Failed CISSP Today

Hi everyone, today I have failed my CISSP exams with a score of 621 and what I want to share my insights and how I experienced the whole procedure. **What my study involved:**I have watched the whole series of Kelly's, Mike Chapple's, Adam Gordon's from IT proTV videos, I have purchased within cybrary the questions of Trancender and made 2 "identical" CISSP tests with 250 questions for 6 hours each, I have also purchased the Official android application of CISSP doing mocking tests daily for 3 months (consisted 80-82% pass rate), I have used the CISSP pocket prep for android doing tests there also, I have been studying for the 3 months the official study guide organized with notes for about 2-3 hours per day, I have study also the 11th hour book, I have used flashcards for memorizing key points. **My proposals:**I can tell you that the test was pretty different that the official mocking tests, so if you want to study from the official source and expect to be tested on it, this is not going to happen. Search for other resources also, videos are good but not enough. The scenarios that run in the exams may fry your brain. In my case there was a consistent set of questions (about 10) about a specific part of the book which is not on the high rating domains (can't say more, NDA is around)!!!! I have found this website (https://www.aiotestking.com/isc2/which-of-the-following-methods-protects-personally-identifiable-information-pii-by-use-of-a-full-replacement-of-the-data-element/) that brings you to closer to the real questions. Some times the white background of the monitor on the test and the light of the testing room will make your eyes tired so bring sunglasses (yes I know that you are laughing now, but at least for me this was a problem) If you feel a little bit of tired take a break immediately, this will have bad effect on next questions. Don't change answers on your test, just flag some questions with serious doubts. **Experience:**As an IT Manager with 15 years of experience by passing university and other certification exams I can say that I got really disappointed because I have shown tremendous commitment, studying methodically and hard, putting aside friends, family, but also investing some serious money for books, test vouchers, videos, subscriptions, without success. I can't understand why it is suggested to buy the official study books and preparation tests when the actual exam doesn't follow the official way and we have to spend lots of money to other "better" resources. I think that I can give the exams again when the voucher cost if more logically priced and the test questions are close to the official (never I guess?). I hope now you can be better prepared Cheers! Hi everyone, today I have failed my CISSP exams with a score of 621 and what I want to share my insights and how I experienced the whole procedure. **What my study involved:**I have watched the whole series of Kelly's, Mike Chapple's, Adam Gordon's from IT proTV videos, I have purchased within cybrary the questions of Trancender and made 2 "identical" CISSP tests with 250 questions for 6 hours each, I have also purchased the Official android application of CISSP doing mocking tests daily for 3 months (consisted 80-82% pass rate), I have used the CISSP pocket prep for android doing tests there also, I have been studying for the 3 months the official study guide organized with notes for about 2-3 hours per day, I have study also the 11th hour book, I have used flashcards for memorizing key points. **My proposals:**I can tell you that the test was pretty different that the official mocking tests, so if you want to study from the official source and expect to be tested on it, this is not going to happen. Search for other resources also, videos are good but not enough. The scenarios that run in the exams may fry your brain. In my case there was a consistent set of questions (about 10) about a specific part of the book which is not on the high rating domains (can't say more, NDA is around)!!!! I have found this website (http://www.aiotestking.com/isc2/which-of-the-following-methods-protects-personally-identifiable-information-pii-by-use-of-a-full-replacement-of-the-data-element/) that brings you to closer to the real questions. Some times the white background of the monitor on the test and the light of the testing room will make your eyes tired so bring sunglasses (yes I know that you are laughing now, but at least for me this was a problem) If you feel a little bit of tired take a break immediately, this will have bad effect on next questions. Don't change answers on your test, just flag some questions with serious doubts. **Experience:**As an IT Manager with 15 years of experience by passing university and other certification exams I can say that I got really disappointed because I have shown tremendous commitment, studying methodically and hard, putting aside friends, family, but also investing some serious money for books, test vouchers, videos, subscriptions, without success. I can't understand why it is suggested to buy the official study books and preparation tests when the actual exam doesn't follow the official way and we have to spend lots of money to other "better" resources. I think that I can give the exams again when the voucher cost if more logically priced and the test questions are close to the official. I hope now you can be better prepared Cheers! Hi everyone, today I have failed my CISSP exams with a score of 621 and what I want to share my insights and how I experienced the whole procedure. **What my study involved:**I have watched the whole series of Kelly's, Mike Chapple's, Adam Gordon's from IT proTV videos, I have purchased within cybrary the questions of Trancender and made 2 "identical" CISSP tests with 250 questions for 6 hours each, I have also purchased the Official android application of CISSP doing mocking tests daily for 3 months (consisted 80-82% pass rate), I have used the CISSP pocket prep for android doing tests there also, I have been studying for the 3 