Hi all,
After cramming in all 7exams for the Cisco Career Certifications I completed
my last exam on Friday. It has taken me 3 months to achieve all 4
certifications from January of this year. (Jan, Mar & April).
I have detailed my journey and hopeful will depart some useful information
to share with you. Some of you will disagree with my views. Please don't
take these two seriously as these are only guidelines and not absolute.
Profile
=====
Name: Danny Ristevski
3 years in data network industry.
Senior Network Architect
I took the certifications as a learning tool, and not to get more money.
Average Certification Score of 88%.
MY ANALYSIS
============
Logical Order to take exams:
=====================
CCDP
1. CCNA
2. CCDA
3. ACRC (Doing this early on will give you a good foundation for the
remaining exams)
4. CMTD
5. CLSC
6. CID (Do last as it assumes knowledge from previous exams)
CCNP
1. CCNA
2. ACRC (Doing this early on will give you a good foundation for the
remaining exams)
3. CMTD
4. CLSC
5. CIT (Do CIT last as it assumes knowledge from previous exams)
CCNA - Easy but tricky.
CCDA - Do a lot of examples, and pay attention to recommendations by Cisco.
ACRC - Tough but fair exam. Pay attention to concepts, not only to command
line configuration.
CMTD - Very easy exam. In fact too easy.
CLSC - Again pay attention to concepts and not only to command line
configurations.
CID - Learn rules very well.
CIT - Learn fault scenarios, and command line configuration.
Books
=====
* = Must have
CCNA
* Official Cisco Course Notes - 9/10
CCDA
* DCN Self Study - 9/10
CCDA Exam Certification Guide - 7/10
* Top-Down Network Design - 9/10
ACRC
* Official Cisco Course Notes - 10/10
ACRC Exam Certification Guide - 8/10
CMTD
* Official Cisco Course Notes - 10/10
CLSC
* Official Cisco Course Notes - 9/10
CLSC Exam Certification Guide - 7/10
* Cisco Interactive Mentor - LAN Switching - 10/10. Has Java applets that
simulate configuring a Catalyst switch.
CID
* Official Cisco Course Notes - 8/10.
CIT
* Official Cisco Course Notes - 7/10.
Exams
======
I found that Cisco in fact prepare very fair exams. If you have studied the
official Cisco course notes, then you will pass the exam without any
problems. Answers to 95% of exam questions come directly out of the Cisco
course notes. So there are no excuses. There is however approximately 5%
that can be found else where, usually on the Cisco web site. (I am still
tracking down an apparent command on the CIT exam question of which I don't
think exists. Oh well)
Time Frames
==========
Most people take 12 months to complete the above certifications. I find this
way to long. It is better to have studied and sat each exam regularly since
you are more likely to retain the knowledge you have learnt from previous
exams. Don't forget there is overlap with each of the exams, especially the
last (CID & CIT) two courses in each of the streams which helps greatly.
Research studies show that in fact you are likely to retain up to 70% of
reading material if reviewed shortly after. Some people will not agree with
me and comment that it is better to retain it over a longer period of time.
I challenge anyone who thinks this. I have learnt and remembered a very
large amount that I don't think I would have over an extended period of
time.
You do not have to be Einstein to pass nor get good results. Study hard and
understand what you are reading. There is a lot to learn and remember.
Constant review and therefore retention is the key to good results.
Outlook on Certifications
===================
Certifications are only as good as the amount of people who have them. I
believe that CCDP & CCNP will become very common. CCNA I think is already
devalued. If everyone has it, then it is no longer valued by industry. CCDP
& CCNP will become like this in approximately 1-2 years. So get these ASAP
to make the most of them. CCIE is still very strong and will continue to be
like that in the near future.
I wish you well in your endeavours to get certified. Make the most of it and
good luck.
Warm regards,
Danny Ristevski.
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