i don't get it

Alright I just got back from the ICND2 test and I failed it again with a lower score. Some of the questions weren't exactly straight forward. I studied for more than a month and I thought I would pass this time. I've been using the Odom library 3rd edition set to study from and I went over the chapters that I needed to work on. The only problem was that I sort of rushed through because last time i was done with under five minutes left. Does anyone have any tips???

The numbers in parenthesis are the first test scores.

Configure, verify and troubleshoot a switch with VLANs and interswitch communications - 67 (60)

Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network - 25 (88]

Configure and troubleshoot basic operation and routing on Cisco devices - 38 (50)

Implement, verify, and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network - 67 (67)

Implement and verify WAN links - 71 (71)

Find more posts tagged with

Free for TechExams community: Cybersecurity salary guide

Compare cert salaries and plan your next career move

Button

Comments

chmorin

Don't forget to make your subnetting chart before the exam starts, by looking at your most reduced score. It also just looks like you need some more lab time. A month is usually not enough for the CCNA. Sometimes it just simply needs more time to sink in. Especially if it is going to sink in right.

mikej412

What have you been using to do the hands on lab practice? Real hardware? Simulator? GNS3 with real switches? GNS3 by itself?

Any CCNA Lab workbooks -- if so, which ones?

How much good hands on Lab Practice did you do?

tha_dub

I was pretty much in the same boat as you. Failed ICND2 first try with a 784. I had used the cisco press set by Odom. After I failed I felt like I couldn't even look at the cisco press icnd2 book I'd spent so much time studying it already. I picked up the sybex ccna study guide and read all the icnd2 related info. No question that made the difference. I'd say there is some material in the sybex book that was not in the cisco press books. Maybe it was just a different way of digesting the same material but it worked...

Just my 2 cents....

jamesleecoleman

I used packet tracer and real gear. I usually don't have a problem with subnetting. I think it's because for some reason, the numbers just didn't make any sense to me. I did make a small chart for the subnet numbers though. I even did a vlsm lab in packet tracer. I usually do a lot of labs but I think it was mostly theory stuff because I got stomped on some questions. I think I'll order the lab books for the CCNA and go over Todd's book for the ICND2 stuff. This is just really crazy for me. My first score was 768 and now it's 663.

thehourman

I always use at least two different material for studying.
Now, I am waiting for my books that I ordered. This time I ordered three books for my CCNA Security.

jamesleecoleman

Yea, I might get the exam cram and the 31 days before the CCNA exam books.

greenerek

Hi don't worry, You have to focus on the part that is the weakest. Try to read the book once more again, and find as much as possible lab tasks on the Internet and do some quiz wherever You can find it. I studied 7 month all material plus 1,5 just preparing for exam but I did it CCNA 602-810 as one part.

Best Regards

jamesleecoleman

I was just thinking about doing the whole CCNA instead of doing the ICND2. I might have a better chance of getting the CCNA that way. I'll be labbing my butt off for it though.

sthompson86

tha_dub wrote: »

I was pretty much in the same boat as you. Failed ICND2 first try with a 784. I had used the cisco press set by Odom. After I failed I felt like I couldn't even look at the cisco press icnd2 book I'd spent so much time studying it already. I picked up the sybex ccna study guide and read all the icnd2 related info. No question that made the difference. I'd say there is some material in the sybex book that was not in the cisco press books. Maybe it was just a different way of digesting the same material but it worked...

Just my 2 cents....

That is how I role with certs i read 2 books on the same subject, and like you I agree that hearing the material explained a differnet way helps me.

I use CBTs for the same reason. I find that the CBT's explain stuff in a way thats easier to understand.

cisco_certs

put more time to it.you cant expect to pass ccna with jz studying a month. it took me 6 months of studying 5-8 hours everyday before i spent 250 on taking that test.

look back at the test and find your weakness then study for it.

jamesleecoleman

I spent five months on the ICND2 then less than two months on the retake. I always look at the print out to see how I did on each category.

chmorin

jamesleecoleman wrote: »

I spent five months on the ICND2 then less than two months on the retake. I always look at the print out to see how I did on each category.

In your original post you said "More than a month", sorry if our comments were focused around that.

I would not do the combined exam if I were you. With the two exam route you can focus on fewer topics in greater detail. If you switch to the full CCNA exam, you will need to brush up on CCENT again.

The exams change, of course, between tries. Have you tried to compare the two exam print-outs and see which ones were consistent problems?

jamesleecoleman

chmorin wrote: »

In your original post you said "More than a month", sorry if our comments were focused around that.

I would not do the combined exam if I were you. With the two exam route you can focus on fewer topics in greater detail. If you switch to the full CCNA exam, you will need to brush up on CCENT again.

The exams change, of course, between tries. Have you tried to compare the two exam print-outs and see which ones were consistent problems?

Sorry for the confusing information. I'll try looking at both of the exam score sheets to see what I need to work on but some of the scores didn't change though. I don't mind going through the CCENT material to take the single exam. It's still in the air. It's just frustrating because the ICND2 is kicking my butt.

slinuxuzer

IMO, you might do well to get the transcender for this exam.

I like them because they actually have lab simulations similar to the types of problems that will be on the exam, it will allow you to work through the exam format and should be balanced with the right number of questions for each objective, close to the right number of simulations, and the time alloted for the entire exam will be right. From what I know about the ccna exams everyone has told me they are a time crunch, and on tightly timed exams, transcender has done a great job of helping me learn to budget my time accordingly.

Plus the reporting feature really allows you pinpoint your weak areas, then you can go back and review the questions you missed and each question will have explanations as to why each answer is right or wrong, the review part is by far the most valuable feature, this will really help you understand "Why" you got a question wrong, I can't tell you how many times I have studied hundreds of pages, watched hours of videos, and then still learned things from the transcender explanations, and when I say learned, I do mean learned, not memorized.

just my 2 cents.

Turgon

jamesleecoleman wrote: »

Alright I just got back from the ICND2 test and I failed it again with a lower score. Some of the questions weren't exactly straight forward. I studied for more than a month and I thought I would pass this time. I've been using the Odom library 3rd edition set to study from and I went over the chapters that I needed to work on. The only problem was that I sort of rushed through because last time i was done with under five minutes left. Does anyone have any tips???

The numbers in parenthesis are the first test scores.

Configure, verify and troubleshoot a switch with VLANs and interswitch communications - 67 (60)

Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network - 25 (88]

Configure and troubleshoot basic operation and routing on Cisco devices - 38 (50)

Implement, verify, and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network - 67 (67)

Implement and verify WAN links - 71 (71)

James going by your scores you are not yet ready for this exam. Switching, IP addressing and basic operation, TS and routing need to be very solid. Some more lab time might assist you but I think in your case you really need to knuckle down and understand the finer points of things better. For that I recommend you stay on task with the reading and work through a battery of practice tests each day for one month. Concentrate on one chapter or one topic a day and pay close attention to the solution descriptions in an Odom, Boson or Transcender test. In that way you pick up advice that helps you understand the operation of things just a little better.