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mariatirado
Community Manager

CCSP Exam Format Update – Effective October 1, 2025

The CCSP Exam will be offered exclusively in Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format beginning on October 1, 2025. There are no changes to the domains or exam outline at this time. 

 

For more information on CAT, please refer to www.isc2.org/certifications/computerized-adaptive-testing

15 Replies
Spirnia
Contributor III

Very happy about this!

 

Thank you, ISC2!!

Spirnia
Contributor III

How long will the CCSP exam be?

 

Looks like the maximum will be higher...

 

 

Spirnia
Contributor III

Screenshot 2025-05-01 115809.png

Spirnia
Contributor III

I found my answer!

CCSP will be 3 hrs.

 

Screenshot 2025-05-01 122208.png

nkeaton
Advocate I

@mariatirado   Thank you.  I will make sure that our folks that are studying for it are aware.  Will there be a complete cutover, or will people have an option of which format they prefer before that effective test date?  

nkeaton
Advocate I

@Spirnia   I appreciate your enthusiasm.  I definitely prefer linear to adaptive for myself, but others like adaptive more.  I can only speak from having to go CAT for the CISSP.  The time allotted was no different.  The exam can stop at any time depending on how the algorithm determines how your answers count (Thor has a great theory if interested, but I respect that ISC2 will never tell us for the integrity of the exams) .  So an exam can stop at 100, 150, or anywhere in between.  What I have learned from helping our folks is that an exam can end at 100 if the algorithm has been satisfied and pass or if determines that have answered so many wrong that have no chance of passing.  If it goes to 150, then you are on the fence and could be a pass or fail.  The same is true if stops any number in between for passing or failing.  The pre-test/beta questions are always in the first 100 questions.  I will answer what I can for you.  These are just things that I have noticed helping others.  

Spirnia
Contributor III

I like adaptive. Period.

 

I am a slow reader. So, I like that it determines status early.


My CISSP exam was adaptive and stopped at 100.

 

I would not have had much time left for more questions anyhow.

 

 

elvis_moreland
Newcomer I

Great news!

nkeaton
Advocate I

@Spirnia Passing at 100 means that you made the algorithm very happy which is great. Reading thoroughly for the best answer is definitely a great strategy. I have had people tell me that they read the questions first. I tried and does not work for me. I prefer linear but have the most respect for the people that I know that did it with paper (test booklet and separate answer sheet) and pencil. I am pretty confident that you will do fine.