topic Re: CCSP Exam Fail in Exam Preparation

CCSP Exam Fail

Dmor_11 — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 23:30:49 GMT

Hi all,

I sat for the CCSP exam this morning and failed miserably. I was below proficient in 4 domains and near in 2. This is really frustrating as I did not feel I was a reflection of my understanding of the material. Plus, there is not a lot of detail on the results. I have my CISSP and CISM certifications and am somewhat familiar with the ISC testing process. Knowing what I know about the ISC exams, and the cost, I did not take this exam lightly. I studied for over 2 months using the following materials:

Ben Maslow' s ISC Official Study Guide - Second edition. Read cover to cover.

InfoSec's Online CCSP course with over 12hrs or videos, study material, etc.

Browsed the contents of "Official CCSP CBK" by Gordon.

I did all the test questions in both books as well as the Wiley database that comes when you register the book. The InfoSec course had a lot of questions and exams. Udemy practice exams with over 300 questions, and Pocket Prep. I was doing fairly well with those scoring in the 80% area.

Sitting for the exam I felt pretty comfortable with the questions. A few zingers here and there, but all in all I didn't feel horrible. I felt when I finished I had passed. I received only one page from the proctor and thought that's good..if I had failed there might be multiple pages with domains to improve in. Nope!

Anyway, a little frustrated and trying to formulate a new plan since obviously my last one didn't work. I will scour through here but was looking for some guidance or where to start again.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

Rossva — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 09:41:51 GMT

I'm sorry you didn't pass.

It's deffo not an exam to take lightly, I agree with you on that.

I found that having spend time reviewing external materials referenced in the official study guide (for example PCI-DSS standards, NIST standards, CSA CCM etc) helped me.

Only other thing I used which you don't mention was the official companion book of questions, these give a great additional test bank.

Fingers crossed for you next time!

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

BrianF — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 13:17:52 GMT

I think practice tests helped me a lot. By the time I took this exam, I had topped 14 IT and security certifications in under 2 years. I have done a lot of practice questions from different groups including ISC2, ITIL, CompTia, EC-Council, CIW, and others. So the various test formats helped me a lot.

While subject matter is important, I often think that is the most easiest to study for and understand; especially if you are working with it daily. However, there are parts that are outside of what we do for sure. Unless you are teaching this stuff, there will be areas we need to study for.

Regarding practice questions, it is not the answers that you are using to study, it is the questions themselves. ..and when you answer, you have to know what chair you are sitting in (engineer, manager, architect, etc).

The CCSP is different than the others as it is in the middle of being technical and management based. More of and architect chair?

Hope this helps! Don't get discouraged. I feel that when we fail at something then concur it, we come out stronger than if we barely met our goals.

Good luck.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

Steve-Wilme — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:39:21 GMT

I took a week long training course on the CCSP, but didn't do the exam. The observation I'd make is that if you've got an infrastructure, operations and hosting provider background then much of it will seem very familiar, but if you haven't you'll find it hard to relate to.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

bpdelacruz — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 01:50:24 GMT

Which domains were you below proficient and near proficient in?

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

Lancelot — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 03:00:00 GMT

Hello
The quality of your preparation reveals to me the complexity of this exam.
Do not be discouraged now. Everything is possible for those who believe and work wisely.
I have just started my preparation for CISSP

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

Dmor_11 — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 17:36:57 GMT

Well,

I took the 3 month retake waiting period for this exam seriously, reviewing in detail the CBK, AIO and ISC materials and Adam Gordan's discord. Felt I was much better prepared, even did the Cybrary videos, etc. Sat for the exam 11/21 and failed again. Really, really frustrating.

Below in two domains - Cloud Concepts and Architecture and Design and Cloud Security Operations

Near in three domains - Cloud Data Security, and Legal, Risk and Compliance, Cloud Application Security

Above in one domain - Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security

Basically..zero improvement in 4 domains and improvement in 2.

It's clear that I am not understanding what the test is asking of me, as I feel I have a strong understanding of the material. I was scoring well on all ISC practice material, CCCure, etc, etc. The exam questions are nothing like any practice questions. I'm at a loss. Not sure if I can change my strategy to answer the way they want me to answer. Also not sure if spending another $600 for this is worth it.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

Budoka — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 18:55:27 GMT

I have been considering taking this exam as well but haven't yet so can't really offer you any practical advice but do you have one of the other ISC2 certifications? I ask because I am curious to know if the CCSP is, content aside, substantially different test wise in some way that makes it more difficult.

I would say if it isn't a financial hardship take it again but agree it is important to isolate what it is you are "missing" as far as the CCSP goes.

