Tips & Strategies for the Cisco Certified DevNet Expert Exam

In a previous blog post I already mentioned my strategy for the Cisco Certified DevNet Expert exam. In this blog post I will now go into more detail about tips and strategies for this exam, including what you should do before, during, and immediately after the exam.

Preparing for this exam can be daunting. Not only does it require hundreds of hours of study to master every technology. You also have to schedule the exam, and most of us even need to book a flight and a hotel. Before my first attempt I was a bit scared of that. But what really helped me out was a bullet proof strategy that I could rely on. I thought I had this exam strategy ready on my first attempt. Unfortunately that wasn't the case... But I improved my strategy for the second attempt and perfected it on the third attempt.

This article is divided into three parts; how you should prepare before the exam, what you should do during the exam and what to do immediately after the exam. Here I mainly talk about the Cisco Certified DevNet Expert exam. I don't know whether all of this can be transferred to other CCIEs.

At DevNet Academy I created an e-learning for the Cisco Certified DevNet Expert exam. This e-learning covers every aspect of the exam, including theory, quizzes and exercises. And on top of that I'll be at your side as a mentor. Check out my DevNet Expert E-Learning if you want to become a Cisco Certified DevNet Expert!

Before the Exam

There are several ways how you can prepare for the exam. You can decide to do everything by yourself. In that case, it's important that you read the exam DevNet Expert Blueprint very carefully. The blueprint outlines the topics and skills you’ll be tested on during the exam. It’s important to know the basics about each item listed in the blueprint. Pay close attention to keywords such as "design" and "recommend" or "modify" and "use". This may give you an idea of which module questions may appear, so you can focus your study accordingly.

Also compare the blueprint with the Equipment and Software list. According to the blueprint, you have to "Build, manage, and operate a Python-based CLI application to use a REST API". If you only read this, several technologies can be used, such as argparse, Typer or Click. But in the equipment and software list it says that click is used. Now you know that you should learn Click instead of Typer...

When studying, I recommend that you download and use the official Candidate Work Station (CWS) to help you prepare. This will help you get used to the touch and feel of the same workstation you will be using during the exam. During the exam you will have two 24' monitors, a US keyboard and a wired mouse. I recommend that you get familiar with this before the exam. For example I switched my keyboard layout to US and downscaled the CWS to be familiar with the exam setup.

Cisco provides a learning matrix with all kinds of materials that help you prepare for this exam. You could literary spend hundreds of hours reading all of these materials and try to gain the experience. One approach could be that you simply learn the basics of each tool and then go straight to the exam. You probably won't pass, but you'll know exactly what you need to learn.A more streamlined approach is the DevNet Academy e-learning. I created this e-learning specifically for the DevNet Expert exam. This will give you a solid foundation and ensure that you’re familiar with all the concepts you’ll need to know for the exam.

If this is your first CCIE exam ever, it's also helpful to have a mentor or someone to talk to. In the best case scenario, this person has passed the DevNet Expert exam, but anyone with a CCIE can help you and give you some tips. Now here's another benefit of the DevNet Academy e-learning. If you signed up for my training program, I'll be your mentor and you can always ask me if you have any questions.

Lastly, I think you should register for the exam even if you haven’t mastered every subject. It’s impossible to prepare for this exam without having seen it first. And you will most likely not pass the exam on your first attempt. But once you get past the first attempt, you know exactly what kinds of questions they ask and where you need to focus on. This way you also don't "waste" time studying for things they don't even ask on the exam...

During the Exam

First of all, it’s important to take care of yourself during the exam. Bring water and snacks, like nuts and raisins. Not the best comfort snack, but it helped me focus and keep my energy levels up. It’s also a good idea to bring any necessary medications, such as painkillers for headaches, in case you need them. And don’t forget to take breaks during the exam – eight hours is a long time, so taking short breaks to clear your mind can help you stay focused.

The exam is divided into two modules. Module 1 is all about reading the questions carefully. Details can be hidden in both the questions, the answers, and the provided resources, so it’s important to take your time and make sure you understand what’s being asked. It’s also important to keep track of time, as you only have three hours to complete the module. Try to finish one-third of the questions after the first hour, two-thirds after the second hour, and so on. If you solved more than 1/3 of the questions after the first hour, slow down a bit. If you finish faster, you won't get extra time for Module 2...

Module 2 is the more practical part. Again, it’s important to read each question carefully before doing anything. I advise you that you verify each task immediately and don’t wait until the end to do the verification. On my first attempt, I did all the verification at the end. But the problem is, if you don’t have enough time, you can’t verify anything. And you only get points if your solution is 100% correct. They do not give you partial points...

To keep track of your progress, mark completed tasks as done, but only after you’ve verified your solution. That way you know you will never have to return to that task again. If you don't finish a task, make a note of where you're stuck and what doesn't work. If you go back to this question after several hours, you already have a jump start and know where to look. If you didn’t finish a task, make a note of it so you know where to look if you need to go back. And don’t switch between unfinished tasks too often – you’ll lose time switching between contexts.

Finally, try not to be distracted by other people during the exam. Focus on your own work and don’t worry about what other candidates are doing. With these tips and strategies, I think you’ll be well on your way on your CCIE Lab Exam. I wish you the best of luck!

After the Exam

As soon as the exam is over write down everything you can remember about the exam. This includes the types of questions, the technologies covered, the configuration steps you took, and anything else you think might be relevant. Actually write everything down, no matter how obvious it is. Because I can guarantee you, 2 or 3 weeks later you'll forget about it... I can't tell you any details or I'll loose my DevNet number, but if you create your own notes you're perfectly fine. This information can be invaluable when preparing for future exams!

It’s important to capture as many details as possible while the exam is still fresh in your mind. Be sure to write down everything, no matter how unimportant it may seem. There are a lot of short-term memories in your head that can fade quickly, and you don’t want to lose valuable information. And here's another little tip. If you're writing down your notes, have a look at the DevNet Expert e-learning course overview. Even if you haven't signed up, you still can see the different topics covered. When you see individual topics, a question may suddenly come to your mind!

If you pass, congratulations! However, if you don’t pass, don’t be discouraged. This is a challenging exam, and it’s not uncommon to fail on the first (or second or third) attempt.

When you receive your score report, it’s important to take some time to study it carefully. Try to match the questions from your notes to the areas in the score report to get a better understanding of your performance. It’s also important to identify which questions you answered incorrectly.

Here's just a simple example. Let's say there are only two questions about the container section, one in Module 1 and one in Module 2. You're absolutely sure that the task in Module 2 is working, but you're not quite sure if you answered the question in Module 1 correctly. In your score report you see that you only scored 50% in the Container section. Now you probably know that your answer in Module 1 was wrong...

If you have a mentor or study group, be sure to discuss your performance with them. They can provide valuable insight into what you did well and where you may need to improve. They can also help you develop a plan for your next attempt. Just make sure that you don't violate the NDA...

Register for your next attempt as soon as possible. It’s important to stay focused and not let the disappointment of failure hold you back. Register for your next attempt as soon as possible while the material is still fresh in your mind. With your previous exam experience, you’ll be better equipped to prepare for and ultimately pass your next attempt.

Conclusion

The DevNet Expert lab exam is a challenging exam that requires a lot of preparation and focus. By following these tips, I believe you can maximize your chances of success. Remember that the ultimate goal is to get your DevNet Expert number, and with dedication and hard work, you can achieve that goal. Remember to take your time, stay focused, and don’t forget to take breaks to avoid burnout. I wish you the best of luck!