CCDE Program Updates from Cisco Live 2017

This year's Cisco Live has been a busy one for CCDE candidates. Cisco offered an 8-hour techtorial, led by my friends Elaine Lopes and Russ White (among others). During this event it was announced that Cisco is returning to the pre-2012 policy of scoring CCDE practical exams after the exam. This means that candidates will no longer receive an immediate PASS/FAIL result. Scores will be provided to candidates approximately 10-12 weeks after their test date. I am sure this is disappointing news to candidates, as it is frustrating to wait. I know; I waited 12 weeks to find out I passed back in 2009. This news does not mean the return of the dreaded Open-Ended Questions on the CCDE Practical exam. Cisco is not adding fill-in-the-blank questions, so it isn't a complete return to the CCDE version 1 model.

So, what should a candidate do with this information? First, know the various places you can go to find out if you pass. During the 2008 - 2011 timeframe, there were two sources of 'pre information' for pass/fail status. The first place that was updated with a passing status was the CCDE verification tool. Candidates entered their names and various CCDE numbers (in the format 201700xx) to see if their name popped up. This was how I first discovered I passed. The second source of pass/fail information was the Pearson Cisco profile. Immediately after the exam, the test status was "Taken." At the 11 week mark, some statuses changed to "Fail." The several of us that never changed from the 'Taken" status all eventually received news that the passed. Lastly, the Cisco Certification Tracker was updated. This took place around the same time the postal mail (yes, hand-written envelopes with stamps!) arrived. I received my letter before this was updated, but for those who lived further from Cisco in the USA, this source was useful. I do not expect that Cisco is going to use the postal mail in 2017; but I didn't think they would do that in 2009 either :)

So how do you plan for your next attempt, without knowing whether you passed this one? There are two valid strategies. One, you can schedule your next exam immediately after completing the current one. Hold off on the transportation/lodging reservations. If you receive a PASS result, Cisco has historically allowed you to cancel the next Practical date without penalty. If you receive a FAIL result, make last-minute travel arrangements and try again. The downside to this is that it can be difficult to maintain your study plan if there's a chance you passed and won't need to take the exam again. This leads to the second option; only take the exam every six months. This allows you to receive you result and still have three months to prepare for the next attempt. The second option is the one I would most likely follow if it were me.

There are also several news items of note for current CCDEs as well. First, all of your recertification dates for Expert-level certifications have been synchronized! This means that whichever of your recertification dates is further out on the calendar, that is now your official recertification date for all CCIE and CCDE certifications. You no longer have to carefully manage your recertification exam to ensure it counts for all of your certs! There is no official link available where this has been published, but check your dates on the Certification Tracker.

Second, you may now recertify WITHOUT taking a written exam. Cisco has recently announced a program whereby you can recertify your Expert-level certifications with Continuing Education credits. The link to this website is http://ce.cisco.com. Take a look! If you attended Cisco Live, you already have some credits to apply to this program. I am also working to get my CCDE training included as an option for candidates. If accepted, this means CCDE candidates and even certified CCDEs will be able to recertify by attending my class and a few additional training courses.