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Passed 1/7/2017 [third attempt]
First Attempt: 4/2015
Prep Time: 1 month (achieved CCNP the month before)
FAIL 673: lack of preparation
Source: CBT Nuggets, CCCure
Second Attempt: 12/2016
Prep Time: 4 months
FAIL 658: too much focus on CCCure practice questions and ended up having my brain conditioned to expect the same verbage on the exam. I was scoring 90% on all domains consistently leading up to the day of exam.
Sources: ISC Official Study Guide (Chapple, Gibson, Stewart). CCCure, Eric Conrad 2nd Ed
Third Attempt: 1/2017
Prep Time: 6 months (with 15 month and 1 month old babies)
PASS: dedicated an average of hour a day of reading ISC Official Guide and then Eric Conrad 3rd Ed., and Cybrary on MP3 during my drive an hour each way. A month before the exam, I purchased the ISC Official practice exam. I only took the practice exam on each domain ONCE. After finding out where my weaknesses are, I purchased the Eleventh Hour and read the 3 domains I know I am weak on.
Day of Exam:
- 48-oz coffee on my thermos
- Taking break every 50-questions, four 5mins breaks
- Finished in 5 hrs and 15-mins (84 questions marked for review but ended up only changing 3 questions)
- During the exam, I keep telling myself that "I am an auditor/risk analyst, I will not make any changes to the system. I will obtain management's approval. Human Life is the most important, and legal compliance is a MUST. And yes, my hands were animated too...lol
My background: 16 years IT experience, with the last 11 years mainly working on network, systems, crypto, cyber readiness inspections and accreditations. Currently a risk analyst for a defense company with heavy emphasis on compliance using RMF.
I am not much of a reader, so the MP3 helped a lot. I even fall asleep much faster than my child when reading a nighttime story, lol. I am not good in test taking as well.
What's next? CCNP renewal and C|EH. Will study and attempt C|EH as my pre-requisite to attempt OSCP.
It has been 6 years when I first signed up on this forum. I remember starting with just the basic Sec+, Net+, and A+ under my belt.
Thank you to TE members for the guidance and information.
-518
Prep Time: 1 month (achieved CCNP the month before)
FAIL 673: lack of preparation
Source: CBT Nuggets, CCCure
Second Attempt: 12/2016
Prep Time: 4 months
FAIL 658: too much focus on CCCure practice questions and ended up having my brain conditioned to expect the same verbage on the exam. I was scoring 90% on all domains consistently leading up to the day of exam.
Sources: ISC Official Study Guide (Chapple, Gibson, Stewart). CCCure, Eric Conrad 2nd Ed
Third Attempt: 1/2017
Prep Time: 6 months (with 15 month and 1 month old babies)
PASS: dedicated an average of hour a day of reading ISC Official Guide and then Eric Conrad 3rd Ed., and Cybrary on MP3 during my drive an hour each way. A month before the exam, I purchased the ISC Official practice exam. I only took the practice exam on each domain ONCE. After finding out where my weaknesses are, I purchased the Eleventh Hour and read the 3 domains I know I am weak on.
Day of Exam:
- 48-oz coffee on my thermos
- Taking break every 50-questions, four 5mins breaks
- Finished in 5 hrs and 15-mins (84 questions marked for review but ended up only changing 3 questions)
- During the exam, I keep telling myself that "I am an auditor/risk analyst, I will not make any changes to the system. I will obtain management's approval. Human Life is the most important, and legal compliance is a MUST. And yes, my hands were animated too...lol
My background: 16 years IT experience, with the last 11 years mainly working on network, systems, crypto, cyber readiness inspections and accreditations. Currently a risk analyst for a defense company with heavy emphasis on compliance using RMF.
I am not much of a reader, so the MP3 helped a lot. I even fall asleep much faster than my child when reading a nighttime story, lol. I am not good in test taking as well.
What's next? CCNP renewal and C|EH. Will study and attempt C|EH as my pre-requisite to attempt OSCP.
It has been 6 years when I first signed up on this forum. I remember starting with just the basic Sec+, Net+, and A+ under my belt.
Thank you to TE members for the guidance and information.
-518
Comments
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gespenstern
Member Posts: 1,243 ■■■■■■■■□□
That's some dedication and overcoming here. Respect! -
Optionsmalindak
Member Posts: 58 ■■□□□□□□□□
Congrats on the pass..
How would you rate ISC Official practice exam ? -
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518
Member Posts: 165 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congrats on the pass..
How would you rate ISC Official practice exam ?
As far as helping me identify my weaknesses? It was very helpful and I would rate it 10. There is a practice exam for each domain and two full 250 questions practice exam. I didnt even do the 250 questions. If one is expecting a practice exam questions and hoping that it 'closely' mimics the actual exam, they are mistaken.
Thanks all. -
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NavyMooseCCNA
Member Posts: 544 ■■■■□□□□□□
Congrats!!'My dear you are ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly' Winston Churchil
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OptionsTXCISSP
Member Posts: 12 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congratulations, on the pass! Way to stay with it and be persistent!!
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Options518
Member Posts: 165 ■■■□□□□□□□
22hrs after the exam, ISC2 has sent me an email stating that I can now begin the endorsement process.
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Optionsdhay13
Member Posts: 580 ■■■■□□□□□□
That sounds about right. I finished my exam about 1:00PM and received my email the next afternoon.
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Options518
Member Posts: 165 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congrats that you finally slayed the beast
Thanks!
I think one of the most positive outcome of achieving my CISSP was that I have influenced a few of my colleagues to finally start studying for CISSP. They have all said one thing, "Im very glad you passed it, you gave me a glimmer of hope" lol. Two of them actually purchased the books I have recommended. Sadly, I'm leaving the company next month. -
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chrisone
Member Posts: 2,278 ■■■■■■■■■□
Congrats on the pass! I am a fellow 3rd timer as well! I feel every bit of pain you had and every bit of joy you experienced.
Focus on re-certifying your Cisco exams. CEH can wait.Certs: CISSP, EnCE, OSCP, CRTP, eCTHPv2, eCPPT, eCIR, LFCS, CEH, SPLK-1002, SC-200, SC-300, AZ-900, AZ-500, VHL:Advanced+
2023 Cert Goals: SC-100, eCPTX -
Options518
Member Posts: 165 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congrats on the pass! I am a fellow 3rd timer as well! I feel every bit of pain you had and every bit of joy you experienced.
Focus on re-certifying your Cisco exams. CEH can wait.
Thanks! And you are correct, I started reviewing my switch exam notes to renew Cisco. I need quick path to Cisco renewal, because my CCIE buddy and I are looking at OSCP exam. -
Optionschrisone
Member Posts: 2,278 ■■■■■■■■■□
Lol thats funny because I was in the same boat as you last year. I had to renew my Cisco certs and of course I ended up taking the SWITCH exam Certs: CISSP, EnCE, OSCP, CRTP, eCTHPv2, eCPPT, eCIR, LFCS, CEH, SPLK-1002, SC-200, SC-300, AZ-900, AZ-500, VHL:Advanced+
2023 Cert Goals: SC-100, eCPTX
