GPEN Passed!!!!!
![[Deleted User]](https://us.v-cdn.net/6030959/uploads/defaultavatar/nE1RZK93BLG3K.jpg)
[Deleted User]
Posts: 0 ■■■■■□□□□□
in GIAC
Well I passed my GPEN exam yesterday!!! 
81%
So excited I didn't sleep last night!
It was a brutal exam. Finished with 8 seconds left!! Down to the wire and every second counted!!
With that said, here are my tips:
1. Solid Index is key. Make it searchable and easy to use. Best advice for this, alphabetize your index (obvious but helpful) and have a small definition followed by page number. (Keyword,Definition,Pagenumber) Can't stress enough how helpful it was because you won't have time to read it in the book!! If anyone wants to see a small sample of my index, PM me and I can give you a small sample to give you jump start! If you can't find key words within 15 seconds, you made your index wrong! You will need to make modifications to your index multiple times throughout the studying process. This is normal.
2. Practice exams are very similar to actual exam!
3. Had tons of screenshots of tools! Practice with the tools listed in the courseware!
4. Important sections in general are Metasploit, Powershell, SQL injection and Windows commands!
5. Keep calm and carry on!
Now it's time for some R&R for 2 weeks and play some video games. Maybe Overwatch or some old school n64 not sure!
But after this I will be getting into GXPN next and getting revenge on Server+ just because!
81%So excited I didn't sleep last night!
It was a brutal exam. Finished with 8 seconds left!! Down to the wire and every second counted!!
With that said, here are my tips:
1. Solid Index is key. Make it searchable and easy to use. Best advice for this, alphabetize your index (obvious but helpful) and have a small definition followed by page number. (Keyword,Definition,Pagenumber) Can't stress enough how helpful it was because you won't have time to read it in the book!! If anyone wants to see a small sample of my index, PM me and I can give you a small sample to give you jump start! If you can't find key words within 15 seconds, you made your index wrong! You will need to make modifications to your index multiple times throughout the studying process. This is normal.
2. Practice exams are very similar to actual exam!
3. Had tons of screenshots of tools! Practice with the tools listed in the courseware!
4. Important sections in general are Metasploit, Powershell, SQL injection and Windows commands!
5. Keep calm and carry on!
Now it's time for some R&R for 2 weeks and play some video games. Maybe Overwatch or some old school n64 not sure!
But after this I will be getting into GXPN next and getting revenge on Server+ just because!
2019: CCNA Security,CTIA,JNCDA,GREM
2020: CISSP,CWNA,CWSP,CWDP,CBP,(Blockchain Training Alliance Certifications)
2021: LPIC-2,eLearnSecurity Courses
2020: CISSP,CWNA,CWSP,CWDP,CBP,(Blockchain Training Alliance Certifications)
2021: LPIC-2,eLearnSecurity Courses
Comments
How much of an overlap is there between C|EH and GPEN material?
"You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try." - Homer Simpson
I bought my exam attempt back in the end of Nov 2016 like Nov 28 or so. About 4 months (length of the exam attempt with no extensions)
In regards to overlap from C|EH, I would say only what is covered with Nmap at the most.
Reason for that is because C|EH mostly covered basic switches like -sS -sP -Pn etc.
Where GPEN covers NSE scripts, other useful switches such as --top-ports and more real world side of using Nmap not just how do you do a SYN Scan type of questions but actually tshooting output from Nmap to understanding output and interpret results.
Also, C|EH just covers things like What is Metasploit where GPEN covers actually configuring, using and applying the framework and useful features of the framework. (in otherwords, GPEN covers more technical info than C|EH)
Also, C|EH just covers more theory of Pen testing and provides a solid methodology imo. But GPEN covers things from more of a Pen test consulting side. Ex: Rules of engagement, Scope Creep etc. is covered in GPEN where C|EH covers nothing of the sort.
I can't say much else without violating NDA (and we know how that turns out on here don't we)
If anyone has more specific questions about GPEN about studying tips, PM me and let me know!
2020: CISSP,CWNA,CWSP,CWDP,CBP,(Blockchain Training Alliance Certifications)
2021: LPIC-2,eLearnSecurity Courses
2020: CISSP,CWNA,CWSP,CWDP,CBP,(Blockchain Training Alliance Certifications)
2021: LPIC-2,eLearnSecurity Courses
2020: CISSP,CWNA,CWSP,CWDP,CBP,(Blockchain Training Alliance Certifications)
2021: LPIC-2,eLearnSecurity Courses
It took around two days. I had my paper cert within a week.
Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
Next Up: OSCP
Studying: Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework
Congrats...I think I received mine within 2-3 days
2018: CySA+ | PenTest+ |CCNA CyberOps
2019: VHL 20 boxes
2020: OSCP eCPPT OSCP eCPPT (a bit undecided)
Would you be able to do a snapshot of the formatting for the index? Or maybe a template?
Congrats! GIAC sent the "exam passed, congrats!" email within an hour of finishing the exam followed by digital badge email a day later. You can look for your digital badge in the GIAC portal
I just failed my gpen exam and i decided to retake the exam, can you share some tips for me ?
I too would be interested in seeing a sample of your index. Thanks for the other tips as well.
2020: CISSP,CWNA,CWSP,CWDP,CBP,(Blockchain Training Alliance Certifications)
2021: LPIC-2,eLearnSecurity Courses
I think your taking the word "written" too literal. You don't have to write everything out by hand, you can create your spreadsheets, notes, etc on a computer and Print them out to bring with you. The only restriction is what you bring with you must be written/typed/scribbled on Paper, Parchment or stone tablets (And of course your course books), no pen/pencil/marker/quill or hammer/chisel (for those stone tablets) allowed. Also I believe you have to be able to carry in what you bring, you can use a box if you want, but no hand truck allowed. (Better leave those stone tablets home).
I'm currently preparing myself by selfstudy for GPEN exam (from official training books).
Do you mind to share with me few info how exactly exam is organized?
Many thanks.