IEOC - Internetwork Expert's Online Community

Well, I just took my SP lab the other day.  It was very tough, but I left there thinking I might have passed.  For preperation, I had done all the technology labs from Internetwork Expert and another vendor.  I did the other vendor's technology labs twice.  I had also gone through all the mock labs from Internetwork Expert (most of them twice) and the other vendor.  I did really well in all these mock labs.  If I did not understand a topic, I researched it both in books and on Cisco's documentation website until I understood it.  This lab test was a total surprise!!  I can't and will not go into details because of the NDA, but it was really surprising to see my scores.  I had everything working save one or two things.  I only skipped one question, but they gave me 100% in that area.  I'm not sure how that is even possible.  I am really scratching my head at this score report.  I'm not even close enough to try a regrade.  I did nothing the lab said I could not do.

Well, I will keep trying.  I'll reschedule again in a few months. Overall, it was a great experience.

When you skipped one question and they gave you 100%, there must be something wrong with your score, right?

Don't give up mate. 

As for doubts - are you unsure about R&S-related topics, or especially SP stuff? Is there a direct correlation with official blueprint?

Hi,dude

I am sorry to hear about that. Anyway you 've done great attempt and gain experience! That's invaluable.

By the way I don't see any Mock lab regarding for SP at Internetwork expert. How did you try it?

awilkins:

I had also gone through all the mock labs from Internetwork Expert (most of them twice)

Good Luck!!

@sailwinthu,

Internetwork Expert has SP specific study material.  They have many technology labs and 10 mock/practice labs for SP exclusively.

Thanks everyone!  I have no intentions of giving up.  But, nothing will stop me from questioning the grades I received on the exam.  I just don't get it....  I was even asked something that is impossible to get working - so my research thus far shows.  I'm not trying to make excuses.  The fact is I did not pass.  So, I will keep going back until I do. 

Hi

Just as my experience, failed SP lab last week. Estimate my score to be something higher than 75% from the table recieved.

My configuration was completed at 1340, with 4 task noted not completed. 2 of these completed within 1/2 hour, last 2 tasks neved completed fully according to spesifications. Spent rest of the time verifying and crosschecking over and over. At finish I knew 6 points was lost, 6 more points could be wrong because my solution was working but I was not fully satisfied.  Subtract another 10 points for details overlooked or task misunderstood - still optimistic but knew this would be close to 80, above or below.

Experience: look out for nasty wording in tasks, nasty configuration and do not expect IElabs to have covered everything. But IElabs are great, would not have my score without these labs

New lab has been booked, found it not easy to find dates within reasonable time in Brussel.

Jon

Hi,

   I had very similar experience with my CCIE security lab. I read the question  and was very happy that i would make it. Except for one i knew how to go about all the other questions. However when I started I was asked to do *something* and this *something* was part of several subquestions. And i just couldnt make it work. At first i felt it was probably because i made a mistake somewhere. But after lunch i knew i am going to loose enough points for me to fail irrespective of whether i take the other sections or not. So i read through the remaining questions again. Then i spent the remaining time trying to figure out what the problem was. Towards the end i figured out it was a rack issue and i also alerted the proctor. I knew i would be talking to cisco about this. so i memorized the rack layout, all the ip address involved, the analysis i made, its output etc. After coming back home i opened a case with cisco. believe me your patience will be really tested but still give it a try. you should question it. I still havent heard about my case though its over a month.

 good luck to you.

Cheers

@awilkins & jonbov

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't pass. Fingers crossed guys for your next attempt :)

Having my lab in around 2 weeks and reading your descriptions, I am getting really afraid about my lab & results... :(

I tried SP lab before and I had similar issue, I didn't understand why I lost so many points in the areas where I was pretty strong. Lab wasn't easy, wording in some questions was nasty, but it was still doable. I also had task which was not possible to configure (at least I didn't know how).

Anyway, it is time to go back to study :) If you have any additional advice, subjects to review, etc please let us know ;)

Cheers,

Seba

Assume this public available pdf could be of interest to all of us.

http://www.cisco.com/web/ID/learning/cnsf2008/files/How_to_Pass_CCIE_Lab_Insider_Tips.pdf

so - back to study

awilkins,

I have to agree with Scott - if you skipped a section and got 100% then that is wrong - correspondingly if you feel you did really well in another section and got a low mark then that confirms it - I would open a Cisco case - the wrong SP candidates lab might have been attributed to you!

I also agree with Seb - I have my SP lab in 3 weeks or so in Brussels and feeling a little strange having heard this and other SP stories.

We press on nevertheless.

Regards, Steve

Blog: http://cciesplab.wordpress.com

Thanks everyone!  I really appreciate your feedback!  I think I will call and open a ticket with Cert Support on Monday.  You never know......

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys think about the idea that there is really only one real way to configure these labs?  Some people are telling me there really is only one way - the Cisco way.