Results

As usual, the exam scoring ranges from 300 to 1000. The passing score for this exam is 825, one of the highest passing marks (I have seen others as high as 860). A score of 300 to 1000 means you have 700 points available to earn; a score of 825 requires you to earn 525, or 75%, of those 700. If you are careful and patient, you can even fail to answer one side of the dual-product simulation and pass, but you must know the relevant material. You need to know the modules in the various network designs, which products are in those modules, and what function each product performs , as well as the threats it mitigates. You see your score within seconds after finishing the exam, and a report is printed and given to you when you leave the exam room and collect your things. The report breaks down the topics of the exam and your percentage score on each of them (although you do not see how many questions were included in each topic).

If you pass, congratulations! You should see this posted to your Candidate History at Cisco's Certification Tracking System Web site within a few days (that is not immediate, unfortunately ). If not, you are far from alone: Cisco exams have earned their reputation for being tough. Pick yourself up and dust yourself off (mentally, anyway), and make notes to yourself as soon as you can. Write down everything you can remember about the exam, the kinds of questions, the things you knew nothing about, and the things you know you got right (just in case). Describe the simulation, especially what you had to connect and for what reason (the problem you were trying to solve). Have a copy of the Exam Topics printed, and make notes on what was asked about various items. Keep your notes handy for a couple of days, and add things as they come to mind.

Work your way through the material again, with close reference to what you saw on the test; then reschedule your exam and take it again. You probably won't see the exact same set of questions, but you will see something very similar. If you have kept your first experience in mind as you reviewed, this time should have a much better outcome.