CWNP - Passed CWNA Exam

Author

Passed CWNA Exam

slinthi

2003-06-02, 12:57 pm

First a word of warning (that I didn't see and have no idea whether it was given). This is a single direction test. No back button. No review screen. Your only choice is to answer and move on. They do give you the opportunity to comment (button available) on each question, leading me to believe that I could go back at the end of the exam and review questions to either leave a comment or change my answer, but that is not an option. So, go with your best guess and move on.

Time may be a factor in this exam with a minute a question (90 questions in 90 minutes). I managed to finish with 15 minutes to spare. Be careful on time management.

Questions were, for the most part, fair. There were a few of the questions that were beyond the scope of the training materials I used and I was forced to utilize an elimination of answers approach.

I scored 79, which while achieving a passing score (>70) leaves me one point short of the required 80 to teach. Since one of the requirements to teach is to take the Instructor led version of the course, I'm sure my score will increase after I sit the course.

Know everything about how to calculate gain and loss. This is not an exam to take lightly. There is no substitute for knowing the material and don't leave your common sense at home.

Regards,

Steve

isles1

2003-06-02, 5:41 pm

slinthi:

Congratulations on the pass! (Update your profile)

Since you are only one point away from 80, maybe shoot an e-mail over to Kevin@cwne.com to see if Planet3 are willing to review your exam for the extra point so you could teach the course at a later date.

Sorry to hear that the exam navigation is a bit unintuitive. I do not recall that being an issue when I took the test. Maybe it is a kink to be worked out with 2.0

I found the time constraint a bit intimidating when I sat for the test, but I think it plays to the advantage of those who have prepared vs. those who have not. Makes it a bit more chalenging and probably helps to make the certification a bit more exclusive (for lack of a better term).

Any plans to go forward with this track (CWSP)?

slinthi

2003-06-02, 9:22 pm

I’ll follow your suggestion and email Kevin to see if I can squeeze a point out of the review process. They really need to get the word out about not being able to go back and review your answers since this is not the norm for non-adaptive certification exams. Truth is there was at least one instance where I would have changed my mind because a later question more or less identified a mistake I had made in answering an earlier question. Had I been able to review I am sure I’d have picked up that point and more.

One issue I also had with the exam is that you will need, for purposes of the exam, to memorize specific numeric answers. I hate questions like the identification of specific ________ ranges, etc. [NOTE: the blank was inserted to avoid any issues with the NDA]. What good does it do to test on those sorts of things and ignore concepts.

Yes I plan to go on and take the CWSP exam. I have ordered a desk copy of the book from McGraw-Hill and it is on its way. My goal is to teach one new course and one revamped course in the Spring. The first will focus on the materials contained in the CWNA study guide. The second will be a modification of our existing Internet and Intranet Security course [CST070]. It will include as a primary focus the “Common Body of Knowledge” identified for CISSP certification [see www.isc2.org]. Additional content shall be information covered in the CWSP exam.

If there is interest out there perhaps we can set up a web site for those wanting to study with me for the CWSP certification. That way I can use your free help to develop test questions and homework assignments for the new course. I use pageout.net, a course web site provided by McGraw-Hill. Point your browser to http://slinthicum.pageout.net. If I find sufficient interest here, I’ll set up a course site where we can work together to pass this certification exam.

Kindest regards,

Steve Linthicum
Professor, Computer Science / Computer Services Technology
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

jroy1

2003-06-03, 10:23 am

Congrats!!

Good to Hear you passed. We were able to mark answers for review in the old test. Interesting. Were the questions evenly dispersed? Majority of topics covered?

Did they still have left field crap like: Which backup algorithm Does AES use _______?

That blew me away in the 1st test I took. That was No where in sight in the documemntation - totally out of left field. I deploy VPN's all day long and AES is JUST beginning to be deployed. I guess in some strange generic way, it could relate back to basic wireless concepts? Ya right.

Anyways - I will take it again soon and update the thread. I too am going after the trainer position. Send over some tips you feel are the top study topics.

Thanks,

Jerry

meijin

2003-06-03, 5:41 pm

Hey Steve!

Congrats!

I am game on the CWSP studying...what specifically did you have in mind?

slinthi

2003-06-03, 7:40 pm

I have had success in the past utilizing the "study group" approach. Perhaps each participant would focus their efforts on one area of study and become the expert in that area. Then they could craft questions on that area and test group participants. Any one else out there want to join the group?

meijin

2003-06-03, 9:16 pm

Steve:

Sounds like an excellent and logical idea to me!

Sign me up and tell me what subject I should start working on being an SME for. Or, let others join and I'll take a topic or two no one else wants.

I am excited about the CWSP and think this is an excellent idea for several of us to get together and pool our resources...a little synergy to put forth!

isles1

2003-06-03, 9:31 pm

I would be interested in the Study Group idea as well. MS just announced MCSA/MCSE: Security, so this would be a great way to sumplement studies for that track, as well as CWSP objectives.

Let me know how I can help.

isleshockey@hotmail.com

wirelessboy

2003-06-04, 8:15 pm

hello members

for cwsp, do we need a good knowledge in wireline security as well?, as i am not into security, should i study, say MCNS, before studying the CWSP study guide?

regards

meijin

2003-06-04, 8:47 pm

You should not need to. Just stick with the CWSP study guide and you should be good. Alot of what you learn there will apply the other way...should you have an interest in pursuing a security related cert.

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