I guess it depends on your ultimate goal. If it is to obtain the CCNP certification, then it could go very fast: from a few weeks to a few of months. But if your goal is to prepare for the CCIE and beyond, I suggest you spend time studying each technology deeply.
I have met many CCIEs I could not recommend for any job.
Don't think of the CCNA and CCNP as a pre-requisite for taking the CCIE, think of them as stepping stones, i e build a very solid base now, then as you study for the CCIE, everything will feel more holistic.
These "experts" usually prepare for exams by obtaining the actual questions from the real exam and practice them repeatedly until they know the answers by heart. As you might think, this method allows you to pass an exam without actually understanding the tested technologies. This shortsighted method may have a devastating effect on the candidate's self-confidence and understanding. It might even harm the candidate's self-esteem since as many people think (and they're right) practicing with real exam questions is equivalent to cheating.
I guess what I'm trying to say is cramming does not work, and even if you pass the exam by cramming, you're likely to be a lousy CCIE (that's worse than not being a CCIE at all). You should, instead, study the basis, master them before going to the next step, and tend not to build on weakness.
Here is the step-by-step strategy:
First, study the courses (all of the courses) regarding a given technology (ex: OSPF). Even the design courses, since your plan is to master the technology so that you can eventually pass the CCIE Lab.
Then, do practice labs for that technology. Then, go ahead and take practices exams for that particular technology. Join forum discussions, ask questions, seek advice and obtain help. You could attempt to explain the technology to someone else (you gain a great deal doing so mainly because it helps you verify your understanding). Repeat each step for each and every technology listed in the exam blueprint. And finally, practice full-scale labs, and full-scale exams.
But for those of you who were after an answer in weeks/months/years, you should aim to take the CCNA in one month, the CCNP in six months (2 months per exam) and CCIE in 1 to 2 years (6 months for the written part and 18 months for the lab).
Whatever you decide to do you should do it properly. If you decide to "save some time" and take an exam without thoroughly understanding the tested subject why waste your time taking the exam in the first place? Employers have very little respect for highly certified individuals that are incompetent in the work environment. Success attracts more success. If you decide to use each certification level as a learning opportunity and stepping stone towards the next level, then you would boost your self-confidence and learning curve and eventually achieve mastery.
I have met many CCIEs I could not recommend for any job.
Don't think of the CCNA and CCNP as a pre-requisite for taking the CCIE, think of them as stepping stones, i e build a very solid base now, then as you study for the CCIE, everything will feel more holistic.
These "experts" usually prepare for exams by obtaining the actual questions from the real exam and practice them repeatedly until they know the answers by heart. As you might think, this method allows you to pass an exam without actually understanding the tested technologies. This shortsighted method may have a devastating effect on the candidate's self-confidence and understanding. It might even harm the candidate's self-esteem since as many people think (and they're right) practicing with real exam questions is equivalent to cheating.
I guess what I'm trying to say is cramming does not work, and even if you pass the exam by cramming, you're likely to be a lousy CCIE (that's worse than not being a CCIE at all). You should, instead, study the basis, master them before going to the next step, and tend not to build on weakness.
Here is the step-by-step strategy:
First, study the courses (all of the courses) regarding a given technology (ex: OSPF). Even the design courses, since your plan is to master the technology so that you can eventually pass the CCIE Lab.
Then, do practice labs for that technology. Then, go ahead and take practices exams for that particular technology. Join forum discussions, ask questions, seek advice and obtain help. You could attempt to explain the technology to someone else (you gain a great deal doing so mainly because it helps you verify your understanding). Repeat each step for each and every technology listed in the exam blueprint. And finally, practice full-scale labs, and full-scale exams.
But for those of you who were after an answer in weeks/months/years, you should aim to take the CCNA in one month, the CCNP in six months (2 months per exam) and CCIE in 1 to 2 years (6 months for the written part and 18 months for the lab).
Whatever you decide to do you should do it properly. If you decide to "save some time" and take an exam without thoroughly understanding the tested subject why waste your time taking the exam in the first place? Employers have very little respect for highly certified individuals that are incompetent in the work environment. Success attracts more success. If you decide to use each certification level as a learning opportunity and stepping stone towards the next level, then you would boost your self-confidence and learning curve and eventually achieve mastery.
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