Test Prep for CCNA

[Kerranger]

Anyone ever use Trainsignal, CBT nuggets, Testout, Actualtests, etc to prepare for a tech exam? I am a networking major, and my classes pretty much consist of surfing the web while the teachers discuss the newest tech gadget they bought and how awesome it is, so theyre fairly useless to me.
I dont plan on using only these methods to pass an exam, and I dont plan on using a brain dump to memorize questions just for a test, I am just wondering if anyone has used them as a study AID for CCNA, or MCSE, or whatever, and how it worked out. Any other guides and/or books anyone has used that prepared them well would be a welcome addition to this topic, as well.

[Delias]

Just answer C to everything.

Even if it's not multiple choice.

[Kerranger]

As a general rule, i always just made cute designs and pictures with the multiple choice tests. However, I would kinda like to actually do well on these.

[LMingrone]

Any other guides and/or books anyone has used that prepared them well would be a welcome addition to this topic, as well.

I was a computer science major, and this is what I did (It's kind of immoral, so it's your choice to follow it or not). Cheat. Not stealing other peoples answers, that's not gonna help. Save equations and algorithms that are hard to remember.... print them out on picture size paper, in a small font....put 'em in your pocket. I never understood that in the internet age, if you have the smarts to figure something out in thirty seconds, they need you to do it on paper. Sooooo unproductive. Time=$.

My professor was one of the inventors of the internet, and wrote the first software for video on computers. I just used my TI83 and slammed the tests out. He knew i did it, but knew you use the tools at hand and get the job done, bottom line.

What exactly are you studying? I can give you some stuff to read and study. I don't expect anyone to do what I did. Here to help.

[Kerranger]

I am a networking major. I will be taking the MCSE (or whatever it has evolved into) and CCNA tests soon. I dont really think i have any need to cheat, its just that my teachers, while being brilliant guys who know their subject matter, probably shouldnt be teaching, since they dont. Which is why i am looking more into ways to study and prep for the tests on my own.

[LMingrone]

Our generation probably knows 100x more about networking than the teachers that are teaching us. I wasn't suggesting you do what I did in any way. If you're interested in networking you must be able to to use Google (and other shady ebook site, it took me about 10 seconds to find useful material). What I would do....do the normal class work, then out of the blue, when you're not even required to, write a thesis on Facebook, IRC, or something. A+ fooo sure.

/Welcome 127.0.0.1

[zhelas]

Anyone ever use Trainsignal, CBT nuggets, Testout, Actualtests, etc to prepare for a tech exam? I am a networking major, and my classes pretty much consist of surfing the web while the teachers discuss the newest tech gadget they bought and how awesome it is, so theyre fairly useless to me.
I dont plan on using only these methods to pass an exam, and I dont plan on using a brain dump to memorize questions just for a test, I am just wondering if anyone has used them as a study AID for CCNA, or MCSE, or whatever, and how it worked out. Any other guides and/or books anyone has used that prepared them well would be a welcome addition to this topic, as well.

CBT nuggets is good if you like to have the classroom experience again. But you are already in a classroom bored out of your mind. One the best thing I can honestly tell you for CCNA is to get as much lab time as you can and just practice banging out the commands on router and switches. Real equipment is best. You can normally get what you need off of ebay. However there are simulators out there but they are expensive. (Boson is one for example) Also check Cisco's website and make sure you understand everything they list for that certification.

One thing I did notice whether it was Cisco or Microsoft. The exam that actually gives you a certification is usually a bit more challenging.

I agree that using brain dumps will only prove that you can memorize answers. Actualtests etc etc.. really are braindumps that you are paying for. The only good thing about them is you can get a general idea of the type of questions you will be taking. If you do look at the "practice tests" make sure that you understand the reasons behind the answers.

I forgot what the passing grade was for CCNA. The nice thing about the exams is you can take them again if you fail. I do believe there is a small waiting period if you happen to fail and it will probably cost you $125 to $150 to retake it.

[zhelas]

One other thing, I don't know how much industry experience you have. Certifications from my own observations from being in IT will get you through the initial screening process when looking for a job. Then you will need to know you stuff for the technical interview. Most employers know there are those "practice tests" and many folks unfortunately in the IT field are just "Paper Tigers" with certifications who just memorized braindumps.

[Kerranger]

I have zero industry experience. Sitting in a classroom learning something doesnt bother me though. Sitting in a classroom while the teacher talks about something completely unrelated does bother me. We do simulations on packet tracer for homework, while working through the Cisco books, but its basically..."oh yeah. you guys get these labs done", then at the end of the semester he halfass grades them all and there isnt really any feedback on anything. Pretty much everyone just makes a C and you move on to the next section. Theres no way to avoid taking the classes, so i said fuck it, ill do it on my own.

[g++]

Just answer C to everything.

Even if it's not multiple choice.

Certainly gives new meaning to my old fraternity brothers mantra "C's get degrees"

[AnticorRifling]

I have zero industry experience. Sitting in a classroom learning something doesnt bother me though. Sitting in a classroom while the teacher talks about something completely unrelated does bother me. We do simulations on packet tracer for homework, while working through the Cisco books, but its basically..."oh yeah. you guys get these labs done", then at the end of the semester he halfass grades them all and there isnt really any feedback on anything. Pretty much everyone just makes a C and you move on to the next section. Theres no way to avoid taking the classes, so i said fuck it, ill do it on my own.

Go go paper tiger.

[Kerranger]

Well, would you suggest i put off the test and take a shitty job to get my foot in the door? Cause my school is doing nothing to prevent me from becoming a paper tiger, so either i do it with them, or do it on my own, it seems unavoidable at this point. No company will hire without experience except a helpdesk, if you have A+, so would you suggest that? Im trying to solve the problem, and youre pointing out that the solution ive come to, to actually learn on my own, is wrong. So make a suggestion if you have one.

[AnticorRifling]

Test prep != learning Test prep = cram it, take it, dump it.

Get it, it's better than not getting it obviously. But you're going to be a paper tiger which is why I said


Go go paper tiger.

I will edit to add getting it on your own does show some iniative but really real world experience (which you have none) is > certs in this field. The certs are required but the experience is what gets you hired, why take the time to teach someone when they can do it on someone else's dime? That's the general rule of thumb for this business, although you can get lucky and get in if you've got solid interview skills and can show things like iniative (ie getting the certs on your own). I just wouldn't mention you got them via exam cram because your schooling sucked.

[Kerranger]

Yeah. I am aware of what you said. Which is why i asked for a suggestion to avoid it. But forget about it. Ill handle it.

[Buckwheet]

My only recommendation is to not only pass the exams, but then be prepared for a demonstration in your interview. A lot more places have been requiring people to show they know what they are talking about not just talk the talk.

[AnticorRifling]

Yeah. I am aware of what you said. Which is why i asked for a suggestion to avoid it. But forget about it. Ill handle it.

There isn't a way to avoid it given the details you've presented. What you can do is get the CCNA complete your course work and retain enough that you're not fired in the first 30 days.

Exactly like buckwheet said in our interviews for desk techs I'd do the standard "Give an example of a tough situation you resolved with an upset customer/coworker/polar bear" but at the end I'd bring in a laptop and say here this is a user's it can't get on the network, fix it you've got 20min.

The laptop just needed an ip address....didn't have a single person pass that test it made me hate pc pro schools or whatever the fuck for profit vomit out cert retards institute.

[Kerranger]

Thats a much better post than "Go Go paper tiger". Thanks.

[AnticorRifling]

Go get a part time job now any kind of actual support I'm sure your school has a lab, be in charge of it or whatever.