So I got 762 for ICND2.....here are my issues with the exam

for those studying for icnd2, are are my thoughts

i just failed icnd2 the for the second time now. the first time i failed (560) it was my fault i could have been more prepared. the second time around i felt ready but i failed again by 4 questions with a 762 this time. a passing score is 825.

here are some issues i have about the exam.

show commands. i had maybe 10 RANDOM multiple choice show commands that weren't even related to the topics. so for those writing this exam you guys better study A LOT of random show commands, even those not in the CCNA/icnd1/icnd2 course. for example i had a multiple choice question asking "what is the show command used to show a cisco switch's file system on a 2950 switch" or something along those lines. the point is, the question is completely random and i dont know why they would even ask a question like that.
multiple choice. there can be 2-3 correct answers but the question asks for only one. so you have to take a guess at the best possible answer and hope you guessed right.

i believe the reason i failed was because of all those multiple choice show command questions. i basically guessed on all of them since i had no clue.

if anyone wants more detail about the exam give me a PM.

Find more posts tagged with

Save $250 on 2025 certification boot camps from Infosec!

Book now with code EOY2025

Button

Comments

MAC_Addy

ricky8 wrote: »

the second time around i felt ready but i failed again by 4 questions with a 762 this time. a passing score is 825.

here are some issues i have about the exam.

i believe the reason i failed was because of all those multiple choice show command questions. i basically guessed on all of them since i had no clue.

if anyone wants more detail about the exam give me a PM.

This is a multiple choice test - so you enter knowing that it'll be multiple choice. Also, why wouldn't you need to know the switches file system? That's not random considering the exam is on switches and routers.

And I believe you're breaking NDA by posting that question, along with willing to tell people to PM you to reveal more questions.

ricky8

MAC_Addy wrote: »

This is a multiple choice test - so you enter knowing that it'll be multiple choice. Also, why wouldn't you need to know the switches file system? That's not random considering the exam is on switches and routers.

And I believe you're breaking NDA by posting that question, along with willing to tell people to PM you to reveal more questions.

i have several ccna/icnd2 books and none of them bother mentioning anything about knowing a router/switches filesystem. and that was just one of several show commands that were asked that were unrelated..

also i never said i was going to reveal anything.

Darthn3ss

I don't recall any file system related stuff in the ICND2 study guides, but definitely on ICND1 and any book for the composite should mention it.

Even though I didn't do a whole lot better than you on the ICND2, with the multiple choice's I think you really have to narrow it down to the most correct answer in the context of the exam/question. Read all the answers, and don't pick the first one you assume to be correct because it looks like it may be.

vinbuck

This information is in the CCNA curriculum...if you have ever loaded an IOS to a piece of Cisco gear you almost have to know it - Being able to load an IOS is a fundamental component of working with Cisco gear

alxx

I'd suggest going through all the lab guides you can get your hands on before trying again.

Maybe give the free ccnaworkbook stub lab a go ?
Free CCNA Workbook » Free Cisco CCNA Lab Access via Online

The file system question is covered here
Free CCNA Workbook » Fixed Configuration Catalyst Switch Password Reset

Few links for you

Yet Another Cisco Blog: Free CCNA Resources

Software Upgrade Procedure - Cisco Systems

CCNA Portable Command Guide
CCNA Portable Command Guide, 2nd Edition

show commands
http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/70191-show-commands-icnd1.html

debug commands
http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/41217-debug-ip-routing-route.html
Cisco IOS Debug Command Reference, Release 12.2 [Cisco IOS Software Releases 12.2 Mainline] - Cisco Systems
Important Information on Debug Commands - Cisco Systems

understanding ping and traceroute commands
Understanding the Ping and Traceroute Commands - Cisco Systems

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/ios/12_2/switch/command/reference/xrf_bk.pdf

Get IT Done: 10 ways to mitigate problems using Cisco IOS debug | TechRepublic
Troubleshoot Cisco routers and switches using the debug commands | TechRepublic
mini-Howto: Cisco Router Debugging

