Failed CCENT 4 times.....

Lost1975

I can't seem to find out what I'm doing wrong. The best I've done on this test is 791. My scores are as follows:

Describe the operation of data networks - 63%
Implement a small switched network - 50%
Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP services to meet network requirements for a small.... - 100%

Implement a small routed network - 75%
Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks required for a WLAN - 50%
Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats - 100%
Implement and verify WAN links - 100%

I know I can do this, but the confidence is starting to fade. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

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Comments

dynamik

What have you been using to prepare for this? How long have you been working on it?

You're doing really well on a lot of those. Now you just need to brush up on the other areas. Hang in there.

Lost1975

Most of what I have been using is the Cisco course ware that I received at the school I took the class at. Exam Cram CCNA, MeasureUp pretests. I just don't think I have the right amount of hands on. If anyone can recommend a great virtual lab program, I think that might help.

/usr

Are you using any practice tests?

With all the resources out there, you should have a pretty good idea going in that you're going to pass.

Do you get overly anxious before or during testing?

Lost1975

yes I did get rather nervous, and I think that caused me to forget steps in configurations.

AlexMR

Lost, get the Sybex CCNA book and try to get ready for the CCNA. When you feel confident about it, go for the ccent and you should have no problems.

I study from a lot of sources, but I think there wasnt one question in teh CCENT exam that easnt covered by Lamle in the CCNA book. I think the the focus on deeper things will make the CCENT exam objetives sink in faster and deeper.

When you get to the topics of the ICND2 the topics of the ICND1 just feel a lot easier.

just my 2 cents.

Dont give up. Just focus more and try to get pass the CCENT exam objectives.

wbosher

Get some hands on practice. If you can't afford the real equipment (and you're not alone there), there are some ok simulators out there...for CCENT and CCNA level anyway. Routersim, Netsim and Packet Tracer are the one that seem to be discussed the most, not always in a good way.

Subnetting and hands on practice are probably the two most important things you can do right now. Take a look at CBT Nuggets and/or the Cisco Press book for ICND1, that's all you should need for this exam.

Good luck!

Mrock4

Don't give up..keep taking that thing till you pass, you will be thankful you did in the long run. Do anything you can to get hands on experience. Play around with show commands, try to screw things up a bit..force yourself to learn everything you possibly can. Look at it more like you're learning this stuff for your career, not just to pass a test. Just the fact that you have taken it 4 times and hung in there says a lot about your character. Don't let that motivation go. Finally, read my signature...

dynamik

Also, consider rack rental: http://www.thebryantadvantage.com/Rack%20Rentals.htm six days for $47

Get this book as well: http://www.amazon.com/CCNA-Portable-Command-Guide-Self-Study/dp/1587201933/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223510201&sr=8-1 It was the best resource for leaning the commands and setting things up.

/usr

Rather than taking the approach of "take it until you pass", maybe get a decent practice test just to test your knowledge and kind of judge where you are without the pressure of a clock. I'd pick up some of the material suggested here and read it all the way through, again.

Before you know it, you're going to end up toasting (even more) money that could have been better spent on study material or real equipment.

There's no shame in pushing back your test if you aren't prepared and no need to keep spending the money if you aren't ready.

I know how frustrating it is to fail an exam, but keep your head up. You'll get it eventually!

Hell, I've pushed mine back a month already and I actually rescheduled today. Hopefully I'll be ready this time!

Slowhand

I know how you feel, I had a couple of tries at the 640-801 exam before I passed. It's frustrating, it's infuriating, but it's not impossible. My recommendation, get yourself one of the sims mentioned, or Dynamips, and do some more advanced reading. I can recommend two books to page through, especially the chapters that relate to the CCNA exam(s): Routing TCP/IP Volume I and Cisco LAN Switching. Don't let the CCIE label intimidate you, you'll get a whole lot out of the reads, and you'll probably feel a lot more confident after you're done.

Do the additional reading, (those books will server you as guidelines for your career, not just for the certs,) and check out Dynamips. There is a graphical front-end for Dynamips called Dynagen, and there are tutorials all over the place to get them up and running, including this one from Internetwork Expert. After that, review your CCENT material, make sure you'e covered all the bases of the exam blueprint, then go knock that test out of the park.

Mrock4

/usr wrote:

Rather than taking the approach of "take it until you pass"

The whole point is, don't give up..so whether you push it back or not, you're still taking the test until you pass no matter how you look at it.

moss12

don't be a loser and quit my friend

mamono

I highly recommend packet tracer if you can't afford hardware. Some type of practice is necessary. I would recommend CBT or Train Signal for lab practice because you can listen and watch their lectures while using the equipment or sims for the practical experience.

CBT is more examples and analogies of the way things work.

Train Signal seems to be more explanation on how the equipment, theories, and protocols work from an applied perspective.

And most importantly, don't give up! Cisco is known to have difficult tests in general. If you have no Cisco experience whatsoever like me, just studying and practice. You will get to where you want to be in due time.

remyforbes777

Packet Tracer is a pretty good virtual environment if you can't get your hands on any real equipment. I would also try and get your hands on CBT nuggets video. Very helpful.

Lost1975

Thanks for all the advice.....Im going to hit this hard and get past this test. I'll keep everyone informed

Thanks again!

human151

read Lammles CCNA Study Guide. Very good book.

Also, get yourself a Router Simulation.

http://www.routersim.com/CCNA6_home.html

or

http://www.ciscopress.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=1587202166

I was in your shoes not too long ago.

