So cruel, 2nd attempt missed by 1 point...

Just got back from my second attempt, and missed it by 1 point this time. I'm pretty floored by this and don't understand where the disconnect is. I've been studying the new Matt Walker CEH AIO, and have read it over twice since my previous attempt, along with other studying. Without going into too much detail and getting in trouble, I'm wondering where the in depth coverage of Metasploit, PCI DSS standards, and some other things come from. Does EC Council put research questions on the exam like ISC2? Even with getting quite a few questions leaving me wondering where that was covered, I still felt good about where I was at, until the exam ended.

In my life I have taken health and life insurance tests, Florida real estate license, Net+, Sec+, CISSP, ITIL F, all passed with no problem on the first go. Not to mention graduating from UF with my BSBA, which has some extremely difficult quant classes. So what the hell is it about this stupid CEH test? As much as I'm struggling right now with feeling like it's some kind of mark against me and somehow defines me, I know how to study and prepare well for tough subjects and exams.

So what now? I do feel more than ever that maybe technical security is not for me. I should probably stick to the GRC/management side of security. It just comes to me so naturally. I know 100% I'm not paying out of pocket for this test to continue on with the WGU MSISA so I need to get with my mentor to see what the implications of that are. I think it's time to start studying for the GMAT, and go back to UF for my MBA like I was planning on doing after the MSISA. As well, I'm about to crack open the ISACA CISM manual and get started on that.

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Comments

JoJoCal19

Lostpacket wrote: »

Very surprised and sorry to hear about this. That has to be incredibly frustrating.

I used the 1st edition AIO v7 prep materials and found it adequate for the v8 exam but I know there is some 'luck of the draw' as to exactly what questions a person sees on the exam and there were definitely a few I had to just guess at.

One of my prep items was to print out the PCI DSS numbers in a vertical list and then try to fill in each one from memory. After 7 or 8 times I had them down pretty well. I did the same type of thing for the various command switches.

You've got your CISSP so you are certainly no stranger to tough exams. Do you feel the CEH had more off-the-wall questions than the CISSP?

It seems to be the cert everyone loves to hate. While I certainly don't feel passing the exam makes anyone a hacker in any real sense of the word, it does seem to be one of the widely known security certs and as such I think is worth having.

I would skip the iclass and just grab a Sybex book and the Boston practice exams. You were soooo close, you've invested too much time and energy to walk away.

You've got this.

I actually think the questions were pretty straightforward. I think the issue I have is the breadth of material it covers. I mean, looking at the syllabus it's just ridiculous the amount of topics covered. And then theres so much information to know within each topic listed in the syllabus. To top it all off, EC Council gives no print out of your weak areas so I have no way to know what areas to focus my efforts on again. Frustrating.

JDMurray

I did pass the CEH (ANSI) exam in May. I thought it looked like an older style CompTIA exam. I was very surprised at how uncomplicated the exam was compared to the official study material. I was also surprised that I only scored 87% too. I reviewed some of my answers at the end of the exam and really only had to completely guess on two questions. I did find one question that gave me the answer to another question (:p), so ECC's quality control department has a bit more to polish for their next major release.

bigdogz

JoJo,

I am sorry to hear that you did not pass. If you think that you were right with some questions (don't bring them up in this forum

), you may want to contact EC- Council. In addition, you came so close. I think you can give this exam the beatdown it deserves!!!

What other resources did you use? I am sure if you work on the weaker domains you should be OK.

colemic

JDMurray, did you notice any major grammatical errors, or have those mostly been cleaned up?

JoJoCal19

colemic wrote: »

JDMurray, did you notice any major grammatical errors, or have those mostly been cleaned up?

I didn't notice any grammatical errors. I never took the v7 so I have no reference point but people seem to say it was pretty bad so maybe they put forth a lot of effort in that regard with the v8.

colemic

v7 (and presumably earlier versions) was beyond awful.

fayax

jojo, this definitely got to hurt. I can relate to you. Back in the day when I was studying or my MCSE I had one test left and I decided on IIS. I took it and failed it by 2 questions or something like that. Took it again about 10 days later and failed it by 1 question. Then that same day went and bought the exchange book read it real fast and passed exchange without a problem. Something in the IIS didn't register in my head too well. So as they say "it" happens. Like all others here don't lose hope and come back to it when you are ready.

JoJoCal19

Thanks for the encouragement fayax. In the meantime I knocked out the CHFIv8 and I circled back and have been studying for the CEHv8 again. I hope to test by the 15th-17th this month.

nathandrake

JoJoCal19 wrote: »

Thanks for the encouragement fayax. In the meantime I knocked out the CHFIv8 and I circled back and have been studying for the CEHv8 again. I hope to test by the 15th-17th this month.

Good luck on the retake. I actually take the exam tomorrow as part of the WGU MSISA program. I was feeling pretty confident about tomorrow based off all my practice test scores, but now having some doubt.

JoJoCal19

Thanks. Good luck on your test. I started a new term on September 1st and now have to do some stuff over before getting my voucher so it looks like I'm aiming for 24th - 26th.