Passed... (finally)
Longbow
Member Posts: 42 ■■□□□□□□□□
in CCNA & CCENT
After three failed attempts spread out across 16 months I finally passed 640-801 yesterday. Scored 1000 (although I know that it's just because I guessed correctly on at least two of the questions). The hardest part of this whole ordeal was just trying to get my arms around the scope of the material.
Thanks for all the valuable info on this forum. I'll pay it foreward and share what I used to pass (nothing that hasn't been posted before).
1.) Todd Lamele's CCNA Study Guide (Sybex)
2.) Richard Deal's CCNA Study Guide (McGraw Hill)
3.) Boson Network Simulator
4.) Exam Cram CCNA questions
5.) Cisco Press flash cards
Both of the first two items are very good, but I think it takes both to completely cover the material - and even then there were questions I saw that were not in either (for example: the difference between late and early collisons on an Ethernet network). The simulator was a must, a demo version came with the Richard Deal book and I got a price break on purchasing it because of having purchased the McGraw Hill book. The Exam Cram wasn't all that helpful and ended up just giving me a false sense of security because the questions are a bit to elementary. Again, the McGraw Hill book had a test engine w/700 questions that were very challanging if not frustrating (as frustrating as the actual test). The Cisco Press flash cards were useful to carry around with me and study at work durring lunch or when every I had some free time - it includes a very nice study guide at the end of it.
As far as the test went (the one I passed) - I had one simulation question envlolving switches where information had to be gathered from one in order to complete the configuration of another. The rest of the questions were the standard fair of drag-and-drops and multiple guess. Lots of exhibits. I did not have a single question regarding ISDN (at least as far as I can remember). Lots of questions on switching, NAT and knowing how select the proper routing protocol for a givin network setup.
My advise is that you should know how to subnet (and supernet) so well that you feel relieved when you get a question about it. You should be able to do it in your head, and very quickly. If you aren't there yet then keep studying. Once you have it, you have it, and it isn't something you have to worry about any longer. The questions are clever, they seem to be testing you on more than one concept at a time and time is short so not having to place all of your mental faculties on figuring out that a 28 bit subnet mask is 255.25.255.240 and yeilds 14 subnets w/14 hosts per is a huge advantage.
Anyway, I hope this helps someone. Particularly someone who has failed once or twice and thinks it won't happen. The first time I took the test I got a 680. Keep at it because it will happen eventually.
Thanks for all the valuable info on this forum. I'll pay it foreward and share what I used to pass (nothing that hasn't been posted before).
1.) Todd Lamele's CCNA Study Guide (Sybex)
2.) Richard Deal's CCNA Study Guide (McGraw Hill)
3.) Boson Network Simulator
4.) Exam Cram CCNA questions
5.) Cisco Press flash cards
Both of the first two items are very good, but I think it takes both to completely cover the material - and even then there were questions I saw that were not in either (for example: the difference between late and early collisons on an Ethernet network). The simulator was a must, a demo version came with the Richard Deal book and I got a price break on purchasing it because of having purchased the McGraw Hill book. The Exam Cram wasn't all that helpful and ended up just giving me a false sense of security because the questions are a bit to elementary. Again, the McGraw Hill book had a test engine w/700 questions that were very challanging if not frustrating (as frustrating as the actual test). The Cisco Press flash cards were useful to carry around with me and study at work durring lunch or when every I had some free time - it includes a very nice study guide at the end of it.
As far as the test went (the one I passed) - I had one simulation question envlolving switches where information had to be gathered from one in order to complete the configuration of another. The rest of the questions were the standard fair of drag-and-drops and multiple guess. Lots of exhibits. I did not have a single question regarding ISDN (at least as far as I can remember). Lots of questions on switching, NAT and knowing how select the proper routing protocol for a givin network setup.
My advise is that you should know how to subnet (and supernet) so well that you feel relieved when you get a question about it. You should be able to do it in your head, and very quickly. If you aren't there yet then keep studying. Once you have it, you have it, and it isn't something you have to worry about any longer. The questions are clever, they seem to be testing you on more than one concept at a time and time is short so not having to place all of your mental faculties on figuring out that a 28 bit subnet mask is 255.25.255.240 and yeilds 14 subnets w/14 hosts per is a huge advantage.
Anyway, I hope this helps someone. Particularly someone who has failed once or twice and thinks it won't happen. The first time I took the test I got a 680. Keep at it because it will happen eventually.
Comments
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Alien
Member Posts: 398
BRAVO!!!!!
I used the same materias, aproximately same time period and passed on the 3rd attempt. After your 2nd or 3rd attempt, did you also feel like these exam was meant for a targeted class of engineers and not the common network admin? Celebration time i guess.
Cheers.Hard times on planet earth. -
SV
Member Posts: 166
Good job Longbow
More than anything its the determination and perseverance. And... its a good score too
Life is a journey... -
MrQuickFix
Member Posts: 1 ■□□□□□□□□□
Job well done. I have the Sybex CCNA Updated Deluxe Edition I bought for 90 bucks. It came with 2 CD's, woot? I refuse to spend money on a course so I’m cruising through the chapters. I’m on chapter 6 now, OSPF and EIGRP and realizing there is a lot to know. . .
I just joined this website and would like to thank the all mighty creator for this alternative, could be a primary, study resource. It’s great!
My friend gave me a set schedule of 2 weeks to study for this CCNA. Being I have nothing else to do for the next two weeks, I accepted this challenge . . . possible you think? I’m doing about a chapter a day; I’m on chapter 6 of 11. . . We shall see.<img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/NiftyFiveForty/Random -For Linking-/OneTikiHead.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> -
QUIX0TIC
Member Posts: 277
good job keeping up with the test. Great feedback."To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation."
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silver_225
Member Posts: 36 ■■□□□□□□□□
Congrats! Excellent feedback....will be helpful for others studying for the exam.
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mikeyoung
Member Posts: 101
Awesome job and great feedback!Lack of will power has caused more failure than lack of intelligence or ability.
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