Two to eight hours of sitting nonetheless—generally fully 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 form of spy coaching train? Nope. It’s a Cisco certification examination.
It’s no surprise Cisco certification exams are nerve-wracking, particularly if it’s your first one. That’s not even making an allowance for all of the learning you must do previous to the precise examination day. The place do you begin? How do you maximize your odds of passing the examination? If in case you have take a look at nervousness or want lodging, what are you able to do?
This weblog is right here that can assist you plan for Cisco certification examination success. I’ll let you know find out how to use the assets inside Cisco U. that can assist you go, and share insights from two individuals who set examination parameters: Coaching Content material Product Supervisor Geoff Anderson and Studying Path Creator and Engineering Chief Mubasher Nawaz.
Why are Cisco certification exams necessary?
First, in case you’re brand-new right here, just a little primer on what certification exams are and why they matter. For practically 40 years, Cisco has been a frontrunner 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 possibly can knock out in a day—it requires a major time dedication with loads of energetic studying, follow, and research hours. Prior to now, learners have put collectively their very own advert hoc research packages round their chosen certification examination. Nevertheless it’s tough to determine precisely what content material you need to be learning and perceive whether or not it’s high-quality sufficient that can assist you go.
Beginning your certification research with Cisco U.
That’s the place Cisco U. is available in. The training platform offers the organized assets you’ll want to efficiently go your certification examination. The secret is realizing find out how to 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 assets, you’ll have to determine what research strategies and content material varieties work finest for you.
“Keep in mind, everyone learns otherwise,” Anderson factors out. “Some folks like to make use of flashcards, some love to do hands-on workouts. Experiment.” That’s why Cisco U. contains labs, follow 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?
If you happen to’re new to Cisco U., chances are you’ll not have but found Studying Paths. That is the very best place for a newcomer to start out. The Studying Paths inside Cisco U. eradicate the guesswork of learning 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 high 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. “If you happen to’re new to the topic, it’s best to do all the Studying Path,” Anderson recommends. “If you have already got some experience, you possibly can simply research the themes you’re not as aware of.” In spite of everything, the purpose of the certification is that if you go, you’ll be capable of tackle skilled duties coping with that certification—not have solely partial information.
Studying Paths additionally comprise assessments and self-tests alongside the way in which so you possibly can be sure to actually know the topic in addition to you suppose you do. And after you’ve efficiently accomplished the Studying Path, you possibly can transfer on to taking follow exams.
Give your self a aggressive edge with examination blueprints and follow exams
Subsequent, you’ll wish to take a peek on the Cisco certification examination subjects on the Cisco Studying Community (and shortly to come back, inside every Cisco U. follow examination overview) to develop a research plan.
“I like to recommend learners take a look at the examination blueprint and see what subjects it covers and the way they’re weighted,” says Nawaz. “For instance, in the event you take a look at the CCNA subjects, you’ll see the primary three depend for 65% of your rating. I’d spend most of my time learning these.”
Cisco U. follow exams for the win
One of the simplest ways to make sure you’re effectively hitting these weighted subjects is by using the follow exams in Cisco U. “If you are able to do properly on a follow examination, you need to be in fairly good condition to go the certification examination,” says Anderson.
Every entry right into a follow examination presents the candidate with 75 objects that change with each try. “I like to recommend taking the follow examination a number of instances,” Anderson says. Observe exams will 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 yr.
The follow exams comprise the examination goals and a rating report telling you the way properly you probably did in every space. That means, post-practice examination try, you possibly can see what subjects you’re scoring low in, swap again to the Studying Path, and redo these areas.
Observe exams may also assist you to replicate the examination day—tremendous useful for take a look at nervousness. 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 a listing of take a look at objects and sells it,” Anderson says.
Nawaz notes, “If you happen to can entry a mind dump website, we are able to additionally. We’ve devoted safety personnel monitoring them for leaked content material.”
“As soon as these examination objects are compromised, we swap them out. Thus, counting on these websites is not going to be a shortcut to passing the examination,” says Anderson. As an alternative, sticking with high-quality studying supplies and having a stable 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 stage of competency and you could carry out in a specified position, which implies they’re tough by nature. And this implies even the take a look at taking setting itself is usually a little intimidating. A certification examination usually lasts for 2 to 3 hours, however a lab take a look at for a CCIE might last as long as eight hours.
