Failed ICND2

soooowutnow · October 2011

Didn't even come close [678]. I got destroyed by a switch config sim where I just kind of locked up and felt pressure from the clock the entire time. After a few commands didn't work and I still had 10 questions and 10 min left I panicked and skipped it all together.

I fought the clock the entire time and felt like the test was really unfair compared to the ICND1 which I passed easily. The ICND1 was a piece of cake compared to this. I had to read every question 2 or 3 times and that just killed me time wise.

Has anyone here taken the composite and the ICND2? I am curios to see if it might be a better strategy to take the composite since is has a mix of ICND1 and 2 questions on it compared to this nightmarish ICND2 exam.

I felt like a had a couple of weaknesses going in, and this test hit every one of them, and exposed more weaknesses that I didn't know I had. If anything, this experience will help me get my act together a little better I guess.

For those of you who would like a ICND1 vs. ICND2 comparison...the ICND1 was a like 3 on a scale of 1-10 difficulty wise and the ICND2 was about a 9.

jamesleecoleman · October 2011

Yea it is a difficult test. I did the same thing when I thought I was running out of time.
Try again... I'm sure you can pass it.

pham0329 · October 2011

soooowutnow wrote: »

Has anyone here taken the composite and the ICND2? I am curios to see if it might be a better strategy to take the composite since is has a mix of ICND1 and 2 questions on it compared to this nightmarish ICND2 exam.

I would suggest you study some more and try again with ICND 2. IMO, it's a little foolish to go for the CCNA composite after failing ICND2. I would rather pass the exam because I know the material rather than because I got easy questions from the ICND1 portions...especially if you have as many weaknesses as your post suggested.

Version4 · October 2011

I felt the same way when I failed the ICND2 last week, time pressured.

I also agree with pham, go for the ICND2 again. Take a little break, study-study-study the points you were weak on from the exam print out while refreshing the other topics, then re-schedule and re-take.

You'll get it next time!

alxx · October 2011

Hang in there and good luck for next time!

Cingular · October 2011

Ah bad luck man! I think the most crucial thing to glean from this experience is that you cannot have any weaknesses going in to this exam.

I have my ICND2 exam scheduled for the 27th and I'm cramming as much study in as I can until then!

fieldmonkey · October 2011

I echoes your sentiments on this exam.... very cruel as compared to ICND1... I was comfortable with the questions but did have to read many a 2nd or 3rd time.What really killed me was the SIMS. I'm thinking the composite might be the better strategy for me.

soooowutnow · October 2011

fieldmonkey wrote: »

I echoes your sentiments on this exam.... very cruel as compared to ICND1... I was comfortable with the questions but did have to read many a 2nd or 3rd time.What really killed me was the SIMS. I'm thinking the composite might be the better strategy for me.

That is how I feel. The regular questions were like problem solving, not just trivial questions like ICND1. So you have to re read them at least once to feel somewhat confident. Then on top of that they give you crazy sims. I re did one of the sims I had and it was 29 commands jumping from routers to switches to hosts. I feel like Cisco has it backwards with the time. They should give the extra time for ICND2. I finished ICND1 with 35 minutes to spare. I had about 2 min left with this one and only finished because I pretty much skipped a sim.

Maybe it is just my frustration talking I dunno. I won't give up though. Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

advanex1 · October 2011

soooowutnow wrote: »

That is how I feel. The regular questions were like problem solving, not just trivial questions like ICND1. So you have to re read them at least once to feel somewhat confident. Then on top of that they give you crazy sims. I re did one of the sims I had and it was 29 commands jumping from routers to switches to hosts. I feel like Cisco has it backwards with the time. They should give the extra time for ICND2. I finished ICND1 with 35 minutes to spare. I had about 2 min left with this one and only finished because I pretty much skipped a sim.

Maybe it is just my frustration talking I dunno. I won't give up though. Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

I don't know if I believe there was a 29 command sim in ICND2 (barely takes 29 commands, if that, to do a basic config on a router and configure ospf with a couple of areas). Pay attention to what they are asking and breathe. Write down a short version of the question it's asking and search for that answer, move on to the next part, etc. etc. It's much easier when you break questions down.

I didn't really see much of a difference from ICND1 to ICND2 other than you need to know the configurations and what things look like as they are configured on the routers/switches. You need to go in there 100% confident that you know the material. That means being able to answer with a 90% in every subject on any practice test or what not you take.

Study harder, you'll get there. Good luck.

seansd · October 2011

I originally went with CCNA on theory strengths would cover my weak areas. Barely squeaked by. If I had to do it over, I would go the two-test route.
You already have part1 out of the way, and now know what to work on for part2.

soooowutnow · October 2011

seansd wrote: »

I originally went with CCNA on theory strengths would cover my weak areas. Barely squeaked by. If I had to do it over, I would go the two-test route.
You already have part1 out of the way, and now know what to work on for part2.

OK 24 hours later and my initial shock/anger has worn off. I am going to bust my butt and take the ICND2 again. I will look at my first experience as an expensive practice test. The reason I am so beat up over it is that I literally have a better job and more $ on the line with it. If I pass this test by the end of the month I get the job, if not I'm screwed!

Failed ICND2

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