Cisco drops plans to beta CCDE practical exam

Cisco has scrapped plans to pilot its long-awaited Cisco Certified Design Expert practical exam at Networkers in June and will instead jump straight into offering the practical lab test to the public, untested, later this year, reports Cisco Subnet blogger Michael Morris. Michael had been originally invited to take part in the June beta. Michael writes: "I spoke with a CCDE team member and he indicated they are still on track to deliver the practical exam in the fall. The need for a beta test, like the one they conducted for the written exam, was unnecessary based on their analysis of the practical format and their internal progress on the test. Still, it seems awkward that the new, expert level design certification will be released to the public without a test run. Sort of like running your core routers on 12.5(99)T code."

Get more of the inside scoop at Michael's blog.

More from Cisco Subnet:

* Cisco's skill shortage math doesn't add up
* 3Com and Cisco dumb and dumber?
* CCDE practical beta test cancelled
* First look at the Cisco Nexus 5000
* Nexus: Hands on with NX-OS
* CCNP lab essentials
* Jeff Doyle: Understanding MPLS

Go to Cisco Subnet for more Cisco news, blogs, discussion forums, security alerts, book giveaways, and more.

- 20 useful sites for Cisco networking professionals
- This month's Cisco Subnet giveaways
- Network World's IT Buyer's Guide: Cisco products
- Subscribe to Network World's Cisco Alert, which includes a weekly digest of all Cisco Subnet items