Getting Ready for the Exam

Now that you have finished this book, you can register for the exam and take the test. However, if you first spend some time thinking about your exam-day expectations, learning about the user interface of a real Cisco exam, and knowing about your testing center, you will be better prepared to take the exam, particularly if this is your first Cisco exam. You are very close to the finish line, so now it’s time put forth one last effort.

Tools for Final Review

Here, we suggest some tools and resources that you can consider for your final exam preparation. Certainly, you can develop your own plan or use this list partially or as is. You may consider the following items in your plan:

• Progress Tracker: Each chapter provides a short list of learning objectives. All objectives are also listed together in a table that you can find in the Introduction to this book. Use that table as your preparation checklist, and ensure that you have studied all the topics.
• Study Notes: While you were reading the book, you likely took notes or highlighted the lines that are important to you. Review them now to boost your confidence.
• Key Topics: Use the Key Topics tables to review the important topics in each chapter. If you find any knowledge gaps, take some time to consider these topics further.
• “Do I Know This Already?” (DIKTA) Quizzes: Take the “Do I Know This Already?” (DIKTA) quizzes for each chapter and review the answers.
• Pearson Test Prep Practice Test Engine: Use the Pearson Test Prep practice test engine to practice. This bank of unique exam-realistic questions is available only with this book.

Exam Day

Here are some additional tips to ensure that you are ready for this rewarding exam:

• Get some rest: Most students report success after getting plenty of rest the night before the exam. All-night cram sessions are not always helpful.
• Bring your valuables: Bring all your valuables but prepare to lock them up. The testing center does not allow you to take your phone, smart watch, wallet, and other such items into the exam room. You will be provided a secure place to store them while taking the exam.
• Plan your travel time: Give yourself extra time to find the center and get checked in. Be sure to arrive early.
• Budget your time for exam questions: Do the math to find the average time to answer each question. If the average does not sound like enough time, realize that many questions are straightforward and require only 15 to 30 seconds to answer. Being able to answer some questions quickly builds time for other questions as you take your exam.
• Watch the clock: Check in on the time remaining periodically as you are taking the exam. You might even find that you can slow down dramatically as you have built up a nice block of extra time.