Based on the tests we've taken, a couple of interesting trends in the answers have become apparent. For those questions that take only a single answer, usually two or three of the answers are obviously incorrect, and two of the answers are plausible. Of course, only one can be correct. Unless the answer leaps out at you (and if it does, reread the question to look for a trick; sometimes they are the ones you're most likely to get wrong), begin the process of answering by eliminating answers that are obviously wrong. Things to look for in the "obviously wrong" category include spurious command choices or filenames, nonexistent software or command options, and terminology you've never seen before. If you've done your homework for a test, no valid information should be completely new to you. In that case, unfamiliar or bizarre terminology probably indicates a totally bogus answer. As long as you're sure what's right, it's easy to eliminate what's wrong. Numerous questions assume that the default behavior of a particular Cisco command is in effect. It's essential to know and understand the default settings for the various commands. If you know the defaults and understand what they mean, this knowledge will help you cut through many Gordian knots. Likewise, when dealing with questions requiring multiple answers, you must know and select all the correct options to get credit. This style, too, qualifies as an example of why careful reading is so important. As you work your way through the test, another counter the exam provides will come in handy: the number of questions completed and questions outstanding. Budget your time by making sure you've completed one fourth of the questions one quarter of the way through the test period. Check again three quarters of the way through. Most Cisco exams have approximately 65 questions, other than CCIE written or beta exams; you won't see an exam with too many more or less. Keeping to a pace of a question per minute will make sure you have the necessary time to deal with the couple of complex scenario questions that will crop up.
If you're not through after 80 minutes, use the last 10 minutes to guess your way through the remaining questions. Remember, guesses are more valuable than blank answers because blanks are always wrong, but a guess might turn out to be right. If you haven't a clue about any of the remaining questions, pick answers at random or choose all As, Bs, and so on. The important thing is to submit a test for scoring that has an answer for every question. |