How to find a Cisco tutor?

mendysue

Anyone here know of a resource that connects people who have passed Certifications and connects them to people studying to take them?

I've taken my CCNA twice now and feel like a tutor could help me pass it this third time. I know this information and really need someone who has passed the test and can tell me where to focus.

I've reached out to a few of my Cisco Academy peers but I seem to me the only one still going for the certification that I have connections to.

I'm in the Colorado Springs CO area.

Thanks in advance and sorry if this post is in the wrong place!

Zartanasaurus

There's this really good resource named www.techexams.net where lots of people who are currently studying for, or have already passed their CCNA, congregate and share info. So as a start, maybe you could share your scores and breakdowns and what you've been doing to study up to this point.

JockVSJock

mendysue wrote: »

Anyone here know of a resource that connects people who have passed Certifications and connects them to people studying to take them?

I've taken my CCNA twice now and feel like a tutor could help me pass it this third time. I know this information and really need someone who has passed the test and can tell me where to focus.

I've reached out to a few of my Cisco Academy peers but I seem to me the only one still going for the certification that I have connections to.

I'm in the Colorado Springs CO area.

Thanks in advance and sorry if this post is in the wrong place!

I know how you are feeling. I too tried to get my CCNA and put it on the back burner because the learning curve is too steep.

I have researched tutors and did find some in India and talked to a few. Most of the tutoring will take place via Skype.

online CCNA teachers, Private teacher. Home teacher Directory

Alhaji265

There is a channel I am currently subscribed to that teaches Cisco really well. At once he held Saturday weekly class almost all day in which he went in depth on topic. Kiel Martin - YouTube

mendysue

Zartanasaurus wrote: »

There's this really good resource named www.techexams.net where lots of people who are currently studying for, or have already passed their CCNA, congregate and share info. So as a start, maybe you could share your scores and breakdowns and what you've been doing to study up to this point.

You made me laugh:) I have been reading here, it's been a great resource. I took all four classes of the Cisco Academy at my community college, I did really well in them so I don't know how well they prepare you for the certification. I have Packet Tracer. I also have a small home lab of two switches and two routers. Looking back I wish I would have sprung for the third router for Frame Relay alone. I also have the CCNA book by what's his name.

I scored a 735 on my last attempt

Describe how a network works 75%
Config, trouble shoot a switch with vlans and interswitch communication 43% This really surprised me, I consider it a strong spot.
Implement an IP scheme and IP services 50% again surprised, I know subnetting
Config, verify and troubleshoot basic router operation on Cisco devices 69%
Explain and select appropriate task required for a WLAN 100%
Identify security threats and describe general methods to mitigate those threats 100%
Implement, verify and trouble shoot NAT and ACLs 60% I admit I could use practice with ACLs
Implement and verify WAN links 67%

I did better on time this attempt, which was a major issue for my first attempt. I felt really good taking this last test, and had ten minutes to spare.

Thanks for the advice so far.

Would you guys push forward and try to retake this test before it expires at the end of the month or hold off and plan to take the new test after getting up to date on the new material?

N2IT

Jock it's a tough certification no question about it. The only way I could pass this exam would be to actually being doing the work or attending a community college where they have labbing sessions over and over.

DevilWAH

get hold of cisco packet tracer and play play play.

JockVSJock

N2IT wrote: »

Jock it's a tough certification no question about it. The only way I could pass this exam would be to actually being doing the work or attending a community college where they have labbing sessions over and over.

THERE IS NO SHAME IN HIRING A TUTOR!

Mark Zuckerberg had a software tutor in his early age along with have a number of executives tutoring him when Facebook was really taking off.

N2IT

I agree a lot of executives hire executive coaches to help them through their first C level role. I was lucky enough to have a C level mentor train me for ~1.5. That time was some of the most valuable training I have ever received. My worth went up thousands due to that training. I was just blessed to have this manager train me pro bono due to our relationship.

Daniel333

Hello,

What exactly do you want from the tutor/study partner? Road map? back and forward challenging on labs? I use to teach the CCENT/CCNA/MCSA classes to interns at my old job. It was a blast. 90% of people just needed a clear roadmap. The academy can be overwhelming but really does lay down great ground work.

Anyhow, hit me up with questions etc if you have them. Happy to help.

N2IT

+1 with the Academy. My first IT help desk job had 2 younger guys attending the academy. As soon as they graduated they were promoted to the network team. There had been guys on the desk for 5+ years one guy was there for 10 years. However these 2 younger guys at the time had went through academy and received their CCNA. They were immediately brought into the networking team. At the time it was truly remarkable. The only other time you saw this happen was help desk manager roles opening up or if nepotism came into play, which it did happen on 2 different occasion.

mendysue

I'm not sure what happened to my last post. We are allowed to post scores to the CCNA exam here right?

I went through the the Academy through my community college, but honestly it left a lot to be desired. There was no hardware labbing, all Packet Tracer. I have Packet Tracer, I have the Boson practice exams, I have a small home lab with two switches and two routers.

