I have failed the ccna exam four times
Daddy Bert
Member Posts: 3 ■□□□□□□□□□
in CCNA & CCENT
Hello,
I was a 3D CAD engineer until this March and I started studying by myself about networking to pass the CCNA exam due to my company's needs.
Please advise how I should proceed in order to pass the exam. I failed it 4 times (640-802). Other than having worked as a CAD engineer, I have worked as a translator/interpreter, factory worker, warehouse manager, purcase controller, security guard, etc... I have minimum knowledge about computers but not deeply enough to be an IT specialist.
My study materials at hand are:
1) Todd Lammle's CCNA study guide.
2) 31 Days Before Your CCNA Exam (Allan Johnson/Cisco Press)
Also, I am now thinking about taking the CCENT (640-822) instead of 640-802, but what do you think?
Bellow are my scores from the second to fourth trial. (I have lost my 1st time's score sheet.)
Thank you in advance,
Bert
2nd
My score: 552 (passing score: 825)
Describe how a network works ............................... 85％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot a swtich with VLAN and interswitch communitcations ..................... 8％
Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium ............ 16％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot basic router operation and routing on Cisco devices ....................... 53％
Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks for a WLAN ................................ 50％
Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats .............. 50％
Implement,verify and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office ............ 0％
Implement,verify WAN links .......... 25％
3rd
My score: 636 (passing score: 825)
Describe how a network works ..................... 57％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot a swtich with VLAN and interswitch communitcations ................. 58％
Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium ........ 16％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot basic router operation and routing on Cisco devices ................... 69％
Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks for a WLAN ............................ 50％
Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats .......... 100％
Implement,verify and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office ........ 0％
Implement,verify WAN links .......0％
4th
My score: 664 (passing score: 825)
Describe how a network works ...................... 28％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot a swtich with VLAN and interswitch communitcations ................. 58％
Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium ........ 33％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot basic router operation and routing on Cisco devices ................... 69％
Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks for a WLAN ............................ 100％
Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats .......... 50％
Implement,verify and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office ........ 25％
Implement,verify WAN links .......50％
I was a 3D CAD engineer until this March and I started studying by myself about networking to pass the CCNA exam due to my company's needs.
Please advise how I should proceed in order to pass the exam. I failed it 4 times (640-802). Other than having worked as a CAD engineer, I have worked as a translator/interpreter, factory worker, warehouse manager, purcase controller, security guard, etc... I have minimum knowledge about computers but not deeply enough to be an IT specialist.
My study materials at hand are:
1) Todd Lammle's CCNA study guide.
2) 31 Days Before Your CCNA Exam (Allan Johnson/Cisco Press)
Also, I am now thinking about taking the CCENT (640-822) instead of 640-802, but what do you think?
Bellow are my scores from the second to fourth trial. (I have lost my 1st time's score sheet.)
Thank you in advance,
Bert
2nd
My score: 552 (passing score: 825)
Describe how a network works ............................... 85％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot a swtich with VLAN and interswitch communitcations ..................... 8％
Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium ............ 16％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot basic router operation and routing on Cisco devices ....................... 53％
Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks for a WLAN ................................ 50％
Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats .............. 50％
Implement,verify and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office ............ 0％
Implement,verify WAN links .......... 25％
3rd
My score: 636 (passing score: 825)
Describe how a network works ..................... 57％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot a swtich with VLAN and interswitch communitcations ................. 58％
Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium ........ 16％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot basic router operation and routing on Cisco devices ................... 69％
Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks for a WLAN ............................ 50％
Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats .......... 100％
Implement,verify and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office ........ 0％
Implement,verify WAN links .......0％
4th
My score: 664 (passing score: 825)
Describe how a network works ...................... 28％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot a swtich with VLAN and interswitch communitcations ................. 58％
Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium ........ 33％
Configure,verify and troubleshoot basic router operation and routing on Cisco devices ................... 69％
Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks for a WLAN ............................ 100％
Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats .......... 50％
Implement,verify and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office ........ 25％
Implement,verify WAN links .......50％
Comments
What did you use to study? The most popular suggested books are listed in the CCNA / CCENT Forum FAQ
The Cisco Press CCNA Certification Library by Odom is probably the best books to use -- and it's in two volumes, one is for the ICND1 exam and the second one is for the ICND2 exam, so it makes studying for the 2 exams easier.
Todd's Sybex book is more of a "fun read" -- and is a good review book. It's also probably the best book for subnetting -- which is a basic skill you need to master to succeed at the CCNA (and ICND1/ICND2 exams). Since you've already tried the CCNA exam, it may be good to review this one first -- and then dig into the more indepth Odom books.
