certification-cisco

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification has become a widely recognized credential for broad information security expertise. But the challenging exam for CISSP certification requires such a wide range of security knowledge that many tech pros require some help to pass it, regardless of their experience level.

As a CISSP trainer for Certified Tech Trainers, I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about money wasted on not-so-great instructor-led training. In fact, many of my students have already invested in training that simply didn’t work for them.

You should look for several common elements when choosing a school and its course. To save you time and money, I’ve come up with six tips to help you evaluate instructor-led CISSP training.

Tip 1: Verify the credentials of the instructor
If you expect the instructor to transfer knowledge on a wide variety of security domains, make sure he or she is an expert in each of the security domains. Naturally the instructor should be CISSP certified, but I would argue that CISSP certification alone is not all you should look for.

If a Microsoft Certified Trainer is teaching Windows 2000 directory services, you don’t really need the instructor to also be a firewall guru. However, if the instructor is teaching Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) server, it would be kind of nice if the instructor really knew firewall implementations and could explain how ISA functions in comparison to Cisco PIX, Check Point Firewall NG, and Linux IP Tables.

The CISSP exam covers 10 security domains, and it’s really 10 exams in one. Look for an instructor who is a credentialed expert in each of the security domains. Desirable instructor certifications include (ISC)2’s CISSP, ISACA’s CISA, CompTIA’s Security+, SCP’s SCNP, Check Point’s CCSE and CCSI, Cisco’s CCIE, CCNP, and CCSP, Microsoft’s MCT, MCSE, and MCSD, Nokia’s NSA, TruSecure’s TICSA, and SANS’s GIAC. It is also desirable for your instructor to have a business or computer sciences degree.

Some courses have even been created by recognized authors. Although this is certainly nice, be careful that authoring is not the instructor’s only claim to fame. Getting a book deal is not that hard. Having coauthored and edited four books myself, I can speak from experience. The CISSP is an expert-level certification. Make sure your instructor is an expert in each of the 10 security domains before you sign up for a CISSP class.

You should also be careful of a school that boasts of a course created by an expert but then uses someone else to teach it. The strength of an instructor-led class comes primarily from the instructor in front of you, since it is the instructor’s ability to transfer knowledge that can really deliver the value of the class. I can tell you that it’s a lot harder to hire extremely talented and qualified instructors than it is to find or create good base content. Promoting a course created by an expert and delivered by someone else is often little more than bait-and-switch marketing.

Tip 2: Beware of the cookie-cutter course
Make sure that the course provides a foundation of solid information security training mapped to the 10 security domains of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Is the course adapted solely from a book, or does it include custom content as well? What is the extra content?

Oddly enough, you should also make sure that the instructor’s presentation actually corresponds to the course materials provided. We’ve had many frustrated students come to us after attending a presentation that didn’t even match the materials provided.

Tip 3: Evaluate the after-course study materials
Make sure that the course is set up to allow easy review. There’s an enormous amount of material to cover for the CISSP, and you’ll absolutely have to review on your own to retain all the necessary details. If the course is set up properly, it should already have critical exam points highlighted for you.

The school should not rely on your ability to remember what was important to remember for the exam. It will be hard enough just keeping up, let alone discerning what to review. Make sure the school is doing its job by taking as much of the work out of the learning process as possible. You want to have energy and concentration left for pure retention efforts without wasting them on preparatory details the school could have taken care of.

Tip 4: Ensure that the course addresses test-taking strategies
Although the school should naturally provide solid information security training and knowledge transfer, it should also provide specialized training on the art of attacking ambiguous, subjective, and very tricky exam questions. Many of our students have commented that the CISSP exam seemed as much a test of IQ as a test of infosec know-how. My opinion is that it’s both.

You’ll need to develop the skill of ferreting out the true point of a question and then determining the best answer out of four good and arguable answers. Most instructor-led courses shy from this kind of instruction, but that doesn’t mean that testing skill is bad or that you don’t need it. Just ask any CISSP about the exam. Most will just grin and swear they will never take it again!

Tip 5: Check out the opportunity to practice for the exam
Make sure that the course includes plenty of mentoring through practice exams. Simply taking practice exams for the CISSP does not work as it does for many technical certifications. From my experience, I can vouch that you’ll probably not see more than 2 to 3 percent of any practice questions on your real exam. That means you can’t “Transcender” through this one.

