CCIE Lab Exam candidates know that a CCIE is Cisco's highest professional certification level and opens the door to many unique career opportunities. There are three different levels of Cisco Certification, each with their own sub categories, Associate, Professional, and Expert. Expert describes the CCIE certification level. It is estimated that there are only about 17,000 professionals in the entire world that hold this level of certification which is considered to be the highest level of IT certification, and has the highest salary track record in the profession. Different tracks across these levels align with varying career needs.

There are literally dozens of reference products available, specifically designed to help network professionals prepare for the MCSE and CNE written exams. The CCIE however is decidedly more specialized, and while there are many CCIE boot camps, workbooks, and study guides available, the trick is to pick the best one, and the best combination of study guides.

Choosing the best study guides, workbooks, and boot camps should be done through research and via the recommendations of others.

Passing the CCIE lab exam requires knowledge of the Cisco command set and a facility with using the commands that only comes with repeated practice in different scenarios. A prerequisite for this study, and a stumbling block for many candidates, is equipment to practice on. Passing the CCIE Lab Exam is one of the most difficult tasks any network professional will face in their career.

Statistics indicate that only one in three candidates pass the exam on their first attempt. Passing scores on written exams are automatically downloaded from testing vendors, but may not appear immediately, which is why most experts recommend waiting at least ten days before scheduling your lab exam.

Hands on training and preparation is recommended, which should include taking several mock lab exams. If after taking one, you find that you didn't score as well as you were expecting, this may be your first clue that you are not as knowledgeable about the techniques and topics covered as you originally thought. Trying to rush through the mock lab isn't advisable, because it might lead to making many small mistakes that can add up and lower your score. Once you discover which areas you are weak in, you will know what to focus on when you begin to work with your workbooks and learning materials, and you will be better prepared to ask the right questions of your instructors during your boot camp or training course.