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2.
Explain it to a beginner
3.
Identify gaps
4.
Return to study
What makes this method of study unique is Step 2. Many descriptions of this technique use the
example of explaining the topic to a child who is unfamiliar with it. If we don’t have access to a
child (or a child who is willing to listen to an explanation about, for example, network scripting),
this technique can still be useful.
In the act of explaining things to children, we change our language to make things more simple.
For example, when discussing a Brute Force Attack
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with another professional, we might quickly
devolve into a discussion on the massive computational power needed to crack a certain key.
While explaining it to a child, we could simply say “it’s a way to keep guessing lots and lots of
passwords until, hopefully, one of them works.”
The explanation itself isn’t as important as the work the brain has to do to wrestle with the
concepts and make them understandable outside of jargon. Similarly, when it’s very difficult for
us to break something down in this manner, that may be a sign that we don’t understand it very
well yet ourselves. All of this work helps us increase our own understanding.
4.6
Advice and Suggestions on Exams
We want to take a few moments to discuss exams and assessments, since the experience and
approach for exam taking is very different from the rest of the learning experience.
First, a word about the difference between the two. Some OffSec Learning Tracks culminate in an
optional assessment, which is generally a timed series of practical exercises. The student has a
great deal of freedom with scheduling
and retaking the assessment, and can complete these
exercises and submit the answers.
In other cases, OffSec courses culminate in a proctored exam, during which a student has a set
amount of time to complete a specific set of hands-on challenges. A successful exam results in
an OffSec Certification.
The contents of this section are centered on exams specifically, since we know they are points of
anxiety for some learners. However, many of the suggestions provided will also be helpful for
individuals taking an assessment.
This Learning Unit covers the following Learning Objectives:
1.
Develop strategies for dealing with exam-related stress
2.
Recognize when you might be ready to take the exam
3.
Understand a practical approach to the exam
While each student will learn at their own pace, this Learning Unit should take about ten minutes
to complete.
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(Wikipedia, 2022), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brute-force_attack
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This section is intended as a reference specifically for individuals who intend on taking an exam.
Much of the material here will be useful for exams and assessments
outside the context of
OffSec training. No challenge questions are included at the end of it.
4.6.1
Dealing with Stress
OffSec certifications are earned, not given. We use this language intentionally. Having a
certification from OffSec is a significant accomplishment. You can’t fake your way to the finish
line or guess your way to a passing score.
For some individuals, this means that the exam and the weeks and months leading up to it can
become a very stressful time. We want to take a few moments to try and address that experience
now.
A great deal has been written on
dealing with stress in general, but we’ll focus in particular on
high-stakes exam stress. There are some excellent resources surrounding the taking of the Bar
Exam, a requirement in the United States for all lawyers. Each state has its own requirements, but
the California bar exam, for example, has five hours dedicated to essay questions, a Performance
Test that lasts an another hour and 30 minutes, and an additional portion of the exam that is
typically around 200 multiple-choice questions. There are also additional
certifications required
just to qualify to take the exam.
Since this exam is extremely well known and notoriously stress-inducing, there are a number of
excellent resources about how to manage the experience. Let’s review a few of the common
themes.
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1.
Take Care of Yourself
2.
Schedule and Plan Your Study
3.
Have a Growth Mindset
First and foremost, any learner can’t be expected to perform as well if they are feeling too hungry,
tired, or sick to keep pressing on. Managing stress can begin with simply being aware of what’s
happening with our physiological bodies. Lack of sleep and poor diet can put us at a disadvantage
before we even start.
Positivity and optimism are also important factors. Making sure that we have things to look
forward to - whether that is a study break or time with friends - can really help to fuel us when
we’re feeling discouraged with our studies. The reward can be as simple as a pleasant walk in
nature or sitting down to watch a favorite TV show.
Second, creating a plan for ourselves is critical. We will describe this in more detail shortly.
Third, a
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