Hello, I figured I'd let everyone know I've passed my final exam for my CCNP. Below are answers to FAQ. Please note they are my personal opinions, not general consensus. 1. What order did you take the tests? CCNA (07/00) Switching (11/00) Routing (04/01) Remote Access (10/01) Support (03/02) 2. Why so long between the tests, did you fail any? I've never failed an exam in my life. I've taken 13 so far. I study for each one and make sure I'm prepared. Unfortunately due to work, other obligations and procrastination I didn't pass them sooner. It does make things more difficult in some ways, but since I work with Cisco equipment daily, it helps me keep fresh. 3. Which exams were the hardest? They are listed easiest to hardest. CCNA Switching Remote Access Support Routing Support was more difficult than it had to be, since I waited so long between tests and it has content based on knowing those other areas. 4. What books and study methods did you use? CCNA - Sybex Switching - CiscoPress Routing - CiscoPress Remote Access - CiscoPress and ExamCram Support - Sybex Everything was self-study and on the job experience. I also use brainbuzz.com for a final review before taking the test to make sure I didn't miss anything, overall I wasn't too impressed with their content though. Reading about how other people passed did help to give me confidence. Each person will find a different study method that works for them. I've never taken a training class for any of my certifications. 5. How many years of experience do you have? 8 Years of IT experience as follows: 3 Years, Routing and Switching firewalls etc 3 Years, Servers RAS etc 2 Years, Desktop Support, Computer builds, Retail computer sales 6. What's next? Tough decision, I need to upgrade my MCSE (UGGG) since I still have to use those skills. However I think the CCIE is of much more benefit to me. I have to make sure I'm committed and really study for the CCIE. My work is going to have training for the W2K stuff for our entire group so I've got to learn it one way or the other. I'm going to try and get some training such as a CCIE bootcamp. If anyone knows of a good bootcamp let me know. I'm leaning toward pursuing my CCIE, but it'll be a tough road. I don't believe in quitting, so if I start down that road I know I won't quit, but the high probability of Lab failure frightens me. I hate to fail anything. 7. Did you get a raise etc? Nope, as a matter of fact no one in our department is getting a raise at all this year. I guess some of us are just happy to have a job. We were told we should get year-end bonuses this year, something we didn't get last year. 8. Who paid for the training etc? The last few tests my employer has paid for, but the books I've paid for simply so that they belong to me and I can keep them for reference. I hope that helps anyone out there studying. Keep at it. The tests themselves weren't as hard as I would have hoped. Passing on them is about 700 on a scale of 300 to 1000. That's pretty low, but at the same time the quality of the questions was inferior to other exams. If you have a good reading comprehension level you can probably gain 100 points off just that. Maybe that's a skill they are looking for in certified people though. Robert Fowler - And here they are..... A+ MCSE CCNP
Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=38018&t=38018 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
