In the case of CCIE certification, there isn’t any single components or recipe for achievement. Don’t be misled, nonetheless. You aren’t by yourself. Incomes an Knowledgeable-level Cisco certification takes so much of labor, however the assets, steering, and help it is advisable keep on observe are all accessible to you. In actual fact, you might even really feel overwhelmed by the variety of choices that declare to be ‘the perfect’ for serving to you put together in your CCIE certification exams. In any case, getting ready for the 8-hour, hands-on sensible lab is just not for the faint of coronary heart.
The journey to changing into a CCIE is extremely difficult. Belief me—I do know. And never solely as a result of I’m CCIE licensed: because the director of Cisco certifications, being an professional on the CCIE lab and what it takes to cross it’s my duty. So, I’m going to share some recommendation on find out how to put together for CCIE certification. On this weblog, one can find ideas, steering, and assets that may make it easier to put together for the written and sensible exams. I’ll additionally supply my ideas on what it means to be a CCIE certification holder. So, with out additional ado, let’s see when you’ve got what it takes to turn into a CCIE.
Making ready for CCIE certification is a life determination
Earlier than you start your CCIE journey, it’s vital that you just understand the extent of this enterprise. Changing into an professional and incomes your CCIE certification is greater than a profession transfer. It’s a life determination.
Making ready for CCIE certification takes hours upon hours of examine that may influence your private time. Being diligent usually interprets to sacrifices. Sacrificing time with household and mates, sleeping late on weekends, lacking out on occasions, and so forth.
I’ve been there. I’ve skilled the lengthy nights of learning and the nerves that precede a take a look at. However, I’ve additionally skilled the satisfaction and pleasure that comes from persevering and passing the exams. I can say with absolute certainty that it was all value it. If you turn into CCIE licensed, the reward in your dedication is unparalleled.
The place your CCIE journey begins
When you determine to take the leap into getting ready in your CCIE certification, it’s time to begin planning your studying journey. And like with any journey, you can not plan forward in case you don’t know your place to begin: your present abilities and data. Meaning it’s essential to know your self. Or, because the Greek thinker Pausanias wrote, “Know thy measure.”
You are able to do this by downloading and reviewing the examination subjects for any certification examination on the Cisco Studying Community. These accessible examination subjects, or blueprints for our written and lab exams, are a wonderful place to begin. Whereas they received’t provide you with solutions to the examination questions themselves, they offers you an concept of what you may be examined on. You will need to take an trustworthy stock of your abilities and data, contemplating the issues you recognize and what you don’t.
Reaching the purpose the place you are feeling comfy taking an Knowledgeable-level Cisco certification examination is an unbelievable achievement. Nonetheless, let’s assume that you’re nonetheless removed from that stage. What’s most essential—proper now— is the method you get there. So, after you have turn into accustomed to the examination subjects, it’s time to take the subsequent step.
Into the CCIE studying matrix
I’m completely happy you selected the pink capsule. Now, it’s time to see how deep this rabbit gap goes with a studying matrix. Making a studying matrix is like creating your grasp CCIE studying plan, or plot, for how you’ll study all the CCIE examination materials. Don’t fear, you don’t have to begin from scratch: the Cisco Studying Community has a matrix for every Knowledgeable-level certification, which you’ll be able to obtain and edit totally free. (I’ve offered hyperlinks on the backside of this submit).
Lay the inspiration in your CCIE studying plan
When you obtain the matrix in your CCIE expertise area, you will note that studying assets have already been pre-populated by examination subject. Contemplate these a beginning off level that can assist you kickstart your studying. Extra assets could also be required to advance your strengths and bolster your weaknesses, so I like to recommend utilizing this format as a template you possibly can (and may) construct upon.
As you customise and construct your plan, you possibly can establish the precise areas it is advisable concentrate on main as much as your take a look at date. If you happen to haven’t scheduled your examination, your CCIE studying matrix is a wonderful option to estimate how a lot time it is advisable put together based mostly in your data, coaching strategies, and studying tempo. Bear in mind, each studying journey is totally different, so attempt to keep away from the widespread pitfall of evaluating your self to different CCIE candidates and certification holders.
Construct a powerful community of supporters
As I discussed earlier, you aren’t by yourself—removed from it, actually. The Cisco studying and certification neighborhood is huge, educated, sort, and accessible.
While you’re visiting the Cisco Studying Community to obtain your studying matrix, take a second to browse the neighborhood discussions by subject. The Cisco Studying Community neighborhood is comprised of subject material specialists, CCIE candidates, certification holders, and extra who can help your CCIE journey each step of the way in which. As you browse, bookmark the neighborhood discussions that pertain to your CCIE expertise observe so you possibly can seek advice from them later.
You could find boundless data within the Cisco studying neighborhood from those that have been there, accomplished that. Generally one of the best ways to achieve your targets is to ask how others how they did it themselves. It sounds easy, proper? Properly, that’s as a result of it’s. Don’t underestimate the facility and boundless data contained inside this neighborhood, nonetheless. I can not overstate the influence a community of likeminded friends can have in your CCIE certification journey.