Do you know if you fumble around a bit during the sims if it affects your score? I know I could use help writing ACLs. I'm hesitant to re post my scores as my last post was never posted. I was about 75 points from passing.

I can retake the 840-602 next Monday or I can wait and plan to take the new test.

I'm going to look into a boot camp locally. I feel no shame in

mendysue

Never mind I feel silly, I see my post up there. Pardon my ignorance, I come from a message board of no moderation, I was thrown off by the delay.

Anyone want to give me ACL requirements and I can write them and you can tell me if I'm right??

FloOz

Alhaji265 wrote: »

There is a channel I am currently subscribed to that teaches Cisco really well. At once he held Saturday weekly class almost all day in which he went in depth on topic. Kiel Martin - YouTube

I can vouch for Kiel. Very knowledgeable guy that also gives his perspectives on life in general. +1

spiderjericho

Our very own MROCK has a training company now called qinqtraining.com. He's got some prettying cheap rates and is a CCIE.

Roguetadhg

Spiderjericho beat me to the punch. I'd recommend him, what he's offering is a pretty darn good deal, too. He did some free training for a little while and it was pretty sweet.

QinQ Training, Inc - Training you can trust.

RouteMyPacket

PM me, I might be able to help you out

mendysue

Roguetadhg wrote: »

Spiderjericho beat me to the punch. I'd recommend him, what he's offering is a pretty darn good deal, too. He did some free training for a little while and it was pretty sweet.

QinQ Training, Inc - Training you can trust.

Thanks everyone, off to check out his rates. I looked into boot camps in the Denver area, wow pricey!

CodeBlox

IMHO, you'll want to stay away from boot camps if you don't even know the material at all.

instant000

In this particular case, the candidate is familiar with the material and says that they're having issues with a couple topics, which an affordable bootcamp would be good for (getting over the hump).

As Zartanasaurus mentioned, the CCENT/CCNA forums here are a great resource, and I would recommend going there first. After looking at how competitive MRock's rates are, I wish that type of deal was around back when I needed the CCNA.

The issues with NAT/ACLs and IP Schemes could come down to misunderstanding the math, which, once conquered, would probably lead to a pass.

Lots of people misunderstand Switches and VLANs (I work with these people daily). I also think this could be conquered if someone else showed them the ropes.

I feel that this person is probably decently close, but needs help with understanding a couple things. (When you study a lot on your own, you get an opportunity to build up misconceptions, since you may not be effectively error-checking yourself.) For that reason, an affordable boot camp would be a good idea to add in a sanity check for some misconceptions.


My recommendation:
1 - Try the CCENT/CCNA forums here
2 - Contact posters offering to help
3 - If you still want a bootcamp, I'd recommend MRock.

Hope this helps.

Iristheangel

I'm thinking about signing my friend up for the QinQ bootcamp. Might give him the kick in the butt he needs to get past the CCNA.

mendysue

CodeBlox wrote: »

IMHO, you'll want to stay away from boot camps if you don't even know the material at all.

I didn't think a 735 was that bad!

Thanks again for all the input. I think I'm going to wait and take the new test in a month. I don't want to throw away another $300 a week from today.

Routerronin

mendysue wrote: »

Anyone here know of a resource that connects people who have passed Certifications and connects them to people studying to take them?

I've taken my CCNA twice now and feel like a tutor could help me pass it this third time. I know this information and really need someone who has passed the test and can tell me where to focus.

I've reached out to a few of my Cisco Academy peers but I seem to me the only one still going for the certification that I have connections to.

I'm in the Colorado Springs CO area.

Thanks in advance and sorry if this post is in the wrong place!

MendySue,

I would be happy to chat with you regarding tutoring.

Please confirm that it is indeed the ccna r-s that you are going for. If so, feel free to pm me.

mendysue

I tried to PM you but maybe you have it disabled?

Zartanasaurus

Boson has the retiring version of their practice tests on sale now for like $70. Might be worthwhile to pay for it so you can see exactly what questions you are getting wrong so you can focus on that between now and the 30th. Schedule your test for the 30th and you can always cancel it if you don't feel you're ready. Getting from a 735 to a passing score in a week is doable IMO.

mendysue

I bought their practice test about a month ago, was mad when I saw it on sale. I think I have decided to wait and take the new test. I'm not flush with cash and don't feel 100% I can pass it in a week.

Thanks so much for all the feed back, you guys are all really great:)

Routerronin

Apparently I must post ten times before the pm function is enabled.
that being said, I would like to know if you plan on doing ccna or the icndI icndII route?
If you havent decided on the latter option I could give you some reasons as to why it may be a preferred method to attaining your goals.
I passed all my initial cisco exams on the first try only because I studied the topics in Small chunks, not overloading myself at any one time.

mendysue

It does seem to be easier that way for some people. Not sure if I want to change course at this point. I'd also like to find an even unpaid internship to get some hands on experience.

Routerronin

Good luck. You will get it, its only a matter of time now.