You can take a "sample CCNA exam", timed, and get a score. You might take those tests to help decide whether to take the actual exam now, or wait a few more weeks for more study. However, it's difficult for those building the exams to make such a practice exam match up to the real exam experience because of all the hidden details about scoring. Even if a particular exam used questions that match the same level of difficulty as the actual exam - not always easy to do, by the way - getting the right mix into a single mock exam is difficult because of the hidden scoring details.
So if you pass the practice exams with high scores, it may mean you're ready. Or, you could fail, or barely pass, but have actually been ready a month ago, with the opposite factors.
So, what do you do to gauge whether you're ready for a Cisco exam? Is the "passing the sample exams" measure your primary gauge? Or is it something else?
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More from the IDG Network. CCNA Difficult? Join the Network World communities on Facebook and LinkedIn to comment on topics that are top of mind. Related: Cisco Systems. I prepped for a couple months, using April to scour the ICND1 book and May to dig through the ICND2, then attended a bootcamp which helped refresh as well as reinforce some concepts that I was still wondering about and hadn't quite gotten through my head.
By the time I took the ICND 1 this month, I had about 3 years worth of experience exploring our networks at work and learning how to fix something after I broke it or even when a network engineer that was assisting us broke it :. After digging through the book thoroughly, I was actually quite ready for the first test and passed with a something I think.
Not as good, and I don't quite remember what order the digits were in, I just remember seeing two 8s and a 6 in the score, but it was quite a stressful experience. I had heard rumor that the tests were adaptive, and could change and grab different questions mid-test, but I honestly don't know. The inability to return to previously answered questions after realizing you may have clicked the wrong button definitely increases the difficulty though, in my opinion. I think they are fairly straight forward, but it really helps if you are familiar with the IOS.
For example I went to take my CCNA Security and failed by questions, I wasn't familiar with the security appliance they were testing on. If a client, customer , or fellow employee asked me a question the way these questions are phrased, I might be on Mars. I have failed 3 times with Cisco. Latest one based on bad info from my video instructor, on what will NOT be on the test.. At the exam site, second question in, the question he said would NOT be on the exam, was front and center.
It ruined the test. I have written numerous times. In order to better reflect the contents of the exam and for clarity purposes, the guidelines below may change at any time without notice.
I think it's purposely difficult and most people have to retake it simply because Cisco can and they know how in demand the exam is. I have spoken to others who took it years ago and CCNA has been become harder than ever.
More subjects and you cannot go back to previous questions anymore. You were able to do so in the past. It's hard and that's good, but almost unfair. The questions in my exam three of them which were not covered in the official Cisco press or online courses I took. The good thing in the exam was that you could comment on questions and leave feedback in the survey which I did. I also took Wendell's advice and wrote down all questions I could remember. The most annoying thing in the exam was that PC ran on win 95 with the worst resolution which took ages in the simlets to see the topology and punch in the commands.
Again, it might have been on purpose. Bear in mind you need more than one source material - one online course or book won't do it. It has been a combination. In terms of preparing for the exam - yes, it takes sacrifice and good time management skills. I work full-time so I study on week days 2 hours theory and lab and then on weekends 4 hour on Saturdays and Sundays.
Took my first CCNA 11 years ago. Couldn't go back to a previous question on that exam either. Not being able to go back is not a new thing. How do you know those questions counted towards your score? Cisco will put in "test" questions to see how they are received and answered by candidates. It's another metric by which they can evaluate the exams and the people taking them. Talk to the exam centre. The one I use has all high end Windows 7 or Windows 10 machines. Do you really think Cisco are trying to hobble exam takers by telling the exam centres to use Windows 95 PC's?
I traveled to 4 different exam centres before settling on the one I now use when it's time to recertify. To continue this discussion, please ask a new question.
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Learn More ». Justin - 7 Jun 21, at UTC. Wouldn't surprise me that they're artificially trying to make themselves more important! Verify your account to enable IT peers to see that you are a professional.
Also I find the exam questions are easy to get wrong if you do not read them fully. Thai Pepper. Edited Oct 10, at UTC. Cisco expert. SteveFL This person is a verified professional. Looking for more reading material? Schedule practice tests well in advance of your scheduled exam date. Set a deadline for yourself and check what you have learned in between that time.
We recommend rereading the Cisco Press books again before your schedule exam date. This will help you refresh your memory, and help you identify anything that you might have skipped over the first time. The last couple of weeks before the exams should be completely devoted to solving questions. Try to find new questions by searching internet forums and other online mock test platforms as you can find.
This should be the point when you have effectively grasped the concepts of networking that will be on your CCNA certification. Give yourself some time off the last couple of days before the exams. Take it easy and try to relax.
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