Preparing for the CCIE lab exam could be quite daunting as well as intimidating experience especially for those who are the first time CCIE test takers.  Outside of the obvious of studying for your exams, knowing what you should expect is considered with a major aspect of the preparation process. Below mentioned is the Quick Reference Guide for preparing for the CCIE Lab Exam. We would also recommend you to check out the prep courses which are being offered at the SPOTO Club, for good results. Understanding the Lab Environment: When you would be arriving, you would be getting a quick briefing on the expectations for your exam, a description of the lab materials as well as an overview of the proctor’s role during the exam.  Lunch would be provided for you.  The briefing as well as lunch break doesn’t count against the time which would be allotted for your exam. You would be allowed for taking additional breaks as often as you would be needing but the clock doesn’t stop during these breaks. Test Confidently: Now that you would have gone through all of the preliminaries, it’s time to discuss about taking your exam! There have been several changes in how the CCIE lab Exam is going to be presented now.  Here are three major components to take note of: Troubleshooting Module: – This module would be delivering the incidents that would be independent of each other, meaning that the resolution of one incident doesn’t depend on the resolution of another. On some lab exams, the candidate might be able to borrow up to 30 minutes from the Configuration module. You won’t be able to see the Configuration module at that point and cannot know where the extra time would be needed the most. Diagnostic Module: The main objective of this module would be to assess the skills which would be required to properly diagnose network issues. There would be access to a console but instead questions are going to be presented in the form of troubleshooting tickets that would be required close-ended answers in the form of drag-and-drop, multiple choice, and point-and-click diagrams. Here you might have to analyze data for understanding the root cause of an issue; and you would be provided with a set of documentation that represents a snapshot of a realistic scenario where network engineer might have to investigate an issue. You might be required to provide a root cause analysis to the customer, helping a colleague who would be stuck in a troubleshooting process, or summarize the previous investigation steps. Configuration Module: This module would be setting up closely mimicking an actual production environment. You might be tasked to work on virtual instances of Cisco appliances as well as work with the physical devices. Receive Your Results: Once you would have completed the lab, a proctor would be evaluate and score your exam.  Your lab scores would be available on your CCO profile within 48 hours.  Scores are going to be presented as pass/fail.  If you would be receiving a passing score, ensuring that your email information is considered to be up to date on your CCO profile so that you would be receiving your new digital badge automatically.  If you don’t receive your digital badge within a week of clearing your exam, contact the Acclaim support team. If you would be receiving a failing score, you are required to examine your score report. It would be providing the candidates with valuable information about the major topic areas where additional study as well as preparation might be needed.  According to the Lab exam retake policy, you would be able to retake a failed exam after a 30-day waiting period, regardless of the number of previous attempts. Hence, if you wish to pursue the CCIE Lab Exam, you should note down the above mentioned points and also check out the study courses, which are being offered at the SPOTO Club.