Failed my BSCI.

[polm]

I did fine on everything (more than fine on OSPF and BGP which I use at work) but the IPv6 and Multicast routing.

At least I know what to study for my next attempt.

 

[spidey07]

Sorry dude. Multicast routing is heavily used, glad they're including it.

You should easily pass next time. Although I don't really think v6 should be in there, but I can see the reasoning - should at least have some knowledge/exposure to it.

 

[mcmilljb]

polm - I got an email from Cisco about getting a free retake of their exams as long as both the paid and the free exams are both taken between April 15 and October 15. Check out www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/comeback and give them a call. You should be eligible. My CCNA lapsed during college, but I have renewed it but still received this email.

By the way, what's a passing score? About an 850ish?

 

[nightowl]

Originally posted by: mcmilljb


By the way, what's a passing score? About an 850ish?

When I took it last it was around 800 IIRC. Granted that has been over 2 years ago.

 

[jlazzaro]

i think passing scores are technically part of the NDA, but stive for 100% and you can't go wrong.

sorry to hear...chalk it up to a $150 learning experience, and better luck next time!

 

[polm]

Originally posted by: mcmilljb
polm - I got an email from Cisco about getting a free retake of their exams as long as both the paid and the free exams are both taken between April 15 and October 15. Check out www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/comeback and give them a call. You should be eligible. My CCNA lapsed during college, but I have renewed it but still received this email.

Word! You just made my day. Called and scheduled my free retake already.

 

[polm]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Sorry dude. Multicast routing is heavily used, glad they're including it.

You should easily pass next time. Although I don't really think v6 should be in there, but I can see the reasoning - should at least have some knowledge/exposure to it.

A couple questions on v6 would have been fine. I was hit with a ton of v6 address structure stuff. I'll be sure to have that nailed for next time.

 

[SwiftWind]

I think the passing score is 790 something. You'll get it the next time bud. Its mostly getting to know the test thats the hard part.

 

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: polm

Originally posted by: mcmilljb
polm - I got an email from Cisco about getting a free retake of their exams as long as both the paid and the free exams are both taken between April 15 and October 15. Check out www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/comeback and give them a call. You should be eligible. My CCNA lapsed during college, but I have renewed it but still received this email.

Word! You just made my day. Called and scheduled my free retake already.

That's awesome. Good luck on the retake.

 

[polm]

Failed again. I actually did worse this time.

I guess I'll give it one more go. Perhaps I need to grab some new study materials. I'm using the CiscoPress Exam Guide which have always been enough to pass my other exams.

Maybe I just need to move on to ISCW or ONT and come back to the BSCI later.

 

[polm]

Not to make excuses, but in all honesty I have been very lax in my study/prep for this test. I've been cramming more than studying. I've also neglected to setup a lab environment for the sections I don't use professionally (IS-IS, Mroute, and IPv6).

 

[jlazzaro]

If I remember correctly, the 3 topics you listed (IS-IS, Multicast, IPv6) were tested on the most. For me, this too was the biggest challenge as I dont use IS-IS or IPv6 in my day to day work.

Moving onto another exam isnt a bad idea. After failing my ISCW twice I decided to save it for last...the third time around I was a hair away from perfect. Keep in mind, if you fail an exam 3 times you must wait 180 days before taking it again. That'll put your CCNP cert on hold for AT LEAST 6 months :shocked:

Another option would be to take the BSCI/BCMSN composite. If you're better in switching (i know i am), it may counterbalance your missing BSCI knowledge

 

[nightowl]

I am surprised that IS-IS is still on the CCNP. It was dropped off the CCIE R&S two years ago.

 

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: polm
Failed again. I actually did worse this time.

I guess I'll give it one more go. Perhaps I need to grab some new study materials. I'm using the CiscoPress Exam Guide which have always been enough to pass my other exams.

Maybe I just need to move on to ISCW or ONT and come back to the BSCI later.

I'm seeing some complaints about the Cisco Press BSCI Exam Guide on the CCNP Prep Site at Cisco.com. A lot of people are recommending the Cisco Press BSCI Authorized Self Study Guide(3rd Ed) along with the lab book. If I was you, I would take a few days to just refresh some and jot down a list of stuff I saw on both of the exams. Then I would pick up both books and try figuring out what I was missing and what I was lacking(those labs should help out some). You might even consider getting some practice exams if you haven't already. Just keep practicing, and you'll get it.

jlazzaro: I thought the composite was graded like it was still 2 exams. If so, that would make the exams an even better choice for people that have put off getting their CCNP and have tons of experience. With the diffculty of these exams, I still wouldn't want to rely on one to pull up the other though.

nightowl: In one of the BSCI books, it mentions the reason for IS-IS was that people were interested in using it for IPv6.

 

[jlazzaro]

Originally posted by: mcmilljb
jlazzaro: I thought the composite was graded like it was still 2 exams. If so, that would make the exams an even better choice for people that have put off getting their CCNP and have tons of experience. With the diffculty of these exams, I still wouldn't want to rely on one to pull up the other though.

hmm...i figured since it was technically one exam (642-892) it would be treated as such. can anyone who has gone the composite route confirm?

edit: Candidates must successfully pass both routing and switching subsections of the Composite exam to successfully pass the exam. shucks ;x

IS-IS was removed from the CCIE R&S, but its still on the SP track. seeing as the BSCI is a requirement for both CCNP and CCIP, i can see why the left it. besides, the professional level doesnt go that deep...a basic understand of levels, systems, operations and configuration should be sufficient.

 

[spidey07]

It's one exam - but the combo one is considered more difficult so people don't shortcut. I think I took the composite to recert.

 

[polm]

A lot of people are recommending the Cisco Press BSCI Authorized Self Study Guide(3rd Ed) along with the lab book. If I was you, I would take a few days to just refresh some and jot down a list of stuff I saw on both of the exams. Then I would pick up both books and try figuring out what I was missing and what I was lacking(those labs should help out some).

Ordered both yesterday. Thanks for the advice.

 

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: polm

A lot of people are recommending the Cisco Press BSCI Authorized Self Study Guide(3rd Ed) along with the lab book. If I was you, I would take a few days to just refresh some and jot down a list of stuff I saw on both of the exams. Then I would pick up both books and try figuring out what I was missing and what I was lacking(those labs should help out some).

Ordered both yesterday. Thanks for the advice.

I finished reading the Exam Guide myself, so I decided to go ahead and order them myself. I'm looking forward to using the lab book since I learn better by doing exercises. It looks they have pretty good reviews and resale value, which usually helps me determine if books are good and worth reading.

Any body know of some simple multicast programs(like a multicast chat)? I am trying to find some simple ones to use to test multicast setups.
*edit* Found a Multicast chat program - vypress chat
Should be good for testing multicast routing.

 

[azev]

I've also used vlc player to practice multicast routing when I took my bsci.