CISSP written exam through! Gosh first attempt made it sweet
sydneysundar
Member Posts: 19 ■□□□□□□□□□
in SSCP
First many thanks to the contributors of this forum, without a study partner and being busy at work ...this forum felt you are among your folk.. the passed and failed threads (more helpful) kept coming to give your more confidence and insight.. was itching to put in my own detailed experience.(with a pass please). i am just mentally drained after that very long exam.. realised as in every post that there were no short cuts and even if they had made this an open exam , we would have only got 5 or 6 questions straight..
I utilised all of 6 hours(but last 10 mins) as I did not want to leave any chance to clear this at the very first attempt.
Some pre-exam experience
1. Never sure if I was very disciplined to clear this "mile wide, inch deep"
2. Had complete rest the day before and suddenly when i opened the notes felt very strange to have missed some parts!
(be assured that this was just a pre-exam panic attack, did even go and get an antacid!. Small things help)
3. Changed my travel plans few times and finally got my wife to drive me to the centre and got down few blocks away..(wanted to have a walk in the open just left to myself)
4. at the centre, they said i can go in 30 mins early.. (i was there expected to get some reading done).. said "no would prefer to wait" (mentally what's that last 20 mins would give you?!!!)
5. I was told that I cannot take the snack in.. would have to request them they would escort you when you take an unscheduled break. (that disclosure form was another scary checklist!)
finally got up .ready to take the exam.
Some exam room experience
1. First question. appeared straight and read it twice , appeared twisted!.
2. Suddenly was to 10th or so.. had flagged few for review.. 25%.. mind wandered..25% of 250 ?
3. almost till 77 tried to get my mind focussed..with just a cup of water to gulp.. reduced the flagging as spent time on each one and was not sure about the flag feature.. how would i know this question even if I spend 10 days!
4. some one came into the room.. just switched off the monitor instead of locking it.. by the first break.. was feeling that the exam is not really going that well. memorise the questions so that it helps second time attempts.
5. second break around 180.. for a cup of water.. just forced myself out as per the advice on these forums..that walk helped..
6. finished the 250 questions around just 100 minutes left.. took a break, asked for the snack.. was now told that it is ok to take it in.. (mind went, is this the change in fortunes now!)
7. used all but 6 hours..changed few of the flagged .. read most of the questions second time..now I don't remember any one of them .. (never doubted my memory more than now)
Post exam experience
1. Went to the reception thinking the result would be printed.. i was told it should not be long.. they took almost 10 mins.. felt like an hour!.. with every passing minute i could hear my heart beat stronger.. kept on assuring my mind that the result is now beyond me and that i should wait as I waited for all these years to appear for the exam..
2. Finally the print outs came, I had passed!..wow.. looked for the marks to see how high I had scored..it was not there.. now does it matter..
3. called wife and family members and told them I cleared.. felt relieved..
now I have to scout for the endorsement and the 5 years in the domain is spread more years than just last 5 years.. would attack that now..
in terms of the exam content.. if you have the preparations done and have relevant experience the questions should seem familiar.
I used a host of articles but nothing would be a perfect fit.. AIO, CYbrary(Kelly really made SEC look simple), SimpliLearn -5 day online course, CISSP study guide by pearson(felt easy read), Microsoft Training kit (true MS product, would not recommend), Official CBK( how repetitive and tough to read), host of questions from several sources.. finally i might have prepared more than required..hey hindsight benefit is not up first!
All the very best for the exam takers.. don't stop breathing.. if I can do it, anybody can.
I utilised all of 6 hours(but last 10 mins) as I did not want to leave any chance to clear this at the very first attempt.
Some pre-exam experience
1. Never sure if I was very disciplined to clear this "mile wide, inch deep"
2. Had complete rest the day before and suddenly when i opened the notes felt very strange to have missed some parts!
(be assured that this was just a pre-exam panic attack, did even go and get an antacid!. Small things help)
3. Changed my travel plans few times and finally got my wife to drive me to the centre and got down few blocks away..(wanted to have a walk in the open just left to myself)
4. at the centre, they said i can go in 30 mins early.. (i was there expected to get some reading done).. said "no would prefer to wait" (mentally what's that last 20 mins would give you?!!!)
