First SANS test, GSEC for SANS401... Any tips?

mtxedmtxed Registered Users Posts: 3 ■□□□□□□□□□
in GIAC
Just got into the Info Sec field 5 months ago, just took the bootcamp style course.. I am almost done the index but I'm worried I won't do well on the exam. I only have 6.5 weeks until the exam and but I feel I only know 20% of the content. I don't even feel comfortable writing the practice exam yet, but I need to soon to see how bad I really am. Should I pay the extra $$ and postpone the exam, or go for it anyways and see what happens??

Ughh. Question for past takers of the course/exam: How many hours did you study?
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  • YFZbluYFZblu Member Posts: 1,462 ■■■■■■■■□□
    If you're that worried about it, why not just take one of the practice exams? Create an index, and block off four hours to sit down and take the exam in a dress rehearsal scenario. Remove the uncertainty - that's one of the reasons you have two practice tests
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  • mtxedmtxed Registered Users Posts: 3 ■□□□□□□□□□
    YFZblu wrote: »
    If you're that worried about it, why not just take one of the practice exams? Create an index, and block off four hours to sit down and take the exam in a dress rehearsal scenario. Remove the uncertainty - that's one of the reasons you have two practice tests

    Thanks. Are the practice exams timed as a total session or timed per question? Are the questions in the real exam very similar to the practice exams???
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  • YFZbluYFZblu Member Posts: 1,462 ■■■■■■■■□□
    The practice exams are timed just like the real exam, IIRC - so as one session. Also, the practice exams match up very well to the real thing. You'll also find value in the report it spits out at the end, which corrects your answers and identifies which categories you're strong/weak in.
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  • j.petrovj.petrov Member Posts: 282
    Definitely use the practice exams. They give you a great idea on the kind of questions that will be asked. Also have a good index, make sure you bring any **** sheets there were handed out in class. I also made tabs in all the books for each section. After the first practice exam touch up on weak areas if any, then take again.
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  • SaSkillerSaSkiller Member Posts: 337 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Practice exam. If after the exam you feel you need more time, postpone, but make it your #1 priority. Don't wait until the last moment.
    OSWP, GPEN, GWAPT, GCIH, CPT, CCENT, CompTIA Trio.
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  • docricedocrice Member Posts: 1,706 ■■■■■■■■■■
    To clarify a bit, the exams are part of the GIAC program, not SANS (so technically-speaking, this is a GIAC exam).

    SANS is the sister org that provides the training courses.

    /grammarnazi
    Hopefully-useful stuff I've written: http://kimiushida.com/bitsandpieces/articles/
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  • mtxedmtxed Registered Users Posts: 3 ■□□□□□□□□□
    j.petrov wrote: »
    Definitely use the practice exams. They give you a great idea on the kind of questions that will be asked. Also have a good index, make sure you bring any **** sheets there were handed out in class. I also made tabs in all the books for each section. After the first practice exam touch up on weak areas if any, then take again.


    Were the tabs for each section?? i.e. 10.a, 10.b, 10.c ? I'm trying to see the value in it if I already have an index which will pinpoint me to specific details rather than general section. Please advise.
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  • j.petrovj.petrov Member Posts: 282
    Depending on you index you may miss some stuff. Having Tabs for the major sections helped me find stuff quickly. I just put the name of the section on the tab. Worked for me... may not work for you. Go for the first practice test and then you can determine if you need more than your index.
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