Re: Open-Ended Questions - by Darby

I pretty much agree with everything you laid out here. What is holding me
back in mentally preparing for this section (or accepting its inevitability)
is simple fear of the unknown. There are indeed so many rumours abounding
on the 'net about what this section IS and what it IS NOT. It's really easy
to get into the trap of taking the anecdotal evidence of several vocal
candidates who failed this section across several forums and jump to the
conclusion that the CORE knowledge section is exceptionally difficult or the
proctors are out to get specific candidates.

I am not willing to buying to buy into the 21 points assumption that's been
going around lately - the implication has been that the lab configuration
portion is easier now or covers less tasks or material. I suspect that the
lab configuration is just as difficult overall as it was prior to the
implementation of the CORE section and that the knowledge test is more or
less a 2nd prerequisite to sit the exam rather than a true component of the
exam.

I admit it bugs the heck out of me that I might pony up $1400 plus expenses
to travel to RTP and sit the exam only to fail, essentially in the first
half hour. Fortunately, my wife is very supportive of my efforts and tells
me to look at it more positively - at least I'll have the chance to go
through the actual lab to familiarize myself with the types of questions
asked, the wording, the physical space, and, most importantly of all, after
sitting the first time I expect a lot of the awe and fear I currently hold
for the exam process to fade away and let me concentrate on passing despite
the best efforts of Cisco to challenge me.

Michael
On Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 10:22 AM, Darby Weaver <ccie.weaver_at_gmail.com>wrote:

> Guys...
>
> The Open-Ended Questions are "General Questions" about the fundamental
> operations about the various technologies a candidate might be expected to
> face in the CCIE Lab.
>
> Simple as that.
>
> After much research, deliberation, qa, and making my own questions for the
> process and yes like everyone else I bought the others and tried IPExperts'
> version. My thought process is better to have than to "have not"...
>
> Some things start to occur to me.
>
> 1. A well-qualified candidated would be expected to know the technologies
> of
> the CCIE Lab and thus these short answer questions would not be considered
> much of a bother.
>
> 2. I've reviewed a lot of Networkers slides.
>
> 3. A formerly common resource I used to refer to a lot is no longer
> available.
>
> 4. The Cisco 360 Program has emerged.
>
> 5. A few more things I'm not telling you publicly, but hey... you wanna
> know what I know you gotta sell your soul and promise to never sleep again
> till you die. Your choice.
>
> So...
>
> My recommendations:
>
> 1. If you have access to the Networkers / Cisco Live Techtutorials - I'd
> recommend you take a peak under the hood.
>
> 2. If you ever heard of a guy named Caslow - you might remember he once
> offered a book for sale and it is filled with Core Knowledge that might be
> expected to be "Common Knowledge" of many of the technologies that are
> still
> offered today. Not all but most of the ones most of us will probably need
> to be concerned with.
>
> 3. Cisco offers something called Frequently Asked Questions about the "Core
> Knowledge" of each Routing Protocol and/or technology and they are
> amazingly
> "FREE" and they also happen construct a nice sized little book if printed
> out - Save a tree.
>
> 4. Cisco offers little Tech Notes and some of these also contain well-known
> caveats - The kind of caveats every CCIE Candidate might be expected to
> know
> and to know well. Hmmm? Ya think?
>
> 5. Having been to the lab a few times before this and answering a million
> questions about "Core Knowledge" in every corner of the Internet - even the
> deepest and darkest crevices... it comes to my attention that certain
> concepts trick the mind and play games...
>
> Example:
>
> Split-Horizon - Give an example in OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and RIP.
>
> Now take this example and amplify it.
>
> Give a practical example of each and explain why.
>
> Now go back and read the question again... Many will fail this series and
> lineup of questions.
>
> Why? Because they have not considered all of the issues with each protocol
> and perhaps may think that one or none of them is applicable to the
> question. Common Knowledge - Common Mistake by the "Less than Expert".
>
>
> No suppose I asked you about the basic underpinnings of each protocol
> commonly seen on the CCIE Lab... We all know them... those of us who
> studied. Gunmen may or may not be expected to be able even guess at them.
>
> Read that again...
>
> Nope, I don't think you got it.... Try again.
>
> Ok - Now go and do your homework.
>
> That's what this is going to come down to.
>
> How many CCIE's feel comfortable explaining the "Technology" to a peer, a
> junior tech, a boardroom, or even their spouse?
>
> Yep - you got it... and that is why even a question about Split-Horizon,
> Mutlicast, or IPv6... and the basic operation of each technology is scaring
> the hell out of the majority of everyone.
>
> Now - Candidates will say it is unfair if they fail and easy if they pass.
>
>
> Hah!
>
> Perception is in the eye of the beholder.
>
> Hindsight is 20/20.
>
> I hear a lot of people say... I found 1 of the 4 or 5 in a CCNA book
> somehwere and I knew 1 or 2 of the others... and I don't know how they
> expected me to know the last one...
>
> Or... I interpretted the question wrongly.
>
>
> Yep - If you are like me and the Internet is your playground then you may
> well have heard (I daresay) every story on the net by now.
>
>
> The biggest rumor I like is that the questions are valued at explicitly "21
> points".
>
> And the test is now only 79 points.
>
>
> Hmmm...
>
> Ok - I heard something to that effect from an authority.
>
> Sorry, I don't buy it.
>
> I like the other story better:
>
> 4-5 questions and then go take the lab.
>
> Score Report said... Passed.
>
> Score Report said either 0, 75, or 100% for the live questions.
>
> And x percent for the rest of the questions...
>
>
> Hey - You can drink whatever coolaid you need in the morning and before you
> go to bed.
>
> Effectively if you fail the questions - they might as well be 21 points.
> Agreed.
>
> However, if you do well on that section... I think you still better plan on
> chalking up your 80 points.
>
> I won't know with my own eyes till I get back in the ring with the beast.
>
> All things in due time.
>
>
> Go back and rre-read this and if you can read between the lines - and are
> strong in the ways of the wind.... what I've written is as clear as glass
> if
> not it is going to sound like I'm behind a steel wall.
>
> Hint: If you still don't know what I mean... You'd better stand up and
> scream, cause there's things going on that you don't know.
>
>
> Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net
>
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Received on Thu Apr 23 2009 - 10:47:02 ART