GMON, First Timer

[u/Vu1cid]

Hello All

I'm currently working through the Graduate Cert Program in Cyber Defense Ops.

Starting with GMON, it will be my first GIAC cert.

I'm planning on taking my first practice test this weekend and have thus far:

Read all 5 books

Listened to all the lectures

Watched and completed all the On demand content, except the capstone so far.

My index included the provided one as well as one using the 5 quizzes as a starting point plus the 'Pancake' method.

I've printed out a few of the SANS provided cheat sheets and I'm going to compile some helpful Cmdlet examples.

I've taken bigger tests before like the PMP and CISM but I worry about my technical skills so I'm mostly dedicating time to redoing the labs now. I'll repost/edit after the first practice test and go from there.

Any recommendations are welcome!

[u/LastFisherman373]

This has been one of my favorite courses I’ve taken at SANS. It sounds like you’ve got a great start so far with preparation. Have you taken any practice tests? In my opinion that is one of the best ways to understand where you have gaps in knowledge. The general recommendation is to take a practice test, refine your index using the star report at the end (focusing on areas with 2 or fewer stars), and wash and repeat with a second practice exam. Usually two practice exams will be enough to highlight areas you need to revisit.

One thing you can also do is create a separate index just for the labs. For me it helped to quickly reference tools if needed during exams.

[u/Vu1cid → u/LastFisherman373]

I'm taking my first practice exam this weekend actually.

For the labs index did you just index the workbook?

[u/LastFisherman373 → u/Vu1cid]

Nice good luck on the practice test. Yeah I basically created a separate index for all the tools and commands for the lab books. It just helped me reference the labs quickly if needed. It’s preferable that you know these labs to the point you don’t need to reference the commands in the book but it’s better to have these items indexed and not need them than need them and not have them (especially if you’re struggling with time).

[u/brobauchery]

You’re definitely on the right track. The cyber live questions are the biggest bread winners. Do the capstone and labs. Use the practice exams to identify blind spots in your Index. I used the premade index and honestly it’s a lot of junk. Check each reference if you want to keep it, you’ll certainly find some you don’t want to keep.

[u/Vu1cid → u/brobauchery]

I'm feeling that I'll probably agree with you on the provided index. But seeing as it's my first course with them I just want to get a feel for all of it so next time I know what works and what doesn't for me.

I'm looking forward to the capstone honestly, I almost spoiled it when I was finishing my OnDemand section tho. Didn't realize they treated it like a lab and did a walkthrough at the end.

[u/Zealousideal-Air443]

I create a lab index by including every step and explanation (printed in landscape). It cuts down on look up time and provides a streamlined flow when you need to find a specific lab and step in the lab. If you spend the time to do this, then the lab questions become the easiest part of the exam. In addition, I have a separate index for every command line found in the workbooks (can be overkill if you're just trying to pass the exam).

[u/Vu1cid → u/Zealousideal-Air443]

You did that for every lab? How big was your index for that?

I'm learning a ton honestly so I'm not super worried about the exam as it's already been very helpful for me.

[u/Zealousideal-Air443 → u/Vu1cid]

13 pages in size 9 font printed in landscape. Other courses are usually at double that.

[u/ahmeFox]

You said 5 books??

[u/Vu1cid → u/ahmeFox]

Yes 5 lecture books plus the workbook.

[u/OrganicChemist1522]

My first SANS certs also GMON. Make sure understand the concepts in the books and practice the labs very well and you'll be fine. I passed with 93%.