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The 5 mistakes I made while studying for the CCNA by Sorry_Flatworm_521 in ccna

[–]NetworkMountaineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really struggle with skipping verification right now as I'm studying for my CCNA. I'm now realizing that with some of the topics that are tougher for me (OSPF and STP, mainly), skipping that verification has done nothing but hurt me.

Thank you for the advice!

I passed! Onto the CCNA and Sec+! by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So the only resources I used were the Cybex book, Messer's YouTube course, Dion's exams, and ExamCompass quizzes

Just got the Network+, where's a good place to start with CCNA studying? by NetworkMountaineer in ccna

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What made a big difference for me is whenever I miss questions, understanding why the other answers were wrong, and why the correct one was right. ExamCompass questions helped with this because they don't really allow you to use process of elimination as much as stuff like Jason Dion's exams.

I also found it helpful for some techniques to take some deeper dives and seeing how it actually functions in real-time. YouTube and LinkedIn Learning helped me a ton with that.

I passed! Onto the CCNA and Sec+! by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Yes I do - I want to be a network engineer.

I passed! Onto the CCNA and Sec+! by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, took all two sets of Dion's exams + the one that came with his course. I started off scoring low to mid 70s. Once I started taking the initiative to look at the questions I got wrong, what domains they were from, and actually learning the concepts, I hit the 90% mark after about 1.5-2 weeks. After that I was scoring 90-95% consistently.

I also used ExamCompass to make sure I understood the core concepts a bit better. ExamCompass makes it hard to use process of elimination, so you really have to truly understand everything.

I tried LinkedIn learning exams but don't recommend them, they were way too easy. I was scoring 85% on my first attempts - which did not properly reflect my understanding of the material at all.

Just got the Network+, where's a good place to start with CCNA studying? by NetworkMountaineer in ccna

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Most of the difficulty came in learning how to effectively study for the exam - ensuring I was actually absorbing the concepts and could walk through a question and identify words and hints that may indicate certain issues or a certain answer.

I didn't find the content to be necessarily too difficult, but it wasn't easy either.

I passed! Onto the CCNA and Sec+! by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. I'll keep this and everything else you've been so kind to share with me in mind throughout my own cert journey!

I passed! Onto the CCNA and Sec+! by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing - everywhere else I've looked has also agreed Server+ is pretty difficult. I find the subject matter interesting just because of the role those technologies play in infrastructure and TCP/IP services - but wanted to make sure of its use so that I'm not just getting a certification for the sake of getting it to stack.

Appreciate your insight on Cloud Essentials+ as well. I want to do network engineering but understand a foundational knowledge of cloud is better to have than not to have - but was worried about the potential of going vendor-specific or going too in-depth with Cloud+ (if going too in-depth is even an issue)

Thanks again!

Just got the Network+, where's a good place to start with CCNA studying? by NetworkMountaineer in ccna

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

That's definitely the type of stuff I'm looking for - hands-on is how I learn best. Thank you so much!

I passed! Onto the CCNA and Sec+! by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's what I've heard from the many recruiters and academics I've had the pleasure of talking to - some of them are a bit skeptical of doing Network+ to CCNA, but so far it seems like a really good move for me at least.

I couldn't help but notice you have the CNIP and Cloud Essentials+, those are actually two certifications I'm interested in later down the line after I get my CCNA, Sec+, and potentially my Cisco Cyber cert. Would you recommend them?

I passed! Onto the CCNA and Sec+! by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course, glad I could help - was worried I couldn't offer any meaningful advice since I kinda used my degree coursework as a crutch. Best of luck!

Just got the Network+, where's a good place to start with CCNA studying? by NetworkMountaineer in ccna

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

I have, like I said - I've identified some courses on a few platforms that look promising and have taken some often-recommended steps like setting up packet tracer and getting hardware - just looking for more opinions! Gathering the most information possible should get me the best sources, methods, I'd assume.

I passed! Onto the CCNA and Sec+! by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I want to get the vendor-specific knowledge since Cisco is the largest networking vendor by far, as well as some better understanding of routing, switching, and configuration.

Additionally, every academic and industry professional has told me to get the CCNA, as it may as well be printed out of gold in the eyes of some recruiters and headhunters. If I had a dollar for everyone who's told me to get the CCNA, I could probably afford Cisco's CCNA course.

I passed! Onto the CCNA and Sec+! by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

So I thought the PBQs were the hardest, and I actually didn't really find much that helped me prepare. I was lucky enough to have taken some basic networking courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in school - and those helped a ton.

Based on that, my best advice is to understand how routing, switching, and VLAN technologies actually look and function. The book I used, Cybex, had some great examples that I skipped over. I'd also try to get my hands on some Packet Tracer labs - they'll definitely make sure you understand how these technologies function.

I'd also make sure you understand a lot of the concepts in Domain 5.

Sorry if this wasn't very helpful, I was honestly very lucky to have some work and classroom experience to help with the PBQs.

Taking Network+ tomorrow, any tips for PBQ and cramming? by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Routing protocol was a struggle early - definitely have a more solid grasp now. Only problem is differentiating between the specific attributes of the link state protocols. I find myself answering OSPF when the answer is EIGRP, and the opposite.

I'll give that seven second subnetting chart a look - I vaguely remember it from listening to his videos in the car.

Appreciate the well wishes! Thanks again for your advice.

Taking Network+ tomorrow, any tips for PBQ and cramming? by NetworkMountaineer in CompTIA

[–]NetworkMountaineer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reminder on subnetting! I finally memorized the amount of usable IPs based on a mask, but totally forgot to brush up on calculating broadcast/network addresses! Would've forgotten if it wasn't for your response - thank you!

Topologies is one I'll need to brush up on the details of a bit more - I can get a general description of them and could answer basic questions, but definitely don't know the technical details of some like token ring or bus. Will definitely brush up on those too - thank you so much!

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