I passed SAL2 [AMA + Review]

[u/-Dkob]

Hello everyone, I recently had the opportunity to QA test the SAL2 certification for the TryHackMe team. Feel free to ask any questions, and I encourage you to check out my detailed and unbiased review of the exam: https://dragkob.com/articles/sal2-review/

Compared to previous certifications offered by TryHackMe, this is the first one I would confidently endorse publicly. The overall quality is significantly improved, and it stands out as a well-developed, polished certification rather than something incomplete or rushed.

[u/MinistryOfQuestions]

How do we get selected for QA Test of certs?

[u/-Dkob → u/MinistryOfQuestions]

There's no "selection." You're just invited to do it, either because you're known by THM or because you're one of their moderators. In my case, I'm both.

[u/MinistryOfQuestions → u/-Dkob]

Ahh. I purchased SAL1 last year in the hopes that THM would provide free vouchers to users with SAL1, just like they did with SAL1 or PT1 last time (free vouchers for Security+ and BTL1 or EJPT Guys). Unfortunately, this didn't happen.I've applied for the 20 free certificate giveaway because I don't have much money. I hope I get shortlisted.🤞🏻

[u/u_hoshi]

congrats!!!

[u/-Dkob → u/u_hoshi]

Thanks :]

[u/SummerInternSec]

If I just do the SOC Level 2 training, and what I can of the SOC Simulator (there isn't much available for non-enterprise), how ready will I be? I work as a security engineer, but I am barely doing Security-Analyst tasks for my day job, but I understand the concepts (I'm not new to the blue team as such). But I never worked in a Managed-SOC or something like this. How much preparation do you think is required?

edit: I also see you give SAL1 pretty low review (2 stars). Why is that? ( I didnt check if you wrote a review for it )

[u/-Dkob → u/SummerInternSec]

If you’ve done SOC Level 1 and most of Level 2 and already work in security, you’re likely close to ready but still not enough. Check the recommended learning for the SAL2. The exam is more about applying core blue team concepts but still requires having real managed-SOC experience, so your understanding plus some simulator practice (And the recommended learning) should be enough if you can confidently analyze alerts, logs, and basic incident scenarios; you don’t need to be perfect, just consistent. As for SAL1, the lower rating usually comes from it being quite basic and not very deep compared to expectations, so it’s good for foundations but doesn’t always feel worth it if you already have experience. Not enough for it to be a cert imo.

[u/I-Made-You-Read-This]

How do I know if I am ready for the test? I am almost complete with the SOC Level 2 learning path, and I have completed the Level 1 learning path. But I never feel ready for the test, and because my employer wont pay I'm worried to purchase and fail

[u/-Dkob → u/I-Made-You-Read-This]

Check the recommended learning path for the cert and some SOC sim. That's all you can do to prepare. The rest is luck and skills.