ITSupportSolving any IT problems

 

Cisco Certification Tips

Cisco is the most prestigious name in the world of computer networking. Cisco has an extensive product line to meet all your networking needs. Routers, switches, firewall, wireless devices, voice and video over IP and data centre solutions are the main products among many others. To support this extensive product line, both end user and Cisco want to have highly skilled trained personnel. Cisco has designed various computer network training programs to train the people to handle different levels of networks. Some of the certifications are listed below:

1. CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
2. CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)
3. CCIE (Cisco Certified Internet Expert)

CCNP and CCIE are two levels of specialization and are in various flavours such as CCNP (Routing and Switching), CCNP (Security) etc. In addition to that CCDA (Cisco Certified Design Associate) and CCDP (Cisco Certified Design Profession) are also available. All these certifications have become so popular that while hiring a networking professional all the organizations gauge the ability of a candidate on the basis of the certifications he has done. So it is very important to become Cisco Certified to find a job in networking world.

CCIE is the top level certification and it requires passing a written as well as Lab exam. Whereas beginner level CCNA and intermediate level CCNP require only written exam. Even if you have prepared well for the exam, taking the exam at the prometric can be a bit overwhelming. Keep the following things in mind before and during the exam:

• Reach the testing centre in time. If you do not know the location, try finding it one day before the exam. Also try to check the environment of the testing centre before booking. It should be calm and pleasant with no disturbance.
• Relax before the exam.
• Familiarize with the exam. Before the exam starts, you are given an option to check the exam pattern. Do opt for this.
• The duration for exam is 90 minutes so you must know how much time you are going to spend on each question. Do consider that simulations take more time to answer.
• Note down important points before exam. Ask for a pen and paper and write down important information such OSI layers, access lists format, important tables such as power of 2, Class A, B, C address ranges and properties so that during the exam no time is wasted in recalling these.
• Remember that you cannot return to a question after answering. So be very careful and don’t rush.
• The simulator questions carry more marks than the others. You cannot pass the exam if you totally miss them.
• There is no negative marking. So do not leave any question unanswered. If you do not know the correct answer, eliminate all the impossible options and then try your best guess.
• In the end, work hard and be smart during the exam. Achieve a combination of theoretical knowledge and  hand on experience with real Cisco devices and you are on your way to exam success.