topic Re: CISSP EXAM timing in Exams

CISSP EXAM timing

sreejithcissp — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 02:17:11 GMT

Hello All,

My name is Sreejith, I have around 7 Years of experience in the Communication and Network Security Domain.
So tried to give it a try for CISSP.
But I failed both 2 times.

I have doubts here I want to ask

I think the official exam time is 180 minutes which is 3 hours.

But I notice that my count down timer was 150 onwards
Can someone clarify?

If anyone want to connect with reach through skype - sreejith.30 or signal sreejithcehv.12

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

dcontesti — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 12:15:58 GMT

@sreejithcissp

The exam is adaptative and based on psychometric principles so management are best suited to reply.

@CBMExamTeam would you or a member of the team be able to assist with this one?

Regards

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

sreejithcissp — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 14:37:42 GMT

@dcontesti

@CBMExamTeam

One more thing I want to add here

I arrived exam center lately means - exam was 11:00 AM IST

I came approximately 10:55 AM they done all the pre checks quickly and allowed me to write the exam
I don't know this is affected or not!!!

First attempt

Security Risk Management Below Proficiency

Identity and Access Management Below Proficiency

Security Assessment and Testing Below Proficiency

Asset Security Below Proficiency

Software Development Security Below Proficiency

Security Architecture and Engineering Below Proficiency

Security Operations Below Proficiency

Communication and Network Security Above Proficiency level

Second attempt

Security Architecture and Engineering Below Proficiency

Security Risk Management Near Proficiency level

Security Operations Near Proficiency level

Security Assessment and Testing Near Proficiency level

Asset Security Near Proficiency level

Identity and Access Management Above Proficiency level

Software Development Security Above Proficiency level

Communication and Network Security Above Proficiency level

Around 120+ answered.

This was the result

First attempt I was accordingly exam policy arrived 30 minutes above exam.

Second it was my mistake arrived lately.!!

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

emb021 — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:26:28 GMT

@sreejithcissp
Did you do any studying? Did you work on any practice exams?

I have failed 2 cert exams. With one I went back and reviewed and studying and passed it the second attempt.

As noted, the CISSP is a computer adaptive test. Depending on how you do on the questions, it can end SOONER with a failing grade. The time starts when you start the exam.

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

sreejithcissp — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 02:25:32 GMT

@emb021

Yes I did a preparation then after attempted this.

But now I realizing that I need a much longer preparation for next attempt.

after reviewing my performance in other replies do you have any advise/suggestion to me?

Also what this "Below proficiency" means Is that mean very poor performance

what about "Near proficiency" - Good performance??

Regards,

Sreejith

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

emb021 — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 16:33:48 GMT

@sreejithcissp Not knowing what you used to prepare, its hard to give advise on what to do.
I would recommend that you re-review the sections you scored below "Above proficiency".

And I would recommend you do review tests in those areas as well.

Near proficiency means you almost meet the requirements, but not there. IMO that is NOT "good". Good is meeting the requirements. If it was a letter grade, I would call it a "D", as a "C" is meeting the requirements, and B and A is even better.

Below would be below "near". Again, if it was a letter grade, I would call that an "F".

If someone has a better explanation, feel free to add/correct what I said.

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

sreejithcissp — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 08:46:10 GMT

@emb021

Yes. I should prepare for at least 1 or 2 year I thinks.

This was within 6 months prep. Only one book I have CISSP CBK (ISC2). Used it's online resources for practical exams.

I'm planning to purchase All in one CISSP exam guide ninth edition.

I hope I can pass in next attempt.

Thanks for all the info

Sreejith

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

emb021 — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:20:34 GMT

@sreejithcissp
ISC2 has this book from Sybex: ISC2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Practice Tests 4th edition.

I would recommend the ISC2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide 10th edtion from Sybex.

You should have been using the study guide instead of the CBK to prepare. Shouldn't take a year or more. I studied and pass in a few months.

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

CBMExamTeam — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:23:18 GMT

@sreejithcissp , @dcontesti
Thank you for reaching out via the ISC2 Community. My apologies for this delayed response.

All CISSP exams are in CAT (Computerized Adaptive Testing) format. You are moved through your exam based on the answers to previous questions. Your exam may end sooner than you'd think based on this adaptive testing.
"Once the minimum exam length (100 items) is satisfied, an exam will end when a candidate's ability estimate excludes the pass point with 95% statistical confidence. For candidates with ability estimates that statistically exceed the passing standard, the exam will result in a pass. For candidates that have ability estimates that are statistically below the standard, the exam will result in a fail."

Please use the link below for the complete information on the CAT format Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)

As for the domain breakdown, Near Proficiency means "close to the passing standard."

Hope this helps!

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

dcontesti — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:33:11 GMT

@CBMExamTeam Thank you for your reply.

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

denbesten — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:41:45 GMT

@CBMExamTeam wrote:
Near Proficiency means "close to the passing standard."

This is not clear. Does it mean just above the passing standard or just below the passing standard?

This not the first time this wording has caused confusion. The official ISC2 web pages ought to replace "Near Proficiency" with "Nearly Proficient", "Almost Proficient", or "Just Below Proficient"

Re: CISSP EXAM timing

dcontesti — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 22:13:06 GMT

Unfortunate, this is an ongoing problem that we have seen in printed materials and the exams.

English as we speak (write) it in No. America (unfortunately Canadians have picked up some of their grammar from the US). I was taught proper British English as a child so I can understand the differences but most folks are not as fortunate,

When doing Exam Development, we needed to be aware of subtle differences.

I believe @denbesten has a great suggestion.