Top 5 Study Tips for SCOR & other exams

Introduction

Disclaimer:

before we start on discussing top 5 study tips for these exams, I just want to clarify the following.

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#5 Books –

One of the best ways to study for an exam. Especially for Comptia A+, Network+, and the CCNA, CCNP exams, are by book study. This method is one of the most overlooked methods because as it is, it might be the most boring method.

I will be honest it is very boring. The benefit is information you grab from these books as you write down your notes. This information will become easier to access. This is due to the fact that you struggled to find this information, thus helps you better remember.

Put on some music, possibly while drinking coffee, or hot tea. Just taking a couple hours of your day to read through the material. Though I use this method, I believe it is better to pair it with practice tests. By introducing practice tests, you are able to go back and double down on anything you missed. This in turn will save you time and focusing on the subjects you struggle with the most.

Here are some of the books I have used and recommend:

#4 BOSON/Udemy –

This practice exam page is one of the best. I believe if I did not use this I probably would not have passed the CCNA. This practice test simulator not only focuses on the main subjects, but the exam itself has multiple terminal simulators. These simulators are 100% like the real thing.

Though in the SCOR version of their test. You do not really use terminal. That is because it focuses on the exam blueprint, which focuses on security solutions.

#3 Youtube –

Youtube is one of the best resources if used correctly. You can learn anything from fixing your car. To even learning how to deploy your first home lab.

#2 Home Labs –

Get your hands dirty with home labs. Here you can learn how to grind, and get a real feeling of a small data center (Not really). This will prevent shock when finally being at a data center.

It is easy to create a lab in packet tracer, have it do site-to-site vpn, create some VLANs, and configure STP. The comes from when you are asked to unplug cable from GigabitEthernet1/1/1. If you are not comfortable with switch hardware layout, you might freeze in the moment. The best way to counter act this is to get some switches, routers, firewalls, and APs. Learn the concepts first hand!

As for the SCOR, this may be a little harder to do. I recomend learning AAA commands. Also any commands to do with configuring/debugging VPN connections. Even some Python/JSON with API will help you a lot. You can do all of this with L3 switches and/or routers.

Here are the best bang for your buck in network equipment for home lab:

#1 ALL –

This means the best way to study for the SCOR and any other Network/IT test is to use all methods.

To become good at networking you cannot just learn the theory, you must also get hands on. It is one thing to read about BGP, and another to have to set it up and have it constantly fail over and over again. Until you realize your mistake was one simple commnad. This is how it is in the real world.

So how will we study with all?

My method is in the morning on the way to work, or getting ready. You can put on a youtube/podcast and listen in passivly.

Throughout your day, whenever you get a chance you can start running a practice test on BOSON or Udemy. This ideal for people that do not want to take a practice test for an hour straight. Especially if

Once you get home, or are finally free for the day. You can now cross refference any of the questions you got wrong on the practice tests. This will expose where you are weakest, and help you improve those sections.

This method has helped me pass multiple exams. I think this is the method I will use until I discover a better way.

Bonus –

The SCOR is a different beast, so the above method may not be enough. You will need to find a way to get hands on using Cisco Solutions first hand. Though impossible for most of us. You can always visit Cisco’s website and look at their Documentations, and Configuration Guides.

For this purpose I have created a small sample knowledge check on this website. Here you can try it for free! The questions cover the concepts but not the actual wording of the exam. This knowledge check is to test your knowledge and show you where you might be struggling. Are you ready?

Ready!