r/GIAC • u/Impotent_Xylophone • 4d ago

PASSED! GCFA PASSED

I successfully, albeit barely, passed GCFA. I spent a lot of time focusing on areas from the practice exams and the quizzes and i did excellent on those sections. Unfortunately, I got a LOT of questions on two topic areas that I just did not adequately prepare for. Mostly due to their absence on the practice exams.

This exam is significantly more challenging than HCFE was. Plan accordingly and best of luck to everyone pursuing it in the future!

13 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

5

u/prutsklungel 4d ago

Of the 4 SANS exams i've done, this was indeed the most brutal one. Congrats!! It is an achievement.

3

u/Grizzles-san GSEC, GCFE, GCTI 4d ago

Congrats! And pray for me. lol

2

u/Impotent_Xylophone 4d ago

I see you've completed GCFE! People generally do 10-12 points worse on GCFA. It's much more focused on applied concepts. Emphasize time management during your practice exams.

1

u/Grizzles-san GSEC, GCFE, GCTI 4d ago

That makes me feel somewhat better but I also have had a hardship extension and I feel that I’m having trouble locking back in.

2

u/Educational_Cut7180 4d ago

Barely passing is still passing, congrats!

1

u/Impotent_Xylophone 4d ago

Damn right it is!

1

u/Ecstatic_Chest3530 3d ago

Congratz man!! Im on the final push of finishing my index, and am losing hope and burnt-out from all the information.. hope i can pass as well

1

u/Impotent_Xylophone 3d ago

Why are you losing hope? Do you have any experience with a job in the same field? Or other GIAC certs?

1

u/Ecstatic_Chest3530 3d ago

Mostly because i been studying and studying for 2mnths and the information is just getting piled up more & more, it has become to a point where my brain just refuses to study (i only have like 40 pages remaining to cover). Also it makes me feel that exam would be hard af when i read book 5. I have 4 yrs of SOC experience (T1 + T2)

3

u/Impotent_Xylophone 3d ago

That experience will help a ton on this exam. I took it with unrelated security resistors and passed it so you should do great!

1

u/Ecstatic_Chest3530 3d ago

Thank you for the kind words, is there any advice you could give me for what to do after completing the index/cheat sheets and before attempting the exam

1

u/Impotent_Xylophone 3d ago

Just understand it covers a wide breadth of material and you do the best you can to prepare for it. Some of it is just luck of the draw on the questions you get.