Analysis CCIE coaching, instruments, and assets
Studying is a journey; an exploration. To this point, you have got explored the examination subjects in your CCIE certification examination(s), began constructing your studying plan, and mirrored in your current strengths and weaknesses. Now it’s time to seek out the perfect coaching assets in your studying fashion.
Understanding your strategy to problem-solving is as very important to success as discovering dependable studying supplies. Deciding on the coaching, instruments, and assets in your CCIE prep is much simpler when you recognize which strategies and supplies work finest for your studying fashion.
Select properly, then customise and mix
Today, there isn’t any scarcity of choices accessible that can assist you get exam-ready. Again after I was getting ready for CCIE certification, the huge catalog of coaching, programs, bootcamps, reference books, movies, and so forth. Cisco has right now didn’t exist but. So, use them to your benefit. They’re designed by individuals who have accomplished what you’re doing and skilled the onerous work and dedication essential to succeed. Mix these totally different assets to suit your studying fashion and particularly goal the areas you recognized for development.
As you analysis your studying and coaching assets, achieve this overtly and truthfully. Be trustworthy about what you’re good at and the place you legitimately want to enhance. In any case, Knowledgeable-level sensible exams don’t take a look at what you suppose you’re good at. They take a look at your precise skills.
Fingers-on follow is vital
The CCIE lab is all about hands-on complicated community setup, so be sure to get loads of follow in a lab. Nonetheless, a standard problem for CCIE candidates is that they don’t have entry to the gear, pods, and infrastructure they should follow within the first place. So, we created CCIE lab leases for sensible examination preparation.
CCIE Apply Labs is a brand new supply for CCIE candidates getting ready for the lab. Upon getting handed the expertise core examination, the prerequisite for taking the sensible examination, you possibly can hire a CCIE Apply Lab. Labs can be found in 4-hour blocks of time for US$50. This lets you get hands-on follow utilizing topologies just like what you’ll see within the precise lab.
CCIE Apply Labs can be found for CCIE Safety, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, and CCIE Service Supplier certifications, with extra on the way in which.
What the CCIE lab is actually testing you on
The CCIE lab examination is greater than a take a look at of data. It exams how nicely you possibly can merge your conceptual understanding with sensible abilities. You could possibly recall rote particulars and ideas, however can you set them into follow? Together with the deep experience wanted to cross the lab, it’s essential to be capable to translate, synthesize, and clear up issues. When confronted with novel issues in the actual world, are you able to clear up them satisfactorily? Basically, your experience must be far larger than the sum of the elements that comprise it.
Incomes the CCIE certification means you have got the psychological agility, confidence, and deep experience to course of by means of complexity, suppose critically, innovate, and ship options successfully. If all of this sounds scary, it shouldn’t. However it does supply perspective on the extent of success achieved once you turn into CCIE licensed.
Do you have got what it takes to turn into a CCIE?
Now that we’ve established the idea for what it takes to turn into a CCIE, you might have a newfound respect for individuals who are Cisco Licensed with two (or extra) Knowledgeable-level certifications.
Attending to the purpose the place you’re contemplating taking a CCIE examination is an accomplishment. And as you learn this now, you have already got what it takes to get licensed on the Knowledgeable stage. I do know this as a result of each CCIE certification holder is made. We’re not born specialists. We turn into CCIE licensed due to what we’ve got given to reaching our targets. You will need to discover the trail that empowers you to give what it takes—the time, dedication, persistence, and need—for CCIE certification success. In case you are prepared and keen to dedicate your self to incomes the CCIE certification, then you have got what it takes.
I hope you discovered this weblog useful in understanding what it takes to turn into a CCIE and find out how to construct a powerful, structured strategy. You’ll discover helpful hyperlinks under to study extra about our Knowledgeable-level certifications, the testing expertise, and assets that can assist you take your studying to the subsequent stage.
I want you the perfect in your path and invite your feedback if any of my recommendation resonates with you. Higher but, share your ideas on this submit on this dialogue thread. And if you’re already on the way in which to incomes your CCIE certification, we’d love to listen to about your expertise.
A particular notice for CCIE candidates attending Cisco Stay 2023 Las Vegas
In case you are becoming a member of us in Las Vegas, June 4–8, 2023, I extremely advocate attending a Cisco Knowledgeable-Stage Certification Techtorial at Cisco Stay, the place you have got a novel alternative to take a deep dive into particular Cisco expertise tracks. We designed these 4-hour periods for attendees who’ve superior technical area data. So, if you’re able to pursue (or you might be already in flight) a CCIE, CCDE, or DevNet Knowledgeable certification, I strongly advise you to make this a precedence.
*In case you are an energetic Cisco certification holder, these periods are eligible for Persevering with Training (CE) credit you possibly can apply in direction of recertification.
Cisco Knowledgeable-level coaching and certification assets
Obtain your CCIE Studying Matrix
Choose your certification observe from the choices under, then navigate to the “Extra Assets” tab to seek out the hyperlink to obtain your customizable studying matrix.
Be part of the Cisco Studying Community right now totally free.
Comply with Cisco Studying & Certifications
Twitter | Fb | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
Use #CiscoCert to hitch the dialog.
Share:
