topic Re: About to take the exam in Exam Preparation

About to take the exam

vicwilliams — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 11:21:40 GMT

I just paid my $699. Going to taking the exam on 13 April. Any advice?

Re: About to take the exam

denbesten — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 15:12:41 GMT

The best thing you can do to improve your score is to ensure your brain is working at "peak performance".

Spend the evening before the exam doing things you enjoy... early movie, dinner with spouse, extended workout at the gym, etc. Then, get a good night's sleep, a good breakfast and leave plenty of driving time.

If getting up early for one last review will help you get in the zone, then by all means do it. However, if it would build stress, get a few more Zzz's instead.

Also, save the alcohol for the post-exam celebration.

Re: About to take the exam

denbesten — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 15:15:31 GMT

A few thoughts while you are in your final weeks of studying.

PersonVue has a sample exam on their web site (or at least they did) that will introduce you to the testing software. It has questions like "What are the seven wonders of the world?".
Visit the test center a week or so before so you know how to get there, where to park, and where the restroom is. Take a moment to introduce yourself to the receptionist and ask any questions you may have (e.g. what about cough drops (yes), therapy pigs (no), what is the restroom procedure, etc.)
Build up a 1-page cheat sheet. Don't download one; it needs to be for the stuff you think you are weak on. Review it daily and remove things that have become obvious.
Memorize the code of ethics and apply it to yoru answers. One detail that seems to be overlooked is that the canons are a prioritized list.
Your goal is to select the answer that (ISC)² believes is best, not your favorite. You will be better off if you think from the perspective of your boss's boss and not from that of a technician.
Human life or safety is pretty much always the best answer regardless of the question (take with a grain of salt ).

Re: About to take the exam

Bertikus — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 04:22:27 GMT

When I took it, it was from the management perspective. I was a technician at the time and struggled with that. The best solution for a tech is usually the most expensive. The best solution for management is directly related to ROI (return on investment). Get out of the tech mentality. Safety first then money second. Don't think risk elimination, think risk mitigation.

Also, for the test, bring aspirin take it whether you need it or not at the 30 minute mark. it will keep the headache of focusing on a monitor to 2 to 3 hours away from you. Don't be afraid to look away. Research indicates that a change in thought process or diversion every 15 to 20 minutes will help maintain focus on the subject.

Re: About to take the exam

denbesten — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 15:37:56 GMT

If monitors give you get headaches, you might discuss computer glasses with your optometrist. They solved mine.

Re: About to take the exam

rick3 — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 06:31:33 GMT

Good Luck!! I'm also scheduled to take the exam on 10 April. I found a very helpful site that I'm using to prepare. It has over 1000 questions and provides a graphical breakout of your weak areas. I like the site. You can find it at http://www.cisspexampractice.com. For six month access it costs $59.

Also, check out the Study Note and Theory site at https://www.studynotesandtheory.com/ for CISSP info. This site has a lot of good info to include videos and tips. You won't be disappointed. I looked at the site a little and found it very useful.

Re: About to take the exam

Bertikus — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 05:59:24 GMT

Working gives me the headache, monitors accelerate it. I've thought about the glasses but haven't met anyone who uses them. Do they really help?

Re: About to take the exam

khale426 — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 16:37:02 GMT

I passed last month. Studied hard by reading Shon Harris, RIP, and taking her chapter tests. Had ISC 2 official practice test and took those as well. Previously, went thru Sari Greenes' video which was HUGE help in understanding how this exam words the questions and that she's figured it out.

My head a hurt a lot from studying, I was worried, but took a long walk before the test started, didn't cram or look at any material the day of exam. Was real nice to get the congrats letter when it printed!

Re: About to take the exam

rick3 — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 19:18:39 GMT

Congrats!! Did you study for several months?

Re: About to take the exam

khale426 — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 19:27:21 GMT

Nope. Studied about a month or so, went real hard for 3 weeks leading up to the test.

Re: About to take the exam

Admarnelson — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 19:39:53 GMT

Be ready. 699$ is the a lot of money in your investment. you need return them.

read why people failed in exam to be for you some example don't do the same.

if you quick ready you have 1 month forward, you can read cissp guide for Conrad 3º Edition simply and make much practice until 2 days before exam. you can also watch Kelly videos on cybrary and download mp3's kelly in 1 ou 2 weeks. there is also cccure good test. good look, and sucess on the exam

Re: About to take the exam

rick3 — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 19:58:15 GMT

Good tips. Thanks.

Re: About to take the exam

rick3 — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 19:59:18 GMT

Tks. I appreciate it. What's next on your cert list?

Re: About to take the exam

khale426 — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 22:27:00 GMT

CASP. Dovetails nicely from CISSP. Then CCNA & CEH.

Re: About to take the exam

Finch — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 15:08:12 GMT

I got the CEH first, then CCNA Security followed by CISSP, last month I received CCNA R/S.

As far as certifications regarding security, CCNA Sec and R/S are very poor. You will learn more about commands, the Cisco way of doing things, and routing than anything involving security. You will also be tested on memorization, not comprehension of material.

The CEH however is actually pretty good, I took version 8 a few years ago, and have a friend who recently took version 9 and it seems about the same. They do a good job of introducing and guiding you through various security tools that are out there.

Re: About to take the exam

rick3 — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 17:55:12 GMT

Finch,

This is helpful info. I plan on taking the CEH exam next year. I will probably take the CompTIA CySA+ cert first to get prepared for the CEH exam. I heard that they are similar.

Re: About to take the exam

rick3 — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 17:58:24 GMT

I have to look at the CASP to see what it involves. I am also planning to take the CCNA exam.

Re: About to take the exam

denbesten — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 04:04:28 GMT

@Bertikus, For me, computer glasses help tremendously.

Like everything else we do, when the problem gets beyond our capabilities, we hire consultants, give them the requirements and they give us their professional recommendation. My local Walmart does walk-in appointments for $55. For me, it is worth the money just to know where everything stands. Think if it like a quick audit to validate your assumptions or an annual DR test to make sure things still work as expected.

Just as we need proper requirements to competently advise our clients, so does the Doc to develop a prescription. In his world, a computer is a 14" tablet. Mine is 2 x 24" monitors on adjustable arms. Once he saw a picture, he was able to understand why he needed to prescribe both progressives for normal life and specific glasses that match my work environment.

It is also important to adjust your workspace (including the monitors) and to do preparatory research regarding how eyes focus, what symptoms occur when things go wrong, how computers contribute, and how glasses help.

Re: About to take the exam

rick3 — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 03:13:31 GMT

Hi,
Check out the infosec site at http://resources.infosecinstitute.com/category/certifications-training/cissp/domains/security-and-risk-management/security-governance-principals

The site has a wealth of information for CISSP test takers. You can use it to supplement your current studies. I'm using it since I test on 10 April. Good luck!

Re: About to take the exam

Faddakings — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 06:29:25 GMT

My simple device is to know the roles of all the RMF task, and how RMF maps to SDLC.