From: Wes Stevens (wesley@stevens.name)
Date: Mon May 19 2003 - 16:12:23 GMT-3
Richard,
Just a couple of comments all imho:
Cisco makes no money on the lower cert tests - all the money
goes to vue/prometric.
$1250 for the ccie lab it not a money maker for them. When
you add in all the cost for the lab upkeep and proctors, they
are not making much on it. For a company with the revenues of
Cisco it is not even a blip on their profit radar screen.
Where the incentive is for them is to have certified
professionals out in the work force that are biased toward
their product line.
The proctor you get should have a very small inpact on your
chances. In my two experiences the proctors were very
helpful. The first time even though I had studied for 6
months I was not ready. The second time I got a lab that I
think was fairly new. I had a couple of questions about it
where the wording was not quite right. Both times the proctor
corrected the issue on the spot. Note: you have to ask
intelligent questions. You need to convey to the proctor that
you know the issue cold.
The labs are changing a lot faster these days - I understand
that they add and retire one a month. This changes the ball
game a bit. The first time I took the lab there were several
areas on it that were right out of one the major practice
labs (right down to the ipx service names). The rotation of
the labs will keep this from happening. This will mean a
couple of things. One is that you will not be able to just
buy a major lab package and think that it will cover what you
need for the lab exam. Also your studies will need to get
broader.
There is some luck involved. Each of us has stronger and
weaker areas, usually depending on what our work environment
throws at us day to day. If you get a lab that matches up
with your strengths, the day will for sure go a lot smoother.
You need to know the core subjects cold. You should be able
to do all the layer two, IGP's, ISDN, redistribution,
multicast and BGP in your sleep. They will hit you will
plenty of off the wall stuff that you will need the cd for.
You should have layer two, IGP's ISDN and redistribution done
before lunch - without opening the cd up.
Time management is critical. This is what saved me on my
second attempt. I did not spend more then 5 minutes on any
one task searching for the answer the first time thorough. It
is amazing how it looks different the second time you read a
task if you have stepped away from it for a bit.
One last thing - a plug for Netmasters. These guys are good.
They cleared up a lot of cloudy areas in my preparation. If
you can not get to the class, get their book - Bridges,
Routers and Switches for CCIE's. Pay attention to their
spotting the issues areas.
Good Luck on your next try!
---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 19 May 2003 12:53:58 -0400
>From: "rdanu" <rdanu@apex3.com>
>Subject: Re: Not a good day
>To: <ccielab@groupstudy.com>, "Joe Carr" <Joe.Carr@oati.net>
>
>Joe,
>I know the frustration. I left the lab with confidence
(about 2 saturdays ago). As a matter of fact, I was done by 2
pm. This was my second attempt. I got graded worse than
before.
>
>The way I see it:
>A. Certification with CCIE/other cisco exams, it BIG
business with cisco. (20-30 Million a year, worldwide!?? If
configs are not clean and sharp, could that be an influence
to have you return for another re-take? I don't know)
>B. Sometimes you need a little luck, so the proctor views
your configs as acceptable.
>C. Hopefully, the proctor is in a good mood??!>?
>D. A regrade may help, although it is really unheard of
getting certified after a regrade. I have seen/heard of
people get additional points, but never enough to get a CCIE.
>
>I though about a re-grade, but only if I get details on what
I missed and why -- something that will never get provided,
therefore, not worth the money.
>
>Plan of action:
>Study harder, learn configs in/out, Hey, I even invested in
a 3550 switch with emi, and re-take it again. Allow time for
studying, I waited only 35 days, and realized, it was not
enough time.
>I think that configuring criteria on the lab should not even
take a second guess. If you don't know it, you will have to
work with the CD that "may be Unreliable" as stated by a
previous thread. Next attempt in Sept. I plan on taking it
for the last time... ;)
>
>Its amazing how a failure "sucks" all your confidence from
your bones... Especially if you want it sooo bad!
>
>Hey, how did you manage the same test? That's amazing...
>
>Don't loose respect for the CCIE. Remember, being
an "expert" in cisco's field of engineering, means a lot! You
are the "last resort", the backup of all backups! And there
it TAC... ;)
>
>Good luck!
>Richard Danu
>
>
>---------- Original Message ---------------------------------
-
>From: "Joe Carr" <Joe.Carr@oati.net>
>Reply-To: "Joe Carr" <Joe.Carr@oati.net>
>Date: Mon, 19 May 2003 07:47:51 -0600
>
>>Well, I took the lab in RTP yesterday and I got the same
test as I had
>>before. In some sections where I got 100% before I answered
the same and
>>did not get the full points! Also I had asked the proctor
about a cretin
>>section that was not working properly and he did not help
until I asked
>>him for the 3rd time and on another section the second time
I asked him
>>he gave me a different answer. It turned out that the
backbone was
>>messed up! What the %@#!. I have lost a little respect for
the CCIE
>>certification. I guess my question is should I pay the $250
to have them
>>review my test? How long does that take?
>>
>>Joe
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