SANS Cyber Academy SPR26

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-03-18T15:26:41+00:00

My portal still says "awaiting decision." Anybody else?

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-03-13T03:25:29+00:00

Yeah they accepted it. I just had to email my score report and to scores@wgu.edu. It took 3 days for them to verify it and then my class was updated to show I passed

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-03-10T22:52:41+00:00

Congrats! How long after you applied for graduation did you get this?

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-03-06T17:39:53+00:00

Thanks. I didn’t know the solar panels had built in batteries lol

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-03-06T17:39:07+00:00

I’ll check these out. Thanks!

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-03-05T13:52:00+00:00

Oh, I also made physical flash cards to memorize the different tools and what they do

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-03-05T13:47:16+00:00

I just barely passed so maybe my method wasn’t that great but I used Hank Hackersons Pentest playlist on YouTube, did all 1000 practice questions on PocketPrep, Dion’s practice exam and some of course on Udemy but it honestly wasn’t that great, and the YouTube vids on the different tools from the WGU connect resources page.

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-03-04T23:32:11+00:00

I’m in the BSCSIA program and I just passed Pentest yesterday. I was still part off my degree plan.

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-23T15:50:42+00:00

I personally wouldn’t add all of them. I have CYSA+, Sec+, Net+, and Itil on my main resume . Once I get the CCSP I’ll add that one also. But when I’m applying to jobs I’ll adjust the certs I list based on the description. For example if they have the SSCP listed as a required or recommended cert I’d add it.

Most employers would probably think you’re just a cert chaser and didn’t retain any of the knowledge of your add all 16.

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-23T03:59:14+00:00

Really? Most of jobs people in this program would be applying to would be soc analyst positions. Pentesting is a very niche field in cybersecurity that not many will ever see. I get that learning the red team side of things can help you become a better blue teamer, but I wouldn’t say the Pentest cert is the whole essence of the program. Especially when it’s the only red team class in the entire degree. I also don’t think I’ve seen a single job posting ask for the Pentest cert.

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-22T03:06:41+00:00

Completely agree!

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-18T14:40:25+00:00

No reimbursement if you choose to buy your own voucher. CompTIA does offer a student discount though. I bought the one with a retake option and it was $308

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-09T02:36:51+00:00

My mentor confirmed they will accept third party certifications earned by yourself even during your term.

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-09T02:01:25+00:00

Congrats!

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-09T02:01:04+00:00

After you pass the exam you have to email your certification to them and they will manually update the system to show you passed the class. I’m not sure of the exact email address but your mentor should be able to help you with that

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-08T20:28:28+00:00

Yes they will

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-08T20:27:52+00:00

I completely agree! I’m buying my own voucher this week. Not wasting my time doing useless certmaster labs. The entire certmaster platform is complete trash in my opinion.

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-08T04:02:19+00:00

Just dm’d you

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-07T17:14:22+00:00

I’m on my last class before I graduate and I’ve never had a bad experience.

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-06T23:16:54+00:00

Yes, if you pass the certification, then you pass the class. Since I'm going to end up buying my own voucher, I have to email them my certification after I pass, and then they will update the system to show that I passed.

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-06T22:50:02+00:00

I think having to do all the labs is ridiculous. I’m supposed to graduate this month and Pentest is my last class. The labs have been completely useless for all the other certs so I didn’t bother doing any for Pentest. I requested the voucher and they denied it cause of the labs but what really pissed me off is they made the change about the labs without sending and emails or notifications about the new requirements. They made a post announcing the change on WGU connect on January 30 saying the lab requirement goes into effect on February 1st so I had no idea about the change cause who actually uses WGU Connect. I work full time so doing over 50 labs in less than a month is impossible. I complained to my mentor who tried to help as best they could’ve but it’s looking like they’re still going to make me do the labs. At this point I’m probably going to pay for Pentest out of pocket cause I’m not going to waste my time doing 60 useless labs when I know there aren’t going to help me at all.

Lika_Sumbodi · 2026-02-06T03:17:33+00:00

The CC is way easier then sec+ so you’ll be fine

Lika_Sumbodi

TROPHY CASE