There's also a good Subnetting thread -- http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/38772-subnetting-made-easy.html
You can also start doing subnetting questions at subnettingquestions.com - Free Subnetting Questions and Answers Randomly Generated Online -- practice makes perfect. Once subnetting "clicks" for you, then you can drop to doing just a few questions a day to keep your skills up for the exams.
And while you're studying, you can also ask for help here -- just quote the book/edition/page/question you specifically need help on and people will usually jump in and either try to lead to to the correct answer or point out where you went wrong (if you take your best shot and post what you did/thought to get an answer).
The Chris Bryant Study Guides are a good additional resource that people have used to "get over the hump" for the various Cisco Exams. That's over at CCNA CCNP Cisco Security Certification Exam, CCNA Boot Camp CBT -- and I think he has options with rack time or offers rack rental. Hands on practice is very important to help understand a lot of the concepts -- and should make the SIMs (and hopefully Simlets) on the exam trivial.
You can also double check the exam blueprints -- CCNA - Career Certifications & Paths - Cisco Systems
Follow the CCNA or ICND1 or ICND2 links over to the Cisco Learning Network. You'll need to create a FREE account, if you don't already have one, to access the exam topics. That is what Cisco expects to know for the exams -- so you can use those (and your understanding) to gauge your readiness for the exam.
Other additional material that many people find useful are the training videos. Two popular options are CBT Nuggets and TrainSignal.
How much "hands on practice" did you do for your previous exam attempts? The more Lab Practice you can get, the easier the exams become. You can "get by" with simulators, but real hardware is better. You can build a home lab, use a school or work lab (if that's an option), or even rent remote rack time. Some people here have their home labs setup for remote access -- and may be even willing to share.
Good Luck and welcome to the TechExam.Net Forums!!
So you failed a few times. Its not the end of the world. I failed the ICND 1 test 2 times!!! I never thought I would earn my CCNA. But I did. With the proper motivation I believe anyone can do almost anything.
BSCI in Progress...
Cisco LAB: 1x 2509
1X2621
1x1721
2x2950
1x3550 EMI
And the only exams that matter are the one you pass -- but you do earn some respect when you keep trying. If you're willing to put in more time and effort to EARN the CCNA, people here will give you some of their time and make an effort to help you gain the Knowledge and Skills you'll need to pass the exam(s).
Thank you so much for your great advice with lots of source info on the exam preparation, to keep it going for earning the exam. I appreciate all that!
Thank you for the good advice. I can't even imagine I will be passing that exam but reading what you commented I am getting back to be motivted again. I really appreciate your comment.
The bold part is VERY valuable in my opinion. This is what I used to get 986 on my first try for the CCNA:
MCSA 2003, LFCS, LFCE (expired), VCP6-DCV
Cisco Press ICND1 and ICND2 books.
Train Signal Videos
I watched the train signal videos and then read the parts in the book to match. In addition, I would lab "ANYTHING" and "EVERYTHING" that I wasn't sure on until I become familiar with it. Definitely may be better for you to go the two route option if you have made four attempts. Have you been labbing everything you don't understand? I would go back and pound the books hard and lab everything out until you fully understand it. If you have questions post them to us, we'll all help answer any questions you have.
I can sit here and list resources until the cows come home, all I can say if fall in love with a material. Grab a few lab books, and just start messing around with some used equipment. replace you home router with a 2501. Replace your netgear switch with a 2950. Just really focus on the hardware and achieving some productivity. Then come back to the trivia after a few months of fun a games
I'll have to agree with BillScott on this. I'm going through my third video set and am finding the combination of video with a coordinated study guide is a lot more effective than either of the two alone. The first set of videos provided to me was pretty useless for retention as it seemed like the lecturer was just rambling on with no particular agenda. I understood the discussion, but once I tried some practice tests, it was apparent I hadn't retained it.
So far, the Odom video series combined with the Cisco Press ICND1 & ICND2 volumes and the Lammle video series combined with his Sybex CCNA study guide are doing a lot better job (kudos to this forum for turning me on to them). Actually makes me a bit frustrated that I spent so much time fighting with the earlier video set.
The other thing I'll back up is that the inclusion of a good lab simulator really helps you to understand the configuration topics. You just can't retain it until you do it.
Good Luck!!
Don't Forget to Add me on LinkedIn!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnrmoore
I have to agree with KPWright as well. Labbing is extremely well, it just helps retain that information even more.
The better your preparation, the better your results. And for Cisco, good preparation includes lots of hands on Lab time.
P.S. Complete the labs..All of them
Mike, definitely :0 lol, I agree with you totally. I do have to say that bubble your response, really depends on the person, I did the one route and I wouldn't go back and do the two route. But everyone is different and I'm sure that's why the offer both choices.
Good luck.