wow.
As I sit here at my desk Monday noon (took the test this morning), all I can say is wow.
Here's a link from my ICND1 pass.
http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/75212-icnd1-passed-network-data-sheet.html
Here's the materials that I first used
Odom book -- read through this first pass, didn't really understand it but read it anyways.
Lammle -- read this after odom, then referenced Odom.
Transcender -- do practice questions at work (I really like the web version), I would resize the screen to fit my outlook message window so no1 was wiser to what I was doing.
Boson Simulator/practice exam -- purchased after completing Transcender. Simulator got me started but seriously was a hindrance (i'll explain below)
Took my first test feeling prepared and
failed.
Damn.
Restrategized.
One thing that was my saving grace? Packet tracer.
Labbed in Packet-tracer which brought questions that I used to reread Odom or Lammle... or ask in forums.
Took practice tests in Odom and Lammle end of chapter.
Labbed in Packet-tracer which brought questions that I used to reread Odom or Lammle... or ask in forums.
Took practice tests in Odom and Lammle end of chapter + Boson practice exam.
Passed. Score:874. Now im tired. But happy!
Boson Simulator --
Good: helps you get started
Bad: Horrible compared to packet tracer. You just can't compare. Recompiling everytime you add a device? How is that a good way to learn? Seriously not worth the price. My advice is to skip the simulator and go straight to packet tracer.
Hours studied: must be 150?
Lab: must be 60?
period of 5 months
0 to CCNA: start to finish 11 months
Costs:
$150 (first attempt)
$150 (second attempt)
$100 transcender
$300(boson net sim + practice exam)
= $700
+ cost of coffee ($60 at the cafe most probably) + cost of diminished social life (omg priceless)
Well this has become an essay. It's a beautiful summer day here in Boston and I would love to enjoy summer before I start hitting the books again.
