Graded Labs

Graded Labs

If you’re looking to earn your CCIE or CCDE, you can effectively prepare for the lab exam with Graded Labs. These eight-hour labs include advanced virtual lab environments that closely mirror real exam scenarios and the modular lab exam format. They also provide automated grading and comprehensive feedback to help you achieve expert-level certification more efficiently.

Validate your knowledge and approach your lab exam with confidence

Closely simulate the expert lab exam experience without the wait. Graded Labs evaluate your knowledge and preparedness as soon as you finish.

Realistic exam scenario

Test your lab exam readiness with a hands-on, eight-hour environment designed to simulate the real exam experience.

Immediate feedback

View a comprehensive score report with clear insights into your performance the moment you are done.


How it works

  • Purchase your lab through Cisco U. After purchase, you will receive confirmation and instructions to access and launch your session.
  • Just like the expert lab exam, each Graded Lab module includes a single attempt that can’t be paused or relaunched.
  • You can optionally extend each module time limit and view a detailed score report as soon as you finish.

Why schedule a Graded Lab?

Experience realistic, eight-hour exam scenarios in a modular lab environment.

Receive immediate, detailed feedback and a comprehensive score report when you finish.

Access your lab 24/7 for 90 days from the date of purchase.

Use Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs) to pay for your Graded Lab.

Confirm your skills and readiness for expert-level certification.

Get actionable feedback to strengthen your skills and exam readiness.



Availability

Graded Labs are offered for the following certifications. Explore the overview of each lab to learn what to expect.

Graded Labs are expert level preparatory tools used to assess knowledge and readiness. They do not predict, guarantee, or imply success on the actual live Cisco certification lab or practical exam.

Eligibility

You can purchase the Graded Labs if you have taken and passed the Expert-level written exam.

Get a head start on your preparation by reviewing the lab exam topics:

How to order on Cisco U.

  • Choose Graded Labs on Cisco U.
  • Provide your CCOID (Cisco U. email) at checkout.
  • After purchasing, navigate to My Account or the Product Overview Page in Cisco U. to locate and launch your lab modules. The lab will open automatically in a new browser window on the Skillable platform.

Important Note: Before starting your lab, we strongly recommend that you review the Systems Connectivity Requirements and complete the Skillable Lab Orientation. This 15-minute tutorial will help you get familiar with the Skillable platform, lab environment navigation, and essential features to ensure a smooth lab experience.

Graded Lab FAQs

The Graded Labs offer CCIE and CCDE candidates advanced virtual lab environments that closely mirror actual scenarios and each modular lab exam. These eight-hours labs feature automated grading and comprehensive feedback, helping you effectively prepare for your exams to achieve an expert-level certification.

The Graded Labs provides a virtual lab environment that closely mirrors actual scenarios and modular lab exam featured in a real practical exam environment.

The CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Graded Lab consists of two lab modules that only allow one attempt (launch) per module:

  • Design (DES) module – three hours
  • Deploy, Operate, Optimize (DOO) module – five hours

Note: When completing a lab module, users have the option to extend their lab time by half of the initially allotted time. This means the DES module can be extended by 1.5 hours for a total of 4.5 hours, and the DOO module can be extended by 2.5 hours for a total of 7.5 hours. However, once you start a module, you must complete it in a single session—progress cannot be saved.

Only the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Graded Lab is currently available.

More tracks will be offered soon.

  • Graded Labs provide a full 8-hour exam simulation with automated scoring and comprehensive feedback, including question breakdowns and domain scores. Purchase once for $1,000 (or 10 CLCs) and access anytime within 90 days—perfect for your final readiness check before the real exam. Available for purchase in Cisco U. Store.
  • Practice Labs offer 4-hour hands-on sessions with actual equipment at $50 per lab. There's no formal grading since they're designed for self-directed practice, and you can book as many sessions as you need. Use Practice Labs to build your skills, then validate your readiness with a Graded Lab. Available for purchase in the CCIE Lab Scheduler Portal.

Access Graded Labs through your Cisco U. account. After purchasing, navigate to My Account or the Product Overview Page in Cisco U. to locate and launch your lab modules. The lab will open automatically in a new browser window on the Skillable platform.

The cost is US$1000 or 10 Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs) per license, plus applicable taxes.

The scenarios presented in each lab are very similar to what you would experience in the actual lab exam.

You have only one attempt (launch) per module and must complete each module in a single session.

You may complete the first module in one session and the second module at a later time. Both modules must be finished within 90 days of the purchase date.

The following resources are provided in your delivery email and on the product overview page in Cisco U.:

This Graded Lab consists of two modules totaling eight hours:

  1. Design (DES) module: 3 hours
  2. Deploy, Operate, Optimize (DOO) module: 5 hours

The DES module can be extended by 1.5 additional hours if needed. The DOO module can be extended for 2.5 hours. However, once you start a module, you must complete it in a single session—progress cannot be saved.

You may complete the first module in one session and the second module at a later time. Both modules must be finished within 90 days of the purchase date.

After completing the Graded Lab session, you can immediately export and print your score report from the Skillable platform. A copy will also be emailed to your Cisco U. email address from Skillable.

Important: You cannot access score reports within the Cisco U. platform after your initial viewing, so be sure to export or save your report before closing the lab session.

Yes, you can purchase multiple Graded Lab licenses. At checkout, you must specify the quantity you wish to purchase and provide a unique learner email address for each entitlement assignment.

Lab progress cannot be saved. If you close or exit your lab session before completing the module, you will lose your progress.

Ensure you have dedicated, uninterrupted time before starting each module. You cannot pause the session once it starts.

Scheduling and payments

Any candidate that has taken and passed the expert-level written core exam.

Visit Graded Labs on Cisco U. to purchase. You will have 90 days from purchase date to launch the lab.

For information on the payment policy, view the Cisco U. FAQ page.

Cisco U. Order Invoices are accessed through your Cisco U. account. After purchasing, navigate to My Account and My Orders. The link to access your invoice is located next to the order line item.  

For Cisco U. purchase, account, or billing questions, contact Cisco U. Order Support .

For Additional information on the cancellation and refund policy view the Cisco U. FAQ page.

Cisco takes confidentiality and privacy seriously. For detailed information about how Cisco Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries collect, use, and safeguard your information, please refer to the Cisco Online Privacy Statement.

For technical lab support during your session, contact Skillable support (resources provided in your delivery email).

For Cisco U. purchase, account, or billing questions, contact Cisco U. Order Support.

Ten (10) Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs) can be redeemed to purchase Graded Lab.

You can purchase a Graded Lab at any time, and you will have 90 days from purchase date to launch the lab.

You must launch the Graded Lab 90 days from the purchase date. Beyond 90 days, the launch access is permanently disabled. No extensions beyond the 90-day period will be granted.

For information on the cancellation and refund policy, view the Cisco U. Ecommerce FAQ page.

No scheduling is needed. Once purchased, you have 90 days to launch your lab at any time that's convenient for you. However, once you launch a module, you must complete it in a single session—you cannot pause or reschedule that specific session.