CCIE Collaboration Written Self-Evaluation Tool

Self-Evaluation Tool

As you study for the CCIE Collaboration Written exam, determining "what" to study can be daunting sometimes given the number of items listed in the blueprint.  I mean, where do you start?

I've always thought that you should target your weakest CCIE Collaboration topics first.  That way, you'll never be completely clueless about a given question (or task) on the lab.  But, how do you determine what your weak topics are?  And how do you know when your weakest topics aren't the weakest anymore?

Self-Evaluation - How Prepared Am I for the CCIE Collaboration Written?

I've created the spreadsheet below to help you grade your progress on each topic as you progress through your studies.  Feel free to copy it and use it for your own purposes.  


Download Version 2 - CCIE Collaboration Written Self-Evaluation Tool

Note on Version 2: I've uploaded a new version of the spreadsheet that makes it easier to read and improves the mastery calculations (using each sections weighted importance).  The updated calculations should give you a more accurate measure of your knowledge level and readiness for the exam based on the section weights that Cisco has assigned.  Also, values in underlined red are averages of all subtopics in that group - formulas are protected to keep you from overwriting accidentally.

Within the spreadsheet, you are prompted to grade your knowledge level for each subtopic with a value from zero through five.  Zero represents no knowledge at all, while five indicates subject-matter expert level knowledge.  In my mind, it's actually quite difficult to achieve a value of five as I reserve that for truly elite knowledge - are you really a SME for this topic?  Be honest!

There's no magic value that says - "You're now ready to take the exam!"  Instead use this tool as a way to supplement your other study resources and perform some very granular self-evaluation to assist in determining topics that need additional attention before taking the CCIE Collaboration Written exam.

CCIE Collaboration Written Self-Evaluation Tool

Suggested Mastery Levels:

• 0  -  No knowledge or experience at all
• 1  -  Junior Engineer - no hands-on experience
• 2  -  Junior Engineer - some hands-on experience, basic ability to configure
• 3  -  Engineer - moderate experience, average configuration and troubleshooting
• 4  -  Senior Engineer - extensive experience,  advanced configuration and troubleshooting
• 5  -  Senior Engineer - subject matter expert, elite configuration and troubleshooting ability

 

Section Mastery Levels

I believe scoring a 4 or 5 on any given subtopic requires extraordinary study, experience and effort.  Personally, I reserve these scores for true strengths that I feel separate myself from my peers.  Remember, achieving a "five" in a subtopic is reserved for true subject mastery.  That said, anything above 60% mastery in a given topic is exceptional! 

The far right of each row in the spreadsheet calculates a value called "Total Mastery Points" using your relative mastery levels for each blueprint section (and the importance given to the section by Cisco).  Remember, there's no magic number here to show that you are ready for the exam.  Instead I suggest that you instead re-evaluate yourself every couple of weeks and use this value as an indicator of your progress towards the ultimate goal.  Good luck!

CCIE Collaboration Written Self-Evaluation Tool Mastery Points

Final Thoughts

I hope that this tool helps you focus on your studies.  I know that I've spent way too much time tweaking it and fixing formulas, etc.!  If you have any additional ideas on how to make this a better tool - or if you have one of your own that you'd like to share - please use the comments below!