640-553 Passed!!

I got a 944/1000! I used the Sybex study guide. I also took Security+ before this. One of the simulations during the exam was pretty buggy. Almost made me click next repeatedly before finishing.
I think I will be doing the CCNA: Voice next since I am being exposed to CM and Avaya during my current project.

(CCNP: Switch) Passed!
(CCNP: Route) Goal: 11/15/12 Progress: 75%
(CCNP: TShoot) Goal: 12/15/12 Progress: 50%
(Perl Scripting) Ongoing :study:
(CCNP: Route) Goal: 11/15/12 Progress: 75%
(CCNP: TShoot) Goal: 12/15/12 Progress: 50%
(Perl Scripting) Ongoing :study:
Comments
Latest blog post: Let's review EIGRP Named Mode
Currently Studying: CCNP: Wireless - IUWMS
Congrats!
Thanks everyone and nope, no practice exams this time around. I just used the book and also an ASA from work for fiddling with the sdm. I used packet tracer for setting things up like CLI views, AAA, ACLS and ssh.
(CCNP: Route) Goal: 11/15/12 Progress: 75%
(CCNP: TShoot) Goal: 12/15/12 Progress: 50%
(Perl Scripting) Ongoing :study:
It took me about 3 weeks to prepare, mind you I had taken the Security+ beforehand and that took me about a month to study for. I also had experience from taking classes in college.
(CCNP: Route) Goal: 11/15/12 Progress: 75%
(CCNP: TShoot) Goal: 12/15/12 Progress: 50%
(Perl Scripting) Ongoing :study:
I used an ASA5500 with IOS 8.2 and 2 3560 Catalyst switches with IOS 12.2 that I borrowed from work and 2 1900 Cisco routers that I own with IOS 12.4.
(CCNP: Route) Goal: 11/15/12 Progress: 75%
(CCNP: TShoot) Goal: 12/15/12 Progress: 50%
(Perl Scripting) Ongoing :study:
Was the asa needed or was it just nice to have?
It was just nice being able to tinker with sdm and set up dmzs and such. It wasn't needed but I have to say that it certainly did help for the exam. You can also download GNS3 and get an IOS with sdm and do that.
(CCNP: Route) Goal: 11/15/12 Progress: 75%
(CCNP: TShoot) Goal: 12/15/12 Progress: 50%
(Perl Scripting) Ongoing :study: