CCNA Exam for Dummies

I passed the CCNA recently on my third attempt. My first try saw me get 770 points approx, next 810 and finally just over 900. I have a pretty good idea now where I went wrong initially and hopefully my experience can be of help to others. My main problem was with the Router Simulation questions and to a lesser extent  the  Simlet and the Testlet questions. There seems to be one of each type in every exam ( a total of 3) and you must do well on these in order to pass.

On my first attempt I spent so much time on the Router Simulation (about Access Lists) that I hadn't time to finish the exam. Second time round I made the opposite mistake, rushed this question and made a silly mistake that cost me the exam (I came within about 1% of passing and had several minutes to spare at the end but what good is that?). Third time was lucky - except luck had nothing to do with it!

In this Blog I will  concentrate mainly on the Simulation type questions but pass on other tips as well. I will be referring you to FREE sites and one or two pay-sites that I found very useful. Later hopefully I will produce some original material myself but to begin with, I'd like to highlight the sites that helped me to succeed.

Incidentally I am an (early) retired Government worker. I had intended to do a different -and much easier- IT course but it wasn't available and the CCNA seemed to be the closest I could get. Computers are NOT my strong point and if I can pass, then almost anyone can!