In the first part of this blog series, we made it clear that you will face simulation questions in the CCENT exam, and we provided a link so you could practice with the interface before your big day. In this blog post, I wanted to cover some frequently asked questions that we receive about these simulations.

Q: How much time should I spend on a simulation question?
A: Cisco themselves give you guidance on this before you start the exam. They warn you that you should not spend more than 10 minutes per simulation question, or you run the risk of not finishing the exam. This is another reason to practice with the interface before you visit the exam. That way, you lose no time figuring it out during the actual test.

Q: Is there context sensitive help in the simulation?
A: Yes. You can use context sensitive help in the simulated router or switch Command Line. It is rather slow for some reason, so the less you need it, the better. Also, keep in mind it will only show you the commands that can actually be used in the simulation, which is always a subset of all of the available IOS commands.

Q: Is there Tab Auto-Complete in the simulation?
A: Yes, just like the actual IOS, there is the Tab Auto-Complete feature.

Q: Can I use shortcut commands in the simulation?
A: Yes, but keep in mind that some commands are not going to be supported, so the shortcut is not available. For example, many like to use wr to quickly save a configuration in a production environment. This shortcut will not work in the simulation since the write command is not supported. You can use the shortcut copy run star in order to save your configuration.

Q: Is there partial credit on the simulations?
A: Yes. Cisco breaks the simulation into point values for various parts of the required configuration. In fact, you should be able to receive some points just for saving the configuration before you leave the question.

Q: How many simulation questions will I receive in the exam?
A: You can expect 2 to 3 simulations in any Cisco exam that features their use.

Q: What is the best way to prepare for the simulation questions?
A: Make sure you practice with the interface well before your exam. Then practice, practice, practice on actual devices using our Hands On Labs.