CCIE Routing and Switching Flash Cards and Exam Practice Pack
Reviewer Name: Brion Washington, Sr. Network Engineer
Reviewer Certifications: CCNA, CCIE written
Rating: **** out of *****
Let me first start by saying I was bummed to learn that my CCIE written had expired. Needless to say I had to retake the written exam. I picked up this exam pack in order to help me do a quick refresher on topics that I had become dormant in. It was just what I needed.
You are presented three ways of reviewing the material. These include 500+ flash cards, Quick Reference Sheets, and a test engine with 650 questions.
The flash cards were pretty good, and I normally hate them (except when I was in 6th grade). The cards help as another way of reviewing the material in order to cement the knowledge you are reviewing. The flash cards are very in-depth cards that do help with your review.
My favorite and I feel the best materials you can use are the practice test. With over 650 questions it's like taking 6 CCIE written exams before the real exam. I have always used practice questions to help prepare for test I take. The questions are great for finding out if you really know the material. The questions are divided into topics so that you can test on them all or just the ones you select. This is perfect if you are good in one area but need more review in others.
The Quick Reference PDF consists of short potent chapters that get right to the heart of the topics. This is great if you are just needing the facts without all the fluff.
I passed my written exam on the first attempt using this book. I have years of experience and a few tests under my belt. So I can say that this is very good for preparing for the exam. I would highly recommend it to anyone needing to review and prepare for the written exam.
Reviewer Name: Glenn Bradley, Senior Network Engineer
Reviewer Certifications: CCDA, CCNA, CCNP, CISSP
Rating: **** out of *****
This text and flash card format is a great "last 30 days before the test" tool. If you've been preparing for your written or have plans to, remember this book. I chose a method that may work for some and not for others.
I took the four exam method to achieve my CCNP. I did this because it was more important to me to have an in-depth understanding of the four primary disciplines than it was to get through the process quickly. I didn't want any gaps in my knowledge base as I prepared for the CCIE written.
I came straight off the CCNP completion and went into a 90 day high intensity self-study program that basically occupied all my free time. I passed with (a little) room to spare but would have loved to have this book for my last 30 days of prep time.
Be sure to understand that this book is a study aid. It will in no way prepare you for the exam in and of itself. However, used in conjunction with a solid, well rounded study plan, it will increase your chances of success substantially.
The limited text preceding each chapter and the more in depth discussions of specific technologies that follow each chapter are well written and right to the point. I did not feel that I was reading a lot of fluff that some authors use to make it appear that there is greater value in the material being presented.
I give the book 4 out of 5. As mentioned earlier, the audience would include those just completing their CCNP and planning to go directly for the CCIE written in order to hang onto the more elusive details that we all learn just before an exam. Some folks may be planning to take the written directly as they are already functioning at the CCNP level. This text will help fill in the blanks they may have by not having the benefit of preparing for and taking the CCNP tests.