Passed CCIE Written!

[Rob Fielding]

This was no easy test.  I got 78%.  It wasn't very ambiguous, but I really had to pick apart details to choose an answer.  To make matters worse, the test exploded half-way through.  Fortunately, when they got it restarted, it picked up where I left off.  I finished with plenty of time to spare.  An occasional joke planted in the test helped to clear my head a few times.  I didn't notice a focus on any one subject.  There was an even mix of everything (and I mean everything!).  This test was more detailed than ACRC.   I didn't do a very good job studying for this test.  I dragged it out too long.  I was going to take it before my son was born, but he arrived a month early so its been hard to find study time recently.  I could have taken it a couple of months ago after I finished my CCNP cert, but I was just too lazy.    The resources I used were:  CertificationZone - very good, probably the single best resource, but I don't like the fact that you can only take the tests once each.  CCIE Exam Cram - surprisingly detailed.  Good sample test, but not enough by itself. Que CCIE prep kit - Average. Boson - loaded with errors.  Very frustrating.  I never even tried all four tests.  I just gave up after two. I have Internet Routing Architectures and Routing TCP/IP, but I haven't read them yet.  I just used them for reference occasionally.  CCNP and field experience - This would have been too hard without experience and focused studying.   Well, now I'm off to find a lab date and give away $1000 to Cisco.  Wish me luck.   -Rob Fielding