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CCIE SERVICE PROVIDER TRACK

Written Exam

General Information

CCIE Service Provider Written Exam #350-029

The written exam is a two-hour, multiple choice test with 100 questions covering areas such as Layer 2 networking, IP protocols, MPLS, VPN, security, quality of service and high availability technologies. The exam is closed book and no outside reference materials are allowed.

Beta Exams

Each written exam version is offered first in beta form at a discounted cost of US$50. Beta exams are scheduled as you would other written exams and are available at all worldwide testing locations. A passing grade on the beta qualifies a candidate to schedule the lab exam. Results, however, are typically not available until six to eight weeks after the close of the beta. A candidate may attempt the beta exam only once during the beta period.


Cost

Written exams are administered by independent vendors at cost of US$300. Costs may vary due to exchange rates and local taxes (VAT, GST).


Expiration

Candidates must make an initial attempt of the CCIE lab exam within 18 months of passing the CCIE written exam. Valid passing scores on written exams expire after 18 months.


Locations

Written exams are taken at any worldwide VUE testing facility. See their websites for more details.


Recertification

In addition to the comprehensive CCIE SP written exam #350-029, candidates may also take one of the following exams for recertification purposes: SP Optical #350-020, SP Cable #350-021, SP WAN Switching #350-023 or SP Content Networking #350-026. Half of the exam covers general IP networking (50 questions) and the other half covers the specific service delivery technology (50 questions). The blueprints for the exams are available online as indicated in the links. As of February 1, 2007, these individual technology exams no longer qualify a candidate for the CCIE SP lab exam.


Results

Written exam results are Pass/Fail and are available immediately following the exam. The passing score is set by statistical analysis and is subject to periodic change.


Retakes

Candidates must wait five days between attempts at the written exam. Once a candidate has passed the exam, he or she may not take the same exam again (for recertification purposes) for at least 180 days.

Schedule and Pay for Written Exam

Written exams are scheduled and taken at Cisco authorized testing vendors, which set payment and scheduling policies. Please visit their websites for more details and to schedule exams.

Be sure to use the same candidate ID number for every exam that you take. If you use a different ID number, you will create a different record in the CCIE database and you will need to contact CCIE support for help in merging the records.

Preparation Materials

  • The materials listed below can be helpful in preparing for exams. The list is only suggested, however, and other books or resources may also cover the same topics.