Markku, I think you did great since this is your first attempt. Thank you for the encouragement we all need it. :)
I have one more comment and a question at the same time. I will try to keep it short. My fellow coworker is going for the lab in the last 7 months. His first try was in December, and the second one was just couple of weeks ago. His largest problem is tshoot part because in his words you have very little time to solve it. For example, he had to find three errors on different routers on several tasks, in order to successfully complete it. Now, we all know that candidates have around 10 minutes per task. But, subtract few minutes for reading the task, and some more time for spotting the routers in question, thinking about it (remember, there are some 30 routers in the topology.) So, you have generally 5-7 minutes for logging into routers and trying things out. And there are tasks where you have to find three errors in 5 minutes? WOW. Now, here comes the point of this rant. Marko Milivojevic said that every single time on the lab he passed the tshoot part relatively easy... On what level we have to be, to be able to solve three errors in 5 minutes? On a completely new network, you have never seen it etc... How? Imagine that skill. AND, Marko himself told us that he passed on his THIRD attempt... So, he did not complete the config section two times... I don't know about you, but I am all puzzled now. :) Best Regards, Bojan Zivancevic Network Engineer ---- Comutel d.o.o. Omladinskih brigada 65v 11070 Belgrade SERBIA -----Original Message----- From: Markku Leiniö [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 16:28 To: CCIE_RS OnlineStudyList Subject: [OSL | CCIE_RS] Sharing the experience of the lab Hi everyone! To balance the somewhere ongoing discussion about the possibilities of ever passing the CCIE R&S v4 lab I decided to write a short encouragement email. I just visited the lab in Brussels yesterday for my first attempt. I PASSed the configuration section but failed the troubleshooting. I really deserved failing the TS, I did so lousy job there, to my own surprise (I mean I would have expected better success but I really saw that score coming when the two-hour limit was approaching). In the configuration section all kinds of tasks were thrown at me but I could handle those. At some points I used the DocCD to assist me. I prepared about four months for the lab, using IPexpert BLS materials, also took part in the Amsterdam bootcamp in May (thanks Marko!). This was not full-time preparing, I did my normal daytime job as usual (apart from that one week). I have about 10 years of work experience in the networking business. None of those years have consisted of 100% hard-core Cisco gear activities, I've had various tasks and roles. I did my CCNA and CCNP in 2002-2003, and finished CCIP in 2008. I also have some years experience as an instructor in Cisco Networking Academy but you know it is not anywhere near the CCIE level courses. The message I wanted to send here is that the lab exam is nowhere near unpassable or unfair if you are prepared. It is just the matter of taking the challenge and acting to handle the technologies and finally commands behind the technologies before going to the lab. If you are not up to that level you won't become a CCIE. We are talking about a demanding IT certification that has low passing percentage by design! That level of exam is supposed to be renewed regularly so new features should be expected in the exam as times go and the technologies are developed. If you want to take the new version of the exam, just act like it. I don't think there is any single job or position anywhere in the world that can ensure your success in CCIE lab exam without dedicated extra effort and materials. That's just the name of the game. To get the CCIE you have to always go one more step up. Folks, keep up the good work! My personal plan is that I won't count much over 29 days for my next attack ;-) Markku _______________________________________________ For more information regarding industry leading CCIE Lab training, please visit www.ipexpert.com
