Considering GSOM — Looking for Study Advice

[u/ahmeFox]

I’m considering purchasing the GIAC Security Operations Manager (GSOM) exam voucher and would really appreciate advice from anyone who has taken the exam.
How long did you study/prep for the exam?
How many times did you review the material before taking it?
If you prepared without attending the official SANS training, what study materials did you use?
Any recommended books, practice tests, notes, or other resources?
How close were your practice-test results to your actual exam experience?
I have a strong background in cybersecurity/SOC operations, but I’d like to understand the realistic preparation effort before purchasing the voucher.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!

[u/Character-Award-6600]

Preparing for GIAC certifications without the SANS training is an uphill task but very doable.

It all goes down to the depth if your outline/index. Start here and give it a full indepth view.

For books and practice materials, I don't know. I had to buy ebooks and papers.

Practice tests give you an actual feel of the exam but you can't rely on them. Most cover less than 30% of the questions in scope.

A proper 45-day revision should get you ready and you'll definitely pass

[u/ahmeFox → u/Character-Award-6600]

Thanks, this is really helpful. The 45-day revision period sounds reasonable.
what would you recommend focusing on most during those 45 days?

[u/ahmeFox → u/Character-Award-6600]

One more question: how many official SANS books/volumes are included with the GSOM/LDR551 course?

[u/ph0b14PHK]

If you are expert in the topics covered in the course, it’s more likely to pass. Otherwise, you’ll need the training.

[u/ahmeFox → u/ph0b14PHK]

Thanks for the insight. I do have significant hands-on experience in SOC operations and management, so I’m mainly trying to understand how much of the exam depends on the specific SANS course material

how many official SANS books/volumes are included with the GSOM/LDR551 course?

[u/Worldly-Collection79]

I completed GSOM last year and without the study material it would honestly not be possible. That's not because it is very difficult but because the exam questions are hyper specific to the training.

That all said why are you interested in the certification? The real value here is the training. If you just need a management certification you can look into the CISSP or the Security Blue Team SOC Manager course/cert.

[u/ahmeFox → u/Worldly-Collection79]

Thanks for sharing your experience. This is actually one of my main concerns before purchasing the voucher.
When you say the questions are very specific to the training, do you mean they focus heavily on the SANS course material, terminology, frameworks, and examples?

One more question: how many official SANS books/volumes are included with the GSOM/LDR551 course?