I just took my CCNA exam today at MISNet in Makati, Philippines and scored 972/1000. I studied at Rivan IT System (a bootcamp for five consecutive Saturdays last November-December) as part of my preparation for exam. I then self-studied for 2 months which was the hardest thing for me since I’m not fond of doing it since school days. JBut hey, my career is at stake here so I had to find a way.

After the bootcamp I tried watching videos, reading books, simulate a laboratory environment but have to cut them short because of my other activities ie. playing with Jarah (my 5 yr old daughter) every time I took my day off or playing with my computer games. There are times that I just want to sleep all day. What a bum.

One day, I realized that I just want to sit there on the exam center, take the CCNA test and walk away and keep it a secret. So I logged in to Pearson Vue website and booked the exam (March 20, 2009 2:00PM). I’m not afraid to take the exam and failed not because I did or did not prepare for it but rather I’m afraid to take the exam and failed because that would mean goodbye $250 for me. What a price.

Finally, the day came in. My wife, Diwa, before going to work told me that I can do it. She even included me in their prayers together with her officemates. Did I mention that I want to keep this whole exam thing as a secret? Well not anymore. I even call my colleague to inform him that I took my exam. The exam, contrary to what I expected, is much easier. Although I must admit that I was too nervous on my sit and had a hard time understanding the instructions I was reading prior to the exam. Perhaps that’s the good thing about exam. And conquering it, as always, provides a very good personal satisfaction and relief on my part for that $250. J

P.S. 

I would like thanks Dean Zerbe and the Intelletrace (our mother company in US) who sponsored our bootcamp training and hopefully will shoulder the amount I paid for the exam as well. Yahoo!