Passed GCIH
Just getting around to posting this now, passed the GCIH back on 6-9-16
I took the SEC504 course through work study at SANS Security West in San Diego with Bryce. Followed the usual template of watching the OnDemand videos, make an index, take both practice exams, updated index and PASSED.
Cheers!
On to the next thing in my queue.
I took the SEC504 course through work study at SANS Security West in San Diego with Bryce. Followed the usual template of watching the OnDemand videos, make an index, take both practice exams, updated index and PASSED.
Cheers!
On to the next thing in my queue.
2019: GPEN | GCFE | GXPN | GICSP | CySA+
2020: GCIP | GCIA
2021: GRID | GDSA | Pentest+
2022: GMON | GDAT
2023: GREM | GSE | GCFA
WGU BS IT-NA | SANS Grad Cert: PT&EH | SANS Grad Cert: ICS Security | SANS Grad Cert: Cyber Defense Ops | SANS Grad Cert: Incident Response
2020: GCIP | GCIA
2021: GRID | GDSA | Pentest+
2022: GMON | GDAT
2023: GREM | GSE | GCFA
WGU BS IT-NA | SANS Grad Cert: PT&EH | SANS Grad Cert: ICS Security | SANS Grad Cert: Cyber Defense Ops | SANS Grad Cert: Incident Response
Comments
Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
Next Up: OSCP
Studying: Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework
Only things I recommend are to get plenty of sleep, make a good index and screenshot your practice exam question/answers for review later (I used Screenhunter).
2020: GCIP | GCIA
2021: GRID | GDSA | Pentest+
2022: GMON | GDAT
2023: GREM | GSE | GCFA
WGU BS IT-NA | SANS Grad Cert: PT&EH | SANS Grad Cert: ICS Security | SANS Grad Cert: Cyber Defense Ops | SANS Grad Cert: Incident Response
Just came back from taking my GCIH Exam today (6/16/2016), I thought is was pretty tough. Managed to squeeze by with a 78%, but had less then 15 minutes left. I had a good 30 minutes left when I took the practice exams. My index wasn't nearly are complete as I thought it was, lessened learned. Next exam I'm going to index every word, including the "the" and "at" words.
Crushed the MN MS150 which is a 150 mile charity bike ride to raise money for MS:
2020: GCIP | GCIA
2021: GRID | GDSA | Pentest+
2022: GMON | GDAT
2023: GREM | GSE | GCFA
WGU BS IT-NA | SANS Grad Cert: PT&EH | SANS Grad Cert: ICS Security | SANS Grad Cert: Cyber Defense Ops | SANS Grad Cert: Incident Response
Congratulations!
2020: GCIP | GCIA
2021: GRID | GDSA | Pentest+
2022: GMON | GDAT
2023: GREM | GSE | GCFA
WGU BS IT-NA | SANS Grad Cert: PT&EH | SANS Grad Cert: ICS Security | SANS Grad Cert: Cyber Defense Ops | SANS Grad Cert: Incident Response
I sit for my exam this Friday coming up.
I did miserably on my first practice exam last week - scored 50.
Added 200 more entries to my index... Now over 1950 entries.
My doctor had prescribed statin drugs for cholesterol and I think they have been messing with my focus. I stopped taking them a few days ago and I took a Berocca supplement this morning to see if it improves my clarity.
Taking second practice exam today.
When I finish the exam, I'm going to sleep!
For a comparison, my index had 1200 entries when I took the exam, it wasn't as complete as I thought it was. If you do not do well on your 2nd practice test, I would suggest paying to extend you testing date, your not ready.
I am trying to get my employer to pay for me to go to GCIH coming up in August as well but we will see..
For my second Practice exam, I got a 71. My average was 72 as I was taking it and I took a restroom break and went back on it after 2 hours or so. 20 minutes in I started getting the shakes and had trouble flipping the pages on my index and got really dizzy. I kept going and saw my average drop down and sit at 71 til the end. I finished with 10 minutes left.
I had breakfast at 9 AM and nothing to eat since then. Started the test at around 12:30. My glucose level at the end of the exam was 81. Note to self - Eat lunch before going into the exam and bring water and snacks.
I think I can still do it. Little more study and I think I can tack on another 6 or 7 points.
My boss and the IT manager reiterated to me this morning that I need to get the cert by July.
Holy ****, 2000 entries?!? I went 75 and 77 for my practice tests and my index only had 238 entries. I ended up with an 87% on the exam.
2020: GCIP | GCIA
2021: GRID | GDSA | Pentest+
2022: GMON | GDAT
2023: GREM | GSE | GCFA
WGU BS IT-NA | SANS Grad Cert: PT&EH | SANS Grad Cert: ICS Security | SANS Grad Cert: Cyber Defense Ops | SANS Grad Cert: Incident Response
Some have taken the test without indexes and passed with no problem. I guess I'm not as intelligent as them or can't memorize as well. The simple fact is if your offered the benefit of an open book exam, you should take advantage of it. It you end up not needing it great, but if you need it, it's there at help you. These exams are very expensive, it's not worth bragging rights to say I took it without an index.
I see you have nine GIAC Certifications, just curious, why you didn't go for your GSE yet? I just assumed once you obtain five or more GIAC Certifications the natural progression would be to obtain a Certification that automatically renewed all of your others. It just seems to me that the more certifications you have, the more difficult it will be to keep them all current without the benefits of a GSE.
Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
Next Up: OSCP
Studying: Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework
As a certification, a GSE is functionally worthless, since so few people possess one, most employers never heard of it. It's real value is the fact it automatically renews all of you other certifications automatically. Not sure if you have to pay the $400 renew fee for each one, but don't have a GSE, your consistently on the re-certification treadmill, and the more GIAC certs you have the faster you have the run (and the more it costs) to keep them all current.
If I obtain five or more GIAC certifications I plan to try can get a GSE as well.
I cant remember as I had taken it 3-4 years back. But base on current curriculum I would go for Hackers Player Book Second Edition, Metasploit The Penetration Tester Book, Advance Penetration Testing for Highly Secured Environment and The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing, Second Edition. To assure you I had read 2 and 1/2 of this books and would say it should highly reflect what you are looking for to take the GPEN exam.
I would always grab a practice test for 129 USD and use those books to take the practice, along the way I would google and print out extra materials, evaluate questions that those books don't cover, but your guarantee going to get marks once you print out those materials (e.g law being one good example). Once confident enough, I would go for the exam.
While employers evaluate candidate, I believe the candidate should evaluate the employer as well in the hiring process. A good hiring manager/director in Cybersecurity field should had some ideas of what these certification means. If they are interested in the candidate they can easily google those certifications the candidate had. Since most of the time the hiring manager/director would be the person to report to after hire, if the hiring manager/director do not even have an idea of what GIAC or GSE is, or even put down the certification, it may be difficult to work for that person.
Similarly to OSCP, a few years back this is a certification that most people 'never heard of it'. While you don't see it listed as a work requirement, a hiring manager/director does factor in some of these certifications in the hiring process.
Congrats, how was it?
Is it possible to purchase a practice exam without purchasing an exam attempt?