sitting for SSCP on 12/5

techwizard

I will be sitting for SSCP on 12/5/2013 at 10:30am PST. I took Sec+ about 3 weeks ago. I have been studying using testout/labsim, some flashcards I made, and some flashcards I found on android google play, and using a couple of books, the CISSP CBK, and trainsignal's SSCP video course. I am getting around 85-90% ish on the testout/labsim practice tests. Getting the pre exam jitters about now, lol.

jvrlopez

I saw a lot of parallels with Security+ and SSCP when I was studying for it. You should be fine if you're fresh off of Security+ and putting forth the effort towards SSCP.

Any reason you're testing on it? I was thinking of going for it too but when I saw that my employer considers SSCP on equal footing with Security+, I passed up on it. I don't see that many other holders or positions that make explicit demands for it.

Good luck.

techwizard

jvrlopez wrote: »

I saw a lot of parallels with Security+ and SSCP when I was studying for it. You should be fine if you're fresh off of Security+ and putting forth the effort towards SSCP.

Any reason you're testing on it? I was thinking of going for it too but when I saw that my employer considers SSCP on equal footing with Security+, I passed up on it. I don't see that many other holders or positions that make explicit demands for it.

Good luck.

You are correct in saying that there aren't a whole lot of positions demanding this cert. The only real reason for me taking this is it is being paid for by the state, and if I had known or planned it out better I would have skipped this cert as well. Since I'm not paying for it,I might as well take it.

jvrlopez

Well you can never beat free, so that's good to hear.

Hopefully the experience will give you some insight into ISC2's testing style and question presentation should you ever decide to pursue CISSP.

You'll be fine given your study regime and practice results.

techwizard

I did not pass. I got 664/700. I could give a bunch of excuses, like "the sun was in my eyes" and stuff, I just didn't study hard enough. It wasn't until after I purchased the exam voucher for SSCP, I found out things like this exam is pretty much the same as Sec+, kind of redundant since I already have Sec+. I am self-employed, so I had to apply for endorsement via (ISC)2.

I did not know about this part either, until after purchase of the voucher:

Important Information on (ISC)² Exams
One of the benefits to candidates taking an examination via CBT is that most candidates receive their scores immediately upon completing their examination. In some cases, however, in order to ensure it is providing accurate and valid test results to candidates, (ISC)2 must conduct periodic psychometric analyses of a group of candidates’ responses before it releases their exam results. For the small number of candidates affected by this process, the candidates will receive their results within 4-6 weeks after taking the exam. (ISC)2 apologizes in advance for this inconvenience to those candidates who will not receive their pass/fail status at the test centers, but this is an important part of (ISC)2’s quality assurance process to protect the integrity of the credentials. Candidates who are impacted by this process will be informed when they complete their tests.

I haven't looked close enough yet, but I didn't see this information anywhere on their site. Personally, I think that is a little harsh to withhold that information until after purchasing a voucher. I am just saying, from the perspective of someone who might have to apply for endorsement through non peer means, so they already might have to wait 4-6 weeks to find out if they will be eligible for endorsement. I feel like they might just flag those that are on the cusp or just barely meet requirements and then slap this on them, so they end up having to wait up to 4-6 weeks anyways and have to wait up to 4-6 weeks just to find out if they passed or failed, that's just weak. Then there's the possibility of an audit, and all that stuff. Honestly, if they make it seem like such an "elitist" club, I don't want to be a part of it anyways. ( /puts on flame jacket lol ) No offense meant to anyone who already has this cert or any cert from (ISC)2, that is not my intent.

My mindset was kind of like "Well, if I dont pass this, its not that big a deal" I can only blame myself for the failure. I am not going to retake this exam, I don't think there's any point in me doing it. If I could do this over, I would have simply skipped this exam. So, I am moving on to either CCNA or Microsoft certs.

I think the biggest thing I learned from this experience is to read the fine print, research the vendor/company producing the cert, find out if its really needed. Of course, if my job required it, I would have to do it, but that is not the case. Another thing I think I need to mention is that I have the library suite at testout/labsim, and in the course they lump Sec+ and SSCP together, and they dont mention in the course a lot of the details I had to find out on my own about the SSCP cert, things like the endorsement process, or the possibility of a "psychometric analysis" or the audit stuff. I believe they do mention the "required experience" and "code of ethics" but I think that's about it.

JDMurray

Sorry you didn't pass you first try at the SSCP. You can see that the exam topics may be similar to the Sec+, but the exam items are worded somewhat differently.

All of the information you need about requirements before and after the exam is in the SSCP Candidate Information Bulletin. That part about a tiny fraction of exams being audited is a rare and not worth worrying about (as you found out). Not to long ago, all (ISC)2 candidates had a 4-6 week waiting period before they received their score, so getting a score immediately is a new thing for (ISC)2 exams.

Because your score was so close, you have a very good chance of passing the SSCP a second time. Just study your weakest two or three domains as shown on your exam printout. Even if you decide not to take the SSCP again, the material you have learned is good preparation for CASP and CISSP, and even the CEH and CCNA Security.

Good luck!

techwizard

I am seriously considering a second try at the SSCP, after the 30 day cooldown, any time after January 5. I am going to purchase Darril Gibsons SSCP AIO to help me gain the edge I need to pass this on the second try. I am getting the hardcover edition, so that I can have access to the CD and practice tests. I will attempt and pass this on the second time around.

loun80

If you didn't use the AIO for the first exam try, what did you use?

DoubleNNs

He listed the materials he used in the 1st post of the thread.

techwizard

Just received the AIO book by Darril Gibson today. Thank you Darril! I am currently working on Windows 7 exam 70-680 and plan to take that first, in a couple of weeks or so, then give myself a couple to three weeks and then I will retake the SSCP after that.

BTW, i got the hardcover version because I wanted the included CD, so I could have both the regular book and the ebook to work with.

Since I have the printout from the failed exam, it shows the domains I need improvement with the ones most poorly shown at the top of the list and the ones I performed best at the bottom. I will likely hammer on the top 3 or 4 domains, the ones I did most poorly. For me those domains are (in order from worst to best):

Cryptography
Monitoring and Analysis
Access Controls
Malicious Code & Activity
Security Operations & Administration
Risk, Response, and Recovery
Networks and Communications

loun80

Don't rely on the questions from the AIO. I hear it is a misrepresentation of the actual exam.

techwizard

loun80 wrote: »

Don't rely on the questions from the AIO. I hear it is a misrepresentation of the actual exam.

yeah. I am aware of that.