What do you eat and drink during the exam?

Seab

Hey,

Rarely discussed but quite important considering the exam is 6hours and you need to be focus during these 6 hours.
I cannot imagine drinking coffee during 6 hours straight.
Are they normally providing anything to drink? Water, Coffee, tea?

What worked the best for you guys?

Thanks

scaredoftests

Most places don't allow that during exams.

Seab

No coffee for 6hours? humm... Is it a detox center or what?

scaredoftests

I just experienced the 2 hour exams. I would think they'd let you if it is a 6 hour exam.

Ertaz

I brought water and an apple. I drank the water, but my nervous stomach wouldn't allow for the apple.

TechGromit

When I took my GSEC, that was a 5 hour exam, I didn't eat or drink anything, I didn't go for a bathroom break either. I was thirsty and had to use the bathroom after the test, but I passed my exam and survived to tell the tale.

ThomasITguy

I drink Tiger blood #winning

mmmike999

They do allow you to take food. I just let the proctor know from the get go, I will be eating during my breaks. I took a bottle of water and a jimmy johns foot long sandwich. I recommend at least two breaks for 5 to 10 mins, the first at question 75 to 100, the second between questions 150 to 200. Use the bathroom and eat half the sandwich after. Stretch and drink some water and you will go back rejuvenated. I remember being stumped at a question and after my break the answer was obvious. I was thinking of the question locked in one context but the breaks enable your brain to reset and consider the questions from different angles easier

Mike7

I slept well the night before and had decent heavy breakfast before taking exam at 11 am. Did not bring in anything except eye drops.
I did not feel hungry or thirsty throughout, but had flu on that day and was short on mental juice.
Was stuck to the chair for almost 4 hours before I clicked submit and struggled out of the exam room.

Treat this as a marathon race. Perhaps you may want to bring water and some energy bars to snack on.

webpriestess

Great topic - I think this depends on what time of the day you plan on taking the exam. I tend to have troubles getting refocused after I take an extended break to eat a meal. I learned this from taking several long government exams (8+ hours long).

So, when I was planning on taking the exam on Tuesday morning at 8am, I had steak and eggs for breakfast. I have some health troubles that require me to keep my sugar up, so I packed some cheese sticks, dried fruit and some chocolate (thanks to the advice of another poster). I was going to pound soda for caffeine, and keep my water intake to a minimum.

Besides keep my sugar at a healthy level, my biggest concern is how often I would need to use the rest room. I need to go every hour on the hour. I always make my target steps on my pedometer because I'm always getting up to whiz at work. Before I started the exam, I told the proctor "I really should use the ladies' room before I do this". He got so annoyed with me. I hope the same dude isn't there when I get another shot at the exam.

Mike7 wrote: »

I slept well the night before and had decent heavy breakfast before taking exam at 11 am. Did not bring in anything except eye drops.

This is great advice too. I'll have to throw some in my bag.

ThomasITguy wrote: »

I drink Tiger blood #winning

LMAO!!! Now I *really* have to go

::Claudia

NotHackingYou

I did not eat, drink or take any breaks. I was in an out in 2 hours. YMMV.

Seab

Quite funny & interresting thread!
So, I guess and can bring water and snacks. Get my coffee in the morning, maybe something to balance during one break. I guess the stress does a big difference in the process to stay focus.

ThomasITguy

Also bring a big sub to make everyone else hungry that did not eat before the test.... and bring chips too. That annoying crunch you hear in a quiet room will drive people mad... LOL

ThomasITguy

Better yet... depending on when you sit for your exam you could bring Five guys and make everyone jealous.... OR bring some KFC or Popeyes. or taco bell... lol jk

Seab

Remember me to never take a test in same time as you! :P

Clm

I took peanuts two bottles of water and two red bulls you can't take them into the center but you can take them to the center for your breaks

ThomasITguy

seab wrote: »

remember me to never take a test in same time as you!

lol....

ThomasITguy

There was a job I took where the Manager of the job owned a computer shop. He was a VUE member and could offer testing at his shop. So I was allowed to bring any food I wanted because he was chill and a nice guy... I was able to bring some buffalo chicken wings, ranch, and half of a bacon cheeseburger with me to take my sec+.
If you go to a reg testing center I doubt you could do that... but it helps to know people that have PC shops that are VUE places...

IaHawk

My test is at 8AM. I plan to have cereal or toast and eggs for breakfast and then I'll take a bottle of water and a couple of granola bars.

cbkihong

I didn't take any break, so did not eat or drink anything. Despite in the center for like 5.5 hours, I didn't realize time passing without reference to wallclock since you can't wear a watch in the center anyway.

I dined in a restaurant downstairs immediately when I left at around 2:30pm.

TechGuru80

Nothing was provided at my testing center but there was a water fountain near by. I took water just in case but frankly I didn't need too much when I was taking the exam.

Seab

Overall, I think that's the part where you need to know yourself, and doing some simulation exam before to know a bit more what to expect.
My plan : light breakfast but 2-3 eggs, coffee. During the pauses, water, granola bars, caffeinated water, chocolate with coffee beans would be nice as well. But having too much is probably not good, you just think about the next thing you will eat haha!, and I might not need anything except water.

TechGromit

Seab wrote: »

During the pauses, water, granola bars, caffeinated water, chocolate with coffee beans would be nice as well.

Are you taking a test or running a marathon?

Danielm7

cbkihong wrote: »

I didn't realize time passing without reference to wallclock since you can't wear a watch in the center anyway.

If I remember correctly there is a countdown of time remaining, I stared at that too many times and knew what time it was, hah.

I brought a couple granola bars and a big bottle of water. Took one break at 125 questions, halfway, hit the bathroom, took a sip of water and finished. I think it would have thrown me off to take a bunch of breaks and meals in between like some people do, I was pretty much in the zone at that point, just wanted to get it done.

Seab

Marathon or CISSP exam, there are plenty of similarities!
Motivation, Focus, concentration, suffering,... !

TheFORCE

During your breaks you are allowed to eat, not inside the testing room though. I get water and some Mars bars, you need water for hydration and something sweet to get your glucose levels up, sugar gives you energy.

CyberSecurity

1/2 way through I took a 5 hour energy.. I was also on prescribed Adderall while I took it though I don't think I stopped shaking like a chihuahua until that night sometime.

jt2929

I didn't take any breaks or eat/drink during my exam. Got it over in 2ish hours and was on my way.

Mike7

There are definitely similarities between CISSP exam and a marathon.

How long it takes depends on the individual.
Some can finish a marathon in just over 2 hours, others need up to 6 hours, the majority are in between.
Our objective is to help each other reach the CISSP finishing line.

Can someone pass me that energy drink? I need sugar.

semeh

Redbull and Pizza

webpriestess

CyberSecurity wrote: »

I was also on prescribed Adderall while I took it though

No fair