New retake policy for CCIE/CCDE Exam

To preserve the value of CCIE/CCDE certifications, Cisco recently announced certain policy changes while taking these CCIE and CCDE exams. Some major changes have been introduced in the retake policy of CCIE exams (Written and Lab) for all the nine available tracks become effective from 1^st August, 2014 onwards. Changes that have been introduced in the retake policy will allow candidates to take written or practical lab exam of a particular track for limited number of times instead of taking it unlimited number of times like before within the same year of first attempt that is within 12 months of calendar from the date of initial attempt. Put simply one now will not be able to retake CCIE written or lab exam many number of times in a year.  

CHANGES IN CCIE LAB EXAM POLICY

Major changes made to CCIE certifications have been introduced in the practical Lab exam of all the CCIE tracks available. Earlier aspirants were allowed to retake the lab exam unlimited number of times in a particular year after waiting for 30 days post failure of each lab attempt but now drastic changes have been made to the CCIE retake policy, which is as follows:

1. Post failure of first CCIE Lab attempt, candidates will be able to appear for the same lab exam after period of 30 days within the same calendar year.

2. Post failure of 2^nd lab attempt, candidates will need to wait for 90 calendar days before retaking the CCIE lab exam for the third time.

3. Post failure of 3^rd lab attempt, aspirants must wait for 90 calendar days before retaking the CCIE lab exam for the fourth time. This period of 90 days waiting time will be applicable till 5^th attempt to retake the CCIE lab exam.

4. Post failure of 5^th lab attempt, waiting window will get increased to 180 days that is one must wait for 180 days if he/she fails the 5^th CCIE lab attempt.

5. For more than 5 failed lab attempts for any CCIE practical exam, aspirants will have to wait for 6 months or 180 days before they can again sit for the next lab attempt.

These changes were made by Cisco keeping certain important facts in mind, they are as follows:

1. There are situations where aspirants irrespective of their knowledge and expertise continue to give lab attempts, even after failing multiple of times. There are some cases where aspirants are financially sound and can afford to spend money on re-lab attempts one after the another. As the number of seats available in single slot are limited, deserving or more knowledgeable candidates do not get a chance to book their lab seat due to unavailability of the same. To avoid such situations Cisco introduced these changes in CCIE retake exam policy for the benefit of more deserving and hardworking candidates.

2. Aspirants who are well versed with the respective CCIE track’s technologies and concepts manage to clear their lab exams in the first attempt or in second attempt at the max. They do not require to sit for multiple lab attempts as proper practice with 100% dedication always leads to fruitful outcomes that is they clear their lab exams in less than or equal to two attempts. Click to know more about CCIE certification training offered by Network Bulls.

  From the above scenarios it becomes clear that one will be allowed to sit for 4 attempts an year that is 3 times post the first attempt within 12 months of the particular calendar year.  

CHANGES IN CCIE WRITTEN EXAM POLICY

Earlier CCIE aspirants were allowed to appear for the written CCIE/CCDE exams after 5 days (counting from next day of exam) of failing the recent attempt and this was allowed unlimited number of times that is one could sit for the same exam number of times in an year post failing unlimited failing attempts. But now the retake policy for written exam states that candidates must wait for 15 days which start from the day after failed exam attempt. Attempts limit for retaking the CCIE/CCDE written exam have been set to only four times a year. That is one cannot give CCIE/CCDE written exam more than 4 times in 12 months within the same calendar year. The upper limit that has been imposed remains intact regardless of failing or passing the same exam.  

Download PDF CCIE Lab and Written exam policy changes by Cisco

CHANGES IN RE-EVALUTION AND REVIEW POLICY OF CCIE EXAM

Earlier rereads were available for Routing and Switching and Service Provider CCIE lab exams which involved some intermediary authority to load your configurations and recheck them, remark them, testing them for any discrepancies which on being found lead to addition of marks to your score and eventually a successful outcome. This facility still is available for only two specified tracks that have been mentioned above. A new review policy will be introduced by Cisco for other tracks allowing aspirants to request a review by going to CCIE Online Portal. This review process will involve a second intermediary checker reviewing your answer for an undisclosed amount of fee. The outcome of this process will either be “pass” or “you are still failed.”  

RESCHEDULING OF CCIE LAB EXAM

Earlier aspirants weren’t allowed to reschedule their CCIE Lab exam if 90 or less days were remaining for their CCIE lab exam. But now this policy has been changed and Cisco has introduced certain new rules for the same. Aspirants can now reschedule their CCIE Lab exam even if their exam date falls within the 90 day frame with some extra amount of fees to be paid. But if the new lab date requested is too close to the earlier booked date then rescheduling is not possible.  

EMERITUS EXCEPTION FOR CCIEs

If you have been a CCIE for 10 long years or more and due to certain reasons you could not recertify your CCIE certification every two years causing your certification to become inactive. To help CCIEs with such circumstances, Cisco has introduced a new certification known as “Cisco Business Transformation Certification” which will provide them with once in a lifetime opportunity to make their CCIE status active giving it an Emeritus tag/status allowing them to not certify their certification every two years.