Layer by Layer Troubleshooting with a Cisco Router
Layer by Layer Troubleshooting with a Cisco Router

ricky8

thanks a lot alxx....i'm actually flying down to sydney next week. i was hoping to pass the exam before i leave but now i might end up writing my icnd2 while im down there.

i just dont understand why cisco has to test you on show commands. there are hundreds of them and its impossible to remember even half of them. and thats why routers/switches have the "?" in the CLI.

alxx

I'm flying to Brisbane next week .
One uni exam was tuesday and a project due next friday http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/pmcl/embsw/Downloads/ProjectSpec.pdf
Pass that and Engineering degree is finally finished (12 years part time)

I think most of the show commands needed are ones you would know from using a cisco router or switch or using gsn3
to go through a few lab work books especially when confirming/trouble shooting connections , ips, vlans etc

At the cisco exams aren't as bad as the CASA licensing exams (Aircraft Maintenance and Pilot) where they can have four correct answers with one slightly more correct. They are also 85% pass mark.
Passed all the Q's ,E's and I's (except ID & IH) http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/ame/download/eir_211s.pdf
QB was the most annoying.

networker050184

It sounds like you are a little upset that they asked stuff you didn't know. Maybe next time they should just make a test that only asks stuff you know.

jamesleecoleman

Nice one networker

It seems like you know a few things. I do understand the frustration about seeing questions on the test that "might not be in the study guides". Cisco is allowed to ask you questions that might not cover the material. Just go back and study. I'm sure you'll pass the exam. You can do it!

cyberguypr

In some tests ALL answers are correct and you need to choose the BEST answer given the context of the question. If you know the material there will be zero guessing.

kurosaki00

what you mean why they test you on show commands?
you need to know the show commands!
show commands are the first key to troubleshoot

swild

kurosaki00 wrote: »

show commands are the first key to troubleshoot

I just passed this morning on my 4th attempt at ICND2.

Yes, show commands are vital. I think you would best benefit from a lab sim. I think Cisco's is pretty nice, but you can also look at Boson's as well but it's a little more pricey. The thing that finally got me the pass was the CCNA IOS Command Survival Guide by Lammle. It was a nice summary of all the OCG commands. Keep at it and you will get it.

Try the free trial of Safari Bookshelf and you can get access to a whole lot of books and Odom's CCNA Video Mentor series which is quite nice. Also, the best resource is INE's free streaming CCNA boot camp.

Let me know if you have any questions, I'll be glad to help where I can.

ThunderPipe

Wow. It looks like this has been covered a few dozen times, but it's Cisco's exam. They can test you on whatever they want. If they threw some BGP questions on there, feel free to complain. But they don't....last time I checked anyhow. Also, Cisco doesn't give you a graded test back, showing you what you got right and wrong, or what each question's point value is. So you have no clue whether or not you missed all or none of the show command questions, or really even that you failed by 4 questions. Also....it takes a bit more than 4 questions wrong to fail the exam.

Show commands are vital. If you need to see what networks are being routed, you need to know the sho ip route command. Not show run. Not sho ip protocols. Any amount of hands on would have given you the knowledge of which show command shows what.....yeah. Sure you can go through them in a row and eventually find what you need. But I can't see this being something you are surprised was on the test.

Cisco tests aren't easy. When you pass this one you will definitely have earned it. Good luck bud.

vinbuck

CCNA - Must know basic show commands
CCNP - Must know most of the show commands
CCIE - Must know ALL of the show commands

Iristheangel

Show commands are vital on the test and in real life. Those commands are going to be the tools you use to see the current configuration and detect many errors. You don't want to know what they do just to pass the test: you NEED to know them to survive in networking.

