Exam Layout and Design

Some exam questions require you to select a single answer, whereas others ask you to select multiple correct answers. The following multiple-choice question requires you to select a single correct answer. Following the question is a brief summary of each answer selection and why it is either correct or incorrect.

Question 1

When MLS rewrites frames in hardware, which of the following information is not changed?

  • A. Source IP address

  • B. Destination MAC address

  • C. MAC frame's CRC

  • D. IP TTL

A1:

Answer A is correct. The IP address is not changed when MLS rewrites frame and packet information. Answers B, C, and D are incorrect because they are rewritten by an MLS switch.


This sample question format corresponds closely to the Cisco BCMSN certification exam format the only difference on the exam is that questions are not followed by answer keys. To select an answer, position the cursor over the radio button next to the answer and then click the mouse button to select the answer. See the practice exam CD that comes with this book for a general idea of what the questions will look like.

Next, we examine a question that requires choosing multiple answers. This type of question provides check boxes rather than radio buttons for marking all appropriate selections. This type of question can either specify how many answers to choose or instruct you to choose all the appropriate answers.

Question 2

Which of the following items are not necessary when setting up routing in a VLAN environment? (Choose two.)

  • A. Creating VLANs and associating user ports to them

  • B. Building trunks

  • C. Tuning STP

  • D. Configuring routing on an RP

A1:

Answers B and C are correct. Tuning STP is not necessary to set up routing in a VLAN environment. Answer B is incorrect because it is required only for a router-on-a-stick; but you can use access-links or MLS also. Answers A and D are required, and therefore are incorrect answers.


For this type of question, more than one answer is required. Such questions are scored as wrong unless all the required selections are chosen. In other words, a partially correct answer does not result in partial credit when the test is scored. If you're required to provide multiple answers and do not provide the number of answers the question asks for, the testing software indicates that you did not complete that question. For question 2, you have to check the boxes next to answers B and C to obtain credit for this question. Realize that choosing the correct answers also means knowing why the other answers are incorrect!

Although these two basic types of questions can appear in many forms, they are the foundation on which most of the BCMSN certification exam questions are based. Some other complex questions might include exhibits, simple fill-in-the-blank questions, as well as simulation questions. For some of these questions, you'll be asked to make a selection by clicking the portion of the exhibit that answers the question or by typing the correct answer(s) in the testing interface. Your knowledge and expertise of switch configuration must go well beyond merely memorizing the purpose of various commands. The BCMSN exam tests your ability to configure a switch in a variety of scenarios and configurations. Do not rely simply on your success at answering traditional multiple-choice questions. Although that type of question represents the core of the exam, your failure to answer the many fill-in-the-blank, simulator, and configuration scenario type questions will lead to an unsuccessful testing session.

Other questions involving exhibits use charts or diagrams to help document a network scenario that you'll be asked to configure or troubleshoot. Careful attention to such exhibits is the key to success. In these instances, you might have to toggle between the exhibit and the question to absorb all the information being shown and to properly answer the question.

You also might see a question or two in which you must enter a simple command into an input box. You might be presented with a long list of available commands as part of the testing interface. You will also encounter from one to five simulation questions. You will be given a simulated scenario that you must complete in the Cisco IOS environment. This generally involves performing a series of steps at the command line or possibly dragging and dropping the correct order of a certain procedure. Therefore, actual experience with the Cisco switch IOS and real-world practice are critical to success on the BCMSN exam.



BCMSN Exam Cram 2 (Exam Cram 642-811)
CCNP BCMSN Exam Cram 2 (Exam Cram 642-811)
ISBN: 0789729911
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 171
Authors: Richard Deal

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