topic Re: Certification passing score system in Exams

Certification passing score system

ign1s — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 10:16:34 GMT

Hello all, i would like to ask a question about the passing score system of the CSSLP exam, though i guess the same would apply for every other certification of ISC2. So i was wondering about partially correct questions, that is the questions that could be answered by multiple choices and you get a portion of them right, but fail to correctly answer them all. (e.g question has 5 total possible answers, where 3 of them are legit, but you only choose the 2 of them) How are the answers evaluated in this case? Are they just marked wrong, or do the correct answers picked count positively towards the total score?

Re: Certification passing score system

AlecTrevelyan — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 10:51:44 GMT

In the six exams I have taken (CISSP, CCSP, ISSEP, ISSAP, ISSMP, CSSLP) I have never faced a "choose all answers that apply" type question. Just to reiterate all (950 total) questions I have faced in ISC2 exams required me to select only one of the four answers.

Re: Certification passing score system

ign1s — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 13:42:06 GMT

I am taking a mock exam suite and there are a lot of them, guess they do it to sharpen your skills a little more, but if actual exam does not really include such questions then its just invalid to do so. ty anyway 🙂

Re: Certification passing score system

Steve-Wilme — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 09:02:04 GMT

I've not seen a choose all correct answers style question, although you made to asked to identify the wrong item. The combinations of factors are normally in the options that you have to select the right answer from. Anyway that's been the case for the CISSP, ISSMP, ISSAP and CCSP.

Re: Certification passing score system

Kaity — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:08:49 GMT

Hi everyone! CSSLP passing score is 700 out of 1000. More info on the exam outline if you need it: https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/-/media/ISC2/Certifications/Exam-Outlines/CSSLP-Exam-Outline-v1013.ashx

You'll have 175 questions to get the score you need, though I don't have exact details on how the questions are scored. Also, just wanted to point out that practice test questions don't go through the same rigorous review process that actual exam questions go through and the format of those questions can differ quite a bit as @AlecTrevelyan said.

Re: Certification passing score system

fgarcialainez — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 08:39:28 GMT

Hi,

Is it required to get more than 700 in each one of the 8 domains, or is it enough to get an average scoring of +700 in the exam?

Regards,

Re: Certification passing score system

Kaity — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 14:18:55 GMT

The CISSP is a Computer Adaptive Test, so everyone's exam will be a little different. You'll need to score 700+ overall on the exam. The test will "feel out," (I'm making it sound alive!) based on your answers, which domains you should get questions from. I hope that makes sense!

Re: Certification passing score system

fgarcialainez — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 14:45:31 GMT

Hi,

Sorry, I was asking about the CSSLP. Please could you tell me if it is necessary to score more than 700 in each domain, or is enough to score more than 700 in the total of the exam?

On the other hand, is it allowed to use English to other language dictionary for non-native English speakers (in my case English to Spanish)?

Regards,

Re: Certification passing score system

Kaity — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 14:48:55 GMT

Oh, I apologize - the CSSLP is Computer-Based by not Computer Adaptive. The domains are not all equal, and again the score to get is 700+ out of 1000 on the entire test.

I would review the exam outline for the breakdown of the weighting of the domains

https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/-/media/ISC2/Certifications/Exam-Outlines/CSSLP-Exam-Outline-v1013.ashx

Re: Certification passing score system

fgarcialainez — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 14:55:28 GMT

Hi,

Yes, I know the percentages for each domain. So just to double check, it is sure that being below proficiency in one or more domains is not a problem to pass the exam if the total score is over 700, right?

Then, please could you explain the following post for a user that took the exam in the past months?

https://community.isc2.org/t5/Member-Support/Not-too-happy-with-CSSLP-Exam/m-p/26634/highlight/true#M5370

On the other hand, what about the dictionary? Is it allowed or not?

Regards,

Re: Certification passing score system

Kaity — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 14:56:59 GMT

That's really the depth of my knowledge as far as the exam goes, since I have not sat for one. Others here have, so hopefully they can chime in.

Re: Certification passing score system

fgarcialainez — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:04:33 GMT

I don't understand your answer :). I am simply asking a couple of very specific questions about grading and allowed materials in the exam... Please could you take a look and provide an accurate answer.

Thanks and Regards!

Re: Certification passing score system

Kaity — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:17:39 GMT

My answer @fgarcialainez was that I do not know the answer to your question. I have not taken one of our exams and I do not work on the exams themselves, so I do not feel able to provide an accurate answer. I am hoping someone here who has experience taking the exam can help. Our exam policies can be viewed here - https://www.isc2.org/Register-for-Exam - in case that is helpful.

Best of luck

Re: Certification passing score system

fgarcialainez — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:25:11 GMT

Well, then please could you check internally and provide us an answer? Basically, many people doesn't have clear is it is required to score a minimum of 700 in all the domains, of in the total exam, and it is not reflected clearly in your policies.

https://www.isc2.org/register-for-exam/exam-scoring-faqs

The same with dictionary, it is something that you should clarify to candidates, no?

Thanks again!

Re: Certification passing score system

ChrisMcLendon — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 17:14:31 GMT

Hello @fgarcialainez,

Examination scoring is still based on scoring at least 700 points out of the 1000 for all examinations. However, for the CISSP it is also required that each domain is graded "above proficiency" in order to pass as well.

For every other certification exam, you do not have to reach "above proficiency" in order to pass. However, if a candidate was not able to pass the certification exam, their handout from the Pearson VUE testing center would tell them how they did on each domain according to the proficiency levels.

Keep in mind that "above proficiency" does not always mean you answered every question correctly for that domain, but have met the passing standard.

As well, dictionaries are not permitted into a Pearson VUE testing center for an ISC examination. This is in the "Examination Inquiries" on our FAQ page. I have attached the link here for your review: https://www.isc2.org/Frequently-Asked-Questions

Please let me know if there is other information I can provide to help clarify the examination policies!

Re: Certification passing score system

AlecTrevelyan — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 17:55:15 GMT

@ChrisMcLendon wrote:
Hello @fgarcialainez,

Examination scoring is still based on scoring at least 700 points out of the 1000 for all examinations. However, for the CISSP it is also required that each domain is graded "above proficiency" in order to pass as well.
...
...

Hi @ChrisMcLendon - just curious to know, is this still the case for non-English language versions of the CISSP? (i.e. Non-CAT versions)

Re: Certification passing score system

fgarcialainez — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 19:05:05 GMT

Hi Chris,

Thank you very much for your clear and concise answer, I really appreciate it.

Regards,

Re: Certification passing score system

ChrisMcLendon — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 19:28:14 GMT

Hello @AlecTrevelyan, I should have clarified previously but non-English CISSP examinations are graded as the other certification examinations as it is still in the Linear format. The CISSP English version of the examination is the only one of its kind that is graded based on both the 700 points and Proficiencies. Thank you for helping clarify this point!

Re: Certification passing score system

denbesten — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 19:54:34 GMT

Per the FAQ, It is "adaptive testing" that introduces the "in each domain" requirement.

Re: Certification passing score system

AlecTrevelyan — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 20:22:03 GMT

@denbesten wrote:
Per the FAQ, It is "adaptive testing" that introduces the "in each domain" requirement.

You've changed your tune!

https://community.isc2.org/t5/Certifications/Failed-CCSP-but-I-know-the-content-and-think-I-passed/m-p/30323/highlight/true#M4997

Good to have it confirmed properly now though