In preparing for my own exam, I parsed more than 2,800 commercially available practice questions from Boson, The CISSP Prep Guide, the All-in-One CISSP Certification , and the SRV publications to find and memorize more than 1,100 nonredundant questions. I can’t say for sure, but I don’t remember more than about 25 real questions that mapped very closely to practice questions. The math says you would need 10 times the memorization to get the content you need. Not much of a shortcut, is it?

So why do I recommend seeking mentored practice exams? The key word is mentored. If an exam expert walks you through the logic of attacking tricky questions, you can apply those same techniques to any exam. And if the instructor has the string of certifications mentioned in tip number 1, you can be confident that he or she has plenty of experience in taking tricky exams.

Tip 6: Don’t buy training based on pass guarantees
Beware of making your decision based upon a hollow “exam pass guarantee.” Most of these guarantees are not money-back guarantees. They often only enable you to take the class again if you fail your exam. It’s kind of like being offered a free meal from a restaurant after showing proof from the hospital that your last meal gave you food poisoning.

The benefits of getting a CCIE certification are varied, among which are the following:

* Better pay
* Career advancement opportunities
* Applies to certain minimum requirements for Cisco Silver and Gold Channel Partners, as well as those seeking Master Specialization, making you more valuable to Channel Partners.
* Better movement through the problem-resolution process when calling the Cisco TA Prestige
* Credibility for consultants and customer engineers, including the use of the Cisco CCIE logo

The other big reason to take the CCIE Routing and Switching written exam is that it recertifies an
individual’s associate-, professional-, and expert-level Cisco certifications. In other words, passing
any CCIE written exam recertifies that person’s CCNA, CCNP, CCIP, CCSP, CCDP, and so on.

(Recertification requirements do change, so please verify the requirements go/certifications.)

CCIE Routing and Switching Written Exam 350-001

The CCIE Routing and Switching written exam, as of the time of publication, consists of a two-hour
exam administered at a proctored exam facility affiliated with Pearson VUE. The exam typically includes approximately 100 multiple-choice questions. No simulation questions are currently part of the written exam.

As with most exams, everyone wants to know what is on the exam. Cisco provides general guidance
as to topics on the exam in the CCIE Routing and Switching written exam blueprint, the most recent
copy of which can be accessed.

Cisco changes both the CCIE written and lab blueprints over time, but Cisco seldom, if ever,
changes the exam numbers. (Cisco changes the exam numbers of the associate- and professionallevelcertifications when it makes major changes to what is covered on those exams.) Knowing that the content will change over time, this book includes Appendix C, “CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Updates: Version 1.0.” This appendix will include coverage of any newly added topics to the CCIE Routing and Switching written exam. When Cisco changes the blueprint, the authors will add content to cover the new topics and make that content available to all readers who have bought the earlier edition of the book. For future printings,Cisco Press will put that new content into Appendix C.

The CCIE Routing and Switching written exam blueprint, as of the time of publication, is listed in

Table I-1. Table I-1 also lists the chapter(s) that cover each topic.

The blueprint
tells you what major topics to study and by implication, what not to study. However,
the blueprint does not provide many details about the scope and depth covered for each topic. As
you prepare for the written exam, it is a good idea to study more details than you think you need to
pass the exam, because the lab exam is considerably more rigorous than the written exam.
Knowing what topics Cisco does not list in the blueprint is also useful, particularly topics that Cisco
has removed from earlier blueprints.

For example, in 2005, Cisco announced the removal of ISDN/DDR, IS-IS, ATM, and SONET from the written exam blueprint, but it added wireless. In 2007,Cisco announced a new CCIE Routing and Switching written blueprint, referenced as “version 3.0″(the older blueprints did not have a version). This version 3.0 blueprint also added and removedtopics; for example, it removed wireless coverage, but added MPLS and expanded IPv6. Always check website for the latest information regarding any other new or deleted blueprint topics. For any major changes, the authors will post a new version of Appendix C, whichwill add coverage of the new topics.

Promptly you’ve got your CCNA, you’re ready to move on to the next unalterable, the Past master certifications. Fit years, Cisco had one-liner Professional certification, the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification. One more time time, Cisco has expanded this point of certifications to group the Cisco Certified Security Able (CCSP) and Cisco Certified Turn Competent (CCVP).

With security and make known being the two most rapidly expanding areas of today’s networks, some unheard of CCNAs over successful after the CCSP or CCVP without essential adding the CCNP to their resume.

While it’s temping to hurry up and gross a Cisco custodianship or voice certification, the best fixation you can do in support of your networking occupation is achieve your CCNP certification head, then come to a decision on the CCVP or CCSP.

