I passed the exam (July 2018) and received my endorsement!
This was one of the tougher exams I've taken. The toughness of the test was primarily due to the lack of official study material for the updated test, and the small group of people currently preparing for the certification.
The exam definitely follows the ISC2 approach of ensuring you have full understanding of the underlying topics. The questions test your ability to apply your core understanding and I do not believe there is a way to study for the questions. Rather, you must truly understand the material at a core level.
You need to ensure that you completely understand the core CISSP as well as the extended ISSAP depth of questions.
Where the CISSP is "a mile wide and an inch deep", the ISSAP is 1/2 a mile wide and a few feet deep.
Study Plan:
The following is how I approached studying for the test:
I utilized both the ISC2 CISSP & CISSP-ISSAP phone apps to run test questions.
Taking the Test:
You must be focused and relaxed.
I started by doing some deep breathing exercises and repeated those about every 25 questions. This helped me relax, focus, and take my mind off the previous set of questions.
Good Luck!
Thank you for the information. Which CISSP-ISSAP did you use and did you feel it was helpful?
Thanks again,
Scott
Scott -
I believe you are asking about the ISSAP phone app.
I used the Professional Practice Test ISC2: CISSP-ISSAP - 2018 iPhone app for questions.
I found it helpful for identifying areas that I needed to continue to build out my knowledge.
I don't feel the questions reflect the questions on the test, but rather the topics and depth of knowledge needed for the test.
- Dave
Thank you Dave!
Thanks Dave
Thanks Stephan. It was a tough test, but worth it. The study truly increased my knowledge of the subject matter in a meaningful way.
Dave,
Thanks for the helpful tips. Does the ISSAP test use an adaptive format like the CISSP? I'm not looking for any specific details about your test or anything just wondering about the format.
Alex
Alex -
The ISSAP test was not adaptive, it was the classic straight number of questions.
Good luck!
Dave
Congrats on the pass! I will definetly be using your study method when I look at testing for this cert.