The 156-315.81.20 Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE) R81.20 exam requires a combination of in-depth knowledge, practical skills, and exam-taking strategies. Below are study methods tailored to the exam’s specific content and techniques to excel during the test.

Effective Study Methods

1. Master the Blueprint

• Why: The exam blueprint outlines all the knowledge areas you’ll be tested on.
• How to Apply:
  • Break down the blueprint into smaller, manageable topics (e.g., Advanced Policy Configuration, Threat Prevention, VPNs).
  • Assign specific days or weeks to focus on each area.
  • Track your progress by checking off topics as you master them.

2. Hands-On Practice

• Why: The exam focuses heavily on practical configurations and troubleshooting.
• How to Apply:
  • Set up a virtual lab using VMware or similar tools.
  • Practice configurations for each key area:
    • Identity Awareness.
    • Site-to-Site and Remote Access VPNs.
    • Threat Prevention tools like IPS and Anti-Bot.
  • Simulate real-world scenarios, such as troubleshooting broken VPN connections or misconfigured policies.

3. Use Active Recall

• Why: Active recall strengthens memory retention better than passive rereading.
• How to Apply:
  • After studying a topic, close your notes and try to explain it aloud or write it from memory.
  • Create flashcards with questions like:
    • “What is the purpose of SecureXL, and how do you verify it?”
    • “List the steps to enable Identity Awareness.”
  • Quiz yourself regularly using tools like Anki.

4. Leverage the Feynman Technique

• Why: Teaching a concept forces you to understand it deeply.
• How to Apply:
  • After learning a topic, pretend you’re teaching it to someone else.
  • Simplify your explanation to ensure you understand the core idea.
  • If you struggle, revisit the topic until you can explain it clearly.

5. Solve Scenario-Based Questions

• Why: Many exam questions are scenario-based, testing your problem-solving ability.
• How to Apply:
  • Use official Check Point practice exams or third-party resources to practice questions.
  • Analyze each scenario step by step:
    • Identify the problem (e.g., misconfigured policy, VPN connectivity issue).
    • Determine the best course of action.
  • Review incorrect answers to understand what went wrong.

6. Spaced Repetition

• Why: Reviewing topics at intervals improves long-term retention.
• How to Apply:
  • After learning a topic, revisit it after 1 day, then 3 days, then a week, and so on.
  • Focus on topics you find challenging during your review cycles.

7. Create a Study Plan

• Why: A structured approach ensures comprehensive coverage of exam topics.
• How to Apply:
  • Allocate specific days or weeks for each topic (e.g., Week 1: Identity Awareness; Week 2: Threat Prevention).
  • Dedicate time to hands-on practice, theory review, and question solving.
  • Include buffer days for review and addressing weak areas.

8. Join a Study Group or Forum

• Why: Engaging with peers helps clarify doubts and provides additional insights.
• How to Apply:
  • Join the Check Point Community, Reddit groups, or local study groups.
  • Discuss topics, share resources, and troubleshoot problems together.

Exam Techniques

1. Understand the Question Types

• Why: Familiarity with question types reduces stress and improves accuracy.
• What to Expect:
  • Multiple-choice questions: Choose the most correct answer.
  • Scenario-based questions: Analyze a situation and determine the best solution.
  • Drag-and-drop questions: Match components to their roles or actions.
• How to Prepare:
  • Practice each type of question during your preparation.
  • Read each question carefully to identify key details.

2. Read Questions Carefully

• Why: Misinterpreting questions can lead to errors, even if you know the content.
• How to Apply:
  • Highlight keywords such as “best,” “first,” or “most effective.”
  • Look for subtle qualifiers like “always” or “never.”

3. Use Process of Elimination

• Why: Narrowing down options improves your chances of selecting the correct answer.
• How to Apply:
  • Eliminate answers that are clearly wrong or irrelevant.
  • Compare the remaining options against the question’s requirements.

4. Manage Your Time

• Why: The exam is time-limited, and pacing is crucial.
• How to Apply:
  • Allocate 2 minutes per question as a general rule.
  • Skip difficult questions initially and return to them later.
  • Reserve 10–15 minutes at the end to review flagged questions.

5. Apply Logical Troubleshooting

• Why: Many questions test your ability to diagnose and resolve issues logically.
• How to Apply:
  • Follow a systematic approach:
    • Identify the problem (e.g., logs show traffic is blocked).
    • Analyze potential causes (e.g., incorrect policy or rule order).
    • Implement the solution step-by-step.

6. Stay Calm Under Pressure

• Why: Anxiety can cloud judgment and lead to mistakes.
• How to Apply:
  • Take deep breaths if you feel overwhelmed.
  • Focus on answering one question at a time.
  • Remember that skipping and returning to questions is a valid strategy.

7. Review Before Submitting

• Why: Reviewing flagged questions allows you to catch mistakes.
• How to Apply:
  • Double-check answers where you were unsure.
  • Ensure all questions are answered (even guesses can score points).

Key Areas to Focus On

1. Identity Awareness

• Master configuration and troubleshooting for integrating with Active Directory.
• Practice creating user-based policies.

2. Threat Prevention

• Understand IPS, Threat Emulation, Anti-Bot, and Anti-Virus setups.
• Learn to analyze logs and use SmartEvent for monitoring.

3. VPN Configurations

• Be comfortable with Site-to-Site and Remote Access VPNs.
• Practice troubleshooting connectivity and configuration issues.

4. Performance Optimization

• Familiarize yourself with SecureXL and CoreXL for performance tuning.
• Learn to configure QoS for traffic prioritization.

5. Backup and Disaster Recovery

• Know how to back up and restore configurations.
• Practice disaster recovery scenarios.

Resources

• Check Point Official Documentation: R81.20 Admin Guides, Release Notes, and SecureKnowledge articles.
• Practice Exams: Use official Check Point practice tests and trusted third-party resources.
• Video Tutorials: Platforms like YouTube offer hands-on guides for configurations.
• Simulated Labs: Use VMware, VirtualBox, or GNS3 for practical exercises.

By combining these methods and techniques with consistent practice and focus, you’ll be well-prepared for the exam.