Tough on time CCNA 1

[bertieuk]

I failed the exam today. I had 53 questions in total but only got through 45. I found the infomation given in some question so overwhelming at times, having to scroll through configs, study subnets etc. I scored 740, needing 840 with eight questions left.

I feel gutted that the exam has such a time constraint that I couldn't finish. I felt I knew the technology. This test seems unfair with time, after all, the pressure is on anyway.

I'll try again in approx 10 days.
Si

 

[qz01gs]

Good look next time.

Looks like if you had finished you might have made it.

Few questions/Suggestions

Can you subnet in your head?

Try and give yourself 2 mins a question and dont go over that limit. And 10 mins for the simulation or simulations

Did you get to simulation? Sometimes that can be the last question!

 

[glennmitel]

Its 849 to pass the CCNA so you still had 9 more marks to get to pass.


i passed my CCNA last week with 948 and i had 40 mins left.

was you not watching the time then.

i had a VTP lab in my Exam and loads of VTP and STP questions.

 

[qz01gs]

Must admit alot of peope go on about the time think but I have never had a problem with time. I had 45 mins to do the last question!

 

[NetworkGhost]

One good tip is to write down some key info before you start the test. You should be supplied with a sheet of paper or small dry erase board. Right down you subnet numbers 128/64/32/16/... I did that back when I took the test. Could do it in my head no problem but writing down somethings that you know might give you an issue or slow you down may help.

 

[zephyran]

I took it a couple weeks ago and ran into the same issue. I finished with about 8 minutes to spare, where with all my other exams, I'd finished with at least half the total time left. I think the big issue is the number of scenario questions you get, and how early you get them.

With 90 minutes to answer 53 questions, that's less than 2 minutes per question. If you have to spend a lot of time on the longer questions, you more or less have to trust your instincts and shoot through the shorter questions as quickly as possible.

Of all the things I've missed,
I lose my mind the most.

 

[techkiwi]

It's hard when you fail, but don't give up. Look on it as a (hard) learning experience.

As NetworkGhost said, I always write down a bunch of stuff before I start the exam. You don't get penalised, and there's no clock ticking until you press the "Start" button, so use this to your advantage and write down some memory joggers. Subnet masks, some commands you might have memorised, etc. Try to remember as much as you can and write it down before the clock starts ticking and the pressure goes on.

And for what it's worth, I always find myself racing the clock too (I envy you guys who finish with time to spare). Spent ages on a spanning-tree simlet in my last exam (BCMSN) and consequently had to rush through the rest. Keep an eye on the clock and don't throw away too much time on any one question.

Good luck for your next attempt.

Graham