Phase I: A Bottom Up Approach…
Perhaps it’s because I’m reading CCIE Routing & Switching: Official Exam Certification Guide (Wendell Odom) or because the CCIE Blueprint is arranged in this way, or even because it’s how the OSI model works, but I’ve started studying for my CCIE with a bottom-up approach. I think it makes the most sense because greater understanding of upper level topics can be achieved with knowledge of lower level topics. An article I read recently on TechExams.net Forums said much the same thing.
A Review of Supermemo
As I said previously, I’ve started studying for the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert certification and have been at it for just about a week. I’ve read the first two chapters (from the book mentioned above) and have learned about 3/4 of the first chapter. The method I’m using is based on the CCIE Exam Blueprint, and intimately involves a computer program called SuperMemo. SuperMemo goes beyond flash-card software. I’ve created a “folder” hierarchy based on the CCIE Blueprint, and create slides (it’s html based and is 99.9% done in a WYSIWYG editor) inside the appropriate folders. Flash cards are created automatically when I select a word or phrase and press “ALT-z.” A new flash-card is placed under the slide (hierarchically) with the selected phrase “clozed” out (their term) as the answer.
The best thing about SuperMemo is that the slides I create I’m initially tested on, but my daily repetitions are only a subset of my entire collection! Each time I answer any given flash-card correctly, it’s scheduled for an even longer interval. This also means that my workload is very light currently because my retention is at around 99% (Supermemo guarantees 95% retention with the default settings). Retention is easier when it’s based on understanding, and I already understand many of the simple Layer 1 & 2 concepts. Retention is also easier with drive, and my interest and desire to learn CCIE material is high!
My Progress So Far
As I said above, I’ve completed 3/4 of the first chapter of the book (10 pages) and have read the first two chapters (47 pages). Topics completed include: Physical Layer Ethernet (Ethernet Wiring, Autonegotiation, Collisions, Configuration) and Data Link Layer Ethernet (History, DIX, 802.3, 802.2, SNAP, MAC). It’s fairly slow going, but my aim is mastery! I’m also just starting out with Supermemo and this book… I will be increasing my efforts over the next month until I reach an appropriate, average level of effort. My goal is at least 3 hours daily and I’m currently doing about 1-1.5 hours a day.
Family Concerns
My other problem lies with family and other activities. This is a major undertaking! So far there’s been little interference, but I expect it to become more of a problem as it continues (and as I spend more time on it). My son shouldn’t be a major problem - study time is after he goes to bed. Aside from family, my other problem is physical activity - this is a concern for me and something I need to work on. It’s always very hard to schedule in. It’s something that must be put into my daily routine. I expect this will continue to be addressed in my blog.