Why? Because the CCNA is fair-minded the gen of a entirely portly iceberg when it comes to routing and switching. It’s a identical substantial conclusion, and the CCNA is in point of fact the basis of your networking bolt, but you lack to combine on to that parallel of concordat routing and switching before inspirational on to more specialized areas.

Two examples are OSPF and BGP. You learn with respect to the theory of OSPF and some primary and intermediate configurations of that formalities in your CCNA studies, but the learning you into of OSPF in your CCNP studies is invaluable. As for BGP, there is no BGP in the CCNA curriculum, but it is a grievous impression to make some BGP instruction in today’s networks. It’s also well-proportioned instead of your career.

I know it is a gargantuan temptation to slip after the insurance and utter certifications while not paying concentration to the CCNP. Do yourself a prodigious favor and reckon the tremendous amount of routing and switching intelligence needed pro the CCNP to your knowledgebase, and you can then manoeuvre on to the CCSP or CCVP. Coextensive with more intelligent, you’ll be bettor predisposed to climb the biggest certification mountain around – the CCIE!

Computer is very wide and fast growing industry. There are different types of certification are offered by the many institutes around the world. Here we have a brief review over the types of computer certifications.

CompTIA: A+ Certification:

It is an entry level hardware certification program. It able you to install, configure, fix, upgrade and troubleshoot personal computers.

CompTIA: Network+:

This certification is related to the networking hardware and architecture.

Cisco Certified Network Associate: CCNA

This is advanced level Cisco certification that is related to the LANS and WANS. It is a demanding field.

Cisco Certified Design Associate: CCDA

This Cisco certification involves routing and switched Network infrastructures.

Cisco Certified Security Professional: CCSP

This cisco certification that deals with security in VPN and integrated network security.

Cisco Certified: CCNP

This is cisco program for network and system administrators for LAN/WAN.

Cisco Certified Internet work Professional: CCIP

It provides complete knowledge of IP technologies and also it deals with BGP and MPLS as well.

Cisco Certified InterNet work Expert: CCIE

After CCIE certification you are an expert in routing switching, communication, security and voice over network.

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: MCSE

This is a Microsoft certification for design and maintenance Microsoft based Operating systems. MCSE certification is specific to network operating systems like MCSE 2000 is for Windows 2000 and MCSE 2003 for MS server 2003.

Microsoft Certified System Administrator: MCSA

This is certification for administration of Windows 2000, windows server 2003 networks and trouble shooting.

Sun Certified Systems Administrator: SCSA

Its credentials are for UNIX and Sun Solaris operating system environment.

Sun Certified Network Administrator: SCNA

It is related to the Sun Solaris Operating System Environment and is an advanced level certification after having completed SCSA.

Oracle Certifications:

Oracle is advanced level database administration and development program. Oracle software products include a relational database, business applications, and application development and decision-support tools. It certifications includes:

* Oracle Database 10g Administrator
* Oracle Application Server 10g Administrator
* Oracle PL/SQL and Oracle Forms Developer
* Oracle 9i Database Administrator
* Oracle Application Server 9i Web Administrator
* Oracle Forms Developer 6i

Computer Aided Design & Drafting (CADD) Certification:

This is really demanding certification. The certified CADD operators can develop new drawings and plans faster than possible with traditional methods because the software automates many of the more complex and repetitive design and drawing tasks and greatly simplifies the process of making changes and improvements to existing designs.

Linux Certification

Linux is operating system that is supported by the Dell, IBA, Novell, Oracle etc. It is mostly use in servers.

Certified Internet Web Professional: CIW

This is certification programs for a professional web designers. There is a lot of demand for the certified web designers and developers in the computer industry.

If you’re reviewing for CCNA Exams, you should be aware of things that might mess up your concentration. Normally, you wouldn’t notice these things disrupting you, as they are common on your everyday life. But for you who’s about to take a major test, you’ll need to take all the focus you can get. Disturbance is the last things you’ll ever want for yourself. Here are the things you should take control while you are studying:

Taking gimmicks and engaging to fun activities. Oh yes, “you’re grounded!” In logical sense, you should be always studying if you really want to pass. Nope, I’m not being to hyperbole. Studying each day, keeps failure away. There’s no such thing as “overdose” in studying. As long as you take short brakes in recharging your brain cells, you’ll be fine. There’s no shortcut in increasing your chances in passing the CCNA exams. Interpolating from these facts, you need all the time you can get to study, even if it means “spoiling your life” in the meantime. Reserve all the fun after the CCNA Examination. Look forward on them as reward for your hard work and sacrifices. Better yet treat them as celebration perks because for sure 99.9999% you will pass. Boost your drive to achieve the CCNA Certification by keeping these happy thoughts in mind.

