No outside materials - period. In fact, they even checked my glasses in case I laser etched the entire 9th Edition onto my lenses.
I passed last month - 100 Questions, 90 Minutes. Studied intensely for 1 month.
A couple of test strategies.
1. If the question seems insane, it might be a test question that is not scored. Don't get upset - keep your cool. Many questions are poorly written or lack critical information in the modern era. Just choose the least worst answer.
2. Don't get too involved in the Stump the Chump minutia trivia questions while studying - they end up being less important than you think. The Official Study guide is full of questions/factoids that will never come up. I think it still contains information from the 1980s.
3. Don't shoot for perfect - I passed with the minimum number of questions and I am sure I did not score perfectly. Don't waste time - you might need it.
4. If you are doing well, the computer gives you harder questions with more point values and an expected 50% correct answer rate. Don't get discouraged during the test. The thoughts I was having in my head towards ISC2 and the Pearsonvue test were strictly R-Rated for vulgarity. So if the test is getting harder - you are doing better.
5. Go to the bathroom BEFORE the test
6. Think like your CIO or CISO (or a good one if yours is an idiot).
7. They take your picture at the beginning of the test - Look Good!! Not like you were studying all night in a Jeep with the top off while doing 80 MPH
8. Don't worry about - if you don't pass, there is always becoming a software programmer.
