All GIAC Certification deadlines are displayed in Universal Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
GIAC requests that certification candidates manage their time properly and adequately prepare for exams, so that extensions and retakes are very rare events.
Please note that the exam failure rate is much higher for students taking exams in the last 48 hours of their certification time window.
Failed or Incomplete Exams
If you fail a GIAC Certification Exam, you may purchase a retake for the cost $199 by clicking on the "buy retake" link, under the "certification attempts" section of the GIAC Certification Portal. Once purchased, retakes are non-refundable.
A retake will extend your final certification attempt deadline by one month and your adjusted deadline will be displayed in the GIAC Certification Portal.
If you do not purchase the retake before your expiration date arrives, you will need to purchase an extension, and then purchase the retake. Please see the information on extensions below. Your access to any associated practice tests and/or audio files will be automatically extended to match your certification deadline.
Extensions
GIAC Certification Attempts have a time limit of 4 months (120 days) to complete. If you need additional time, you may purchase a 30-day extension for $199 by clicking on the GIAC Certification Portal link, 'Certification Attempts' and then 'Purchase Extension.' The 'Purchase Extension' link is available 15 days before your certification attempt deadline, through 15 days after your certification attempt deadline. The extension will add 30 days to your current expiration date, regardless of when you purchase the extension. Once purchased, certification attempt extensions are non-refundable and non-transferable.
