So I took Cisco's 640-801 CCNA Exam today...

[Aves]

I passed with a pretty good score.

It's nice to see that Cisco has increased the difficulty of the exam some since I took the 640-507 in 2001. The inclusion of things like VLSM, EIGRP, OSPF, etc definitely put a little more weight behind the cert IMO.

Anyone else pass recently or plan on taking it soon?

 

[polm]

I'll be taking mine next week. I, as well, took the 640-507 in 2001, and passed with ease. Certainly the test has gotten considerably more difficult.

BTW, I know you signed a non-disclosure, but would you care to give some hints on what kind of sims you got ?

 

[polm]

Well, today is the big day. I am taking my exam later this afternoon. I'm nervous as hell. Hopefully I won't choke !

 

[ScottMac]

Well, good luck!

Spend whatever time you have to on teh SIMs: if you don't pass the majority of points on the SIM, you won't pass (if you miss all points on the SIM, the best you'll get is ~760).

There is partial credit on the SIMs, so give it your best shot, even if you find yourself over-your-head.

Also remember to draw up a subnet / mask / bit grid before you hit the "enter" key to start the test. It'll save you seconds-to-minutes on many of the questions ... and (trust me) it'll save you from "vapor lock" in the heat of battle ... um, testing I mean.

(You'll do fine, relax)

Good Luck again!

Scott

 

[polm]

Thanks, Scott.

BTW...how does Cisco give partial credit for the Sim ? Is the sim score based on the final startup-config ?

 

[midwestfisherman]

Congrats on passing! I'll be taking the test in January. Do most people choose to take the one test (640-801) over the two different tests (640-811 & 640-821)?

 

[polm]

I just passed with a 917 ! Now it's time to start studying for CCNP.

 

[nightowl]

Congrats on the NA. I got a 917 on mine as well. I only have 1 more test to take for my NP and I will be taking that in about 3 weeks or so.

 

[Aves]

Congrats polm!

Good luck with the NP. I did pass the CCNP Routing exam and completed the Cisco Network Academy courses for all 4 but between full-time work and school I just didn't have the time to crunch for the other 3 exams so I never took them.

Things have lightened up a lot lately for me and I'm considering trying for the CCSP.

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: midwestfisherman
Congrats on passing! I'll be taking the test in January. Do most people choose to take the one test (640-801) over the two different tests (640-811 & 640-821)?

I personally don't know anyone who went the 2 exam route.

 

[Audiotherapy]

just wondering, do you need a copy run start for all the test sims?

 

[nightowl]

No, you do not have to do a copy run start on the sims, at least I never have.

 

[polm]

Originally posted by: audiotherapy
just wondering, do you need a copy run start for all the test sims?

I used it on both of my sims.

 

[Nocturnal]

What books did you use if any to study for the CCNA?

 

[polm]

CiscoPress , CCNA Self-Study Library by Steve McQuerry

Sybex, CCNA Study Guide by Todd Lamle

 

[gordita]

I had a question for those who successfully completed the ccnaII.
what cisco routers should I buy for the sims ?

my plan is to get my ccna AND ccnp this year.
I know it's aggressive but it is about time I got my certs.

so, I'm looking into setting up a small lab in my basement.
I just don't know which series, 25xx or 26xx and how much minimum RAM and flash mem and the minimum IOS version I need for CCNA and CCNP.
if u guys can suggest something with specifics, that would be great!!!!
and where to buy them too.........

Thanks

 

[Cscutch]

You can easily complete the CCNA with two 2500/2600 series routers and a two switches 1900/2900. It is mostly simple routing and configuration commands.

The CCNP on the other hand you need more equipment. In my CCNP lab I had access to:

4 2600 series routers.
3 Catlyst 2950 Switches.
1 Catalyst 4500 Lyr 2/3 Switch.
1 Adtran Atlas (Telcom Simulation).

 

[blakeatwork]

Originally posted by: aves2k
I passed with a pretty good score.

It's nice to see that Cisco has increased the difficulty of the exam some since I took the 640-507 in 2001. The inclusion of things like VLSM, EIGRP, OSPF, etc definitely put a little more weight behind the cert IMO.

Anyone else pass recently or plan on taking it soon?

Good stuff...

I'm going to write mine on the 29th. I'm a bit nervous with regards to OSPF, BRI/PRI, and DDR, as they weren't really covered in the class... I've learned as much as I can technically, but practically, I've very little experience.

Quick question though.. was it weighted more to any particular aspect (I know that there is about 300 questions in the pool), or did it seem evenly distributed? Cisco says it's not adaptive at all, but I'm curious.

Ahh well, congrats and wish me luck!.

 

[blakeatwork]

Originally posted by: aves2k
Congrats polm!

Good luck with the NP. I did pass the CCNP Routing exam and completed the Cisco Network Academy courses for all 4 but between full-time work and school I just didn't have the time to crunch for the other 3 exams so I never took them.

Things have lightened up a lot lately for me and I'm considering trying for the CCSP.

It's 4 exams for CCNP? I thought it was a practical lab and a written exam?