99% of You Have Tried and Failed the CCIE Exam: Why?

This month, I’ve been diving into the tough process of putting together an 8-month study plan so you can easily take and pass the CCIE exam.

Here’s the framework I followed to make this plan:

• Step 1: Understood the depth and breadth of knowledge needed for the CCIE exams.
• Step 2: Create a detailed study plan to master both the theory and practical parts.
• Step 3: Balanced intense prep with personal and professional responsibilities. (You can’t just work all the time; family matters too.)

A lot of you have started this journey, driven by the desire to boost your professional status in the network engineering world. Some of you have even changed your whole lives around this goal.

But let’s be honest for a minute…

99% of you have tried and failed.

Why is that?

Last week I picked up the phone and talked with several of you to find out.

I wanted to know what was going on.

What I discovered was this:

When it comes time to sustain the long-term commitment and manage the overwhelming demands of CCIE preparation…the resolve weakens.

Today, I’m going to share a simple framework I’ve identified from over a decade of observations and discussions with network professionals.

It’s helped many to realistically assess their capacity to pursue such an intensive certification.

By the end of this post, you’ll understand the common pitfalls and challenges that lead many to reconsider their pursuit of the CCIE, and how you might overcome them or make a more informed decision about whether to continue.

Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.

How to understand the challenges of CCIE so your motivation doesn’t wane and you’re equipped to succeed

Navigating the CCIE journey is a delicate balance.

If you’re too aggressive in your study pace, you risk burnout and resentment towards the vast curriculum.

If you’re too passive, you might never reach the level of expertise required to pass the CCIE labs.

How do you find that balance?

How do you approach your CCIE preparation like seasoned professionals, so that you remain motivated and engaged throughout the process?

This is how…

You don’t simply dive headfirst into study sessions.

Let me explain.

As soon as you start “forcing” your study sessions, you psychologically go into “How can I just finish this?” mode.

You DON’T want to do that.

It positions you among the many who start but never finish, running around trying to cover all topics superficially.

Here’s an example of someone doing just that…

Meet John. John was so eager to get his CCIE that he started cramming study sessions every night. He’d sit down with his books, but all he could think about was just getting through the pages. He wasn’t really absorbing the material, just rushing to tick off boxes on his to-do list.

Does this approach make him successful? No.

Does this make him confident in his ability to pass the CCIE? No.

Is this a rushed method adopted by someone who didn’t plan their study schedule carefully? Yes.

There is a different way to go about preparing for your CCIE.

A way that leaves you feeling knowledgeable, prepared, and confident…

Two-step process to keep your CCIE motivation strong and your preparation on track

So…

How do you maintain your motivation and ensure your CCIE preparation is effective?

Here is my two-step process.

Step 1: Demonstrate Your Knowledge and Skills

Most people begin their CCIE preparation by outlining what they plan to study and how many hours they will dedicate.  

The typical approach might look like this:  

I plan to study routing protocols thoroughly, devote weekends to lab exercises, and take practice exams monthly.

Can you spot the problem with this?  

The main issue here is that it’s all planning with no real proof of effectiveness or progress.  

All this person has done is TELL me what they plan to do.  

But I don’t know if they’re actually capable of following through. I don’t see their dedication. I don’t feel their readiness.  

To truly prepare for the CCIE, you must overcome these hurdles.  

Know your material.  

Like your study process.  

Trust your preparation strategy.  

If you are following a well-established study plan with a proven track record, these hurdles are quickly overcome.  

But if you’re just starting out, you’re essentially another hopeful on the internet.  

So… how do you go from being another hopeful to being knowledgeable, disciplined, trusted, and prepared?  

Here is the secret…  

SHOW THEM WHAT YOU CAN DO.

Don’t just tell them. Show them.  

Imagine sharing a detailed study log or simulation results in a study group like this:  

Here’s how I tackled a complex OSPF network issue in today’s lab session, complete with troubleshooting steps and solutions.

????

Does this make your peers respect your abilities? Yes!  

Does this make you more confident in your own preparation? Yes!  

Is this a lazy attempt by someone who isn’t serious about their CCIE journey? Heck no! (That took serious effort and dedication to achieve.)  

The key to solid CCIE preparation is to actively demonstrate your understanding and skills through ongoing practice and sharing your progress.

Step 2: Put Your Skills to Work, for Free

But what next?

How do you go from practicing for free to passing the CCIE?

Simple. Test it.

What you’ve done in Step 1 is build a strong foundation.

That is the hardest part.

Once the foundation is solid, translating it into success on the exam is as easy as applying it.

You do that by setting up a real-world network scenario or volunteering to solve network issues, like this:

Next week, I’m volunteering at a local non-profit to redesign their network using skills I’ve learned from my CCIE preparation. I’ll handle everything from the initial assessment to the final optimization.

Here’s an example of someone doing just that…

Christian Kellerer, a Cisco Learning Network VIP, shared his journey to earning the CCIE certification. He focused on getting hands-on experience, volunteering to tackle complex network issues, and applying what he learned in real-life situations. This approach not only tested his skills but also solidified his understanding, eventually helping him pass the CCIE lab exam.

This not only tests your preparedness but also cements your real-world understanding of complex networking concepts. Each successful application of your studies builds confidence and brings you one step closer to being ready for the CCIE labs.

By following these steps, you transform from a learner to an expert, ready to take on the CCIE and succeed.

Action Items

And that’s it.

That’s how countless successful CCIE candidates went from being learners to experts recognized by the top levels of the networking world.

(Professionals like those working with major tech firms and leading network consultancies.)

Nothing fancy.

Just dedication, a strategic approach, and perseverance.

Want to achieve the same level of success?

Here are your three action items for this lesson:

Action Item #1: Pick one networking concept or technology from your study list that you find most challenging.

Action Item #2: Set up a practical scenario or simulation that specifically targets this concept or technology to deepen your understanding and skill.

Action Item #3: Document the entire process, from setup to troubleshooting and optimization, and prepare a case study or a presentation that showcases your expertise and learning curve.

Use the strategies I shared with you.

Adapt them.

Personalize them.

And be sure to follow these general guidelines…

1. Never tell people what you know about networking. Always show them through practical demonstrations and solutions.
   
2. Spend at least 2-3 hours on each concept or problem area, uniquely tailoring your approach to ensure mastery.
   
3. Connect your knowledge to direct outcomes whenever possible (e.g., “implementing this configuration can increase network efficiency by 20%”).
   
4. The “demonstrating your skill” stage isn’t about getting a certification right away. It’s about applying your knowledge and showing tangible results.
   
5. People in positions of authority, like potential employers or senior engineers, are incredibly busy. Be patient with your progress and persistent in your efforts.
   
6. Always, always, always follow up on your learning. Unless a concept is completely clear and you can implement it in your sleep, revisit and practice it regularly.
   
7. Don’t study every day! You need to build some study time into your week but you must ensure you also build in some downtime. Firstly, to give your brain a rest, and secondly to spend some time with your family.
   

Now you know exactly what you need to do.

No excuses.

Time to get to work!

…

Oh!

One more thing…

P.S. Just realized I left something out of this guide. In hindsight, it’s probably the most important advice I could give: Instead of passively learning, actively engage in networking communities and forums. This shifts the entire dynamic of your learning process. It positions you to demand more from your efforts and be more selective about the roles you aim for.

P.P.S. One small favor — Please leave a comment below with your thoughts on this post. It only takes 1 minute. Writing each post takes me 12 hours.