We are starting a new series here on blog.ipexpert.com that is going to focus on the proctor. In this first post, we are going to explore the question of – “What is the proctor there for?” Why do we care about this? Well, if we understand what their job is, we will know better what to expect from them, and what we can acquire from them during the lab experience.

Proctors consider themselves, and are titled, customer support engineers. They are at the lab exam site to provide a number of support-type functions:

• Ensure your equipment is functioning properly for the lab exam
• Ensure that you understand your requirements for completing the exam
• Ensure that candidates do not intentionally, or inadvertently, cheat or distract other candidates

What about helping with your questions? Well, many proctors will state at the beginning of the exam (orientation), that they are NOT there to help you with the tasks that you will be presented with. They make it clear that everything you need to pass the exam is provided on the printed or on-screen materials.

With that said, proctors WILL typically try and assist with questions that you have about your lab. To quote a famous proctor former proctor, Ben Ng, “Candidates are entitled and encouraged to ask any questions if they feel the wording of the exam content is not clear. However, generally I will decline to answer a question if it is formulated for me to choose or confirm a specific solution. We can’t give candidates a direct reply if they’re trying to narrow down the answer. But we don’t mind clarifying the questions if they ask. The worst that could happen is I tell them I can’t answer.”

Interesting…more on this fact in the next post in this series!

Anthony Sequeira CCIE, CCSI
Twitter: @compsolv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/compsolv

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Did you read the previous post in this series regarding the Top-Down Troubleshooting approach? If you did, then you already have a great understanding for this Troubleshooting approach. Once again, we are going to rely on the OSI model as a guide as we troubleshoot. This time, however, we are going to start that physical layer and work our way up the layers. Hey, do you need a review of what those layers are? Here you go:

• Application
• Presentation
• Session
• Transport
• Network
• Data Link
• Physical

When you engage in the Bottom-Up Troubleshooting approach, you are eliminating more and more potential problems as you move up each layer. It is fun! I rely on this Troubleshooting approach when in doubt, that is for sure.

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East China, Michigan, August 23rd 2011: IPexpert Inc., a global leader in Cisco certification training, announced today that it will be entering a strategic partnership with ACIT, India’s most prestigious Cisco certification training institute, to provide cutting-edge Instructor Led Training throughout the country.

This Partnership is historical in itself as it will streamline the world class Cisco Certification training in India, making it at par with the leaders in the Industry. Through this partnership, ACIT shall cater to IPexpert’s clients in Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi, while also making the world class modules and training techniques of IPexpert available to ACIT’s local students in India. Indian students will also benefit further through this venture, by having the opportunity to be trained by the IPexpert’s world-renowned Instructors who will be teaching in ACIT classrooms in India.

IPexpert CEO, Wayne A. Lawson II, stated “We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership; delivering high-quality instruction is the center of everything we do and to be able to expand our training locations into India with an established leader like ACIT will allow our students the opportunity to receive IPexpert’s high caliber of network training courses. We selected ACIT because of their phenomenal reputation in India, and feel that both companies can promote a single world-class training service that’s unmatched in India.”
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In the last post in this topic area – we examined the Study Tips provided by Cisco (long ago) for preparing for the CCIE Lab Exam. These original tips can be found here:

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/ccie/rs/lab_exam_tips.html

What we will look at in this post is the 10 lab exam tips they published way back when. As usual, I will add my thoughts about each one.

TEN TIPS FOR TAKING THE LAB EXAM

Tip 1 - “Read the entire exam first and check for addressing issues. Do not skip any details or sections.”

There are multiple schools of thought on this tip. For the configuration section of R&S, some will spend 45 minutes diagramming and reading and diagramming, while others will not read ahead at all.

I took the approach of skimming the entire lab and then diving in. My pre-read took about 4 minutes.

Tip 2 – “Manage your time. Make a plan to cover all the sections in the time provided. Work out how much time you will spend on each section, keeping in mind the point value of the questions. Don’t forget to allow time at the end to verify your solutions.”

Time management is huge. This is a big chunk of what I call a Strategy in order to pass. Remember, I emphasis four things for candidates…Tech Knowledge, Strategy, Psychology, and Physical Wellness. Of the Strategy area, time management is HUGE.

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East China, MI  June 02, 2011

IPexpert, Inc. an industry leader in Cisco CCIE Lab training is excited to announce the launch of its new product and class portfolio which now covers Cisco’s CCIE Written, CCNP, and CCNA certifications across the Routing & Switching, Voice, Wireless and Security designations. “After establishing a world-class brand throughout the CCIE community, for over a decade, focusing on Cisco’s most prestigious and complex certification, we felt it made sense to take our methodologies and create the same type of world-class products and courses for the remainder of Cisco’s certifications,” said Wayne Lawson, president & CEO of IPexpert.

In direct response to thousands of requests from previous and current clients, IPexpert is pleased to now offer and deliver self-study training products and classes for the CCIE Written, CCNP, CCNA and CCENT certifications. Along with this launch IPexpert has also began offering a selection of their new products in streaming format to allow students easier and quicker access to their materials. Lawson explained, “We appreciate the feedback we have receive from our customers, we are constantly searching for new ways to serve the Cisco community.”

Mr. Lawson added, “This entry and mid-level market is a larger audience, so we’re quite optimistic about the growth and visibility our organization will receive by the addition of these services and products.” IPexpert’s new training portfolio now consists of Video-on-Demand training, Audio-on-Demand, Practice Tests & Quizzers, Online or “Virtual” Classes, and Live, Instructor-Led Bootcamp Courses. IPexpert has also released a CCNP to CCIE Transition Kit (for the same four tracks) which is designed to bridge the gap from traditional CCNP theoretical knowledge to complex, CCIE-level topics.

“Our clients and our proven track record are a clear indicator that our world-renowned Instructors and Authors create the world’s best CCIE Training content. We are proud to possess the largest collection of successful CCIE clients and we’re certain that we will soon make a very big impact on the entry and mid-level certification space.” said Lawson.

About IPexpert
Founded in 2001, IPexpert is an industry-recognized, privately held, Cisco Certification training company for networking engineers pursuing the highest level of career certification offered by Cisco. The company has become a global leader serving its niche market, boasting the most distinguished portfolio of self-study products & Bootcamps for CCIE Lab Training, CCIE Written Training, CCNP Training and CCNA Training.

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