CISSP Boot Camp vs. Self Paced?
With a 5-year System Administrator background, and working towards certs for Network+, Security+ and CEH in the next few weeks off, is a boot camp style course a realistic preparation for the CISSP exam?
Or is a slower approach, taking time to drill the material several times (self-paced online and textbooks) be a more reliable way to prepare? The boot camp sales people are fond of quoting high pass rates, but does that include almost blank slate people like me?
Have you done a boot camp with very little prep, and regretted it?
Admittedly I'm impatient to cram in the knowledge through a boot camp, but am wary of that as a study tactic. I just don't have much certification experience to go on yet to judge my readiness for a boot camp, and don't want to waste money or time.
Or is a slower approach, taking time to drill the material several times (self-paced online and textbooks) be a more reliable way to prepare? The boot camp sales people are fond of quoting high pass rates, but does that include almost blank slate people like me?
Have you done a boot camp with very little prep, and regretted it?
Admittedly I'm impatient to cram in the knowledge through a boot camp, but am wary of that as a study tactic. I just don't have much certification experience to go on yet to judge my readiness for a boot camp, and don't want to waste money or time.
Comments
If you must do a bootcamp, take the exams shortly afterwards.
2016 Goals: M.Sc Cyber Security :study:, ITILF COLOR=#FF0000]Passed[/COLOR, COBIT5 F COLOR=#ff0000]Feb[/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000].[/COLOR, CGEITCOLOR=#ff0000]Jun[/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000]. ???[/COLOR, CIPMCOLOR=#ff0000]???[/COLOR
If I were to study up a storm then top it off with a boot camp, then it would be worth it?
That is surely the way to go...
If you are not a fan of reading.... get a CBT to ease you into the topics. Depending on your experience... you will find some domains easier to read than others. You might want to read those domains first to boost confidence.
2016 Goals: M.Sc Cyber Security :study:, ITILF COLOR=#FF0000]Passed[/COLOR, COBIT5 F COLOR=#ff0000]Feb[/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000].[/COLOR, CGEITCOLOR=#ff0000]Jun[/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000]. ???[/COLOR, CIPMCOLOR=#ff0000]???[/COLOR
I didn't have the money or time to use a boot camp, so I self studied a variety of books and practices and I sure as heck studied for more than 40 hours. I passed on my first time via this method and I've known people who have failed using the boot camp method. However, some boot camps offer a guarantee that you'll pass (meaning you can re-attend...not sure if this includes the voucher).
IMO, self study first, and if you're not feeling the smallest bit of confidence in your understanding of the material, look into boot camps.
I'm also going self paced, may I ask how long did you actually study before taking the Exam?
and how much field experience in the infosec field do you have?
After starting a self-paced CBT for Network+ through a Career Academy subscription - which I have very mixed feelings about- I don't see how a boot camp only approach for CISSP would make for any lasting learning. It would be good for review, provided the boot camp allowed for assessments and a practice exam.
It's insane how wide the price spread is between the subscription+mentoring models of CBTnuggets and Career Academy, through the TestOut option, all the way on up to the Infosec Institute and Sans Institute programs. I mean for just CISSP alone, the spread is several thousand dollars.
jvrlopez points out that there's a pass guarantee from some of the boot camps- true- but what I've seen is just an offer to retake the class for free in case you don't pass.
Thanks for your input!