709/1000, almost but not cigar

A year has passed since I first took the 640-802. My score back then was 655.

I've studied a lot, but I guess that's still not enough.

Once again, I was not able to finish the test, 51/53 questions.

I felt much much better than the first time though, the test anxiety faded away, and I was very comfortable with the simulators. I would say that I am not a big fan of the simulator presentation screen and how you have to click on that button to toggle between the network diagram and the CLI.

I making a list of questions that I found interesting.

Any tips?

I guess I will retake it in 3-4 weeks.

Not sure what to think about this exam at this point..................

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Comments

bigmantenor

That's good that the test anxiety faded. Out of curiousity, why did you wait so long to retake? What did your score report have to say? My advice to be work on what you felt weak on, and lab anything that didn't feel natural on your sims.

andy4tech

In this test i think time management should be one's focus,next time just try to manage your time very well and on the score report look at the ones you did not get better mark at and study it more aggressively.

Yuu

You should give yourself a pat on the back, the fact that you got back and retook means you have the power to pass this and anything you set your mind too.

From reading the forums, i feel sometimes when the users retake their tests, it is for the reason (among others) to better understand a concept that they didn't do very well on.

In your case it just seems your time management was abit off which is easily fixed and was suggested to work above.

hang in there mate and ....."pats your back"

jamesleecoleman

Cisco Launches its Global "CCNA Assurance" Promotion

Between now and October 31, 2011, candidates that register to take a Cisco CCNA exam and do not pass will have an opportunity to retest at 50% off! Eligible candidates will be sent a promotional email by Cisco with information on how to take advantage of this offer. Both the full-priced and discounted exams must be taken by October 31, 2011.

For further details about this promotion, please visit Cisco "CCNA Assurance" Promotion.

I posted this a while ago but I didn't want to look for it again.

Yuu

@James, can you check if this applies to candidates in South Africa...thanks for posting the link too.

2URGSE

jamesleecoleman wrote: »

Cisco Launches its Global "CCNA Assurance" Promotion

Between now and October 31, 2011, candidates that register to take a Cisco CCNA exam and do not pass will have an opportunity to retest at 50% off! Eligible candidates will be sent a promotional email by Cisco with information on how to take advantage of this offer. Both the full-priced and discounted exams must be taken by October 31, 2011.

For further details about this promotion, please visit Cisco "CCNA Assurance" Promotion.

I posted this a while ago but I didn't want to look for it again.

Thanks James, I will definitly use this.

2URGSE

bigmantenor wrote: »

That's good that the test anxiety faded. Out of curiousity, why did you wait so long to retake? What did your score report have to say? My advice to be work on what you felt weak on, and lab anything that didn't feel natural on your sims.

It all started last year. I took this 1 week Boot Camp and paid a boat load of $$$$ because I thought I can pass. I quickly found out that was not the case, when I scored 656 the first time.

I decided to study on my own.

I already had the Cisco books, so I bought the Cisco simulator and an exam engine online and started hitting all the material. Things started falling into place, and I found the switching was pretty simple as well as VLAN.

The STP took some time to understand, but I got the basics.

I then got into Routing and reallly had to take the time to give my brain the opprotunity to grasp everything.

Everything I described was from 05/2010, I figured I would give this my life and then re-attempt it. My re-attempt was yesterday.

I felt much better on the simulator this time, I was not nervous, my hands were not shaking and I did not feel the walls are about to fall....

I ran through what I learned and for a second, it seemed to work.

I then gave it a final test by pinging one interface on a router, but my ping failed. I looked at the clock and 15 minutes went by. I was hoping they will give me partial credit for everything I've done.

I kept going at the questions, most I got right. I remember the ones that I was not sure about, so I started writing things down when I got home.

2 minutes left on the clock and I get the ACL simulator thrown at me.

I'm thinking, ok I will give it my best shot, but ran out of time....I remember the network diagram from it, so I drew it on paper when I got home.

My Report is:

Describe how a network works - 63%
Configure, verify vlan - 69%
Implement IP addressing scheme, etc. - 33%
Explain and select tasks for WLAN - 67%
Identify security threats to a network, etc. - 100%
Implement, verify, troubleshoot NAT, ACL - 25%
Implement and verify WAN links - 33%

I don't know how accurate the NAT report is. I can configure NAT just fine at home, but the questions come up on the exam, it feels like everything is scattered all over the place, and I end up trying to figure out what's what.

I am also searching for a new simulator now, the Cisco one is ok.....but it's not challanging enough for me. I need something that will time me, and tell me where I was wrong or give me some guidance on figuring out things faster.

jamesleecoleman

Yuu wrote: »

@James, can you check if this applies to candidates in South Africa...thanks for posting the link too.

I think that it will apply to people in SA. I don't know why it wouldn't...

SdotLow

jamesleecoleman wrote: »

Cisco Launches its Global "CCNA Assurance" Promotion

Between now and October 31, 2011, candidates that register to take a Cisco CCNA exam and do not pass will have an opportunity to retest at 50% off! Eligible candidates will be sent a promotional email by Cisco with information on how to take advantage of this offer. Both the full-priced and discounted exams must be taken by October 31, 2011.

For further details about this promotion, please visit Cisco "CCNA Assurance" Promotion.

I posted this a while ago but I didn't want to look for it again.

Bah it's only for composite

andy4tech

Hello 2URGSE,
This time just focus on the area you got lower marks on and try to lay your hands on a few practicing questions.I think NAT and ACL questions on the test can be very tricky ,you need to try to understand what they wanted before you attempt the question,read the question very well to understand what they require of you.Best of luck on your next attempt.

jamesleecoleman

SdotLow wrote: »

Bah it's only for composite

Go for it!!! Unless you've already taken the ICND1.