Being Blue. It’s okay to wear blue “_”. I mean, you should avoid feeling depressed. Emotions clutter mind. Those spaces in your brain shouldn’t be filled with distracting things. Instead, it should be loaded with lessons and data you need for the exams. So, try to avoid thinking about sadness and problems, especially heartaches.

Being self-doubted. You definitely won’t pass, if you’ve already raised the white flag. Don’t submit yourself to failure as for sure you’ll fall into it. Feeling anxious is fine. It makes you aware what you should do. However, too much of it leads to vulnerability. Believe you can do it. If you’re studying well for the CCNA Exams, the there’s nothing to worry about. Avoid this by taking tryout exams. Once you’ve passed through 10 out of 10 consecutive practice tests, you’ll feel more secured.

Talk to your family and friends regarding your preparations for the CCNA Exams. Make them aware of your need for concentration. They’ll help you obtain a good atmosphere for your review. Take control of distractions and you’ll have a well prepared “self” for passing the CCNA Exams.

Your CCNA certification exam efforts must include practicing with different password types and knowing how to configure them on a Cisco router – but for CCNA exam success and to thrive in real-world networks, you also have to know how to examine a Cisco router configuration and determine the level of network security that is already present.? After all, most routers you work with already have passwords set, and it’s up to you to determine if those passwords are getting the job done.

Let’s start with a telnet password.? Telnet passwords are configured on the VTY lines, and no telnet access is enabled on a Cisco router by default.? If you saw the following configuration, what would it mean?

line vty 0 4

?privilege level 15

?password baseball

?login

That small Cisco router configuration means three things – first, Telnet access is enabled.? Second, the password is baseball.? Third, the “privilege level 15″ command means that any user who attempts to Telnet to the router and knows the password will automatically be placed into privileged exec mode.? (If that command were not present, the user would be placed into user exec and then prompted for the enable password before being allowed into privileged exec.)

You may not want to give that level of access to all incoming Telnet connections.? If you walked into a client’s router room and saw this configuration on a router, what would it mean to you?

username halas password 0 bears

username ewbank password 0 jets

username ed privilege 15 password 0 mcdaniel

line vty 0 4

?? login local

This configuration means three things as well.? Each user attempting to telnet in will be prompted for both a username and password.? Each individual user must enter the password that’s been assigned to them.? For example, the user “halas”would have to enter the password “bears” to successfully Telnet into this router.? The command “login local” under the VTY lines means that this local database of usernames and passwords will be used for authentication.?

Again, by default, users who are Telnetting in will be placed into user exec mode by default.? Only users with “privilege 15″ in the middle of their username / password definition will be placed into privileged exec immediately upon login.

Notice that zero in each of the username / password statements?? I didn’t enter that when I configured these statements.? This number indicates the level of encryption the password is currently under; a zero is the lowest level of encryption, indicating that the passwords aren’t encrypted at all.?? There’s a single line near the top of a Cisco router configuration that tells you why.. which of these three is it?

service timestamps debug uptime

service timestamps log uptime

no service password-encryption

Simple enough!? The password encryption service is off by default.??? To turn it on. just run the command service password-encryption.? Let’s do so here and then take a look at the configuration.

R1(config)#service password-encryption

username halas password 7 1415170A1E17

username ewbank password 7 070524585D

username ed privilege 15 password 7 082C4F4A08170C121E

Now that’s what I call encryption!?? Note that the zero has changed to a “7″ – that’s the highest level of encryption on a Cisco router, and as you can see, it’s very effective.

Knowing how to read a Cisco router configuration is a valuable skill for both the CCNA certification exam and working with production networks.? Keep practicing, keep studying, and you’ll have the coveted letters “CCNA” behind your name soon!

Cisco CCNA candidates need to be aware that the current CCNA, Intro, and ICND exams are being retired as of November 6, 2007.

This is actually great news for future CCNAs, since there is more than enough time to study for the 640-801 version of the CCNA exam, even if you haven’t started studying yet!

The current version of the exam, 640-801, is challenging enough as it is – but the new version of the exam, 640-802, is going to be even more challenging! Among the new topics covered on the 640-802 exam are Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), IP Version 6 (IPv6), router security, switch security, VPNs, and wireless routing.

