My CISSP Advice:
I’d like to start out by thanking all of those that have taken the time to contribute their thoughts, input, sweat and blood to this website. I’ve been a long time lurker, and I can assure you, there are many others just like me. I took the exam back in May of this year and failed but not by much (673) so had I been just a bit more prepared I would have gotten it the first time. My primary source of material back on attempt number one was the CCCure.org test engines (all 1800+ questions). OVER and OVER and OVER. For the record, that alone is NOT enough!
First and foremost, this test is NOT 1 mile wide, and 1” deep! That’s complete garbage! This test is about 10 miles wide and at least 3” deep! What I mean is that for those that try to claim this test is not technical, well, they must have gotten a different exam template than the one I got!
As many others have claimed, the exam questions will NOT be verbatim or even really all that equivalent to anything you’re going to see in the books, question banks, or anyone else’s slide deck banks. KNOW THIS! The key to success is to go in OVER-PREPARED! That’s the only way you’ll pass this beast.
It’s doable! There were many times during the exam that I completely freaked out because I would use my very best deductive reasoning and there were still 2 very good answers to choose from. Just remember the goals of the CISSP and their mindset. You’re mainly there to advise, gather information and report it to management so they’re prepared to make the best decisions for the company.
Good luck to everyone who hasn’t taken this test. You’ll be fine. Just don’t underestimate the knowledge you’ll need to consume. Use multiple resources like I did. That’s what ultimately got me over the hump and a PASS on my second attempt.
Background/Experience in I.T.:- 5 years as Network Admin
- 5 years as Network Engineer
- 5 years as Web Development Manager
- 2 years in Information Security
Other Certs:Total Time to Prepare:- 3 – 4 Months
- 1 – 3 Hours per Day
- 12 – 15 Hours (every day) over the final 2 weeks leading up to the exam.
Book & Video Study Material:- Sybex ISC2 official study guide 7th edition (9/10)
- Sybex Official ISC2 Exam Questions (9/10)
- Eric Conrads Eleventh Hour CISSP Study Guide - 3rd Edition (9/10)
- Cybrary Videos – Kelly Handerhan’s approach to explaining the concepts is brilliant! (9/10)
- Cram – I created my own decks just to hammer home a lot of the memorization items (7/10)
- Brainscape – Another BETTER flashcards site. This one uses analytics to gauge competency (9/10)
- Sarari’s 10 Day Trial to specifically take advantage of the CISSP Video course by David Miller (60 Hours from the same guy that teaches for SANS with a 93% Pass rate) (9/10)
And of course, lots and lots of practical real world experience that comes into play.
Test Engine Additional Details:- Sybex ISC2 Official Practice Tests – Comes in a book but through the purchase you have access to the online engine as well. Once I used the online engine, I never went back to the book It’s SO MUCH easier using the online engine.
Only if your prep time allows more questions:- CCCure test questions – I find much of this material to be a bit irrelevant as it relates to the actual exam, however the format of the test engine is GREAT. You can’t know too much so if time allows, go through these engines as well. (5/10)
Again, thanks to all of those that passed and came back to update the rest of the group. Just like me, there are MANY people out there looking for advice that aren't posting. WE DO APPRECIATE IT!!