NOBODY QUITS, EVERYONE FIGHTS.

jason_lunde

Keep on trying man! I have to say that I have taken quite a few cets, and the Cisco one made me the most nervous of all (That is how I can tell it is truly what I want to do in IT). Just go in and relax...don't let the sims break you down. Really though, get your hands on a simulator or some rented rack time if you can...I think it is crucial. Cisco is one of the topics you really just cant learn from a book or class. You really needs some hand-on config time so that you can screw some stuff up, and learn from your mistakes. Keep going man!

Daniel333

What were your materials again? What equipment do you have in your lab?

ssjtrunks11x

I highly recommend the CBT Nuggets series, it helped me a lot to see it on the screen and explained to me. I've found that reading the material, watching the videos, and doing as much hands on as you can is the best because you're learning 3 different ways, reading, watching, doing. Also, think about maybe getting the Boson netsim, they have some great practice labs in there and once you get the hang of it you can design your own network and connect everything.

KGhaleon

Keep trying TC, you are far braver than I.

4 times? Your determination is impressive. I failed 3 times back in 2006 to the composite. >_<

jamesp1983

when i was going for my CCNA my teacher gave us Boson. It was a pretty good tool to get familiarized with the CLI. Dynamips would be my suggestion though since it uses actual IOS images. You can also find some cheap switches and routers on ebay to get used to the CLI as well. Its also nice to actually have to get used to the Layer 1 stuff and see the problems that come along with that.

mikej412

AlexMR wrote:

Lost, get the Sybex CCNA book and try to get ready for the CCNA. When you feel confident about it, go for the ccent and you should have no problems.

And maybe the Odom CCNA Certification Library.

If you move on and study for the CCNA (both the ICND1 and ICND2 stuff), a lot of the things you should learn in ICND1 will finally (and hopefully) make sense as you use and apply them in the ICND2 studies.

Then hit up the ICND1 exam again for the CCENT, and then study some more for the ICND2 exam to pass and earn the CCNA.

Good Luck! Don't give up!

jbaello

Personally I don't find CCENT to be that difficult when I was going through my materials, I maybe wrong I will only find out if I take the exam.

Anyway I decided to post since on my signature you'll find out the mats I am using it might help you, I did not read the whole thread, but it is cheap to get some of the actual equipment, my experience using Boson is it was lacking a great deal of commands and some simply does not work the way it will on an actual device.

And yes don't give up, the only time you really fail is if you quit.

human151

jbaello wrote:

Personally I don't find CCENT to be that difficult when I was going through my materials, I maybe wrong I will only find out if I take the exam.

Anyway I decided to post since on my signature you'll find out the mats I am using it might help you, I did not read the whole thread, but it is cheap to get some of the actual equipment, my experience using Boson is it was lacking a great deal of commands and some simply does not work the way it will on an actual device.

And yes don't give up, the only time you really fail is if you quit.

Saying that YOU didnt find CCENT all that difficult....thats just not very helpful.

What you find difficult and what others find difficult are two different things.

Its about the same thing as someone passing the test and bragging about how they still had 40 minutes left, while many others on here have run out of time on their first attempt. Totally unnecessary, and more so, unprovable.

It like saying "I finished with 88 minutes left

and buying the actual equipment, yes and good idea for the long term...but for the ICND1 and two Exams you only need access to the IOS for show commands and configurations.

One of the router sims I mentioned in an earlier post will be quite adequate.

jbaello

human151 wrote:

jbaello wrote:

Personally I don't find CCENT to be that difficult when I was going through my materials, I maybe wrong I will only find out if I take the exam.

Anyway I decided to post since on my signature you'll find out the mats I am using it might help you, I did not read the whole thread, but it is cheap to get some of the actual equipment, my experience using Boson is it was lacking a great deal of commands and some simply does not work the way it will on an actual device.

And yes don't give up, the only time you really fail is if you quit.

Saying that YOU didnt find CCENT all that difficult....thats just not very helpful.

What you find difficult and what others find difficult are two different things.

Its about the same thing as someone passing the test and bragging about how they still had 40 minutes left, while many others on here have run out of time on their first attempt. Totally unnecessary, and more so, unprovable.

It like saying "I finished with 88 minutes left

and buying the actual equipment, yes and good idea for the long term...but for the ICND1 and two Exams you only need access to the IOS for show commands and configurations.

One of the router sims I mentioned in an earlier post will be quite adequate.

Sorry to offend you, I am just literally trying to figure out which part of CCENT your having a difficulty, that's why I kinda throw that line, like I mentioned I could be completely wrong with this exam, what is black to me could be white for someone else, since we all have different background.

I also failed 291 back then and I know one of the reasons is my nervousness throw me off track.

Anyway goodluck to your next attempt, no malicious intent here

KGhaleon

jbaello, why don't you have it in your cert list?

dynamik

KGhaleon wrote:

jbaello, why don't you have it in your cert list?

Read his first post. He hasn't taken it yet.

alkemyst

Lost1975 wrote:

I can't seem to find out what I'm doing wrong. The best I've done on this test is 791. My scores are as follows:
Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP services to meet network requirements for a small.... - 100%
Implement and verify WAN links - 100%

These two seem to be the one's that give most the problem. I am thinking something in the exam presentation is tricking you.

I totally did not understand the Imp and IP add/services question...I haven't had a problem setting up anything here with Cisco Press tools and Boson...but that question was just so poorly worded.