Started reading the CWNA Official Study Guide

GiddyG

Well, I've actually been reading it for just under a week now, on and off.

It's a great book but, now I am part way through it, I would recommend anyone gunning for the CWNA to read the CWTS book as a precursor. It has made several of the early chapters in the CWNA guide so much easier to get through because of the background knowledge the CWTS Guide has given me.

I am up to Chapter 4 of the CWNA book now, having just this minute finished Chapter 3 and the end of chapter test. I thought I was struggling but I have just astounded myself by being able to calculate the EIRP, or what the mW is if the dBm is something else in the tests. That might be easy for some but maths was never my strongest subject.

I am thoroughly enjoying the learning experience, so much different from my MS studies... so refreshing.

veritas_libertas

GiddyG wrote: »

Well, I've actually been reading it for just under a week now, on and off.

It's a great book but, now I am part way through it, I would recommend anyone gunning for the CWNA to read the CWTS book as a precursor. It has made several of the early chapters in the CWNA guide so much easier to get through because of the background knowledge the CWTS Guide has given me.

I am up to Chapter 4 of the CWNA book now, having just this minute finished Chapter 3 and the end of chapter test. I thought I was struggling but I have just astounded myself by being able to calculate the EIRP, or what the mW is if the dBm is something else in the tests. That might be easy for some but maths was never my strongest subject.

I am thoroughly enjoying the learning experience, so much different from my MS studies... so refreshing.

Good luck with your studies, and keep us informed on how they go. That is definitely on my list of certifications to get in the next few years.

GiddyG

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Good luck with your studies, and keep us informed on how they go. That is definitely on my list of certifications to get in the next few years.

Thanks! I will do.

dynamik

Maybe this new edition is a lot better, but I thought the previous one sucked. The Sybex book was far superior to it, and I would have certainly failed without using that. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Sybex has updated for the new exam. It might still be worth picking up since you can get it for next to nothing used on Amazon.

I'm going through their CWSP book at the moment, and it's got all the same problems that the CWNA book had. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any other options for that.

GiddyG

dynamik wrote: »

Maybe this new edition is a lot better, but I thought the previous one sucked. The Sybex book was far superior to it, and I would have certainly failed without using that. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Sybex has updated for the new exam. It might still be worth picking up since you can get it for next to nothing used on Amazon.

This one is the Sybex book... by David Coleman and David Westcott.

I'm going through their CWSP book at the moment, and it's got all the same problems that the CWNA book had. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any other options for that.

The new CWSP book look like it is due out in Feb 2010. See here.

Cheers

John

dynamik

Oh, I didn't realized they scrapped their own book and made the Sybex book the "Official" one this time around. I just saw you mention the official study guide and thought it was theirs. Good deal.

I saw that CWSP book, but it has a different exam code, so I guess a refresh in the works. I want to take mine in a couple of weeks, so that's not an option for me. Thanks though.

JDMurray

GiddyG wrote: »

I would recommend anyone gunning for the CWNA to read the CWTS book as a precursor. It has made several of the early chapters in the CWNA guide so much easier to get through because of the background knowledge the CWTS Guide has given me.

It's totally amazing that you posted this recommendation today. I just posted a review of the CWTS Official Study Guide and exam, and that's one thing that I recommended too.

CWTS Certified Wireless Technology Specialist Official Study Guide | TechExams.net Blogs

GiddyG

JDMurray wrote: »

It's totally amazing that you posted this recommendation today. I just posted a review of the CWTS Official Study Guide and exam, and that's one thing that I recommended too.

CWTS Certified Wireless Technology Specialist Official Study Guide | TechExams.net Blogs

Just read the blog, JD. Spot on.

You put it a heck of a lot better than I ever could.

Oh, and congrats on the pass.

JDMurray

GiddyG wrote: »

Just read the blog, JD. Spot on.

You put it a heck of a lot better than I ever could.

Oh, and congrats on the pass.

Thanks and Thanks!

GiddyG

Well, thought I'd give an update. I've read the CWNA Study Guide twice now, and completed the End of Chapter tests and the practice exams, and I am scoring about 85%. Oh, and I've also read the white papers... a real mine of information.

I've also got the CWNP CWNA Online Practice exams (good value indeed at $50) but, given my job means I am on the PC all day anyway, I've screen captured the exams and I've been testing myself offline. Again, I'm averaging about 80 - 85% which I am really pleased with.

So much so that I may decide to hit the first attempt either this week or next week.

As with the CWTS, I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. But again, as with the CWTS, it is the material that is the real bonus.

I'll let you know how I get on... if/when I take the plunge!

JDMurray

It sounds like you're ready to take the exam. Just remember to read the questions carefully and consider why each answer can/can't be correct. You can't go back to questions once you've answered them.

GiddyG

JDMurray wrote: »

It sounds like you're ready to take the exam. Just remember to read the questions carefully and consider why each answer can/can't be correct. You can't go back to questions once you've answered them.

Thanks JD. I decided to take the plunge and move the exam forward to Tuesday morning just gone.

The exam was both easy and hard... I know that sounds daft, but you had to be there... Honest!

It seemed like I had an easy-ish intro and a few questions that wouldn't have been out of place if I had seen them in the CWTS exam. There were quite a few that I felt were well covered by the content of the CWNA Study Guide. Then there were others that, if I hadn't done some extra research (granted, the white papers were readily available, gift-wrapped) using the Internet and/or reading GT Hill's guide - thanks for the tip guys! - I would have certainly struggled on more than I did.

