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

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Comments

uleghari007@gmail.com

Congrats!

dhay13

Congrats. Way to keep at it!

gespenstern

That's some dedication and overcoming here. Respect!

malindak

Congrats on the pass..

How would you rate ISC Official practice exam ?

sameoj

Congrats

DocRoy

congrats and thanks for exam day tips

518

malindak wrote: »

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.

NavyMooseCCNA

Congrats!!

TXCISSP

Congratulations, on the pass! Way to stay with it and be persistent!!

518

22hrs after the exam, ISC2 has sent me an email stating that I can now begin the endorsement process.

dhay13

That sounds about right. I finished my exam about 1:00PM and received my email the next afternoon.

sameoj

Congrats that you finally slayed the beast

518

sameoj wrote: »

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.

chrisone

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.

518

chrisone wrote: »

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.

chrisone

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