"Effective December 1st, 2007, all new GIAC certification attempts and
re-certification attempts are required to be proctored. The price of a
GIAC certification attempt in conjunction with SANS training is $499,
the challenge price remains $899. The price of a recertification
attempt is $325."
re-certification attempts are required to be proctored. The price of a
GIAC certification attempt in conjunction with SANS training is $499,
the challenge price remains $899. The price of a recertification
attempt is $325."
This is why people like the SANS certification. Not only is it hard, (the test and the courses speak for themselves), but you get to take them in the comfort of your own home, on your own computer, in your own web browser. This is one of the huge selling points of the GIAC certifications, and one that I have personally pushed. No one wants to go take time out of their week to go to a testing center! People want to be at home, late at night with the lights turned off, (insert whatever analogy you want here), and take the exams where they have no distractions. I really don't agree with this.
"If you started your GIAC Silver Certification attempt and received
access to your exams before December 1st, 2007 your certification
requirements will remain unchanged."
access to your exams before December 1st, 2007 your certification
requirements will remain unchanged."
Good. I took mine several years ago. Does this mean that re-certs will have to go to a testing center? Will we have access to Google and other materials in order to take our tests?
"GIAC has selected Kryterion as our partner to deliver proctored exams
through their network of host locations. Kryterion has nearly complete
coverage in the USA and many testing centers throughout the world. In
addition, Kryterion has been very responsive to adding GIAC proctored
testing centers in locations where we need them. The list of Kryterion
test center locations posted on the GIAC website,
http://www.giac.org/proctor/kryterion.php. If you will be taking a GIAC
proctored exam in the future and do not see a site near you, please fill
out the form provided with your location specifics, so that we can work
to get a site added near you:
http://www.giac.org/proctor/kryterion.php#form"
Okay, so looking at this site, the nearest one to me is in Wilmington, at a CompUSA. What is that? 50 miles from my house? One direction? So not only do we have to pay for the course, and the exam, but now, i have to get off my ass, and pay for the gas on my car to drive 100 miles to take a damn exam, which I used to take in my house! Also, Kryterion has alot of CompUSA locations. Okay, that's interesting, however, if BGR's rumor is true, that might be shortlived. Then I have to drive God knows how far?
"All GIAC certification attempts purchased after December 1st, 2007 will
be comprised of one single exam that covers all the certification
objectives. This new exam format is four or five hours in length,
depending on the specific certification."
Okay, so not only get to sit in CompUSA for 4 to 5 hours, but then I have to take the exams all at once! Not allowing for a nice break in between the TCP test and the class test like it used to be? Bullshit.
"All GIAC certification attempts purchased after December 1st, 2007 are
open book format, but not open internet or open computer."
open book format, but not open internet or open computer."
That sucks. Really Really sucks.
"Candidates will be allowed to bring one back pack or briefcase of course books,
reference material, printed notes, printed spreadsheets, etc., but no
electronic devices such as extra computers, CD-ROM or USB flash drives."
Again, stupid, and it sucks. But they didn't state the size of backpack or briefcase. So if I can get my duffle back on my back? Is that okay?
Dear SANS,
This is the stupidest thing you have ever done. Far stupider then your practical drop that you did. (Which you fixed with the Silver/Gold program.) I do not agree with it, and I think you will lose a very large majority of your certification base with this. Why are you doing it?
"GIAC will soon be ANSI/ISO certified as a certification..."
What does that mean for me? An extra cookie? Does that get me hired, uh, less? Does that give me more money in my bottom line if you get ISO certified? No.
Some of you are sitting there and saying "holy crap Joel, all you have to do is drive to a testing facility". Yes. That is the point. You just lost the most motivating factor of your certification. Me. Being at home. The world is moving to telecommuting and the ability to do anything from anywhere. Hell, before now, I could have taken the SANS test on my iPhone!
Seems like SANS is going backwards.
