lookmy brother.I'm your brother Mohammed Zaher El-Kassar and I'm a CCSI ( CIsco certified system instructor ) and I'm in the learning process. It's not a pride ( LA SAMAH ALLAH ) but is to make you trust my afvice. In fact, the student guide is made to make you in deep need for an instructor . And, it's realy not any way sufficient for self study. Cisco press is deeper but is not sufficient too. So how can we solve it? ...... Find a good experienced friend to instruct you . If you are welthy ( Good bring you from his gifts ) join a course in an OFFICIAL CENTER . If you like me and is not welthy , gather information from all resources . I mean , student guide, cisco press , THE INTERNET which is the best resource of information , finally the great internetworking text books lik Stalling which can give you a deep inspection. And, don't forget the great RFCs which is your weapon. In the end, I hope you beautiful life but one advice: don't make the exam your goal, you goal is the increament in your network knoledge , the exam have very easy ways to pass with 1000, don't you agree??!! . Hope you success forever..... Mohammed Z. El Kassar