Why is Cisco making these changes? Cisco no longer wants the CCNA to be seen as an “entry level” certification, and I personally think that’s a welcome change. I’ve been writing CCNA ebooks and teaching in-person and internet-based CCNA courses for years, and I’ve always refused to refer to the CCNA as “entry level”. Cisco’s new entry-level certification is the CCENT, Cisco Certified Entry Level Technician, and we’ll talk about that certification in a future article.

For now, it’s important to realize that you have plenty of time to prepare for the current 640-801 exam. By doing so, you’ll earn one of the most valuable certifications avaiable today. Cisco does a tremendous job in protecting the value of its certifications, and any time spend on earning the CCNA is time well-spent.

The CCNA 640-802 exam will be available on August 1, but again, the current 640-802 exam will be available through November 5. If you want to get CCNA certified, now is definitely the time to get the job done – so get started, book your exam date today, and get CCNA certified!

The main purpose of cisco certification is to provide a way to test for the Cisco distributors and partners, staff functions. As the Cisco network equipment in the field of leadership, obtain the certificate has become a Cisco seeking work, a means of promotion and pay rise. Cisco CCIE certification exams is one of the earliest, is the industry gold content of one of the highest certificate, of course, is designed to become the most respected, one of the most difficult to obtain the certificate, CCIE certification began in 1994. To participate in CCIE Cisco before the exam do not need additional certification, but must pass a written post (that is often said that the CCIE writer) to participate in Operation Cisco lab exam (CCIE lab), if you are very unfortunate action by the laboratory examination , then Congratulations, you will have most of you want to have things. Cisco was the company needed to increase a lot more accessible than the CCIE certification, to determine the business partners of staff skills.

Pearson VUE is the only exclusive Cisco certification exam organizations to send. Cisco certification issued by Cisco to authorize the international global IT-based Pearson VUE test center to organize the examination Pearson VUE Authorised Test Centre located in major cities, students can choose according to their location near the examination room to complete their examination process .

80% of the global Internet network equipment by Cisco Systems to offer Cisco certification, therefore the main purpose is to detect global Cisco dealers and partners of staff functions. It is because of Cisco network equipment in the field of leadership, so obtaining a Cisco certification is also seeking to work, an important means of promotion and pay rise. Cisco certification system are from low to high a process, according to the actual needs of the two types of certification: The one is general certification; The other  is a professional certification. The general level of authentication is divided into three six directions, and more common is the routing and switching the direction of the certification. The series of certification programs provide two types of certificates according to the actual, a certification to achieve capacity (ie CCNA / CCNP); an authentication design capacity (ie, CCDA / CCDP). Each type of certificate is divided into two grades, namely, Associate level and Professional level. Associate level certification is received access to basic Professional level certificates, that you want to get CCNP (or CCDP) certificates need to be CCNA (or CCDA) certification.

To get Cisco certification relevant knowledge, you can self-study or to participate in Cisco partner or an authorized training center and the tests recommended by the best match for training courses.

The following is a very good article I have read over at Buzzle.com. It talks about the various opportunities that a professional will acquire after passing the Cisco CCNA exam and obtaining this entry level certification.

Software industries are desperately in need of information technology professionals certified in the aspect of networking. You are almost guaranteed a job provided you possess an excellent working knowledge of protocols such as IP, IGRP, Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, and VLAN’s as well as installing, configuring, operating, maintaining, and trouble shooting LAN, WAN and other networks. One way to be sure you have such proper networking experience and knowledge is through obtaining your Cisco Certified Network Associate certification.

This CCNA certification is an entry level certification for all certified IT professionals who specialize in computer networking. This certification is just the first step towards even higher levels of training, such as Cisco Certified Network Professional or Cisco Certified Internet work Expert certification.

A CCNA certification is often the best option for field technicians, IT helps desk engineers, and other professionals of information technology based on overseeing the computer networking process. It is considered to be the basic qualification for installing, operating, configuring and troubleshooting a mid-sized switched and routed network. A professional with CCNA training is trusted to work with a networking environment which would include a group of switched networks. They can manage a host of computer routed networks connected through switches with the greatest of ease.

There is an ever increasing demand for networking specialists as businesses reliance on computers grow and with that the value of a CCNA certification is also finding itself to be a hot commodity among the information technology industry’s job market. It is a benchmark for discovering who are the best and the most efficient technicians are who aren’t in network management. Think of it as a way to filter out the cream of the crop from the rest.

