1/18 CISSP Passed

adamj2281

I've followed this forum quite a bit for both Security+ (passed in November) and now CISSP.

• Background info:
  • MS-Applied Physics
  • 12 years Systems Engineer Experience - mostly ESS and some CISSP-related topics (backup management, DIACAP, some RMF, etc.)
  • Recently took new position as an Information Systems Analyst (October 2017)
  • As stated - I studied/took the Security+ exam in November, studied for it for roughly 3 weeks.

• Reference Material
  • Sybex CISSP 7th Edition Guide/Practice Tests (Primary Source)
    • This was my main study material and does an adequate job of setting a foundation.
    • Completed all of the practice tests/domain tests as I read through the material
    • Went back and did text searches on topics that I stuggled with.
    • The tests were helpful, but definitely not as difficult as the actual exam.
  • Cybrary
    • Kelly's videos were really helpful for big picture overviews and capturing the focus of the test.
  • Transcender Tests
    • Some info was not pertinent and/or wrong, but it was difficult enough to challenge you.
    • The search text function is great for focusing on topics you struggle with
  • Conrad 11th Hour
    • Probably didn't need this; brief overview.
  • McGraw-Hill
    • Used these a bit on topics I needed help with, just to see more questions.

I used OneNote and organized my notes from CISSP and Cybrary by domain. I took a lot of practice tests (probably went through most of Sybex twice - counting the questions I took online). I was scoring in the 80% on the Sybex exams just picking a random selection of 50-100 questions from the online bonus exams. I'm sure this was skewed to the higher side since probably 75% of the questions I had seen before.

The test ended after 100 questions, it's definitely a wide range of topics, and difficult.

This forum helped a lot, so if anyone has any questions, go for it.

moyondizvo

Congrats

Info_Sec_Wannabe

Congratulations!

In my case, I'm currently reading the 11th Hour book as an overview before I read either the Sybex or the Shon Harris.

mattster79

Well done Adam 👍

sameoj

Congrats and well done

clconrad1

Congrats! I am getting ready for my re-test in Feb. I failed the first one! I had no idea what to expect from the questions and I found the way I was studying was wrong. I think I am on track now. I kind of feel like the way the questions are asked during the test are very similar to how the Transcender questions are. Did you feel this way? I know a lot of people are saying some of the answers are inaccurate, but I mean the wording and such.

adamj2281

clconrad1 wrote: »

Congrats! I am getting ready for my re-test in Feb. I failed the first one! I had no idea what to expect from the questions and I found the way I was studying was wrong. I think I am on track now. I kind of feel like the way the questions are asked during the test are very similar to how the Transcender questions are. Did you feel this way? I know a lot of people are saying some of the answers are inaccurate, but I mean the wording and such.

I would agree at least in terms of the thought process; Sybex is probably more accurate in terms of material. Transcender definitely has some off-the-wall questions and some wrong answers mixed in here and there.

I think the strategy that helped me most, which I utilized more towards the end, was to read through a concept and then search for questions on that topic in both Sybex and Transcender. It galvanized the idea into my head.

Also - as stated earlier I used OneNote to organize my notes, but I also used hand-written flash cards towards the end.

averageguy72

Congrats!

CryptoQue

Congrats! Great study material.