Taking my GSEC exam in Dec; any advice?

I am a newbie in InfoSec. I was accepted into the SANS Cyber Security Academy. 6 months to review 3 courses & complete 3 tests. You cannot move to the next course if you don't pass the test. This opportunity is a great one and I do not want to fall short.

Any advice on how the test is?

Any one have any spare GSEC practice tests? I still have my 2 but I want an abundance of practice before I step in the classroom.

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Comments

cyberguypr

How's your index? This is absolutely key.

afob

My index is very detailed. I have 3 more books to read. I am just anticipating how the test will be. I guess the practice test will give me a better visual of how the actual test may be.

Cuse0311

As cyberguypr said, your index will be the key. In regards to the practice exams, having more than two is not really beneficial IMO. This is because they tend to overlap a bit. My suggestion would be to go through all the course material at least twice (including labs). After you create your index, go through and take a practice exam. This will give you an idea of how the GIAC exam engine is structured. I would try to shoot for 80% or above. After taking the first practice exam, I would fine tune your index and take the final practice exam. Just my .2 cents for what it's worth.

afob

Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it!

mactex

Agree with above. Let the practice tests be your guide to tweak your index along with your knowledge of the domains.

JGS

I took the exam in Sept (first SANS exam - got in the mid 80s on my practice test and a 90 on my actual test). In addition to what others have said, what helped me was (1) putting a tab with a description on key pages in the books for quick lookup on the test (to save time), (2) printing out **** sheets or other useful information (such as a list of common ports), (3) Making some **** sheets based on info in the book such as the crypto section and (4) I didn’t do this but should have - make sure that every term that was in the SANS provided index was in my index and that I knew what the term was. Good luck!

afob

JGS wrote: »

I took the exam in Sept (first SANS exam - got in the mid 80s on my practice test and a 90 on my actual test). In addition to what others have said, what helped me was (1) putting a tab with a description on key pages in the books for quick lookup on the test (to save time), (2) printing out **** sheets or other useful information (such as a list of common ports), (3) Making some **** sheets based on info in the book such as the crypto section and (4) I didn’t do this but should have - make sure that every term that was in the SANS provided index was in my index and that I knew what the term was. Good luck!

Thanks. I will do that. I will looks up SANS **** sheets online. I am having some issues with Cryptography but I will keep reviewing it. I have to get around to tabbing the book as well.

Nostromo

Hi afob,

FWIW, these are my impressions from taking GSEC two years ago (partial spoiler: write, not just have, a good index):

http://www.techexams.net/forums/sans-institute-giac-certifications/119526-passed-gsec-tips-preparing-exam.html

Best of luck, and tell us how it went.

N.

afob

Wanted to update you all. I passed the test. Thank you all for all of your advice! On to GCIH now

Johnhe0414

@afob That's great! Congrats!

nisti2

Congrats!

Swift6

afob said:

Wanted to update you all. I passed the test. Thank you all for all of your advice! On to GCIH now

Good work. Now you have all cylinders firing for GCIH.

afob

I just passed the GCIH yesterday. I have to figure out what will be my next test. I have one more to choose from