To put it simply, If you can teach it then you can test it. That's pretty much what I did this week for my CCENT and it worked out great.

I have got a couple Cisco certificate so far,
I found too many trainings are just useless, CBT is not bad, however I do believe if you want to go with any certificate it is better to go for practical experience first.
I always start with setting up the devices with new technologies, even if I don't know that tech, but configuration will help to understand it better.
After it, time to study and read the questions!
That's my way and you can see that from my blog as well


edit mellowd: link snipped

lol

where?

And yes, where i take the tests, i am always the only Cisco guy. The rest are Microsoft gurus. Last time i found out that they did not let me to take the test at 9am (as usual) because one guy had scheduled the CCNA at 9am.

Just to give you something to look at - Wed, 10:30am - I'm not telling what testing center.

_________________
~Cricket

my formula: practice, practice, practice , theory and finally self test.
And do not read anything or practice day before exam. Go to pub or bar or whatever..

_________________
http://geogeeks.net

its similar to my forumla practice, practice, practice, fail, revise heavy on failed topics, panic on morning of resit.

but saying this, i found it alot easier 2nd time round as you can as when revising you can kinda guess what they will ask and how they may ask it

Believe in yourself and you don't need any advise ...just crack it..tannnnnn

Hope this doesn't come across as an obvious question but how did you guys study for the CCNA? what method worked / works for you?

1-2 hours a day 7 days a week? and do you write anything down or just review the key points?

In the past I've been a more hands on practical kind of guy but now I really want the certs to bolster experience (and learn a new field ie cisco).

- Watched CBT nuggets (no notes)
- Read Lammle's guide (Sybex)
- As I was reading, I would configure switches and routers with packet tracer
- Watched CBT nuggets again (took notes)
- Practiced some more in packet tracer
- Read the free CCNA guide down at router alley (http://www.routeralley.com/ra/guides.html)
- Labbed some more (especially the parts I wasn't too strong with)
- Did some labs from http://www.freeccnaworkbook.com/
- Reread my notes + Rewatched the CBT nuggets for ICND2 (no notes, just skimmed through it)
- Aced the exam on my first try

My CCNP Route approach is similar:
- Skim through a CBT nugget portion (ie BGP)
- Read the BGP chapter in the FLG
- Watch the CBT nugget again and take notes
- lab lab lab lab lab lab lab lab lab lab lab
- next chapter

I lived on NF during the lead up to my CCNA. I believe this forum got me through.

_________________
- Pete

Read 1 book.
Read another book.
Watch CBT, (or the like).
Watch CBT and take notes, cross reference with books.
Check notes.
Lab till your eyes bleed.
Clean off eyes and lab some more.
Check notes take test.

Most people who fail, fail on simulations, hence my emphasis for labbing.
If you do enough reading the facts and figures will sink in on their own.
If you lab enough you will very quickly learn the concepts and understand them.

_________________
Good Luck,

David

Read.Lab.Notetake.Sleep.

Repeat.

_________________
Weblog -http://blog.ciscoinferno.net/
Twitter -@pandom_

Ha ha thanks guys, all sounds like solid advice!

So based off your posts - I have kicked off with the CBT Nuggets CCNA ICND1 and taking notes, am going to follow this pattern:

CBT Nuggets (notes) + Config Lab as directed by videos
Cisco ICND 1 / 2 Books (no notes)
CBT Nuggets (no notes) + Config Lab as directed by videos
Lab
CBT Nuggets (no notes)
31 Days from CCNA Exam

Exam.

What do you think? realistic CCNA target before winter? would it be better to hit the Cisco ICND1 / 2 books more than once with the above?

I'm getting through about 1 hour a night study including weekends which is working well for me as its all going in, but seems low - though as long as I have the CCNA by xmas thats fine (I have another certififcation on the go later in the year also) I want to hit the CCNP new year.

Thanks guys really appreciate your input!

I would watch first then take notes.
When you watch first you don't really know what notes to take and some things will sink in very quickly others won't.
So how will you know what notes are important to you.

Target is realistic, imo

_________________
Good Luck,

David

Thanks that makes sense, I'll drop the notes for now then and observe and absorb!

Read a lot on experiences and am informed.

Thanks my learned friends.

can we give ccna test more than once?

You can take it more than once yes

_________________
www.mellowd.co.uk/ccie/

is there any limit? what if we dont clear at once?twice?n so on..