I am proud to say that as of Friday I am now a CCNA. This is my first post
to the list since I now feel I have at least a little something to share. I
have worked in the computer field for over 13 years mostly in PC hardware
and software for federal government contract and the like, most recently I
have been doing technical sales engineering work. Three months ago I
decided to start my quest for a few industry certifications and decided that
the CompTia A+ would be a good way to get my feet wet with the whole self
study and Sylvan exam routine. After three weeks of studying for the A+ I
sat for both Exams on the same day and scored a 93% and 100% respectively on
the two exams. A+ was really just a good starting point to get me in the
habit of read, study, practice test, study some more, practice test and then
the Exam. After I passed my A+ exam I decided that the Cisco certifications
I had heard about would be a good route for me to take since I was looking
now for something where I felt that not only would I get a certification but
I would learn something that I could use and build on. After only a little
research I figured out that the CCNA certification was the best first step
for me. I purchased the Cisco CCNA Training Kit (100% CD-ROM based). I
know now that many people rave about Todd's CCNA book but two things kept me
from getting it, one I had yet to discover GroupStudy.Com and two I wanted
to start my foundation of learning with reading how Cisco says things should
be done since CCNA is not my last Cisco certification I plan on getting.
After starting to slowly plow through the Cisco CCNA Training Kit and
reading some of the great things about Todd's CCNA study materials I decided
to use his CCNA Exam Notes for my "Ok here's what you have to know" part of
my self study. Three quarters of the way through the Cisco materials I
realized I was going to require some sort of router or at a minimum a
simulator if I was going to be able to understand and remember the IOS
commands. I purchased the Sybex Virtual Lab e-trainer to fill that need
since a Router was not in my budget just yet. After three weeks of reading
through the entire Cisco CCNA Training Kit and insuring that I understood
the OSI Model, IP Subnet's, IP & IPX Access list etc I moved on to a quick
read through of the CCNA Exam Notes and drilling through the Virtual Lab to
make sure I was ready. I used the final exam feature from the CCNA Training
Kit and took those tests about five times and was scoring in the high 80's
with a low 90 for my last run through. The next day I scheduled my exam for
Friday on which I scored a 844.
I know this message is long but I hope that some of the people that
subscribe to this list that do not already have their CCNA will realize some
benefit from knowing what I did and the materials I used to study for the
exam.
In summary I used:
Cisco CCNA Training Kit (ISBN# 0735708797) highly recommend if you really
want to get it from the horses mouth. Has very good chapter tests, flash
card and final exam.
Todd Lammle CCNA Exam Notes (ISBN# 0782125352) Very good as a quick run
through for most of you need to know for the exam though you wont pass just
reading this book.
Sybex Virtual Lab e-trainer. (ISBN # 0782127282 )For me this was a great
program, it helped me learn the commands that were needed for the CCNA exam
by using them for the labs. Its not router but for $65 what do you expect.
I also realize that I took the 1.0 exam and not the 2.0 exam and that unless
you are a quick study of in a hurry this will be old news in two months.
I am onto studying for my CCNP next.
Thanks to everyone on this list for your great posts , advice and links.
(especially the links to free books and t-shirts!!)
John Hoeft
A+, CCNA
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