Bad, bad Wendell. Zero progress on my cert goals this year. How about you?
Back in January, I posted about our collective new year's resolutions regarding certification. We had a pretty healthy response on the survey as to what certifications you each planned for 2008. I promised then to help in an ever so slight way by asking you each quarter about your progress. Hopefully, stopping for a few minutes to consider your current progress will be worth the time. So... how's your progress?
My own personal story shouldn't be used as a gauge. I tend to do a better-than-average job of balancing work and home, but to do that, I seldom let work encroach on time at home unless I just can't avoid it. Translated, when work takes too much time, then things like certification prep and skills development don't get done. This year hasn't quite worked out for work projects, and I've getting eaten alive with a project that's taking waaaay more time than I projected. In my case, I was hoping to pass the CCVP exams this year, but my motivation wasn't related to getting a promotion or getting another job - I'm not looking, cause I've got a pretty sweet deal already. So don't use me as a test case.
But enough about me - let's talk about how we're all doing. I've created a few informal surveys so we can get a sense from everyone about your progress, and if you're not making as much progress, why not. So, take a few minutes to do some honest self-assessment. If you set 2008 certification goals back in January, how far should have gotten by today? Then, ask yourself, how much progress have you actually made? For example, if your goal like mine was to pass all 5 CCVP exams by now, and I'd planned to do 1 every 2 months, then I should have passed 2 and be started getting ready for the 3rd exam. I've done... nothing. So, the math is easy in my case, but you get the idea. Here's the survey:
I'll be curious to find out how you're all doing, and see how many of you are showing me up, since I've had to answer in the 0-50% range!
Next, for perspective, I'd like to hear about why you've been successful. That's harder to survey, but if you're willing to post, let us know the one most important factor that's helped you keep on track.
Finally, on the flip side, if you're not making the progress you'd like, what's the #1 problem that's holding you back? That's somewhat easier to survey, so I've offered a survey for that as well. Feel free to post regarding these challenges as well.
Odom, CCIE No, 1624, splits time between writing books for Cisco Press and teaching classes for Skyline ATS. In his 25-ish years in the networking industry, he has worked as as a pre-sale and post-sale SE for a few networking vendors, as well as a network engineer implementing network technology. Wendell has spent the majority of the last 15 years teaching, consulting, and writing about networking technologies, most of which in some way relate to Cisco products. His books include titles on QoS, CCIE R/S, as well as several titles related to CCNA certification, including the September 2007 book CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (CCNA Exam 640-802) (Read a sneak peek of chapter 7). Click for the list of current titles by Wendell.
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Getting there...
My main goal this year was getting my CCNP. I was hoping to spend about 2 months per test. Well, I had a few major lapses in motivation and it took 2 tries, but I finally passed the BSCI test about 3 weeks ago. Fortunately, I've been cranking through the BCMSN (which is where most of my experience lies) and I should be taking that test by the end of the month. Barring any issues with that, I'll only be one month behind.
With any luck, I can make up the time over the next 2 tests. That should hopefully give me enough time to also pick up my CCDP by the end of the year.
I'd say the most helpful thing for me has been hands-on practice. I've been using the Cisco Press Lab Companion books as my main lab source material. I definitely recommend them.
How much reading vs. doing?
Hey J,
Congrats on getting through BSCI. Seems like a lot of folks these days get more exposure to switches, and less on routers, making BSCI a particular challenge.
I've got more lab topics planned for down the road, but a quick question - if you had to guess, what percent of your BSCI prep was labbing rather than reading? I'm sure that percentage would vary based on each person's skill level coming into the study process, but it would be interesting to get some quick input. Thanks!
Wendell
More reading than labbing
Most of my study time came from reading. I read both the Cisco Press Self Study and Exam Prep books cover to cover. After that, I went through the Cisco Press Lab Companion a couple of times for hands-on practice. Throughout I was taking the practice test included in the Cisco Press book.
After I failed the first time (by 2 points... Arg!!), I mainly focused on reading in the sections where I didn't do so great.
So I guess in the end, it was probably something like 65% reading, 25% hands-on, 10% practice tests.
For the BCMSN, I'm actually keeping a study journal to help keep me on track and record how much time that I put into everything.
On Track!
I should be on track to get my CCNA by the end of June. Hopefully. It's something I should've taken care of years ago but somehow the start of this year gave me a reason to come up with a cool new year's resolution. So I thought I'd pick up some kind of Cisco certification. CCNA was the logical first step.
So far so good. I've kept up with my study schedule and learning a lot. I passed my CCENT last March and hope to pass ICND2 by the end of June. And, why the heck not, move on to CCNP after that.
For my study materials, I'm primarily using an exam guide by some guy named Wendell Odom. I hear he's pretty good ;) Hey, I used his ICND1 book to pass the first one!
Did chunking into 2 exams help?
Aragoen,
Congrats, glad to hear that you got through CCENT. And thanks for buying the books - that's one little step closer for getting the $$ to send my daughter to college!
Since you're smack dab in the middle of it, I'd be curious as to if you thought that the 2-exam path you chose was a good choice for you, or if you're thinking that you should've taken the 1-exam option.
Regardless, I'll look for your post when I ask about resolutions in 3Q08!
Wendell
Re: Did chunking into 2 exams help?
