When it comes down to taking the CCNA or CCNP exams do you "Cram" or do you "Learn?" 

It's interesting.  When I was studying for my CCNA 10 years ago I remember a site called "Cram Session."  Guys would recommend that I go there and cram as much as possible into my thick head before the exam.  I didn't use cram session.  In fact, all I used was a Cisco Press book and the actual CCNA class which at the time was called ICRC.

Now I can see that the field is riddled with crams, cookbooks, simulators, books, blogs, wikis, and much more.  It's hard to decide what approach to take.  Here is what I suggest:

• Take your time and really learn how something works.

If you really want to pass the test you should really want to know how the things you are being tested on work.  Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What problem does this command or solution address? 
2. Why would I need to do this?
3. What happens if I dont do this?
4. What other ways could I do this with the same results?

I'm sure that once you address the issue then the solution it will stick much better.

Crams are a nice way to refresh knowledge that you already know but its no way to learn new material.