week away from GSEC, Need help with building an index

sec_jester

Title says it all.

I am taking my GSEC next friday, I have re-done my notes, taken a practice test, and am reviewing whatever I can think of.

Rather than just randomly diving through my notes & books (like I did during my practice test), I want to create an index. The issue is I have no clue where to start.

I have read some reviews on how to do an index, but I am unsure of what to actually index. Do I index everything on every page or just things that are in bold or under an image, etc.

Any help would be great.

Thx

-J

636-555-3226

I typically highlight keywords the first time I read through the books. Then go through page by page and put those highlighted words & page numbers into an Excel sheet. That sheet is broken down by book. So, worksheet 1 will be book 1, worksheet 2 will be book 2, etc. As long as the books are divided up by content that's enough. so, for example, "Steganography" would be in Column 1 of Worksheet 1 while Column 2 would be 187 (reflecting the page it's on). I'd steer you towards focusing on keywords like Steganography or AES, not just "encryption"

cyberguypr

I index whatever I think may come in the test and I may not be able to immediately remember.

danny069

Do you guys think it's possible to pass the GSEC without an "index"? and CyberguyPR, how did the ComptTIA thing in Chicago go?

cyberguypr

I don't know... it's a LOT of material. I know some people can do it. I can't. I have a post summarizing the CompTIA experience coming up later tonight.

alias454

I am sure it is possible to pass the GSEC without an index. However, do you want to just pass or do you want to try for the 90%+ group. I would also feel pretty silly if I had to retake an open book test not to mention it would dent the pocket book a little.

636-555-3226

It's possible, but depends on your experience level. As most SANS 5/6-day courses run close to 1000 pages, if you can take a test based on those 1000 pages and get a 70-80% without much help from the books then you've either got an amazing memory or you didn't need to take the class in the first place. GSEC is a little more basic, so I assume it'd be easier for someone with a lot of infosec experience, but, still, IMO it ain't worth the risk.

sec_jester

I should add that I passed the GISP with no index, and barely looked at my books. Although in that case I took the GISP after my CISSP so it was a "walk in the park".

TechGromit

sec_jester wrote: »

Rather than just randomly diving through my notes & books (like I did during my practice test)

How you do on your practice exam? If you passed with a decent margin, then you can probably get away without one. The exam is $650 to retake, it's not a cheap exam. It's an expensive certification, why take the risks you don't have to? If you looking for a challenge, why not get stinking drunk the night before the exam while your at it.

danny069 wrote: »

Do you guys think it's possible to pass the GSEC without an "index"?

Sure it is, but why not use a resource if it's available to you. If you don't need to refer to it great, but you'll be happier if you have it and don't need it.

sec_jester wrote: »

I am taking my GSEC next friday, I have re-done my notes, taken a practice test, and am reviewing whatever I can think of.

I don't think a week is enough time to get through all the SAN books and build a good index. It's something you should have been working on while studying. But I still say even a bad index is better than none, try your best to finish one before the exam.

josh.armentrout1

Jester, here is a link to my experience with the GSEC and indexing. Hope it helps. My Experience with the GIAC GSEC Exam

sec_jester

josh.armentrout1 wrote: »

Jester, here is a link to my experience with the GSEC and indexing. Hope it helps. My Experience with the GIAC GSEC Exam

Thanks! I've read a few reviews on indexes and for this test at least I am doing it with the books / subjects I am least proficient in