Wow where to start... Ok From the top, I took the CCNA exam (combined intro and ICND) back in may of last year, got a 640 (Need a 849 to pass) realized I knew the major stuff, but the devil was in the details. Went to a CCNA bootcamp took again 3 days later (July) failed with a 803. Studied the books from Cisco Press more (Mistake number 1) retook in Aug failed with a 749 (Cisco Press book made me more stupid). At this point I am failing on semantics, so I was understandably upset. So I took off from Cisco stuff for 3 months and just concentrated on College. During winter break (Mid Dec) I studied the Cisco Press books some more (Mistake # 2) took the Intro in mid Jan (Failed with an 802 needed an 825 on this one). So I studied the Actualtests.com PDF file (Basically the actual questions with the answers and sometimes an explanation) went in on Feb 6 and passed with a 933. Then the ICND struggle began. My bosses said I needed to get motivated and since they were paying I did not care so I took the ICND after studying for 2 weeks with the actualtests.com PDF for ICND and failed with an 803 (Needed a 849). So then I studied for another week and retook today. I got a 902 (Again 849 to pass).The tests are a beast because the wording tricks you constantly, the sims don't allow the commands I am used to, and the wording sucks. Alot of the times there will be 5 right answers to a question and they want the best answer. Next sometimes there are 3 right answers and you have to guess which answers are correct. And did I mention the wording sucks?My advice to anyone... Take the tests split up, as one test it is too much to try to cram for as you have to regurgitate all the menusia(sp?) at one time. If I had to do it again I would not spend 60 bucks for the Cisco Press books, they are written to make you fail and take the tests again. The wording is completely different (although the meaning is still loosely linked) and written from a Cisco scientist, not a tier 3 tech. So save yourself the time and money and get the Actualtests.com PDF files for the intro and ICND tests.This is solely my exp and others may feel vastly different. To them I say good for you. But this is what worked for me. I have been doing router, and layer 1/2/3 stuff for 9 years. I felt this tests takes you down to a college level understanding and not a real world understanding. If you want my reasoning I will provide it but suffice it to say I did not feel I gained any knowledge, just a badge.
