I just got home from the testing center.
I have never been more certain that I not only failed, but epicly failed. I was expecting a score in the low 700s or worse.
I know for sure I bombed one sim question. Everything looked right to be, but I wasn't getting the result I expected when I tested it. This was about in the middle of the exam, and I had spent 10 minutes on this one question, so I decided to cut my losses and moved on.
I just clicked through all the end of exam stuff, figuring the only thing that would be useful to me would be the breakdown of the areas I did poorly in on the printed score report. I got up in disgust/disappointment and left the exam room.
I was shocked when I went to sign out, and got a look at my printed score report. I passed. And with a pretty good score too - not just barely scraping by. I couldn't believe it.
Anyway, I still say VCP is the hardest cert exam I've ever sat for, but this was a close second. I probably didn't spend as much time studying as I should have (only about a month of serious knuckle down studying), If I had to do it over again, I would've spent more time READING - most of my time was in the lab. And I would've used a strong second source - not that Mr. Lammle's book was bad at all, but more sources is always good.
Anyway, back to the MCSE track. I need 70-293, 70-294, and 70-298. I could also add 70-299 and pick up the security specialization, but I'm not sure if I will. Anyway, I'd LIKE to have all this done by March 1st, when I plan to start my first term at WGU, so I can devote myself entirely to that. That's just a little under two months.
I think it's pretty doable.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
CCNA this weekend!
2011 is already starting off to be a pretty big year. I'll be a dad in April. I'm starting a new job in a couple weeks. I'm starting a bachelor's degree program in March to finally get that monkey off my back. Lots of big changes, but they're all for the better.
Toward the end of 2010, I started really focusing on my career, and began actually putting the effort into studying for an passing certifications. A long time ago, I decided I wanted to be a MCSE. I took one test (70-270 for my client exam), got bored with all the studying and said there was no way I was doing 7 more exams, and decided I didn't care. I didn't need a cert to verify my knowledge, I thought.
Oh, how finding out you're going to be a father changes your perspective on things. I knew one thing - I needed to provide for my new family as best I can, and my inability to focus, pursue a goal, and see it through was a major problem. I had a lot of potential, and I wasn't living up to it. I was lazy, and that needed to change.
Long story short, from August through November, I managed to become a VMWare Certified Professional and wrap up the MCSA, then pick up Security+ on a whim when I found out CompTIA was going to make it renew every three years cert this year. I began studying for CCNA in November, and had batted around the idea of doing it between Christmas and New Year's since I was off work, but the holiday break derailed my final round of studying. So I'm doing it this weekend.
I might be overconfident, but I really am not intimidated by this one - I think I've got a solid background in the subject matter, and I've had some good study materials (thank you Todd Lammle and GNS3). Everyone says how tough it is, but I've heard that before about MS 70-291, aka "The Beast" and was pretty underwhelmed. I guess we'll find out on Sunday, eh?
So this blog is going to follow my certification and education adventures. I'm planning on trying to finish the MCSE in March or April (before the baby gets here is my goal), so we'll see how that goes.
Toward the end of 2010, I started really focusing on my career, and began actually putting the effort into studying for an passing certifications. A long time ago, I decided I wanted to be a MCSE. I took one test (70-270 for my client exam), got bored with all the studying and said there was no way I was doing 7 more exams, and decided I didn't care. I didn't need a cert to verify my knowledge, I thought.
Oh, how finding out you're going to be a father changes your perspective on things. I knew one thing - I needed to provide for my new family as best I can, and my inability to focus, pursue a goal, and see it through was a major problem. I had a lot of potential, and I wasn't living up to it. I was lazy, and that needed to change.
Long story short, from August through November, I managed to become a VMWare Certified Professional and wrap up the MCSA, then pick up Security+ on a whim when I found out CompTIA was going to make it renew every three years cert this year. I began studying for CCNA in November, and had batted around the idea of doing it between Christmas and New Year's since I was off work, but the holiday break derailed my final round of studying. So I'm doing it this weekend.
I might be overconfident, but I really am not intimidated by this one - I think I've got a solid background in the subject matter, and I've had some good study materials (thank you Todd Lammle and GNS3). Everyone says how tough it is, but I've heard that before about MS 70-291, aka "The Beast" and was pretty underwhelmed. I guess we'll find out on Sunday, eh?
So this blog is going to follow my certification and education adventures. I'm planning on trying to finish the MCSE in March or April (before the baby gets here is my goal), so we'll see how that goes.
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