Decoding Ambiguity

Cisco exams have a reputation for including questions that can be ambiguous. In my experience with numerous exams, I consider this reputation to be completely justified. However, Cisco exams are tough, and they're deliberately made that way.

Questions often give away their answers, but you have to be Sherlock Holmes to see the clues. Often, subtle hints appear in the question text in such a way that they seem almost irrelevant to the situation. You must realize that each question is a test unto itself and that you need to inspect and successfully navigate each question to pass the exam. Look for small clues, such as the mention of times, group permissions and names, and configuration settings. Little things such as these can point to the right answer if they're properly understood; if missed, they can leave you facing a blind guess.

Another common difficulty with certification exams is vocabulary. Be sure to brush up on the key terms presented at the beginning of each chapter of this book. You may also want to read the glossary at the end of this book the day before you take the test.