Finally passed CISSP (4th attempt)

Hi all,
Long time lurker here and just want to give thanks to everyone and this forum. It's been extremely helpful in assisting me on which materials to study from. The materials that I've used were:

- Shon Harris AIO 6th edition
- Larry Greenblatt youtube videos (when it was free)
- CybraryIT videos by Kelly Handerhan
- CISSP Study Guide 3rd Edition by Eric Conrad
- Sybex CISSP study guide 7th edition
- random youtube videos for a deeper understanding of various subjects within domains
- CCCure quizzer
- Official (ISC)² CISSP Practice Tests
- CISSP Exam Prep 2017 edition (iphone app)

I took it the first time right before they changed to the 8 domains vs 10, then two more times after that with the 8 domain structure
first attempt - 620's
second attempt - 590's (I believe it was because I took too long of a break in between) definitely a confidence killer but I knew I would have to bounce back
third attempt - 650's (this was a dagger since it was my third time failing but atleast it was some progress)
fourth attempt - passed!

I kept studying after the 3rd attempt but went into super focused mode the last month before the fourth attempt.
when I ended the exam, I had the same feeling not knowing if I passed or not so I didn't want to open up the paper until I left the testing center. When I finally did...it read "congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that you have provisionally passed the CISSP examination"

The most helpful resources to me were the Sybex 7th edition, Kelly Handerhan videos and CCCure quizzer test engine.

Now the waiting game begins...
passed: January 25, 2017
endorsement confirmation received: January 26, 2017
confirmation from ISC: still waiting....(hoping it won't take the full 6 weeks)

Again, thanks to God for blessing me with a pass and to you all for providing great suggestions in this forum!

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Comments

product

Well done dude - great persistence, inspiring! Thanks for the write up- very interesting and helpful

PCTechLinc

Now time for a much needed vacation celebration?? Huge congratulations on your pass! One of these days I hope to sit for this, but I need to increase my work experience in the CISSP domains. I know how hard it is to bounce back after multiple failures, but it feels AWESOME once you finally get through it!

gespenstern

That's some dedication here! Congrats!

And 600 * 4 wasted!

Santa_

Congrats on the persistence to keep tackling this exam even after 3 attempts.

Just remember, that if you fail again you have the work ethic to put the time in to be successful.

DatabaseHead

That is a lot of scratch! Either way congrats on your accomplishment!

AndyLien79

Thank you everyone! No celebrating yet until I get my hands on the actual certification

vijaytyagi@msn.com

Congratulation , you have proved it -- never ever give up

dhay13

Congrats! I have a friend that is in a major rock band that I am sure most of you have heard of. He made a comment that everyone in L.A. is a great musician, it is the resiliency that separates the winners from the losers!

chrisone

Great work and many congrats! It took me three tries and I just got my official CISSP numbers on Tuesday. Enjoy your hard work!

TXCISSP

WOW! CONGRATS! That's some incredible persistence and dedication! I can't imagine going through this thing 4 times!! 2 was enough for me!

musclegenesis

That is freaking great, I know a friend that did not pass it twice so it is making me so scared to actually take it. Any tips and suggestions? Was CCURE a good bargain and how long did you wait before your 3rd and 4th attempt?

AndyLien79

musclegenesis wrote: »

That is freaking great, I know a friend that did not pass it twice so it is making me so scared to actually take it. Any tips and suggestions? Was CCURE a good bargain and how long did you wait before your 3rd and 4th attempt?

My 2nd attempt was on September 13, 2016
3rd October 25, 2016
and 4th was on January 25, 2017. I would've taken the 4th sooner but I had to wait 90 days to take it again.
I would recommend reading the Sybex book 7th edition cover to cover, if possible. It's actually not that bad compared to other books that are out there. I did that atleast twice.
Watch the Kelly Handerhan videos from cybraryIT. she really puts a lot of things in prospective for you especially the fundamentals of each domain. she even provides you some tips and tricks along the way
As for CCCUre quizzers, to me it's worth every penny. The reason is because if you get an answer wrong, you will get a thorough explanation of why you got it wrong and even goes as far as giving you links to other resources at times
leading up to the 4th attempt...I was literally sleeping, eating and breathing CISSP. I had the Kelly Handerhan MP3's on while I was cleaning the house and at the gym while I was working out. Sometimes when I am out and waiting on something..i would open up the CISSP app on my phone and did some practice questions.
Most important tip of all that helped me pass:
remember to think like a manager, remember you are a risk advisor and not a person of taking action (ex. pulling the cable, blocking a firewall port)
these tips came from Kelly's video and they helped me tremendously
At times during my 4th exam I would find myself deviating from that mentality since I've been in the troubleshooting for most of my previous jobs but you really have to reset and keep reminding yourself...you are there to advise

hope this helps and thanks again to you all