any recent CCNA test takers?

eliteorange · Jul 31, 2003

care to share the details of your router simulation questions?

wyvrn · Aug 1, 2003

I took it a few months ago. The sim questions asked me to do basic things like assign an ip address, assign network to an interface, setup a password, and use a command to show configurations. If you have used the Cisco router sim, used a router, or the RouterSim product, you will do just fine. The test is easy if you have studied your material. I recommend Sybex testing software also, the questions are all harder than the CCNA exam and should more than prepare you for it.

adlep · Aug 1, 2003

Took it about 2 weeks ago.
My sim questions were very easy.
First I had to figure why three routers werent able to see each other. All I had to do was to enable router rip and the right classless network number on each interface. Very easy.
The second sim was about enabling IP adress on E0 and S1 given the subnet mask of /28.
Easy as well...
Good luck on your test!

Macro2 · Aug 2, 2003

Are you going to take the 2.1.4 test or the new 3.0 test?

At any rate I'm going to tell you that you need to get in the rythym of taking tests that require you to pick 2 or 3 correct answers out of a list.
The test hits heavy on subnetting (you should be able to subnet in your sleep, know well how to subnet Class A and B ip addresses because C's are th easiest), the OSI model, VLANs, access lists, PPP, Frame relay, routing and routed protocols and of course commanding the router ie. commands, what prompt to place them at and interpretation of said output.
I'd go on the net and find some sample questions. Even Cisco is in the game of putting up sample questions, even sponsoring a site that sells sample tests.

eliteorange · Aug 2, 2003

taking the 640-607

Macro2 · Aug 2, 2003

I take it you went through the Cisco Academy then?

adlep · Aug 2, 2003

Good luck!

bolomite · Aug 2, 2003

CCNA covers access lists and VLANs now? I took the 507 exam, don't think these were covered

Macro2 · Aug 2, 2003

If you didn't have any VLAN or Access list questions you were lucky.
Actually the CCNA is getting a little ridiculous. You have to get 849 out of 1000 and they keep thowing in more 2 and 3 answer questions.
Some are just plain ball busters. You have 90 minutes to finish the test, you can't go back to a question and some of the questions take you 10-15 minutes to calculate all the binary or find the 57th subnet or whatever.

The problem is that you can find the same or similar questions on the net at these braindump/buy a test places so Cisco keeps pulling up the ladder. Getting that high a score on a cert is pretty ridiculous vs say what CompTia and Microsoft ask which is around 70%.

The New CCNA test adds some CCNP stuff, so here we go again. All this and there aren't any jobs to boot.

Mac

austin316 · Aug 14, 2003

couple quick questions. how much does it cost to enroll in the cisco academy? and how long is the program? How much does it cost to take the test and what are the failure rates of test takers. Finally, if you have a college degree in MIS, is CCNA certification important?

eliteorange · Aug 14, 2003

i passed on monday with 949

i dont really reommend cisco academy i went thru all 8 semesters... the quality of the acadmey there are errors in the curriculum , and alot of the chapter questions iare just plain B.S.

if u must take a training, try NewHorizons CCNA prep stuff...

if you have A+ or NET+... get ur self a sybex ccna book, and 3 2514 cisco routers and a cisco 2900XL switch... which will cost about the same as the traininig, but at least u dont have to compete with other classmates to use the stack, and after u finish ur certification u can sell ur equipment.

eliteorange · Aug 14, 2003

if u have a MIS, and plan on goin into manangement take

COMPtia 's Porject+ or Microsoft's Project manangement certifction,

also consider goin into graduate school for management degree. this is what i gathered from months of job research

Macro2 · Aug 14, 2003

Congratulations Orange! Having gone through the acedemy to the CCNA I tend to agree with you about trying another route. The 4 semesters tend to drag on even though I did it in a year. Then at the end they step up their lob ball questions by a factor of 5 when they start getting you ready for the CCNA.
I've seen the new 3 cirriculum however and it does seem to be a vast improvement over the 2.1.4. You actually get to touch a router the first semester where as before all you did was study wiring and the OSI model.
So maybe it's worth it...

Someone asked about costs. At a local community college in FL the CCNA semesters are $250/per. So About 1000 for all four. Compare that to a private computer school or boot camp and it's a lot less.

eliteorange · Aug 14, 2003

thanx marco2, which part of FL u from? im from gainesville

Macro2 · Aug 14, 2003

RE:"And how long is the program? How much does it cost to take the test and what are the failure rates of test takers"

4 semesters. This can be crammed into 1 year. Normally 2 years.
If you get through all four semesters Cisco gives you half a voucher, worht about $62.

A CCNA is important to get your foot in the door on a job. It's really a acedemic certification and not heavy on experience.

There is at least one University (Fresno State) giving college credit for it now. More are needed IMHO.

Failure rates. Well, I've heard the first time pass rate is 12%.
I'd say of those who go through the academy or some other training it's more like 60-70%. You have to get 850 out of 1000 to pass but the possible scores range from 300-1000 so I'm not sure if it's graded straight or on a curve. Compared to other certs it's a high passing score.

bigpow · Aug 14, 2003