt lab it at all, there was no guidance of any sort. I didnt have any friends in IT. I did sign up on this site in Sep 2007 but didnt bother going over the posts as I thought I had all bases covered (I was scoring well on the Boson). After that experience, I have never recommended Boson to anyone. Transcender does a good job in the MS arena, so should be good for the Cisco side of things too.

Boson is not bad but it can NOT be your only source. The Boson exam is not enough to get all the info you need, they touch on one angle for a certain topic and leave the 15 other angles untouched. Honestly, no exam simulator will prepare you for the exam, you just need to know the material and use the simulators to gauge where your weaknesses are to go back and restudy those areas. Boson is also very limited in its question bank...

wbosher

I went in feeling pretty confident because several people had posted this site saying similar thing about the Boson tests being so much harder than the real thing. As it turned out, they were right.

I don't really believe in doing practice tests because some of them cost almost as much as the real thing, so you might as well just do the real exam. By doing this you get a better feel for the structure of exam which most of the practice tests fall very short of.

LOkrasa

wbosher wrote:

I went in feeling pretty confident because several people had posted this site saying similar thing about the Boson tests being so much harder than the real thing. As it turned out, they were right.

I don't really believe in doing practice tests because some of them cost almost as much as the real thing, so you might as well just do the real exam. By doing this you get a better feel for the structure of exam which most of the practice tests fall very short of.

True... but I gotta be honest. I came in expecting to pass my CCNA and I left very upset when I didn't so my mind was blank when it came to the exam. I do remember alcohol...