CISSP Exam preparation suggestion required

[ashoksheker]

Hi,

I started preparing for the CISSP exam, but i am confused right now to chose a best guide to follow/prepare to clear the exam.

There are so many recommendations in web, but right now am confused to chose one. Could some one suggest me best guide for CISSP exam preparation ??

thanks in advance

br,

Ashok

[ericgeater]

Ashok, best of luck to you.

In my particular case, I purchased three books and attended Training Camp's six-day session.  I passed the first time, but received all questions during the exam.  Your mileage will vary.

The only thing I would have done differently: I would have not purchased the CISSP for Dummies book.

The two things you should absolutely do: read.  Take notes.  Read.  Take more notes.  Read even more.  Take even more notes.  And when you're tired of reading and note-taking, read and take notes anyway.  Put down one CISSP book, and pick up another CISSP book.  I read on the train to the exam center.

I read nightly for seven straight months, but I don't have a large background in Infosec. I had some uphill to climb.

My books were the CISSP CBK by Adam Gordon and Chapple's official study guide (8E).  The CBK is rich, but unwieldy.  Chapple's book ties it together nicely.

Oh, and take practice tests, but do not become consumed by your scores.  They're nothing like the exam.  Whatever you get wrong, study again.

[AppDefects]

Read and APPLY knowledge. With adaptive testing, the test is no longer about your ability to memorize facts. I see so many people fail and complain because they expected to regurgitate facts. You do need them as a foundation, but to pass you need to apply them and that will make you think!

It is true there is no single book that covers all of the domains well except for the official CBK book - become a member and get 50% off self-study resources. I highly recommend using the exam blueprint as your guide - that is how exams are built, not through some Sybex book table of contents. You can be tested on any part of the blueprint - align your study material and practical exercises to it. Pay attention to the exam weights. Know your weak areas and put time into studying the theory and APPLYING it. That is what makes the difference between a passing score and not.

[TA-Hofer]

In addition to all of the above, if you have access to LinkedIn Learning (formerly lynda.com), take the CISSP learning path. I found it to give an excellent high level overview, so as I read the books and did the tests, the pieces all fell into place.

https://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/prepare-for-the-certified-information-systems-security-profe...

[rslade]

> ashoksheker (Viewer II) posted a new topic in Certifications on 07-02-2019 11:43

> Hi,   I started preparing for the CISSP exam, but i am confused right now to
> chose a best guide to follow/prepare to clear the exam.   There are so many
> recommendations in web, but right now am confused to chose one. Could some one
> suggest me best guide for CISSP exam preparation ??

There are dozens of discuwssions on this subject, most in this very board.

I would suggest that you search on the term "CISSP," or possibly "study," or,
failing that, "Anderson."

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[rslade]

> ericgeater (Newcomer III) posted a new reply in Certifications on 07-02-2019

>   I read on the train to the exam center.

Nope, can't recommend this. The CISSP is not a brain dump of facts: it is based
on your understanding and experience. If, by the night before the exam, you don't
know it, a few more minutes (or ours) of study won't help. Take a break, get a
good dinner, a nice night's rest, and a good breakfast.

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[denbesten]

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@rslade wrote:

If, by the night before the exam, you don't know it, a few more minutes (or hours) of study won't help. Take a break, get a good dinner, a nice night's rest, and a good breakfast.

Ditto, a thousand times.

[ericgeater]

I agree with you and @rslade both.  In my particular case, I was quite amped on exam day, and had nothing else to do while riding the train to the test center... so I kept doing what I'd been doing.

Still had a great meal the night before, though.  Thai food.