Hi Freddy, I want to clarify some things. We have to change the approach to teaching the technologies because Cisco is changing how they are going to test them in version 5. That translates to things like the three phases of testing in the lab: Troubleshooting/Diagnostics/Config. It also extends to how the exam will be architected and delivered. The new exam will be dynamic. The testing engine will vary the topology. The testing engine may modify how different technologies are going to be deployed. Why am I mentioning this?
Well I mentioning it because we, both students and instructors, have to adapt. If you think that the key to success is doing as many Multi-protocol labs as possible I think you are going to be surprised version 5 is going to be more about core fundementals. Multi-protocol or Mock labs are very handy tools in those final weeks before we take the lab, but how many you do or what quality those labs are is very subjective. There were Volume 3 Labs that I loved that the guys I studied with hated. The point to all of this is that the creation of a solid foundation of materials that are both high quality and substantive to the lab is our immediate hurdle. Is it my expectation to stop at 5 labs? Hell no! I like coming up with testing scenarios as much as the next geek. But out of the gate we need solid labs that will approximate the testing psychology and methodology that Cisco is going to be using. When I was studying for my CCIE I barely touched the volume 2 labs, most of my time was spent on 6 labs from Volume 3. So is 5 enough? I believe it is (and my colleagues agree). Would 10 be better? Yes, and we will get there. It is my plan to retrofit as many of the old labs as possible to the v5 format and blueprint as quickly as possible. Am I going to do that because 5 solid labs aren't enough to hone the skills of a well prepared student? NO. I'm going to do it so students can change things up and have a green field of labs to work weak spots without the fear of memorizing configuration tasks. That means I ultimately want to group Mock Labs that share similar topic or task scope into groups. The existing workbooks for the v4 exam didn't just materialize. They came from iPexpert recognizing that the v4 exam matured, that student needs changed or expanded, and those workbooks were the answer to those needs. Hope this helps with your concerns and THANKS for voicing them. I know in my bones you aren't the only one thinking the same thing. On Tue, May 27, 2014 at 4:24 PM, freddy morales <[email protected]>wrote: > Hello, > > i am a little concerned about the new workbooks, do you feel that with > only 2 workbooks is enough? compared to version 4 where we had 3 volumes? > > My concern is that i don't know if only 5, 8-hour labs, in the second > workbook will be enough practice for the actual exam.. especially since in > the previous set we had 20 8 hours labs in volume 2 and then 10 more in > volume 3. > > Regards, > Freddy > > _______________________________________________ > Free CCIE R&S, Collaboration, Data Center, Wireless & Security Videos :: > > iPexpert on YouTube: www.youtube.com/ipexpertinc > -- Terry D. Vinson CCIE Instructor CCIE #35347 (R&S/DC) _______________________________________________ Free CCIE R&S, Collaboration, Data Center, Wireless & Security Videos :: iPexpert on YouTube: www.youtube.com/ipexpertinc
