CCNA Certification Exam Tips For Peak Performance
By Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933
Just as athletes train for peak performance on game day, you can train and prepare yourself for maximum performance on the day of your CCNA certification exam. Best of all, it's easy to do!
As you read this, you may catch yourself thinking that this is all common sense.
You're right. It is.
However, in the days leading up to your exam, common sense has been known to fly out the window.
Read these tips, use them, and review them as your exam day draws closer.
Get Some Rest!
You don't see baseball players yawning on the way to the plate in the World Series, and you shouldn't be yawning at the computer on exam day.
Don't try cramming until 2 AM the morning of your exam. If there's something you don't know by 8 PM the night before the test, you're not going to learn it that night. A well-rested candidate is a well-prepared candidate.
Likewise, just as football players get to the Super Bowl on time, you need to get to your stadium - the testing center - on time!
If you haven't been there before, drive out there the weekend before your exam. You do not want to be driving around like a madman / madwoman trying to find the center when you're already late for your test. Prepare Your Mind For Success
Athletes put in their best performances when they're properly warmed up, and you should do a mental warmup before your test.
There's a simple tutorial that Cisco offers before its computer-based exams, and it shows you the different kinds of questions and how to answer them - radio button questions, multiple choice, and the like. Don't skip this tutorial.
It allows you to get mentally prepared before the real thing begins, and also to detect problems with the computer testing center's hardware before the exam starts.
You're In The Tunnel On this topic, allow me one more sports metaphor.
If you've ever looked around a testing center room when there are 20 or so people waiting to go in, you'll see at least five that are prepared to lose. They're already beaten, and the sad part is that they defeated themselves.
Have you ever seen an American football team in the tunnel right before they take the field?
I've been in that tunnel at most levels of football - high school, college, and the National Football League. The players and coaches are totally focused on the job ahead of them, and no matter what happens...
... they know they're there to win.
It might not be easy - heck, it probably won't be.
They might be surprised at something the other team does during the game.
They might give up a big play or two. Mentally, it doesn't matter to them - they're going to overcome the obstacles and they're going to win.
And so are you.
After all, you didn't show up at the testing center just to "see what the exam is like".
When you're in the waiting room at the testing center, that's your tunnel.
Now, don't slap the test proctor on the side of her helmet - that's not going to go over well. But have the attitude that you've already earned the certification ...
... and you're just there to make it official.
 
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To your success,
Chris Bryant
CCIE #12933
"The Computer Certification Bulldog"
chris@thebryantadvantage.com
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