I read and re-read EVERY question (several times), and it stopped me from making cock-ups on more than a couple of questions. I actually felt I was flying at one point, and then I hit a brick wall a third of the way through... a question that wanted more answers (from the options than I wanted to give it! I did what I don't normally do as well, which is leave comments on questions. That one question knocked the wind out of my sails a bit, and I found I was questioning my logic when looking at the answers to a few of the later questions, even ones where I 'knew' I was right. I also used the whiteboard a heck of a lot more than I have done before as well.

I finished with about 10 minutes to spare, and passed with an 80%. I actually 'dived' on Network Implementation, where I scored a 60%... still can't get my head around that one.

To study I used the CWTS Study Guide, CWNA Study Guide and the white papers), CWNP Online Practice tests (that I copied and pasted for offline practice), and the GT Hill guide. I also used the likes of www.solwise.co.uk to see the type of kit available. Persoanlly, I like their discreet APs.

Next up for me is Christmas (Ho Ho Ho), and then I have to build an Access 2007 database before I do any more study.

I may have a look at the CWSP, given the book is out early next year; however, I have been itching to take a peek at the CCENT as well. Choices, choices... and the best thing is I do it because I enjoy it.

Thanks again for the kind comments and the really useful information.

John

Bl8ckr0uter

GiddyG wrote: »

Thanks JD. I decided to take the plunge and move the exam forward to Tuesday morning just gone.

The exam was both easy and hard... I know that sounds daft, but you had to be there... Honest!

It seemed like I had an easy-ish intro and a few questions that wouldn't have been out of place if I had seen them in the CWTS exam. There were quite a few that I felt were well covered by the content of the CWNA Study Guide. Then there were others that, if I hadn't done some extra research (granted, the white papers were readily available, gift-wrapped) using the Internet and/or reading GT Hill's guide - thanks for the tip guys! - I would have certainly struggled on more than I did.

I read and re-read EVERY question (several times), and it stopped me from making cock-ups on more than a couple of questions. I actually felt I was flying at one point, and then I hit a brick wall a third of the way through... a question that wanted more answers (from the options than I wanted to give it! I did what I don't normally do as well, which is leave comments on questions. That one question knocked the wind out of my sails a bit, and I found I was questioning my logic when looking at the answers to a few of the later questions, even ones where I 'knew' I was right. I also used the whiteboard a heck of a lot more than I have done before as well.

I finished with about 10 minutes to spare, and passed with an 80%. I actually 'dived' on Network Implementation, where I scored a 60%... still can't get my head around that one.

To study I used the CWTS Study Guide, CWNA Study Guide and the white papers), CWNP Online Practice tests (that I copied and pasted for offline practice), and the GT Hill guide. I also used the likes of www.solwise.co.uk to see the type of kit available. Persoanlly, I like their discreet APs.

Next up for me is Christmas (Ho Ho Ho), and then I have to build an Access 2007 database before I do any more study.

I may have a look at the CWSP, given the book is out early next year; however, I have been itching to take a peek at the CCENT as well. Choices, choices... and the best thing is I do it because I enjoy it.

Thanks again for the kind comments and the really useful information.

John

Good job. How much wireless experience did you have before you decided to take the test? And why did you decided to do it?

Congrats

GiddyG

knwminus wrote: »

Good job. How much wireless experience did you have before you decided to take the test? And why did you decided to do it?

Congrats

Other than a fair bit of residential gateway stuff, no hands on.

However, one of my roles means that it is something that I needed to get a better understanding of from a high-level technical perspective (and quickly, so it seems). That's one reason why I started looking at the CWTS guide if truth be told, because it is aimed more at giving an overview. And my plan hadn't necessarily been to take and pass either exam, but I like to challenge my understanding and I find that the exams are a good way of doing that.

I am one of those people (my youngest son is in the same mould) where, if I pick a book up and enjoy it, I cannot then put it down; indeed, I then need to find out more about a subject. CWTS/CWNA just got/gets me buzzing (maybe it's my mid-life crisis ).

I was actually going to get the Train Signal CBT stuff for the CWNA but it hasn't come out yet.

And thanks.

JDMurray

Congratulations on the pass!

GiddyG wrote: »

CWTS/CWNA just got/gets me buzzing (maybe it's my mid-life crisis ).

I you want to turn that 802.11 buzz into a full-blown earthquake, take a visit to an amateur (Ham) radio store. You'll never be the same person again!

GiddyG

JDMurray wrote: »

Congratulations on the pass!


I you want to turn that 802.11 buzz into a full-blown earthquake, take a visit to an amateur (Ham) radio store. You'll never be the same person again!

Thanks again JD.

Already looking... and, after Christmas, I am going to see if I am allowed to treat myself.

RJB

GiddyG wrote: »

I finished with about 10 minutes to spare, and passed with an 80%.

Hi John,

Congratulations on passing the CWNA exam and with a great score too.

Robert Bartz

GiddyG

RJB wrote: »

Hi John,

Congratulations on passing the CWNA exam and with a great score too.

Robert Bartz

Thanks Robert.

Doing the CWTS studies beforehand was a definite plus. That, and reading the CWNA book a couple of times really helped bed the basics in.

John