CCIE Routing & Switching 4 weeks study plan

Certification: Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching - Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Routing and Switching


To make a balanced study plan is essential to make a better score in the exam. If a candidate divides his/her time according to the course curricula, then it can be expected that s/he would be able to attain the exam with greater self confidence as well as strong preparation. In this respect a question might arise that how much time is required to take a good preparation for the CCIE Routing and Switching exam. It can be said that a 4-week period is a good amount of time to take a balanced preparation. However, a candidate should provide emphasis on each chapter of the written exam as well as each section of the practical lab exam to answer the maximum amount of questions accurately in the real-life CCIE written and lab exam.

Fundamentals of the CCIE Exam

CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert) Routing and Switching program has been designed to assist the individuals, professionals, companies, organizations, industries, nations and countries to perform successfully in the networking world by developing skilled and erudite internetworking experts. The CCIE candidates not only demonstrate skills and knowledge on a wide range of advanced level technical subject matters, but also confirm their aptitude in analyzing multifarious problems under critical settings and defining apposite solutions within a short time frame. 

Format of the CCIE Written Exam

The Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching written exam certifies that the professionals have adequate knowledge and skills to perform the configuration, validation, and troubleshooting of the complex enterprise based network infrastructure; to understand the operations of infrastructure components; and to translate practical requirements into precise device configurations like, BGP, OSPF, WAN, IPv6, Ethernet, LAN, TCP/IP, etc. Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching written exam spans over 120 Minutes. The candidates are required to answer about 90 to 110 questions in this exam.

4-Week Study Plan for the CCIE Routing & Switching Written Exam

The curriculum of CCIE Routing and switching written exam is divided into six episodes. The candidates can divide these chapters among their 4-week study plan.

  • In the first week the candidates can learn the Network Principles and 2.0 Layer 2 Technologies. To memorize the topics under these chapter the candidates need to spend at least 3 to 4 hours per day. However, the candidates should follow apposite reading materials to take a balanced preparation.
  • In the second week the candidates can learn the Layer 2 Technologies as well as VPN technologies. To memorize the topics under these chapter the candidates need to spend at least 3 to 4 hours per day. However, the candidates should follow apposite reading materials to take a balanced preparation.
  • In the third week the candidates can learn the Infrastructure security and Infrastructure services related Technologies. To memorize the topics under these chapter the candidates need to spend at least 3 to 4 hours per day. However, the candidates should follow apposite reading materials to take a balanced preparation.
  • In the last week the candidates should undertake some prep tests. Moreover, they should try to revise the six chapters, which they have studied in the last 3-week period.

Format of the CCIE Lab Exam

The CCIE Routing & Switching lab exam refers to an eight-hour long, practical exam that requires the candidates to prove their skills and knowledge through configuring and troubleshooting a range of complex networks complying with the provided specifications. In the CCIE Routing & Switching lab exam measures the Knowledge and skill-level of the candidates on the troubleshooting, diagnosing problems and resolving issues. Though the candidates will not be required to configure the end-user systems, they will be held responsible for the entire devices that are residing within the network or hubs. Besides these, in the lab exam testing criteria as well as Point values are provided.

Free CCIE Routing and Switching Practice Lab exams offer a series of inclusive practice labs that imitate the difficult and stander practical lab exams on CCIE Routing & Switching. CCIE Routing and Switching Practice Lab exams offer unique and uninterrupted scenarios which are multifarious, realistic and pragmatic, providing the candidates with the essential practice needed to take a strong preparation for their CCIE Routing & Switching lab examination and to develop skills to make rational critical-thinking, which are indispensable for resolving intricate and realistic problems regarding routing and switching.

4-Week Study Plan for the CCIE Routing & Switching Lab Exams

The curriculum of CCIE Routing and switching lab exam is divided into 3 sections. The candidates can divide their 4-week study plan according to this format.

The CCIE Routing & Switching lab exam includes a 2-hour long section for Troubleshooting, a 30-minute long section for Diagnostic, and a 5 and half-hour long section for Configuration.  The system allows the candidates to borrow some times – up to 30 minutes – from the Configuration section and utilize it in the section of Troubleshooting, if they require.

  • In the first week the candidates can practice the troubleshooting section. The candidates need to spend at least 2 hours per day. However, the candidates should follow apposite practice lab exams and books to take a balanced preparation.
  • In the second week the candidates can practice the diagnostic section. The candidates need to spend at least 2 hours per day. However, the candidates should follow apposite practice lab exams and books to take a balanced preparation.
  • In the third week the candidates can practice the Configuration section. The candidates need to spend at least 5 hours per day. However, the candidates should follow apposite practice lab exams and books to take a balanced preparation.
  • In the last week the candidates should undertake some full length practice lab tests. Moreover, they should try to revise the techniques, which they have practices in the last 3-week period.

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