Relating to CCIE certification, there is no such thing as a single system or recipe for achievement. Don’t be misled, nevertheless. You aren’t by yourself. Incomes an Skilled-level Cisco certification takes rather a lot of labor, however the assets, steerage, and assist it is advisable to keep on monitor are all obtainable to you. In truth, you might even really feel overwhelmed by the variety of choices that declare to be ‘the most effective’ for serving to you put together on your CCIE certification exams. In any case, making ready for the 8-hour, hands-on sensible lab will not be 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 move it’s my duty. So, I’m going to share some recommendation on easy methods to put together for CCIE certification. On this weblog, you will see ideas, steerage, 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 you probably have what it takes to develop into a CCIE.

Getting ready for CCIE certification is a life choice

Earlier than you start your CCIE journey, it’s essential that you just notice the extent of this endeavor. Turning into an professional and incomes your CCIE certification is greater than a profession transfer. It’s a life choice.

Getting ready for CCIE certification takes hours upon hours of research that can influence your private time. Being diligent typically interprets to sacrifices. Sacrificing time with household and pals, sleeping late on weekends, lacking out on occasions, and so on.

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 price it. If you develop into CCIE licensed, the reward on your dedication is unparalleled.

The place your CCIE journey begins

When you determine to take the leap into making ready on your CCIE certification, it’s time to begin planning your studying journey. And like with any journey, you can not plan forward should you don’t know your place to begin: your present expertise and data. Which means you have 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 matters for any certification examination on the Cisco Studying Community. These obtainable examination matters, 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 can be examined on. It’s essential to take an sincere stock of your expertise and data, contemplating the issues and what you don’t. 

Reaching the purpose the place you are feeling snug taking an Skilled-level Cisco certification examination is an unbelievable achievement. Nevertheless, let’s assume that you’re nonetheless removed from that stage. What’s most vital—proper now— is the manner you get there. So, upon getting develop into accustomed to the examination matters, it’s time to take the following step.

Into the CCIE studying matrix

I’m blissful you selected the purple 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 be taught the entire CCIE examination materials. Don’t fear, you don’t have to begin from scratch: the Cisco Studying Community has a matrix for every Skilled-level certification, which you’ll be able to obtain and edit free of charge. (I’ve supplied hyperlinks on the backside of this publish).

Lay the inspiration on your CCIE studying plan

When you obtain the matrix on your CCIE expertise area, you will notice that studying assets have already been pre-populated by examination subject. Take into account 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 determine the precise areas it is advisable to give attention to main as much as your take a look at date. In the event you haven’t scheduled your examination, your CCIE studying matrix is a superb approach to estimate how a lot time it is advisable to put together based mostly in your data, coaching strategies, and studying tempo. Keep in mind, each studying journey is completely different, so attempt to keep away from the widespread pitfall of evaluating your self to different CCIE candidates and certification holders.

Construct a robust community of supporters

As I discussed earlier, you aren’t by yourself—removed from it, in truth. The Cisco studying and certification group is huge, educated, sort, and accessible.

When you are visiting the Cisco Studying Community to obtain your studying matrix, take a second to browse the group discussions by subject. The Cisco Studying Community group is comprised of material specialists, CCIE candidates, certification holders, and extra who can assist your CCIE journey each step of the way in which. As you browse, bookmark the group discussions that pertain to your CCIE expertise monitor so you possibly can discuss with them later.

You could find boundless data within the Cisco studying group from those that have been there, finished that. Typically one of the simplest ways to achieve your targets is to ask how others how they did it themselves. It sounds easy, proper? Effectively, that’s as a result of it’s. Don’t underestimate the facility and boundless data contained inside this group, nevertheless. 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. Thus far, you might have explored the examination matters on your CCIE certification examination(s), began constructing your studying plan, and mirrored in your present strengths and weaknesses. Now it’s time to seek out the most effective coaching assets on your studying model.

