I have failed the ccna exam four times

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％

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Comments

mikej412

The two exam route does help to break up your studies into two smaller pieces -- and other then 2 trips to the exam center, it usually cost the same as the single 640-802 exam.

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!!

human151

In addition to what you have now, you should get the CBT Nuggets CCNA videos and get yourself a home lab. You can set up a good lab with 3 routers and two switches. I used the equipment in my signiture, minus the 3550(which I use for me CCNP studies).

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.

mikej412

Oh -- I forget to mention that repetition is important. But that advice usually relates to study (not taking the exams lots of times

) -- using multiple study sources, reinforcing with hands on lab work, and plenty of review.

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).

Daddy Bert

mikej412,

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!

Daddy Bert

human151,

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.

Morty3

mikej412 wrote: »

Oh -- I forget to mention that repetition is important. But that advice usually relates to study (not taking the exams lots of times ) -- using multiple study sources, reinforcing with hands on lab work, and plenty of review.

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).

The bold part is VERY valuable in my opinion. This is what I used to get 986 on my first try for the CCNA:

At least 2h of instructor-lead training from the CCNA-material every day.
CBT nuggets aswell as Trainsignal videos. Watched every video 1-3 times.
My schools lab. ~10 2500-series aswell as 4 2900-series.
My own catalyst 2921.
Routersim 6.0
The old Cisco Press CCNA books, 1-2 and 3-4.
Newer Cisco Press books; Accessing the WAN, Routing protocols and concepts, LAN switching and wireless aswell as Network Fundamentals.
A swedish book considering only computer communication basics.
Subnettingquestions.com also ofc.

MentholMoose

The study materials really depend on the individual. I used the Lammle CCNA Study Guide and the Fast Pass and passed on the first attempt with over 900, but the key was also doing extensive labs. I don't think you can pass without doing labs. If you can't afford real hardware, use lab simulator software. I think only using a simulator is totally fine for the CCNA. Good luck!!

billscott92787

This is what I used on my CCNA and passed the first time:

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.

Daniel333

CCNA is no joke now days, I have my doubts I could pass the new version without some serious study. Even still, I failed the previous version twice myself after taking studying for the Net+ no less.

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

billscott92787

I honestly think if you haven't tried any video training you should check out CBT Nuggets or Train Signal. I studied the material and watched the videos, and I didn't think the single exam was as hard as I thought it was going to be. But, I did hammer the labs A LOT. I was eating, sleeping, and drinking ICND1 and ICND2 pages, and labs. LOL. I did do practice tests with Boson which the questions were extremely hard. Maybe you are an audio learner, you need to hear the things and not just read them for them to really sink it. I would try to get one of the two. I really only used Train Signal for my preparations and it really helped nail things in to read the text, then watch that material on the videos or watch the video then read the text. I watched each video one time. If there was something I wasn't clear on I would read the book and then even lab it out. Especially with NAT/PAT and ACLs.

KPWright

billscott92787 wrote: »

it really helped nail things in to read the text, then watch that material on the videos or watch the video then read the text.

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!!

stlsmoore

Lab Lab Lab!

billscott92787

KPWright wrote: »

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!!

I have to agree with KPWright as well. Labbing is extremely well, it just helps retain that information even more.

mikej412

Mabye I should have bolded this part in my original reply

mikej412 wrote: »

The more Lab Practice you can get, the easier the exams become.

The better your preparation, the better your results. And for Cisco, good preparation includes lots of hands on Lab time.

bubble2005

Yes, I would advise you to do the two route exam. I also thought that the one exam would get things over with more quickly... WRONG. I started to become overwhelmed with all of the information. It is even worse when first getting into Cisco, for me as an example. It is best to do the two route. Trust me.

P.S. Complete the labs..All of them

billscott92787

mikej412 wrote: »

Mabye I should have bolded this part in my original reply

The better your preparation, the better your results. And for Cisco, good preparation includes lots of hands on Lab time.

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.

maquesad

CBTNuggets did the trick for me

thenjduke

Just hang in there. You will pass. I keep thinking I will fail my first time on the first part of the test but I have decided that it is time to take the test.

Turgon

Just looking at your marks for the three tests you gave the details of shows me you are all over the place with fundamentals. You could go for the two test route but what is more important is to back off a bit and give yourself a decent chance of preparing properly for the test. I think you are looking at about four months reading and labbing. Push your retake plans back to the new year, put the hours in and things should make a lot more sense.

Good luck.

Hushang

I agree with billscott's studying route. Watching Trainsignal then following up with the books is a very effective way of learning. Also, like everyone else has been saying LABS LABS LABS and MORE LABS!! If you don't do any labs you will NOT PASS YOUR CCNA/CCENT. Labs are a very crucial piece of studies.

Lirin

I'm not a big fan of books. Pick up some videos and a practice exam.

billscott92787

I totally agree that if you don't lab, chances are you won't pass. Definitely lab, it is going to help you build the confidence you need so you don't second guess yourself on the exam.