I've also been using Adam Gordon's material. CBK etc and Ben Malisow but now wondering if that isn't adequate.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

tmekelburg1 — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 19:12:34 GMT

I passed every CompTIA and (ISC)2 exam the first time with UCertify. They have quizzes, videos, and lesson checks throughout the chapters. I'll reiterate what others have said, don't memorize the questions and answers because you will not see them on the test. You have to know the content and understand when to apply certain concepts in their various scenarios.

https://www.ucertify.com/p/isc2.html

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

Dmor_11 — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 19:15:22 GMT

Yes, I do hold CISSP and CISM certifications. So I am familiar with these types of exams, questions, scenarios, etc.

I've been scrolling through some older posts here and see that others have had the same experience with this exam and the questions that are posed.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

tmekelburg1 — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 19:47:13 GMT

@Dmor_11 wrote:
Yes, I do hold CISSP and CISM certifications. So I am familiar with these types of exams, questions, scenarios, etc.

It might be a harder test than the CISSP, at least in a different way (depth vs. breadth). I'm only speculating since I haven't attempted the CISSP yet and I'm not sure I will, still deciding. I went through the questions with half the time remaining. I took a 5-10 minute bathroom break and came back and double checked every answer. I might change my tune when I pass the CISSP but it was the hardest test I've ever taken. I have a B.S. in Cybersecurity, AAS in Information Systems and an alphabet soup of other certs and none of my coursework / exams or other cert tests even came close to how hard that test was.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

Dmor_11 — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 20:00:49 GMT

Thanks. I'll take a look into UCertify.

I agree, as with most exams, memorization will not help. Understanding the concepts and how to apply them are important. I think this exam applies that theory in a completely different way, and one that I have yet master with this.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

bpdelacruz — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 20:06:21 GMT

Paying $500 once, twice, three times, etc. is a drop in the bucket compared to giving up completely and abandoning all attempts on the exam.

Don’t give up!

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

Dmor_11 — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 21:21:20 GMT

Lol. I get that, but also agree with whomever said the definition of insanity "Is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting the same results". I don't know how many more times I can read the recommended material or take practice exams, and try to answer the exam questions until I get them right 🙂

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

AlecTrevelyan — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 23:28:18 GMT

How much experience do you have with cloud deployments? I relied heavily on my experience for my CCSP exam.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

Dmor_11 — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 00:00:23 GMT

I've been involved in numerous cloud deployments, contracts reviews, legal, etc. Even administration a little earlier in my career. I would say I am now more of a Cloud Operations Manager.

I don't believe that is my issue, nor is the content in the Official ISC CCSP material, and what is expected of a CCSP. I guess my gripe is more of the actual exam and interpretation of your comprehension. I believe there is something fundamentally wrong (and there's other posts here with the same gripe) that if your using ISC material, taking their practice tests, and others, and scoring well the 1st time around, that should be a good indication that your prepared for the exam. My CISSP, I studied for around 6 months and knew I was ready when the material seemed very repetitive to me. That was a tough exam, but I feel it really tested your understanding of the material. If you knew it, you did well. If not, it could punish you. This one..both times, just not the case for me.

I usually gauge my exam readiness by how well I do on practice tests the 1st time around. After that, I have a tendency to memorize which is not helpful.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

BrianF — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 21:35:07 GMT

Everyone gets a different exam. Hard to advise even if one has been successful at passing.

If I might suggest... consider practicing with different questions. I think there are more for the CISSP so it is easier to say this.

However, the hardest part about the questions may be in the evaluation of the criteria for the answers. Best, most likely, etc. We have all been prepped for the format so not going to stand on a soap box or make a youtube video to sell you anything. But given this, you are typically going to get 4 answers that are all possible and one of them may click for an out of the way reason ..and it is because of some reason that is the root of the questions logic. That is what you should study. Not the facts / you should know those by now. Rather the question's logic / rooting reasons of limited options.

Or you can spend time with my kids and learn how they have manipulated the English language to solicit responses from their parents to arrive at their desired outcomes. The amount of critical thinking I have been put through with them has taught me a lot.

If you give up now that is OK. You don't have to try again. However, you will be required to participate in and win the next American Ninja Warrior in 2021as your only way out. 😉

If you do take the exam again, good luck to you. You will only be stronger and likely gotten way more out of this than most.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

Dmor_11 — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 01:54:00 GMT

Thanks for the wise feedback. I appreciate it. Will probably try again. Just need to keep the information fresh for 90 more days and figure out a new test taking strategy.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

bpdelacruz — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 03:20:05 GMT

Reach out to (ISC)2 to see if you can get a Black Friday deal or a discount on a voucher. Retakes can get pretty expensive.

Re: CCSP Exam Fail

dman333 — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 20:14:32 GMT

I too failed this exam. I am trying to do attempt #2 soon.

The whole process is very frustrating, and the CBK is NOT a helpful resource.

Questions are poorly worded, and the lack of grading (score) after your fail doesn't help at all.

I really think this exam was designed to fail people on purpose 😞