This Self Study Tool Is the Best Off the Shelf Product Money Can Buy for Preparing to Pass

CCNP Flash Cards and Exam Practice Pack

Reviewer Name: Andy Barkl

Reviewer Certifications: CCNP, CCDP, CISSP, MCT, MVP, MCDST, MCSE: Security, MCSA: Security

CCNP Flash Cards and more!

This self study tool is the best off the shelf product money can buy for preparing to pass the current CCNP exams. The two CCIE authors are very knowledgeable and thorough. This book includes flash cards, practice questions, and quick reference sheets for all 4 CCNP exams. The electronic versions of the flash cards have been ported to work with Windows, Palm, and Pocket PC devices. I like both the printed book format and electronic flash cards.

What I found helpful within this book is the information presented in an easy to use, digestible format. The flash card format is comprehensive and flows from topic to topic throughout each exam. This book offers very useful "Quick Reference Sheets" at the end of each exam section. Each exam section also includes questions and answers for reinforcement of key exam objectives in digestible sections. The book’s CD includes PDF versions of all the quick reference sheets and copies of all printed flash cards! Most of the time, the author's words are clear and concise--the book's layout is comprehensive and flows from cover to cover.

This book is split into four sections; BSCI, BCMSN, CIT, and BCRAN. This allows you to prepare for each of the single exams in the final hours. You can also use both the printed flash cards and electronic version on a hand-held device for maximum efficiency and time spent. The authors’ technical background and knowledge are impressive. They must have had a difficult time working within the constraints of a flash card format and limiting their answers for clarity and exam preparation. Each page of the book includes two flash cards on the front page and the answers on the back. The book is indexed and tabbed for easy reference when you need to focus on a particular exam’s topics such as BGP or STP. The book weighs in at just over 800 pages. The electronic flash cards allow you to focus on a particular exam and topic or shuffle the cards randomly per exam.

I was only able to locate a few small inaccuracies in this book. The few errors I did find were not technical in nature and won’t be noticed by most readers. They won’t affect your preparation and can be easily documented with an errata reference on the publisher’s web site. Refreshingly, this book focuses not only on preparing you to pass the CCNP exams but really helps you to understand the exam topics involved! This book's author and technical reviewers have what it takes to present the exam topics in an efficient format for any certification candidate.

For the self-study candidate on a limited budget who wants a last minute exam prep tool, these flash cards are invaluable. They are presented in a well readable format and even the book itself is portable enough for the train ride or discrete cram time. When you want to prepare to pass the new CCNP exams, these flash cards, practice questions, and quick reference sheets are a must have!

Andy Barkl, CCNP, CCDP, CISSP, MCT, MVP, MCDST, MCSE: Security, MCSA: Security, MCSA: Messaging A+, CTT+, i-Net+, Network+, Security+, Server+, CNA, has over 20 years of experience in the IT field. He’s the owner of MCT & Associates LLC, a technical training and consulting firm in Phoenix, Arizona. He enjoys dividing his time between teaching in the classroom, writing from his office and consulting on Cisco and Windows deployments. He’s also the online editor for MCPMag.com, TCPMag.com, CertCities.com, and a contributing author and editor for Sybex and Cisco Press. He hosts a multitude of exam preparation chats monthly on MCPmag.com and CertCities.com. You can reach him at .