Just got my results back yesterday and I passed! Wanted to share what worked because I spent way too long trying to figure out the right approach before I found a rhythm. Background: I'm a mid-level pentester with about 3 years of experience doing web app assessments, so I wasn't coming in totally blind, but the GWAPT still caught me off guard with how specific some of the questions get around injection techniques and authentication bypass scenarios.
The biggest thing that helped me was finding a decent GWAPT practice test to gauge where my weak spots were early on. I kept failing the authentication and session management sections in practice, which told me exactly where to double down. Spent about 6 weeks total — roughly 1.5 hours on weeknights and longer sessions on weekends. The GIAC GWAPT study guide format (going through each domain systematically) felt tedious but it genuinely works. Don't skip the hands-on labs if you have access.
Happy to answer questions if anyone's prepping right now. The exam tips I wish someone had told me: pace yourself on the longer scenario questions, and don't second-guess your first instinct on the vulnerability identification items.