Ok, first of all, help your daughter the first year of college, then make her pay for the rest. It'll teach her good money management and financial responsibilities. Trust me, I'm 32 and I'm still paying for that "expensive" lesson on responsibility. LOL.
And regarding the 2 exam route, I have no doubt that it was the best route for me. For anyone that might be interested to know as well, the way I structured my study method is that I broke the two tests down to 3 months per test. Your books basically have 17 core chapters each. For each book, I scheduled 4 days per chapter. The four days is spent reading the chapter, taking comprehensive notes, answering the "Do I know it Already? Quiz" and chapter reviews, then re-reading it again. I also throw in short lab practices here and there. Here's a sample of my study schedule: http://routemyworld.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/my-new-study-schedule/
By the time I'm done with the book, I would've effectively read it twice in two months. And the last months is spent reviewing, labs, and practice exams.
Alright, back to studying I go..
If I took the 1 test route, there is no doubt that
I would at least take the whole six months to study for it just to make sure I acquire the "minimum" knowledge required to pass the test. And with my attention span, I'd probably forget everything I learned the first two months.
One exam every 2 months
My main goal this year is to get my CCNP. I've passed the BCMSN and now working to get the BSCI.
What really got my attention was that both jrensink78 and Wendell planned to do 1 exam every 2 months.
I know it really depends on things such as time availability, money etc.. and besides that everyone has its own pace.
My goal is to do one exam every 4 months.
Considering that, at this stage, 43% people voted that availability of time has caused most problems so I was wondering if other people have the same "two months goal for each exam" and if it's a realistic goal!
My greatest goal is always to learn and not only pass the exam and I really don't think two months are enough time for someone "to learn" mostly when you work, have a family etc..and also when you don't have experience at work regarding the exams' topics.
Murilo
4 Months is probably a more reasonable goal
Hey Murilo,
Yep, the time available per week can become an issue. I'm sure there's a point at which cramming into too small a timeframe is maybe too quick, and timeframes that are so long that you start forgetting stuff. For my old memory, if I take more than a couple of months, then I start forgetting.
Also, Jrensink78 may be a reasonable comparison case - I dunno - but don't use my 2 months/exam for CCVP as a realistic gauge. I've probably known at least half the CCVP topics well enough to teach them at some point over the years. I even learned a lot of the voice theory (gulp) 25 years ago at Ga. Tech (go bees!). Yikes, that's a while ago. If I was shooting for a CCxP that I had relatively low skills going in, I think 3-4 months would be closer to my own personal goal. Maybe I'll add that to my list of upcoming topics - how long is too long to study for a test before you start requiring a lot of review.
And I agree, if you want to really know it as the first priority, rather than just pass, then it's for sure going to take longer.
Thanks, and keep up the learning!
Wendell
time per test
If I had to be honest, I have a history of setting aggressive goals. I probably fail to meet them most of the time, but usually I end up accomplishing more because my goals were aggressive.
In order to hit my 2 month per test goal, I do have to put in a good amount of studying on a daily basis. Typically I'll spend 1-2 hours per day studying. When preparing for most tests, I'll read 2 study books, go through hands-on practice and also do practice tests. So to fit that all in to 2 months, I try to finish reading both books in a month. Then spend a couple of weeks hitting the hands-on practice hard. I'll usually squeeze in practice tests throughout the process. That leaves 2 weeks to assess myself and try to work on any weak areas before the test.
So it's pretty aggressive, especially when I go into a test without much familiarity of the subject. The BSCI was a challenge for me, and I ended up spending 4.5 months on it. I had couple of breaks in there, which didn't help my time line (but did help my stress levels).
Setting a goal that is realistic to you is the first step. Once you have that goal, be sure to set mile-markers for yourself. It'll help you keep on track. I ended up writing down daily goals for my current test. That way, I know where I need to be to stay on track. It's nice, because I can sometimes work ahead and then not feel guilty about taking a few slacker days. On a 4 month time frame, maybe you could write down weekly goals for yourself. Every so often, assess your plan and adjust your schedule if you feel you need more time or if you can comfortably go faster.
Good luck with your studies!
I started my 2008 resolution
I started my 2008 resolution a little late (March) but I'm right on track. One thing I've learned when wanting to get certifications is to go ahead and schedule the test. I generally estimate two months per subject so I'll go ahead and schedule my test two months out. After about five to six weeks I can evaluate where my studies are and reschedule the test accordingly trying to do my best not to move the test back at of. If I reschedule then it's to move the test up. I'll be taking my ICND1 test tomorrow which is ahead of schedule and I'm ready to get started on ICND2. Once I've passed ICND1 I'll go ahead and schedule the ICND2 test giving myself two months to study. My goal is to be close to finished with CCNP by the end of the year.
My problem has always been picking the books up and starting to study for the test but never following through. By going ahead and scheduling the test you set a hard goal date to work toward. Plus it sets it in your mind that you've already paid for the test you might as well take it. Remember you can always reschedule the test but like I said I do my best to not move the test back.
Another thing that is going to help me with this attempt at actually taking the Cisco certs is I've invested money into a nice lab that has almost everything I need to go all the way through CCNP. If I fail to take the tests then I'm out a lot of money. That's great motivation to get it done.
Good luck to everyone on their cert resolutions.