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Cisco Certification: Taking Your First Certification Exam |
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You've studied hard; you've practiced your configurations;
you've used your flash cards over and over again; and finally,
the big day is here. Your first certification exam!
For many Cisco certification candidates, their first exam
is the CCNA Composite exam or one of the two exams that make
up the CCNA, the Introduction To Networking exam or the ICND
(Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices) exam.
Walking into a testing center for the first time can be a
nerve-wracking experience. You've got enough on your mind
just keeping all that new information straight without worrying
about what the testing experience will be like.
You're not there to take the exam. You're there to pass the
exam. With this aggressive attitude in mind, let's take a
look at what you should expect (and not expect) when taking
your first Cisco certification exam.
Be Early and Bring Your ID.
If the testing center is not in a part of town that you drive
to in the morning, and you've got a 9 AM exam, you may find
the traffic is much heavier that time of morning than you
expected. Driving up to the testing center 10 minutes late
is not a good way to get started. If you've never been to
the center before, check their website for directions, or
call them for directions. If at all possible, drive to the
center the night before your exam.
Make sure to bring your wallet or purse. You cannot take
the exam without proper identification. You'll probably be
asked for two forms of ID, one of which must be a picture
ID.
The Testing Room
Despite the best efforts of VUE and Prometric, some testing
center rooms are afterthoughts. I strongly advise that if
you're taking your exam at a technical school, ask to see
the testing room BEFORE you sign up for the exam. If it looks
like a converted broom closet, it probably is. Those rooms
also tend to be right next to classrooms, which can result
in distracting noise during your exam.
If your testing center specializes in giving computer-based
exams rather than classes, you're probably in good shape.
Again, feel free to drop by the testing center before your
exam to take a peek at the testing room. Most testing rooms
have a window that employees use to keep an eye on testers,
and you should be able to take a peek through the window.
When you go in, you'll be asked to enter your social security
number as your testing ID. Once you do that, the exam engine
starts running. However, this doesn't mean the test starts.
The Survey
When you take a Cisco exam, you'll first be presented with
a survey. The survey consists of 10 - 20 questions asking
about your background, preparation methods, and comfort level
with different technologies. This is a good time to catch
your breath before starting the exam. The survey will only
take about five minutes, and this time does not count against
your exam time.
Pay Attention To The Exam Tutorials
You'll then be presented with an exam tutorial, showing you
how to answer the different types of questions Cisco may ask.
While most of these questions types are common sense (multiple
choice, single answer, fill-in-the-blank), I strongly urge
you to pay special attention to the router simulator question
tutorial.
The simulator questions carry more weight than the other
questions; indeed, it's almost impossible to pass the CCNA
exams if you totally miss the simulator questions. While the
interface for these exams is intuitive, sometimes students
who fail their exam complain that they were not given enough
information to answer the question. The real problem is that
they didn't look in the right place for that information.
It's not hidden, but spend a few minutes with the tutorial
and do not go forward until you're comfortable with the simulator
interface.
The Exam Itself
Finally, the exam starts! Remember, you're not being asked
anything you don't know. If you have prepared correctly with
the right tools, you'll have a passing grade on your screen
before you know it.
Speaking of that grade, you'll be presented with it about
five seconds after you answer the final question. Cisco exams
no longer allow CCNA and CCNP candidates to go back once a
question is answered, so be prepared for that.
Knowing what to expect when you go into the testing room
for the first time will magnify your chances of success. Work
hard (and smart!) while studying, achieve a combination of
theoretical knowledge and hands-on work with real Cisco routers,
and you are on your way to exam success!
About the Author:
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage,
home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study
Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. For a FREE copy
of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” and
“How To Pass The CCNP”, visit the website and download
your free copies. You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam
questions every day! Pass the CCNA exam with The Bryant Advantage!
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Relevant Resources |
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Need Cisco Hardware for your Cert? |
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| Call 813.852.6400 now for more information to find the best router or switch to best help you with your certification exam. Having "real" hands-on experience is extremely beneficial not just for testing, but also ensures you are actually familiar with the device you are working on.
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