Failed 640-802

Weselp

Second attempt ...first attempt I got a 564 the second time a 577. I had some complaints about the way the sim functioned on the live exam but I really think its me. I had issues with the enter key, I didn't bring it up to my TSA at the time because I wasn't sure if this was the way the exam was supposed to behave. im using the ICND1 press book to study with cisco PT. I plan on taking a retake. My overall scores in all areas were low and I don't think im taking enough time to read the questions. I have to learn how to manage my time with the exam. this second attempt I felt really good about the time but I still came up short...well at least my score is going up

jdballinger

Is the ICND1 Official Cert Guide the only book you are using? You also need to be studying ICND2, as that's the OTHER half of the test!

What other materials, if any, are you using? What is the method in which you are using them (books then videos then lab, etc.)?

It's good that you recognize some areas in which you may be weak in test taking methods, but do you truly understand the information itself or do you find yourself just guessing?

Don't let this get you down. If the test was easy, then EVERYONE would be a CCNA! There is a ton of good information available on these boards, and loads of helpful qualified people just waiting to get you over this hump. Let us help you!

fivedollarcouch

hopefully thats just a typo! the 640-802 is the composite exam for both icnd1 AND icnd2.
i've heard people having difficulty with time management... have you considered taking a small step back and trying just the icnd1 exam (640-822)? smaller set of topics to study and focus on and may help

jsb515

im sorry but i kinda laughed at this, but you need to be taking 640-822 test if your reading just the ICND 1 book. The test your taking is 822 and 816 in one. After you do 822 and then proceed to 816 you will get your CCNA.

RouteMyPacket

Time to step back, reassess your approach which based on your post is completely off base and wrong.

You have been studying for ICND1/ICND2 using only ICND1 material. That's red flag number 1. Red flag number 2 is that your second attempt, you're score barely budged which means you don't truly grasp the technology at hand.

Keep goign over your ICND1 material and schedule the 640-822 exam, this will get you CCENT. Then get the ICND2 material and sit the 640-816 and you will be CCNA.

FastEthernet

You've done the 802 exam twice now, so you now have a good idea of what is involved. What you need to do is write down as much as you can remember from the exam (for your own notes, not for posting here).

See if you can re-create the sims using Packet Tracer, or at least re-create them to some extent.

Problem with the Enter key - that should not be the case. If the Enter key is not working, then you're screwed on the sims!

And use the correct book! Get hold of the Sybex/Lammle book on Amazon.

Spend a number of weeks going through the correct book and doing some PT labs, rather than rushing to a 3rd failure.

And make sure you are competent at subnetting before you do the 802 exam.

networker050184

I have to disagree with that approach FastEthernet. IMO the OP should worry about learning the material, not memorizing to pass the test. If you throughly learn everything you don't have to practice the exact sims or memorize the questions from the last attempt. The end goal is to learn it all, not just learn the exact questions asked on the exam.

JustFred

Agreed. Now get back to studying and do you best to learn the material. It will help you in the long run

spd3432

networker050184 wrote: »

I have to disagree with that approach FastEthernet. IMO the OP should worry about learning the material, not memorizing to pass the test. If you throughly learn everything you don't have to practice the exact sims or memorize the questions from the last attempt. The end goal is to learn it all, not just learn the exact questions asked on the exam.

+1 to this.

If there was something you didn't know, a word phrase, or concept -- write it (them) down, then go back through your study materials and learn them. If there isn't anything on a topic in what you used, start searching through the Cisco site and read documents there.

MrXpert

To the OP, did you manage to do all the questions in the exam? or did you not complete it?
I would suggest you revising all the areas and using extra resources. I'd also highly recommend using Boson Ex Sim max to prepare you for the exam.
Best of luck

Weselp

I was using the ICND1 and ICND2 cisco pressbooks. youtube, and forums. I have todd Lammle's survival guide, im using cisco PT. I've taken the test 3 times and scored 564 577 and now 603. This last attempt felt like one of my better tries.I've studied for 6 months now and im at the point where im not sure what else to do maybe re read the icnd1 and 2 and take some notes on it. . Honestly I have a good understanding of subnetting but it could be better. i can work out. the lab sims are just blowing my mind right now. Im not sure why im getting marked off points for those when i feel like the answers are correct. I'm wondering if it might be smarter to take the two exam approach.


- Describe how a network works - 50%
- Configure, verify and troubleshoot a switch with VLANs and interswitch communications - 43%
- Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network - 50%
- Configure, verify, and troubleshoot basic router operation and routing on Cisco devices - 54%
- Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks required for a WLAN - 0%
- Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats - 33%
- Implement, verify, and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network - 40%
- Implement and verify WAN links 0%

DoubleNNs

Maybe split the tests up w/ ICND1 and ICND2 instead of taking the composite tests. Focus on one set of material and truely understand it, take the test portion for that. Rinse, repeat.

That strategy might allow you to better focus on your individual weak spots, instead of glazing over the entire thing.

draught

I'll repeat the advice others have given: take the ICND1 exam 640-822. Seriously each time you take the composite exam 640-802 you are losing $295 (total cost $590) vs the $150 it would cost if you just took the ICND1 first like everyone else...

networker050184

draught wrote: »

Seriously each time you take the composite exam 640-802 you are losing $295 (total cost $590) vs the $150 it would cost if you just took the ICND1 first like everyone else...

Or you could just prepare properly and not waste any money! If you can not properly prepare yourself for one exam I don't see how you will be able to for the other. It's all about finding the objectives and learning them. With such low scores Weselp is obviously not doing a very good job of preparing for the objectives.

krjay

I disagree with this statement. It is much easier to properly prepare for an exam that has much less information. When reading these books day after day there's only so much information I can retain. Also, it is not about finding the objectives and learning them either, that is only a part of it. Speed is a perfect example of this. The exam objectives say I need to know how to subnet. Well I am perfectly able to subnet any given problem but I am still a bit slow at it, which will cost me on the exam.

Anyway, I'd recommend taking the two test option.

networker050184

The speed comes with repetition which is part of properly learning anything. As far as more information, in the end you have to learn it all. Whether you take two trips to the testing center or one it does not change the amount of information you need to retain.

mgmguy1

Weslep,
I took my first ever CCNA test and failed eariler this month. My total score was 60%. I was disappointed I failed but I was not sad. I took a step back and decided to get my ICND1 first. I am watching youtube videos,CBT nugget videos and re-reading both my ICND1 books plus, taking practice exams.
Just keep going over the Material and you will pass. I love TV. gaming and being with friends and family but I have cut way back on that stuff to go over the materal. At the END the test means you know "something" about cisco Networking. It's the time in the field and the daily grind that will make you be a cisco expert.
Don't expect to know eveything the day of the test. Few here this board have gotton 1000 or 100%. Just try your best and you will be fine.

Node Man

Be strong guys. For some people IT comes natural. For the rest of us, these exams are not just facts to remember and show commands; these exams and the journey to pass them are a personal transformation.

dcren21

@ OP

I would suggest getting the Boson Ex-Sim Max practice test. I've only passed ICND1, but I thought Boson did a great job preparing me for the test. In fact I thought it was a little harder than the actual test. I'm using it as I study for part 2 also. Good luck on your test tho, just keep at it.