Passed the 801

[Drummah]

This is my first posting on Tek-Tips. I've been reading it from time to time over the past few months and found the site invaluable to helping me study for the CCNA 801. I thought for sure that I'd blew the test and was pleasantly surprised to see the 'Congratulations!' on the results screen. I passed with a 927 and proud of it. I'm a firewall/security analyst at work but the CCNA is baseline required for the job description and now I have a whole new outlook on infrastructure. Thanks folks!

Jon/Scott AFB

 

[macfoxx]

Congrats! Drummah
Mac

 

[dogbert2]

Yeah, sometimes when you have to wait it seems like an eternity (you don't know if it will say Congrats or Fail), and on my 640-606 (CCNP Support) I took last year, I passed the exam by 10 points (786) and the cutoff score was 776, but sometimes I have to question how cisco does scoring on their exams.

I would ALSO like to see cisco institute a policy where you can ONLY answer a question once, but you should be able to MARK a question that is perplexing (and wasting exam time), and then after you are done, you go back and finish the ones you have marked (which would seem fair), as in most cases the answer to a question farther in the exam can assist you in getting the question right (in my opinion).

 

[lamarcus]

Excellent job! I need to go take this test so bad, because it will help me so much here in Ohio. I have to ask you:

1. How many simulations were there on the test?

2. What was the majority of test on?

3. And what did you use/study to get you prepared for it?

Thanks

 

[Microbyte]

Great Job Drummah!
Are you going for Professional Level as well?

 

[jdel]

lamarcus
1) sims- at least two, ive never heard of more than 4
2) 80% of the test is router commands (ALL of them, not just the 'common' ones) and subnetting. Know those two things inside and out. this of course does not mean you should not know everything else.
3) ive found the cisco press books to be the most comprehensive to not knly pass the test but learn the material for real application.

 

[Drummah]

For me, the test wasn't too bad. I had six sims...I'm thinking that if I'd answered incorrectly that they might have given me another simulation to succeed on but I'm not sure if the test is that smart. They certainly focused heavily on subnetting C and B which I'm proud to say I can now do on my fingers. You have to know how to set up ISDN, apply ACLs, etc. I studied the Sybex book and Testkiller and referenced the Cisco book content. I also spent time in our company lab on actual routers and switches building little networks and such. The test covers four areas of knowledge now instead of what was it...seven? Planning and Design, Implementation and Operation, Troubleshooting, and Technology. I think that I will pursue the CCNP next now that I'm interested in router/switch infrastructure. I would also agree with dogbert2 about being able to mark and go back..

 

[Microbyte]

dogbert2,

your idea of marking questions sounds very tempting. i would want that as well. but here is what Cisco are afraid of.

let's say, one question may ask about
"Spanning Tree Protocol runs in which layer of OSI model?"

and another question further down the question would ask
"Bob, your Cisco assistance wants to know why he can't find information about STP when he enter show ip interface"?

If you mark 1st question, then down the line when you reach this latter question, you just got yourself a hint because these questions are related, thus freebee question is given.

I know this is not a good example, but this is only one i can sort out from top of my head as of now.


Microbyte

 

[dogbert2]

Well, is the objective to see how much cisco can trip up a test taker, or do they really want to find out what the test taker knows?

In the real world (which a testing center/lab environment isn'), IT staff often has access to books, CD's, even google on the internet to assist them in fixing or resolving problems (now, I'm not saying make the exam less hard, but make the situation reflect reality).

Just my two cents worth is all

 

[Microbyte]

i think it is combination of both. but not to intentionally tricking the test taker to the point of silliness. although i heard them cases in CCIE tests.

Microbyte

 

[Drummah]

btw...it was TestKing not TestKiller that came in handy in the end for the test. TestKing appears to be very similar to the actual test. Of Course nothing replaces actual routers and switches and the books.

 

[udoskijay]

hi drummah,
i failed the 640-607 cos i was in too much of a hurry to do it before the deadline last year.......now,i want to do the 801,but cant afford a training,besides my work schedule is hectic and leaves me fagged out by evening.....pls can u advise on how i can pass the 801 on my own?

 

[Drummah]

That's a tough one. I know I sometimes get dragged out by the end of the day too. I couldn't afford the training either so I used a combo of RouterSim CertSim, the Sybex book, and an old TestKing. I spent time after work and on weekends in the company lab building litlle networks and studying the material. Try jogging around the block a couple times after work...that might help perk ou up a bit Hope this helps

 

[udoskijay]

thanx a lot...u see, all i have is some material and the current dumps- i think!u r referring to the old testking- is it for the 640-607?then, sorry to be asking this, how do i get the RouterSim and CertSim? and, the Sybex book....... does it encompass the new stuff in 801?sorry for all these (stupid?) questions........will be grateful for more help!
have a good day...
thanx

 

[Drummah]

sure...the Sybex CCNA 640-801 4th ed book by Todd Lammle is available on Amazon for about $35. CCNA CertSim for 801 is pretty good and available at

http://www.routersim.com

for about $80. I used an old 607 TestKing that someone gave me. I'm sure there's 801 TestKings available out there...not sure, but the TestKing material is a very close representation to the actual test. Try to get access to some real routers and switches. That really helped me. I hear Boson has some really great practice tests too. Study every chance you get!

 

[udoskijay]

thanx men,i've started the journey again.........will let you know as it proceeds,thanx a lot,will be in touch