Understanding your method to problem-solving is as very important to success as discovering dependable studying supplies. Choosing the coaching, instruments, and assets on your CCIE prep is much simpler when which strategies and supplies work greatest for your studying model.

Select correctly, then customise and mix

Lately, there is no such thing as a scarcity of choices obtainable that can assist you get exam-ready. Again once I was making ready for CCIE certification, the huge catalog of coaching, programs, bootcamps, reference books, movies, and so on. Cisco has at the moment didn’t exist but. So, use them to your benefit. They’re designed by individuals who have finished what you’re doing and skilled the exhausting work and dedication essential to succeed. Mix these completely different assets to suit your studying model and particularly goal the areas you recognized for development.

As you analysis your studying and coaching assets, achieve this brazenly and actually. Be sincere about what you’re good at and the place you legitimately want to enhance. In any case, Skilled-level sensible exams don’t take a look at what you assume you’re good at. They take a look at your precise talents.

Palms-on apply is essential

The CCIE lab is all about hands-on complicated community setup, so ensure you get loads of apply in a lab. Nevertheless, a typical problem for CCIE candidates is that they don’t have entry to the tools, pods, and infrastructure they should apply within the first place. So, we created CCIE lab leases for sensible examination preparation.

CCIE Follow Labs is a brand new supply for CCIE candidates making ready for the lab. After you have handed the expertise core examination, the prerequisite for taking the sensible examination, you possibly can hire a CCIE Follow Lab. Labs can be found in 4-hour blocks of time for US$50. This lets you get hands-on apply utilizing topologies just like what you’ll see within the precise lab.

CCIE Follow 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 information. It assessments how effectively you possibly can merge your conceptual understanding with sensible expertise. You could possibly recall rote particulars and ideas, however can you place them into apply? Together with the deep experience wanted to move the lab, you have to be capable of translate, synthesize, and resolve issues. When confronted with novel issues in the true world, are you able to resolve them satisfactorily? Primarily, your experience must be far higher than the sum of the components that comprise it.

Incomes the CCIE certification means you might have the psychological agility, confidence, and deep experience to course of by means of complexity, assume critically, innovate, and ship options successfully. If all of this sounds scary, it shouldn’t. Nevertheless it does supply perspective on the extent of success achieved while you develop into CCIE licensed.

Do you might have what it takes to develop into a CCIE?

Now that we’ve established the premise for what it takes to develop into a CCIE, you could have a newfound respect for individuals who are Cisco Licensed with two (or extra) Skilled-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 Skilled stage. I do know this as a result of each CCIE certification holder is made. We’re not born specialists. We develop into CCIE licensed due to what we now have given to reaching our targets. It’s essential 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 prepared to dedicate your self to incomes the CCIE certification, then you might have what it takes.

I hope you discovered this weblog useful in understanding what it takes to develop into a CCIE and easy methods to construct a robust, structured method. You’ll discover helpful hyperlinks under to be taught extra about our Skilled-level certifications, the testing expertise, and assets that can assist you take your studying to the following stage.

I want you the most effective in your path and invite your feedback if any of my recommendation resonates with you. Higher but, share your ideas on this publish on this dialogue thread. And if you’re already on the way in which to incomes your CCIE certification, we might love to listen to about your expertise.

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A particular notice for CCIE candidates attending Cisco Reside 2023 Las Vegas

In case you are becoming a member of us in Las Vegas, June 4–8, 2023, I extremely suggest attending a Cisco Skilled-Stage Certification Techtorial at Cisco Reside, the place you might have a singular alternative to take a deep dive into particular Cisco expertise tracks. We designed these 4-hour classes for attendees who’ve superior technical area data. So, if you’re able to pursue (or you’re already in flight) a CCIE, CCDE, or DevNet Skilled certification, I strongly advise you to make this a precedence.

*In case you are an lively Cisco certification holder, these classes are eligible for Persevering with Training (CE) credit you possibly can apply in the direction of recertification.

Cisco Skilled-level coaching and certification assets 

Obtain your CCIE Studying Matrix

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