5. I was told that I cannot take the snack in.. would have to request them they would escort you when you take an unscheduled break. (that disclosure form was another scary checklist!)
finally got up .ready to take the exam.
Some exam room experience
1. First question. appeared straight and read it twice , appeared twisted!.
2. Suddenly was to 10th or so.. had flagged few for review.. 25%.. mind wandered..25% of 250 ?
3. almost till 77 tried to get my mind focussed..with just a cup of water to gulp.. reduced the flagging as spent time on each one and was not sure about the flag feature.. how would i know this question even if I spend 10 days!
4. some one came into the room.. just switched off the monitor instead of locking it.. by the first break.. was feeling that the exam is not really going that well. memorise the questions so that it helps second time attempts.
5. second break around 180.. for a cup of water.. just forced myself out as per the advice on these forums..that walk helped..
6. finished the 250 questions around just 100 minutes left.. took a break, asked for the snack.. was now told that it is ok to take it in.. (mind went, is this the change in fortunes now!)
7. used all but 6 hours..changed few of the flagged .. read most of the questions second time..now I don't remember any one of them .. (never doubted my memory more than now)
Post exam experience
1. Went to the reception thinking the result would be printed.. i was told it should not be long.. they took almost 10 mins.. felt like an hour!.. with every passing minute i could hear my heart beat stronger.. kept on assuring my mind that the result is now beyond me and that i should wait as I waited for all these years to appear for the exam..
2. Finally the print outs came, I had passed!..wow.. looked for the marks to see how high I had scored..it was not there.. now does it matter..
3. called wife and family members and told them I cleared.. felt relieved..
now I have to scout for the endorsement and the 5 years in the domain is spread more years than just last 5 years.. would attack that now..
in terms of the exam content.. if you have the preparations done and have relevant experience the questions should seem familiar.
I used a host of articles but nothing would be a perfect fit.. AIO, CYbrary(Kelly really made SEC look simple), SimpliLearn -5 day online course, CISSP study guide by pearson(felt easy read), Microsoft Training kit (true MS product, would not recommend), Official CBK( how repetitive and tough to read), host of questions from several sources.. finally i might have prepared more than required..hey hindsight benefit is not up first!
All the very best for the exam takers.. don't stop breathing.. if I can do it, anybody can.
Comments
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Danielm7
Member Posts: 2,310 ■■■■■■■■□□
sydneysundar wrote: »2. Suddenly was to 10th or so.. had flagged few for review.. 25%.. mind wandered..25% of 250 ?
Post exam experience
1. Went to the reception thinking the result would be printed.. i was told it should not be long.. they took almost 10 mins.. felt like an hour!.. with every passing minute i could hear my heart beat stronger.. kept on assuring my mind that the result is now beyond me and that i should wait as I waited for all these years to appear for the exam..
I totally relate to both of those. I stopped after 10 and realized I flagged 3-4 already and went... oh god, I'll be reviewing all day! Then, as the test went on it was fewer and fewer. Had under 20 flagged by the end of the test, changed 2-3 answers as I missed something in reading them first.
Also, the waiting for the printout, agreed! Had to rescan my hand over and over. I started wondering about reading all those people that said they felt they failed the whole time then ended up passing, I felt like I was passing the entire time, maybe I was going to end up failing? hah. -
Mike7
Member Posts: 1,112 ■■■■□□□□□□
Glad to know that you make it. Congratssydneysundar wrote: »I used a host of articles but nothing would be a perfect fit.. AIO, CYbrary(Kelly really made SEC look simple), SimpliLearn -5 day online course, CISSP study guide by pearson(felt easy read), Microsoft Training kit (true MS product, would not recommend), Official CBK( how repetitive and tough to read), host of questions from several sources.. finally i might have prepared more than required..hey hindsight benefit is not up first!
Guess others will know what books to avoid in future.
So far from the forum postings, the best books seems to be Eric Conrad 3rd edition and official CISSP study guide.