JeanM

OP - you'll get it on the 3rd time

Did you use any hardware for labs or just PT and/or GNS?

ricky8

thanks everyone..

i used odoms icnd2 text, lammle's ccna text, packet tracer to practice commands, cbt nuggets. i tried watching chris bryant vids but gave up within 5 minutes. i also used bosom test exam.

kurosaki00

vinbuck wrote: »

CCNA - Must know basic show commands
CCNP - Must know most of the show commands
CCIE - Must know ALL of the show commands

lol seems legit

swild gratz on the pass!

swild

ricky8 wrote: »

thanks everyone..

i used odoms icnd2 text, lammle's ccna text, packet tracer to practice commands, cbt nuggets. i tried watching chris bryant vids but gave up within 5 minutes. i also used bosom test exam.

I really like the INE videos because they go to just the right depth, but as many have said they are quite dry. I did all the configurations on my home lab along with the instructor. I think it helped. You could probably do it with Packet Tracer as well, but I've never used that program.

alxx

Don't forget the INE CCNA vids are still free for streaming CCNA Associate Course - 640-802

OP just needs to do a good bit more labbing and not just in simulators.

Its not just practising commands but thinking about what you are doing, why, what can go wrong and how to check/verify each part/link as well as the whole is working.

mguy

Im taking mine in 2 weeks. Getting scurrrred. I've been using transcender plus Bosom Sim, but I'm going to purchase the Bosom practice exam just to be sure!

alxx

Not sure on the latest edition of Wendel Odoms book but with the older one, it had a voucher for the cisco press version of the bosun exam in the back cd pocket, which you can upgrade to the full bosun version for less than the full price if you register it with bosun.

Occasionally they have specials and were giving an extra discount for liking them on facebook - still is a 25% discount
https://www.facebook.com/bosonsoftware

What you do is download their exam environment, register with them for an account ,install the exam environment, add the voucher code(acitvation key) and go from there.

ricky8

i tried watching INE videos but i cant watch more than 10 minutes without getting bored...the only video i can stand watching is cbt nuggets. when you already know the theory, watching the vids is pretty much useless.

i just got a ccna command line book. im going to study it and make sure i memorize every single command.

Iristheangel

I would recommend the official CCNA book (Wendell Odom). It written excellently and it's completely better than memorizing a command line book. That coupled with packet tracer software would be optimal

ricky8

Iristheangel wrote: »

I would recommend the official CCNA book (Wendell Odom). It written excellently and it's completely better than memorizing a command line book. That coupled with packet tracer software would be optimal

im already using odoms icnd1/icnd2 books along with packet tracer and bosom test sims. the show command questions on the exam is what screwed me...i cant let that happen again.

alxx

A few practise questions for you (I'm sure the others can add a few as well)

If you have just configured a setup, how would you verify that each router and switch has the correct ip's ?
How to map the network i.e whats plugged into each other and on what port (assuming its cisco gear ) ?
How to check the mac addresses that are on the network without having to log into each and every device and pc/printer?
How to check that everything is up and running ?

ricky8

alxx wrote: »

A few practise questions for you (I'm sure the others can add a few as well)

If you have just configured a setup, how would you verify that each router and switch has the correct ip's
How to map the network i.e whats plugged into each other and on what port (assuming its cisco gear ) ?
How to check the mac addresses that are on the network without having to log into each and every device and pc/printer?
How to check that everything is up and running ?

i dont know if you are asking trick questions.

1. sh ip int brief, sh interfaces
2. sh cdp neighbors
3. sh mac-address
4. sh ip int brief. check line/protocol status and configured ip's.

??

elderkai

ricky8 wrote: »

i tried watching INE videos but i cant watch more than 10 minutes without getting bored...the only video i can stand watching is cbt nuggets. when you already know the theory, watching the vids is pretty much useless.

i just got a ccna command line book. im going to study it and make sure i memorize every single command.

Chris Bryant's videos are the best help I've ever had. I'm not sure, but I just don't get bored with him. Jeremy's videos just kinda annoy me, tbh. Haha. He goes off-topic too much, has a slight bias, and just lacks making someone feel confident with the information. If I'm going to study, I want more information than I need. Since you get bored, though, you could try Chris' CCNA Study guide for 10 bucks.

alxx

Not trick questions . Just basic trouble shooting ones.

Not exactly the same for switch and router

ricky8

finally passed...third times a charm.