You possibly can take a certification examination both at dwelling or in a take a look at middle. “If there’s a take a look at middle in your space, I like to recommend going there,” says Anderson.
Taking a certification examination at a take a look at middle
At a take a look at middle, the setting 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 (convey your ID!). You possibly can verify with the take a look at middle on whether or not they have lockers.
You’ll be noticed by a proctor and take the take a look at alongside others taking non-Cisco exams.
Toilet 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 precise take a look at website. Learn extra about examination insurance policies.
General, although, the one unhealthy factor about an in-person take a look at, in accordance with Anderson, is that you could be be jealous of the individual subsequent to you who’s not taking a Cisco examination—which implies they’ve totally different testing parameters. “The contractor taking a take a look at 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 also be an choice, however there are extra-strict standards you have to meet.
You’ll have to indicate the proctor your examination setting to make sure there aren’t any books, papers, screens, or digital gadgets that would assist you to cheat.
You have to be in a walled room with a closed door.
No person else is allowed within the room.
You’ll have water in a transparent glass.
There aren’t any toilet breaks, for the reason that proctor can’t see what’s occurring past that room. If you happen to depart the online digicam view, your take a look at might be over.
Your pc might be working software program that screens your test-taking, and you have to at all times have the digicam on you.
Throughout the examination, if deemed obligatory, the proctor could ask you to show the digicam to allow them to see the remainder of the setting.
No paper is allowed, however you’ll get an digital whiteboard.
Typically it’s best to arrange a special room for the day as a substitute of utilizing your typical workspace, the place you’ll need to disassemble and put away all of your digital objects. Folks usually arrange a desk in an empty room.
For a full listing of at-home testing necessities, try these on-line testing FAQs.
Recommendation for certification examination day
It doesn’t matter what, taking the examination will be nerve-wracking. Anderson’s recommendation for the large day:
Hydrate beforehand.
Get evening’s sleep.
Don’t over-caffeinate.
Don’t freak out.
Not freaking out is certainly simpler mentioned than finished. So, irrespective of the place you resolve to take the precise examination, attempt to replicate the take a look at setting throughout the follow exams. Give your self a small whiteboard or digital whiteboard. Eradicate distractions. Do the follow examination and not using a beverage or snack. If you happen to’re profitable sufficient instances, your take a look at nervousness ought to reduce, if not go away completely.
However what in case you have a documented nervousness dysfunction or one other situation, and also you’re unsure you possibly can deal with the take a look at setting, even with all this follow? Set your worries apart—there are lodging out there.
Making use of for certification examination lodging
You possibly can qualify for a Cisco certification examination lodging by means of Pearson VUE (the take a look at administrator) in case you have a situation that falls into one in all these classes:
Studying/different cognitive issues (LCD)
Consideration-deficit/hyperactivity dysfunction (ADD/ADHD)
Emotional, psychological, psychiatric issues (EPP)
Bodily disabilities/continual well being situations (PCH)
Listening to
Wheelchair entry
Bodily impairments
You’ll have to use BEFORE you schedule the take a look at and supply documentation about your situation.
Check lodging embody:
Textual content magnifiers reminiscent of Zoom Textual content
A separate testing room
Extra testing time
A reader or scribe
If you happen to want different lodging, the take a look at administrator could possibly assist. Go to Pearson VUE to request take a look at lodging for a Cisco examination.
Remaining ideas for Cisco certification examination success
As you begin learning, Anderson needs 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 in the event you’ve studied and practiced as a lot as you possibly can—and you continue to don’t go? Regroup and take a look at once more.
“If you don’t go, don’t despair,” Anderson says. “You’re going to get a report with particulars on what areas you didn’t meet the mark on. This can be a good place to begin for making ready on your second try.”
A closing word: Many individuals taking certification exams are typically perfectionists who fret about not getting the very best doable rating. If you happen to’re amongst these, attempt to calm down, says Anderson. “A go is a win!” Anderson says. “Rejoice! You’ve earned it.”
Prepared to start out learning for a Cisco certification? Depart a remark beneath and let me know which examination you’re going for. Thanks for studying!
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