months the official study guide organized with notes for about 2-3 hours per day, I have study also the 11th hour book, I have used flashcards for memorizing key points. **My proposals:**I can tell you that the test was pretty different that the official mocking tests, so if you want to study from the official source and expect to be tested on it, this is not going to happen. Search for other resources also, videos are good but not enough. The scenarios that run in the exams may fry your brain. In my case there was a consistent set of questions (about 10) about a specific part of the book which is not on the high rating domains (can't say more, NDA is around)!!!! I have found this website (http://www.aiotestking.com/isc2/which-of-the-following-methods-protects-personally-identifiable-information-pii-by-use-of-a-full-replacement-of-the-data-element/) that brings you to closer to the real questions. Some times the white background of the monitor on the test and the light of the testing room will make your eyes tired so bring sunglasses (yes I know that you are laughing now, but at least for me this was a problem) If you feel a little bit of tired take a break immediately, this will have bad effect on next questions. Don't change answers on your test, just flag some questions with serious doubts. **Experience:**As an IT Manager with 15 years of experience by passing university and other certification exams I can say that I got really disappointed because I have shown tremendous commitment, studying methodically and hard, putting aside friends, family, but also investing some serious money for books, test vouchers, videos, subscriptions, without success. I can't understand why it is suggested to buy the official study books and preparation tests when the actual exam doesn't follow the official way and we have to spend lots of money to other "better" resources. I think that I can give the exams again when the voucher cost if more logically priced and the test questions are close to the official (never I guess?). I hope now you can be better prepared Cheers! Hi Angelos, I'm sorry to hear that. I know Kelly is extremely passionate about getting people prepared for the CISSP exam. It can be quite rigorous, and as you mentioned, quite cost intensive. If you don't mind me asking, how were you performing on the Transcender simulated practice tests? We typically recommend consistent scores of >80% on the full length Transcender practice tests prior to sitting for the exam. I'm very sorry to hear about your experience. Knowing when "ready" to me really is one of the hardest things to determine. You may want to consider looking for a prep system with a "pass assurance" such that if you meet their requirements and fail the exam the financial risk of failure is transferred to the prep company (i.e. you get a replacement test voucher paid for by them). I'm certain there are many companies offering this. When I thought I was ready for the exam, I purchased access to skillset.com to use their question bank and to get the pass assurance. I met their criteria for "ready" after about a month and then passed the exam. While I did not end up needing the assurance, I did find their questions to be very useful (I would research each one I missed and 'read around' the info if I was unclear). I believe it was quite helpful... but as always everyone has a unique situation. Hi Trevor, I was around 75% so maybe that was an indication for me not to be ready. Kelly is FANTASTIC! The ways she does knowledge transfer is amazing, but the problem on the actual exams was -specifically- in memorizing steps and life-cycles instead of actual security things like controls, encryption, physical security. I found the same issue with the official practice test book, the hardest question in the book equated to the easiest on exam. Fortunately i passed, but was unsettled by it. I really didnt know what i was going to do if i failed. Chin up and good luck on next attempt Congrats on attempting the exam. Now that you have a true baseline of your strengths you should be successful on your second attempt. Sorry for that and thank you so much for sharing. Sorry to hear about not passing. I recently passed and hopefully can help with what I used. Kelly is great but I used the Sybex books and practice exams as my primary form of study. The great thing about this book was the online exam bank that you can use to create a quiz. The quizes reveal your weak areas that you need to study further. The questions are like the test in format but are nothing like the test questions in subject matter. So use them to reveal your weak areas and focus on those areas. These questions are also a little more difficult than the CISSP exam as they go into more detail. If you are looking for good source material the Sybex helped me on the first try. I was always taking practice exams non-stop. The online test bank really helps with making test banks on missed questions, etc. I spent about 120 hours in prep (about a month) but have 20 years experience in IT. SDLC was my weak point so I spent more time on that than I did say the OSI model. I did read every page of the book and looked up a few things online. 80% or better is a good gauge on the Sybex quizes if you are ready for the test or not. I hope you do well on your next go around! Sorry to hear that Wish you best luck next time Hi Angelos, Nothing to worry! you have gaged knowledge in CISSP 8 domains. I wish you good luck for your next attempt. thank you for sharing your experience. I am planning to take in August or October. I have completed below my study course details. 1) Cybrary CISSP (Kelly), downloaded PPT and MP3. 2) Official guide to cissp cbk 4th edition. 3) Sybex CISSP 7th editions book. 4) Official practice text book. 5) Official CISSP practice test app. I bought Transcender practice tests but it too technical and miss matching my studies, so I have stopped for time being. In YouTube there is 60 Seconds practice questions and it is very good. I have completed that too. Best Regards Prashanth M