Passed CISSP!!!
I had sat the exam on May 25th after an excruciating one-week bootcamp and six months of intense self-study with Shon Harris' 4th edition guide and a few marathon sessions of CBT nuggets. I felt blindsided by the topics in the actual exam to the point that I was reasonably sure that I hadn't passed. Fortunately, ISC(2) found otherwise and sent me the notification last Monday. 
Ironically, I had drilled myself on the security models (Bell-Lapadula, Biba, Clark-Wilson, etc.) but didn't get many questions covering that section. I did get quite a few questions on BCP and Common Criteria, as well as a bunch of questions covering application security and risk management.
The instructor in the bootcamp was phenomenal (he was a contributor to some of the material in the official ISC(2) guide). The tips he had for the exam are what probably made the difference between a pass and fail. The CBT nuggets were also a good complement to the material in the book.
I'm just glad it's all over.

Ironically, I had drilled myself on the security models (Bell-Lapadula, Biba, Clark-Wilson, etc.) but didn't get many questions covering that section. I did get quite a few questions on BCP and Common Criteria, as well as a bunch of questions covering application security and risk management.
The instructor in the bootcamp was phenomenal (he was a contributor to some of the material in the official ISC(2) guide). The tips he had for the exam are what probably made the difference between a pass and fail. The CBT nuggets were also a good complement to the material in the book.
I'm just glad it's all over.

Comments
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astorrs Member Posts: 3,139 ■■■■■■□□□□
Congratulations!
What was the instructors name? I find that kind of information really valuable as the quality of trainers can really vary from one to the next. -
dynamik Banned Posts: 12,312 ■■■■■■■■■□
So do you have the sponsor and experience validation left, or is that all OK'd as well?
Regardless, you have my congratulations! That's a huge accomplishment, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm quite jealous. -
JDMurray MSIT InfoSec, CISSP, SSCP, GSEC, EnCE, C|EH, CySA+, PenTest+, CASP+, Security+ Surf City, USAAdmin Posts: 12,088 Admin
Yes, congratulations!I'm hoping to take the CISSP exam later this year myself. I know what you mean about the "six months of intense self-study."
Do you think that you'd have passed without the bootcamp?
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ULWiz Member Posts: 722
Good job on the pass. Whats next for you?CompTIA A+ Nov 25, 1997
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UnixGuy Are we having fun yet? Mod Posts: 4,251 Mod
Congratulations, All the best
Question:
six months intense study.
how many hours per day on average ?Certs: GPEN, GCFA, CISM, CRISC, RHCEIn Progress: MBA -
mengo17 Member Posts: 100 ■■□□□□□□□□
jwlazar wrote:I had sat the exam on May 25th after an excruciating one-week bootcamp and six months of intense self-study with Shon Harris' 4th edition guide and a few marathon sessions of CBT Nuggets. I felt blindsided by the topics in the actual exam to the point that I was reasonably sure that I hadn't passed. Fortunately, ISC(2) found otherwise and sent me the notification last Monday.
Ironically, I had drilled myself on the security models (Bell-Lapadula, Biba, Clark-Wilson, etc.) but didn't get many questions covering that section. I did get quite a few questions on BCP and Common Criteria, as well as a bunch of questions covering application security and risk management.
The instructor in the bootcamp was phenomenal (he was a contributor to some of the material in the official ISC(2) guide). The tips he had for the exam are what probably made the difference between a pass and fail. The CBT Nuggets were also a good complement to the material in the book.
I'm just glad it's all over.
CONGRATS !!!!!! -
jwlazar Member Posts: 21 ■□□□□□□□□□
What was the instructors name? I find that kind of information really valuable as the quality of trainers can really vary from one to the next.
I'll pm you the name; I'm not sure if the trainer would appreciate my discretion in referring him on a public forum. The organizer was TrainingCamp.So do you have the sponsor and experience validation left, or is that all OK'd as well?
Both, although I have to tailor my resume since I haven't updated it in almost two years.how many hours per day on average ?Do you think that you'd have passed without the bootcamp?
On dedicated days, about 4-6. On the bootcamp days, 12+.
The bootcamp definitely helped to refresh my memory and get the juices flowing in terms of terminology and mindset. It wasn't comprehensive, but still enough to give one a good basis of the 10 domains.Good job on the pass. Whats next for you?
Probably a CCNP module to renew my CCNA which expires next month, then the CEH followed by either the CISA or one of the SANS programs (GIAC or GSEC).
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Slowhand MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, MCSA: Windows Server 2003/2012/2016, CCNA Routing & Switchi Bay Area, CaliforniaMod Posts: 5,161 Mod
Congratulations on the pass, sounds like you had quite the gauntlet leading up to it. Good luck with the Cisco exam(s) and the C|EH.
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ajs1976 Member Posts: 1,945 ■■■■□□□□□□
congratsAndy
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