The average 2.6 attempts for me is past 6 now. I earn the proverbial 6-digit salary at what I consider to be the proverbial dream job and I'm a key contributor as a planning/design/architect/implementation/operations network engineer for a 1/2 billion dollar project that is more than a few million dollars worth of Cisco gear not to mention all the trimmings...

The lab can be a little tough, interesting, fun, and yet even when failed a time or two or more can prove to be one of the best investments I've ever made yet.

I have a blog called darbyslogs where I collect my thoughts on the matter.

It works for me with or without digits.

Yep - I got my own lab.

Yep - Been to classes - NMC, INE, IPExpert, Heinz and Narbik.

Going to Narbik this month and maybe as many as 5-6 more times for a total of say... up to weeks if my schedule will permit me.

Cisco Live CCIE Lab Techtorials - Been to 2 so far and I have 2 more scheduled.

Personal Rack - Yep - I got a rack for RS, Wireless, Security, Storage, SP, technically CCDE and arguable CCDE too - even got my Voice gear.

Books - I got easily 30-50k in my bookshelves or so. I get discounts so it helps and I buy used which helps even more or I get up to 45-55% discounts and free shipping or I even review books.

Umm... it can be a challenge.

Am I poor test taker? Probably not - I've taken up to 5 Cisco exams in a single day/sitting and passed them all. So I'm probably not as bad as some.

Is my knowledge diverse? Well I hold every CCNP level certification and some for as long as 10+ year now.

Is my experience lacking? Possibly - however, I've been employed as a lead engineer or a co-lead engineer since 2005 for some named or Fortune 500 companies and one or two prominent names.

Yep my 2.6 attempts is a little more than some others as I go into the 7th inning. However, I can probably joust with a few CCIE's here and there and probably easily hold my own and dish it out too.

I guess the question is what matters most? Digits or becoming a quality network engineer.

I made my decision and it has paid off precisely as I hoped it would and then some.

I'm still after the cert as you can tell. However, it has just taken me a little longer to earn it.

I still turn a wry smile when I here of 3-month CCIE prodigies who passed on the very first attempt.

There is a lot of detail in the CCIE Lab even though I've heard some call it easy before.