Planning for Cisco Certification Examination Success

Two to eight hours of sitting nonetheless—generally utterly alone. No breaks. Somebody watching your each transfer. No snacks, no drinks, no paper, no watch, no pockets—simply a pc.

What’s the exercise? Some sort of spy coaching train? Nope. It’s a Cisco certification examination.

It’s no marvel Cisco certification exams are nerve-wracking, particularly if it’s your first one. That’s not even bearing in mind all of the finding out you must do previous to the precise examination day. The place do you begin? How do you maximize your odds of passing the examination? In case you have check anxiousness or want lodging, what are you able to do?

This weblog is right here that will help you plan for Cisco certification examination success. I’ll inform you how one can use the sources inside Cisco U. that will help you go, and share insights from two individuals who set examination parameters: Coaching Content material Product Supervisor Geoff Anderson and Studying Path Writer and Engineering Chief Mubasher Nawaz.

Why are Cisco certification exams necessary?

First, in case you’re brand-new right here, a bit primer on what certification exams are and why they matter. For practically 40 years, Cisco has been a pacesetter in networking and communications options. As a networking skilled, getting a Cisco certification serves as a stamp of experience and competency in your chosen space.

Getting Cisco Licensed isn’t one thing you may knock out in a day—it requires a major time dedication with loads of energetic studying, apply, and research hours. Prior to now, learners have put collectively their very own advert hoc research applications round their chosen certification examination. But it surely’s troublesome to determine precisely what content material you need to be finding out and perceive whether or not it’s high-quality sufficient that will help you go.

Beginning your certification research with Cisco U.

That’s the place Cisco U. is available in. The training platform offers the organized sources you want to efficiently go your certification examination. The bottom line is understanding how one can make the most of all of the options and content material inside Cisco U. to make your path to certification simpler.

Even with all these sources, you’ll have to determine what research strategies and content material sorts work greatest for you.

“Keep in mind, everyone learns otherwise,” Anderson factors out. “Some individuals like to make use of flashcards, some love to do hands-on workout routines. Experiment.” That’s why Cisco U. contains labs, apply exams, podcasts, tutorials, programs, and movies to cater to your studying temper or wants.

What are Cisco U. Studying Paths and the way do you utilize them?

For those who’re new to Cisco U., you might not have but found Studying Paths. That is the most effective place for a newcomer to begin. The Studying Paths inside Cisco U. eradicate the guesswork of finding out by placing collectively programs, labs, tutorials, and assessments multi functional place—providing you with a complete exhaustive Studying Path that teaches you the topic from prime to backside.

Can I skip across the Studying Paths in Cisco U.?

Lots of people ask whether or not they can skip round Studying Paths. The reply is…it relies upon. “For those who’re new to the topic, you must do the whole Studying Path,” Anderson recommends. “If you have already got some experience, you may simply research the topics you’re not as aware of.” In spite of everything, the purpose of the certification is that if you go, you’ll be capable to tackle skilled duties coping with that certification—not have solely partial information.

Studying Paths additionally include assessments and self-tests alongside the way in which so you may ensure you actually know the topic in addition to you assume you do. And after you’ve efficiently accomplished the Studying Path, you may transfer on to taking apply exams.

Give your self a aggressive edge with examination blueprints and apply exams

Subsequent, you’ll need to take a peek on the Cisco certification examination matters on the Cisco Studying Community (and shortly to come back, inside every Cisco U. apply examination overview) to develop a research plan.

“I like to recommend learners take a look at the examination blueprint and see what matters it covers and the way they’re weighted,” says Nawaz. “For instance, should you take a look at the CCNA matters, you’ll see the primary three depend for 65% of your rating. I’d spend most of my time finding out these.”

Cisco U. apply exams for the win

The easiest way to make sure you’re effectively hitting these weighted matters is by using the apply exams in Cisco U. “If you are able to do effectively on a apply examination, you need to be in fairly good condition to go the certification examination,” says Anderson.

Every entry right into a apply examination presents the candidate with 75 gadgets that change with each try. “I like to recommend taking the apply examination a number of occasions,” Anderson says. Follow exams could be bought individually or come as a part of a Cisco U. subscription; if bought as a person title, they’re good for 180 days (about six months). Subscriptions to Cisco U. are legitimate for a 12 months.

The apply exams include the examination targets and a rating report telling you the way effectively you probably did in every space. That approach, post-practice examination try, you may see what matters you’re scoring low in, swap again to the Studying Path, and redo these areas.

Follow exams may even assist you to replicate the examination day—tremendous useful for check anxiousness. Extra on that later.

What to keep away from when prepping for Cisco certification exams

There’s one necessary factor each Anderson and Nawaz need you to keep away from as you put together: mind dumps. “Mind dump websites are web sites the place somebody takes an examination and memorizes what’s on there, then uploads it as an inventory of check gadgets and sells it,” Anderson says.

Nawaz notes, “For those who can entry a mind dump website, we are able to additionally. We now have devoted safety personnel monitoring them for leaked content material.”

“As soon as these examination gadgets are compromised, we swap them out. Thus, counting on these websites won’t be a shortcut to passing the examination,” says Anderson. As an alternative, sticking with high-quality studying supplies and having a strong research plan are the keys to certification examination success.

