The Exam...Prep, Results, and Thoughts
AutoBahn81
Member Posts: 22 ■□□□□□□□□□
Preparation:
Prior experience - 5 years
Cisco Press CCNA Security Offical Cert Guide
CCNA Security Quick Reference Guide (Cisco Press)
GNS3
CBT Nuggets
Score:
PASS - 855
Thoughts:
This test was different because I felt that each of my resources helped me tremendously in my preparation. At first reaction I thought "man, I would have failed if it weren't for the CBT Nuggets". Then I thought the same thing about GNS3, then about the Cert Guide, and so on. I will say that the CBT Nuggets are AWESOME and so is GNS3. I wouldn't say that you need either to pass but I will say that if you have virtually no real experience then you need some sort of real practice on the exam objectives or you will fail (think about the CCNA and how you would have done if you couldn't subnet in your head). I can say that I think I would have passed due to my prior experience but if I didn't have that, I would have definitely failed without the CBT Nuggets and/or GNS3.
Overall I felt it was a really good test, with the exception of maybe three questions that were total "bloopers" (for lack of a better term). I did take the time to leave comments on those. I finished with about 20 minutes remaining.
One more thing, it's true what everyone is saying...the CCNA 640-802 really was more difficult.
Best of luck to all pursuing this cert!
Prior experience - 5 years
Cisco Press CCNA Security Offical Cert Guide
CCNA Security Quick Reference Guide (Cisco Press)
GNS3
CBT Nuggets
Score:
PASS - 855
Thoughts:
This test was different because I felt that each of my resources helped me tremendously in my preparation. At first reaction I thought "man, I would have failed if it weren't for the CBT Nuggets". Then I thought the same thing about GNS3, then about the Cert Guide, and so on. I will say that the CBT Nuggets are AWESOME and so is GNS3. I wouldn't say that you need either to pass but I will say that if you have virtually no real experience then you need some sort of real practice on the exam objectives or you will fail (think about the CCNA and how you would have done if you couldn't subnet in your head). I can say that I think I would have passed due to my prior experience but if I didn't have that, I would have definitely failed without the CBT Nuggets and/or GNS3.
Overall I felt it was a really good test, with the exception of maybe three questions that were total "bloopers" (for lack of a better term). I did take the time to leave comments on those. I finished with about 20 minutes remaining.
One more thing, it's true what everyone is saying...the CCNA 640-802 really was more difficult.
Best of luck to all pursuing this cert!
BIT - Network Administration
MBA - IT Management
MBA - IT Management
Comments
-
dynamik
Banned Posts: 12,312 ■■■■■■■■■□
Congratulations!
I haven't really looked into this yet. Is there any work with switches or is it all routing? -
AutoBahn81
Member Posts: 22 ■□□□□□□□□□
Both. I also wanted to add that reading the exam topics carefully and studying based on them helped a great deal. It enabled me to focus my efforts on certain areas more than others. Obviously, it paid off.BIT - Network Administration
MBA - IT Management -
dynamik
Banned Posts: 12,312 ■■■■■■■■■□
Ok, I thought there would be; it just noticed you didn't have anything for switching in your list of resources. Did you also use real equipment?
-
AutoBahn81
Member Posts: 22 ■□□□□□□□□□
Not in the last month because I have been away from work (CA) and in AZ for a family emergency. Then again, I didn't start studying hard until about three weeks ago.BIT - Network Administration
MBA - IT Management -
mikej412
Member Posts: 10,086 ■■■■■■■■■■
Congratulations!
Nice summary!:mike: Cisco Certifications -- Collect the Entire Set! -
netteaser
Member Posts: 198
Congrats on the pass I am starting to study for this certification I took the SND exam almost 2 years ago and need to re-certify -
mattrgee
Member Posts: 201
What did you think of the Cisco Press Security book? I've read it and found it very tedious and quite badly written in places.
The CBT Nuggets material was fantastic as always. -
Barrypr
Member Posts: 71 ■■□□□□□□□□
Congrats, however it scares me to read this seeing as I am sitting CCNA(802) in March with no experience and you had five years behind you and said CCNA was harder.
-
vivek2727
Member Posts: 7 ■□□□□□□□□□
I used the "Ultimate CCNA Security Study package" by Chris Bryant. For those that are interested, this is an excellent resource and it is quite cheap at $67, I think.
I got the ebook version and got the CBT nuggets too by Jeremy Cioara.
Both are great resources. I'll be taking my exam on Friday, Feb 6th 2009
.
If I pass, I plan to immediately start studying for the SNRS as Jeremy mentioned in one of his nuggets that there is some overlap between CCNA Security and SNRS. -
AutoBahn81
Member Posts: 22 ■□□□□□□□□□
The Cisco Press book for this exam was not bad in my opinion. I definitely recommend GNS3 and/or CBT Nuggets as well though. I think this is a very passable test for someone with no experience. I think it should be more challenging.BIT - Network Administration
MBA - IT Management -
vivek2727
Member Posts: 7 ■□□□□□□□□□
Ah .. Just passed the CCNA Security exam today . Score was between 900-945 .
Was not too difficult.
Already started reading SNRS now and hopefully will go for the SNAF and SNAA (elective) . -
mamono
Member Posts: 776 ■■□□□□□□□□
Congrats to you both! I may find myself studying these soon, depends on what work says.
