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Which Exams for CCIP?
I’ve been talking to people about the BGP and MPLS exams. From what I’m hearing, it sounds like the composite (BGP+MPLS) is actually easier than doing each exam individually. I’m finding this a bit hard to believe, but people seem pretty adamant about it. I’m hearing that there are less sims on the composite.
I’ve been focusing on BGP mostly, but MPLS has been part of the labs I’ve been using. I might just try out the composite and see how it goes since my employer is paying for two attempts per exam…
Anyone have thoughts or suggestions on the matter?
about 1 month ago
Cleared my CCIP few days back.
My path was Composite, BGP+MPLS & QoS.
Composite paper was more like 50% for each BSCI and BCMSN and i encountered about 4 labs if i remember correctly.
As for BGP+MPLS paper i had about 3 Labs once again if i remember correctly and the paper is rather easy. Completed the paper about 30mins. Know the fundamental and you wont go wrong
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about 1 month ago
When I said “composite” I was talking about BGP+MPLS. I’m already done with the CCNP, so I don’t have to worry about BSCI, thankfully.
30 minutes for BGP+MPLS? Wow, that’s insane. I’ve read that there are only ~50 questions on it, which is less than I can remember on a Cisco exam. Thanks for the info!
BGP+MPLS is looking more appealing, especially since I’m not paying, lol.
about 1 month ago
Ah, Not paying for it? Lucky you.
If i rememeber correctly it was only 42 – 45 questions for BGP+MPLS including of lab.
All the best!
about 1 month ago
I’ve heard the same thing, and had the same debate.
I’m personally going the two exam option because I don’t *want* the easy way out. The CCIP is CCIE prep for me, so the goal is to get as familiar with BGP and MPLS as I possibly can. CCIP is just something I pick up along the way to CCIE, not an end goal in and of itself.
about 1 month ago
I hear you, though I’m ok with taking the easier path as getting the cert doesn’t mean I stop learning. If you’re against taking the easy way out, maybe you should limit the amount of study materials you have access to, or quit labbing as a learning tool, or hell, may as well poke one of your eyes out. Doing all this with one eye would be even less easy.:D
Regardless of getting the cert, I’ll still be studying, learning and labbing. I can’t get enough of this stuff. The CCIE is my end goal as well, but I need something to fill the time until I’m ready to revisit that road.
The benefit of the cert is that I’ll (hopefully) get a little bump at work, or have an easier time finding a new job.
about 1 month ago
Ah, you misunderstand me hehe
I have to learn enough to do the hard versions of the exams anyway, so I’d prefer to use them as my check. The knowledge is what’s important to me, and the more questions I can answer that ‘count’, the better off I think it is for me.
Of course I have no incentive to take the easier path, work doesn’t care what certs I do, they won’t pay for any training, and so on, and management probably doesn’t realize it yet, but my coworkers certainly do – once I pass the CCIE, I’m most likely gone. I don’t think management will be willing to pay the salary to keep two CCIE’s on staff, so I’m in no rush. I’m pretty much on a 2 year plan as it is.
I’ve just never been a big fan of composite exams, I prefer to be able to focus my studies. Of course I might as well get used to the prospect, since the CCIE Written is really just one big Composite exam.
about 1 month ago
My current employer is the first to pay for anything, it’s very, very nice. They won’t pay for training (at least not so far), but they will pay for Cisco exams, thankfully.
My manager probably realizes that if (or when, hopefully) I get the IE they’ll either have to give me a big bump or I’ll seek other employment. I doubt I’ll get the bump, lol.
I completely agree with you on composite exams, I didn’t dare try to take the BSCI+BCMSN composite, it was just too much stuff to cram in. I feel a little better about BGP+MPLS since a lot of it is complementary and it’s really just two technologies, albeit very, very deep technologies. I’m ok with giving this one a shot, especially after what I’m hearing. I’ll know next week whether it was a mistake or not, hah.
Ps. I like your blog, I’m adding a link to it on here.