How to Pass the Splunk Core Certified User Exam

What Is Splunk:

Splunk is a powerful platform used for searching, monitoring, and analyzing machine-generated data in real-time. It’s often used as a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tool to capture, index, and correlate events from various data sources, making it easy to search and visualize the data.

No matter what, before you even schedule the exam, you need a plan. You need to determine how long you’re going to study each day, and what specific topics you’re going to focus on, and then set a realistic timeline for your preparation. Lastly, schedule that exam date, stay focused and committed to getting the certification.

Exam Scoring and Structure:

• Scored out of: 100

• Passing score: 70

• Number of questions: 65

• Format: Multiple choice and true/false

What's Covered in the Exam:

Splunk Basics:

• What Splunk is and its uses

• Basic navigation and user interface

Data Inputs:

• Adding data to Splunk

• Understanding source types

Search Processing Language (SPL):

• Basic searches

• Using fields in searches

Search and Reporting:

• Creating reports

• Using transforming commands and visualizations

Knowledge Objects:

• Creating and using lookups

• Creating alerts

Dashboards:

• Building dashboards

• Using dashboard panels and visualizations

Resources I Used:

To prepare for the exam, I utilized a combination of courses, practice tests, and study materials. Here are the resources that helped me succeed:

Udemy:

Udemy proved to be an invaluable resource, especially since Splunk retired its “Fundamentals Course.” The Udemy course covers all the essential points that are on the test and includes excellent practice tests. A helpful tip is to wait for Udemy sales, which makes both the course and practice tests very affordable.

• Splunk Core Certified User Masterclass by Intellectual Point

• Practice Tests by SS Cyber Security

Quizlet:

I used Quizlet for additional practice tests as well as a review for the exam. The two ones I used are listed below.

• Created by pvanderlinden: Splunk Core Certified User and Splunk Fundamentals 1

• Created by Nupe2NV: Splunk Certification

Test Blueprint:

• Reviewing the test blueprint helped me understand the topics covered and focus my study efforts. (Link)

ChatGPT:

I used ChatGPT to help break down topics I had trouble understanding. This is a valuable resource that can be used for reviews, quizzes, or summarizing any notes you take. I say it’s really a Swiss army knife if used correctly. Below is the specific prompt I used to help break down complex topics into something that's easy to understand.

Enter this when you load up ChatGPT:

• “Act as a SOC Analyst and help me understand the basics of Splunk. I am a beginner. Teach it to me in a way that’s simple to understand but still technical. I will ask about things within Splunk such as SPL, commands, how to create things like alerts, dashboards, reports, lookups, and much more.”

By using these resources and dedicating time to study, I was able to pass the Splunk Core Certified User Exam. Good luck to everyone preparing for the exam!

In the end, do what ultimately works for you. Everyone learns differently, so it’s important to find the study methods that suit your personal learning style. Work at your own pace and do what’s best for you.