What’s the precise Cisco certification examination expertise like?

Certification exams are supposed to present you’ve attained a degree of competency and you can carry out in a specified function, which suggests they’re troublesome by nature. And this implies even the check taking surroundings itself generally is a little intimidating. A certification examination usually lasts for 2 to 3 hours, however a lab check for a CCIE may last as long as eight hours.

You possibly can take a certification examination both at dwelling or in a check heart. “If there’s a check heart in your space, I like to recommend going there,” says Anderson.

Taking a certification examination at a check heart

At a check heart, the surroundings is already arrange for you, so all you must do is present up.

Different issues to know:

• You’ll have to depart your cellphone, pockets, watch, pen, paper, and calculator at dwelling (deliver your ID!). You possibly can examine with the check heart on whether or not they have lockers.
• You’ll be noticed by a proctor and take the check alongside others taking non-Cisco exams.
• Rest room breaks can final not more than 10 minutes.
• There aren’t any drinks or snacks permitted within the examination room.
• The CCIE Lab exams embody a 20-minute break and will embody lunch.
• You’ll be supplied with a small whiteboard and marker to work out issues like subnetting.

You’ll be given extra particular directions that rely on the examination you’re taking and the particular check website. Learn extra about examination insurance policies.

General, although, the one unhealthy factor about an in-person check, in line with Anderson, is that you could be be jealous of the particular person subsequent to you who’s not taking a Cisco examination—which suggests they’ve completely different testing parameters. “The contractor taking a check subsequent to me was allowed a calculator,” Anderson notes drily. Cisco exams have a calculator constructed into them.

Taking a certification examination on-line

Taking a certification examination remotely can be an choice, however there are extra-strict standards you will need to meet.

• You’ll have to indicate the proctor your examination surroundings to make sure there aren’t any books, papers, screens, or digital gadgets that might assist you to cheat.
• You have to be in a walled room with a closed door.
• No one else is allowed within the room.
• You might have water in a transparent glass.
• There aren’t any toilet breaks, because the proctor can’t see what’s occurring past that room. For those who depart the online digital camera view, your check might be over.
• Your laptop might be operating software program that screens your test-taking, and you will need to at all times have the digital camera on you.
• Throughout the examination, if deemed needed, the proctor might ask you to show the digital camera to allow them to see the remainder of the surroundings.
• No paper is allowed, however you’ll get an digital whiteboard.

Generally it’s best to arrange a distinct room for the day as an alternative of utilizing your typical workspace, the place you’ll need to disassemble and put away all of your digital gadgets. Individuals typically arrange a desk in an empty room.

For a full checklist of at-home testing necessities, take a look at these on-line testing FAQs.

Recommendation for certification examination day

It doesn’t matter what, taking the examination could be nerve-wracking. Anderson’s recommendation for the massive day:

• Hydrate beforehand.
• Get a superb night time’s sleep.
• Don’t over-caffeinate.
• Don’t freak out.

Not freaking out is certainly simpler stated than executed. So, irrespective of the place you determine to take the precise examination, attempt to replicate the check surroundings through the apply exams. Give your self a small whiteboard or digital whiteboard. Get rid of distractions. Do the apply examination with out a beverage or snack. For those who’re profitable sufficient occasions, your check anxiousness ought to reduce, if not go away fully.

However what you probably have a documented anxiousness dysfunction or one other situation, and also you’re undecided you may deal with the check surroundings, even with all this apply? Set your worries apart—there are lodging accessible.

Making use of for certification examination lodging

You possibly can qualify for a Cisco certification examination lodging by means of Pearson VUE (the check administrator) you probably have a situation that falls into one in every of these classes:

• Studying/different cognitive problems (LCD)
• Consideration-deficit/hyperactivity dysfunction (ADD/ADHD)
• Emotional, psychological, psychiatric problems (EPP)
• Bodily disabilities/continual well being situations (PCH)
  • Listening to
  • Wheelchair entry
  • Bodily impairments

You’ll have to use BEFORE you schedule the check and supply documentation about your situation.

Take a look at lodging embody:

• Textual content magnifiers reminiscent of Zoom Textual content
• A separate testing room
• Further testing time
• A reader or scribe

For those who want different lodging, the check administrator might be able to assist. Go to Pearson VUE to request check lodging for a Cisco examination.

Ultimate ideas for Cisco certification examination success

As you begin finding out, Anderson desires you to recollect this: “Don’t be discouraged if it takes you longer than what the coaching says. Although it says to spend 30-40 hours coaching, the typical is extra like 110 hours,” he notes.

What should you’ve studied and practiced as a lot as you may—and you continue to don’t go? Regroup and check out once more.

“If you don’t go, don’t despair,” Anderson says. “You’ll get a report with particulars on what areas you didn’t meet the mark on. This can be a excellent place to begin for making ready in your second try.”

A remaining notice: Many individuals taking certification exams are typically perfectionists who fret about not getting the very best attainable rating. For those who’re amongst these, attempt to loosen up, says Anderson. “A go is a win!” Anderson says. “Have fun! You’ve earned it.”

Prepared to begin finding out for a Cisco certification? Go away a remark under and let me know which examination you’re going for. Thanks for studying!

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