The certification examination is structured around a set of questions with drag and drop options, multiple choice single answers, multiple choice multiple answers, simulations and fill in the blank type of questions. While at first glance, that may sound to be quite easy, to be truly successful and pass this test professional training is required. The examination is built so that your technical and special knowledge of computer networking environments and solutions are pushed to the limits. Basically, not everyone can pass this test.

In today’s ultra-competitive job market, you need every advantage you can to market yourself. You need something to make yourself more attractive to a business compared to another IT professional. A CCNA certification, accepted and recognized all over the world, is the perfect tool to do just that. The CCNA examination is used as a tool for sorting out the best networking professionals who would be responsible for the management and maintenance of the networking environments.

I’ve seen many people failed on their CCNA exam while CCNA is the most basic exam of the Cisco certification series.

This is because most of the exam candidates didn’t prepare enough for the exam, got nervous at the exam and failed due to minor mistakes.

I have my own successful way to prepare for the exam, I’ve collected many things to help me pass the CCNA exam.

You may or may not agree to me, yet I got a pretty good score at the exam, only got 1 false answer.

I don’t mean to show off or anything, but my point is anyone can get this score if you prepare properly, so here is my 8 things to help me passCCNA exam:

It is natural to get as many resource about the exam, but too many information can seriously damage your brain. The key is to get the right resource to learn from and focus on them before you decide they’re not enough and search for more.

1. BOOKS

I like the work of Todd Lammle, he explains the materials in CCNA exam with easy ways to understand.
Although books are good but the problem with books is that you can get tired reading them all day long, so I figure I need some other resources.

2. VIDEO TUTORIALS

I highly recommend video tutorials from CBT Nuggets, especially the author Jeremy Ciaora, great video series.
The video is quite expensive US$ 399.00 for the CCNA Certification Package, but I’m telling you its worth the money.
In the video you can watch configuration of true Cisco devices along with the explanation, which Jeremy Ciaora did a great job in explaining the topics.
Video tutorials are great but sometimes they don’t cover everything about the exam – due to the limited time I suppose, that’s why you also need the books to complement each other.

3. BLOGS/SITES

Browse the internetnet, find free exam questions that you can try answering, find out how everyone did the exam, how they succeed, how they failed, this can be a very valuable lessons for you.
Visit my blog often at http://networking-newbie.blogspot.com

4. CISCO SIMULATORS

You can get many free or paid Cisco Network Simulator from the internet, some are good, some have limited functions:

Dynamips – free router simulator using command line interface (no GUI)
GNS3 – GUI version of Dynamips
Boson NetSim – paid simulator complete with labs samples
Cisco Packet – free simulator from Cisco

It is very important to get your hands on one of these simulators, you need to get yourself a hands on experience configuring cisco devices.
If you have more budget, build your own Cisco home lab.

As one of the readers commented on this post (thank you Robert Williams from certguard.com), I realized that using braindump softwares are illegal, I decided to empty the following two points:

5. QUESTIONS BANK

6. EXAM SIMULATOR

7. TIME

I can’t stress you enough about this, time is very important, you have to invest your time seriously to take the exam. The CCNA exam is not the kind of exam where you can cram yourself to study in the weekend and hope to pass in the following Monday.

When I talk about time, it also means that you have to practice yourself in answering questions as quick as possible, remember you have a very limited time and you can’t go back to previous questions you’ve answered.
So you need to know your self capacity and try to do the exam in a limited time and remember you’d be in a pressure when dealing with the real exam.

8. D-DAY PREPARATIONS

The d-day has come, you’re nervous as hell, plus you can’t bring anything to the exam class except for pens or pencils.
You’d be given a scrap of paper to calculate subnets or something else.

This is a good news, you do allowed to take notes on the paper when taking the exam. Before you get even more nervous, you can write down the keypoints in calculating subnets, for example 8th bit = 128, 7th bit = 64, 5th bit = 32, and so on.
You’d be presented with the exam rules, etc before taking the exam, you have to know well the rules before and take this time to write down your notes.
But remember don’t write down any configuration commands because they might think you’re cheating.

This method of writing notes can help speed your time in calculating subnets.
Why only subnets? I have to remind you that CCNA exam will test you heavily on subnetting, and in my opinion it will be the topic that is taking most of your time in the exam.

That’s all I got to say right now I hope the above things can help you out. If you have any other suggestions, please kindly comment on this post at my blog.