SdotLow

jamesleecoleman wrote: »

Go for it!!! Unless you've already taken the ICND1.

No I haven't, but I haven't even jumped into ICND2 yet. Correct me if I'm wrong but, I have a feeling the learning curve for ICND2 will be quite a bit steeper than ICND1. I'm also looking to get ICND1 sooner rather than later to make myself more marketable to employers.

2URGSE

SdotLow wrote: »

No I haven't, but I haven't even jumped into ICND2 yet. Correct me if I'm wrong but, I have a feeling the learning curve for ICND2 will be quite a bit steeper than ICND1. I'm also looking to get ICND1 sooner rather than later to make myself more marketable to employers.

You're correct, much steeper. Especially troubleshooting things.

SdotLow

2URGSE wrote: »

You're correct, much steeper. Especially troubleshooting things.

Yeah I figured as much.

2URGSE

SdotLow wrote: »

Yeah I figured as much.

The basics are not too bad:

ROUTER EIGRP 222
NETWORK 10.0.0.0

This one I like since it shows me what protocols are currently running and is a lot less messy than SHOW RUN

SHOW IP PROTOCOLS

SHOW IP EIGRP NEIGHBORS.....

You'll get to experience that soon.................

2URGSE

andy4tech wrote: »

Hello 2URGSE,
This time just focus on the area you got lower marks on and try to lay your hands on a few practicing questions.I think NAT and ACL questions on the test can be very tricky ,you need to try to understand what they wanted before you attempt the question,read the question very well to understand what they require of you.Best of luck on your next attempt.

Yes, you nailed it right there, I will be giving that some very special attention.

Yuu

Ah ok , thanks buddy

jamesleecoleman wrote: »

I think that it will apply to people in SA. I don't know why it wouldn't...

All the best for your next attempt

jamesleecoleman

SdotLow wrote: »

No I haven't, but I haven't even jumped into ICND2 yet. Correct me if I'm wrong but, I have a feeling the learning curve for ICND2 will be quite a bit steeper than ICND1. I'm also looking to get ICND1 sooner rather than later to make myself more marketable to employers.

ICND2 is more detailed and it has more commands. Which makes it a little more difficult but when you know the material and have good time management skills then it won't be a problem. I've failed ICND2 three times. First time I was off by like 80 points. Second time the score went down because I didn't think I was going to finish the test in time. Third time, failed by 14 points. It sucked to be one of those people that failed part of the CCNA but it happens.

There are some employers that don't know about the CCENT but it doesn't hurt to get it and put it on your resume to show that you are working on the CCNA. The employer might have to look it up to see what it is. I had an interview this summer and the person interviewed with was in this situation. I had to explain more what the CCENT was on.

SdotLow

jamesleecoleman wrote: »

ICND2 is more detailed and it has more commands. Which makes it a little more difficult but when you know the material and have good time management skills then it won't be a problem. I've failed ICND2 three times. First time I was off by like 80 points. Second time the score went down because I didn't think I was going to finish the test in time. Third time, failed by 14 points. It sucked to be one of those people that failed part of the CCNA but it happens.

There are some employers that don't know about the CCENT but it doesn't hurt to get it and put it on your resume to show that you are working on the CCNA. The employer might have to look it up to see what it is. I had an interview this summer and the person interviewed with was in this situation. I had to explain more what the CCENT was on.

Yeah, I just need to make myself more marketable. Whatever I can do to beef up my resume so I can get an inroad somewhere is all I need. Getting that foot in the door is the hardest part, and with the economic news last night I'm guessing a lot of hiring will be put on hold for the indefinite future ;(

alxx

2URGSE Hang in there and good luck for the next go!

Some things take time and a lot of effort.

I'll be doing ICND1 after november.

Taken me 10 years part time so far on my uni degree.
Doing undergrad thesis at the moment(due november)

I need the ccna to generalise/widen my skills area abit more, currently work mostly on embedded systems (micro controllers , fpgas , sensor systems).
Six years experience in embedded/sensor systems and ten as an aircraft maintenance engineer(Avionics)

Looking at industrial networking and mining industry which is still booming and will be for a good 5 to 10 years (and very short of people). A friend just started as a lean process specialist (six sigma etc) and she's getting $150k with two years of experience out of uni. Okay thats working up in Weipa (middle of nowhere in tropical rainforest on Cape York) but still pretty good.

2URGSE

Man, whoever said going back to school is harder when you get older was RIGHT ON THE MONEY.

I'm 32, and honestly, after a day of work, the last thing I want to do is study for this exam. I have not really put that much time into it since August, and on the weekend..............I just want to play.

I'm almost beginning to think I should go to another track.........

Sorry, just venting..............I can't make myself study for this...........

earweed

I've put off taking mine due to being too broke..(whining to self)
Currently reading up on Windows 7 to get the 70-680/685/686 after I start my new job next month. Actually less money than I'm currently making but better advancement opportunities (and I'll actually be doing IT work and not just installing servers/switches and running cables)

alxx

First day of holidays(after getting here, 1450km on motor bike in two days

Its 05:35 and I'm going to do an hour of study after reading the forums and having a coffee

Been a reasonable year, got my undergrad thesis in and passed.Hopefully passed my other uni subject.

Would like to get my ccna by the beginning of march.Pass icdn1 by mid jan. Then take icnd2 the last week of feb/ first week of march.

Back to work on 4th jan. So need to get stuck into the study now.