I was recently asked several times to post my studying approach. Well, it was no different than other recommendations found on the web, but maybe it’ll be useful for you. It took me about 5 months to prepare for the lab. I was quite lucky, because I was given literaly whole time in my work for studying. I used Dynamips, and some HW labs mainly for LAN technologies. Here is how I studied:
I started with IEWB vol.1. I read every single lab, and labbed most of them. After doing one technology, I read whole documenation guide and command reference for covered topics, doing detailed notes (mind maps) and testing commands in Dynamips (mainly those which were new to me or I was not sure of the result). Then, I moved to IEWB vol.2 (Dynamips). I did every single lab. After 10th and 15th lab I did a Mock Lab. I studied covered topics after each lab.
Somewhere in the middle of IEWB vol.2 I attended Narbik’s bootcamp in Poland. I can tell you it was the most valuable training I ever had. I realized how many things are still left to learn. It was about 2 months before the lab. When I finished IEWB vol.2 I read whole documentation guide and command reference again, updating my notes and testing commands again (only those I had problems with). Meantime I purchased Core Knowledge Simulation from INE. It was quite useful. Finaly, about 10 days before the lab, I only studied my notes, no labs, only reading. When you arrive to your lab center, just chill out, do not try to study. If you have missed something, you won’t learn it one day before the lab, and you can only confuse yourself. Make sure you mastered core technologies. The rest you can look up in Doc CD.
Now, some advices for the lab itself. If you have read whole documantation guide and command reference, there is nothing on the lab that can supprise you (from technology perspective). There are actualy two problems you may get into. First, understanding questions. For that, you have your proctor there. Just remember to ask the “right” question. Do not ask for the solution. Show him that you understand technology and have two possible solutions, and ask which one he is interested in. The second problem is timing. This is what you have to deal with by yourself. If you cannot figure out a solution within 6-7 minutes, just move on. Do not get upset, it will only make it worse. Have some faith and confidence. Believe in yourself (if you have studied hard). I can quote Narbik’s famous sentence here: “The lab is very easy, but it’s also easy to fail”. So, stay focused, do not spend too much time solving problems, just move on and came back later.
Good luck.