The *online pilot* CISSP *was a terrible* exam - Change my mind - See updates

[jeg208]

***UPDATE*** Please see my last post.  I provisionally passed the in person and experienced none of the issues outlined below that I faced on the online pilot.  The in person CISSP is a great exam.  ***UPDATE***

Email that I just had to send to my endorser:

Hi -BLANK-,

I am reaching out to express my frustrations with ISC2.  I provisionally passed the CISSP "Online Proctored" 6 hour exam in February.  10 weeks later, I am now notified that all the results are invalid, and I will have to retest.  I only took the Online version due to the Spokane testing site canceling my in person last minute.  Now I will have to retest before the end of July.  Additionally, the email indicates that failure to retest or pass will result in a 5 year ban from ISC2.

To be honest, the exam was terrible.  I studied hard and I know the material.  The questions had double negatives and were deliberately misleading.  I vowed to myself that should I pass, I would never recommend the CISSP to anyone.  I have read dozens and dozens of reports of similar issues with the in person, with nearly everyone assuming they had failed or were taking the wrong test.  When I walked out of the Security+ I felt great!  I wish I could say the same for my CISSP experience.

Long story short, I do not need this certification as it is unlikely that I will obtain a government contractor position that would require it.  I am struggling to find the rationale to retest and pay dues to an organization that launched a pilot with no ability to process the results, with an exam that is so unnecessarily harrowing, and obtuse towards its patrons.

What are your thoughts?  Thanks in advance.

[AndreaMoore]

@jeg208 

The CISSP is a challenging exam, and we encourage you to take advantage of the free retake voucher provided. We know it is challenging for candidates to prepare themselves to retake an exam, but if you have the experience and mastery of the subject matter, you should have confidence in your ability to sit for the exam again.

To clarify, not all exam results from the online proctoring are invalid. Most online proctoring pilot participants have moved on to the endorsement process.

The integrity and security of our exams is of the utmost importance to our association and members. There has been an extraordinary level of analysis put into reviewing the exams that were part of the online proctor pilot test, which caused an unexpected delay in processing official results. There are several reasons why exam results may be invalidated, and we encourage you to reach out to Member Services via the instructions provided in your letter.

[jeg208]

@AndreaMoore 

I demand to know what portion of the following caused my exam to be invalidated:

Pursuant to the (ISC)2 Examination Agreement which you accepted prior to the exam, (ISC)2 may at its sole
discretion revoke any and all certifications you may have earned and ban you from earning future (ISC)2
certifications and decline to score or cancel any Exam under any of the following circumstances: (1) You breach
any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. (2) (ISC)2 determines, in its sole discretion, that you have
undertaken or participated in any action that compromises the integrity and confidentiality of an Exam or
certification program, or (3) an Exam Irregularity has been identified in connection with your Exam. In the case of
this exam administration your exam result has been invalidated due to the identification of exam irregularity.
Again, pursuant to the (ISC)2 Examination Agreement, this decision is final and cannot be appealed.

None of that applies to my exam or exam performance.  I DO appeal.

[jeg208]

@AndreaMoore 

Additionally, I am still unable to schedule an exam at the only testing center close to me due to covid through July.  How am I supposed to proceed?

[rslade]

> jeg208 (Newcomer I) posted a new topic in Member Support on 05-04-2021 11:20 AM

> The CISSP is a terrible exam - Change my mind

Hmmmm. Well, you've actually got two issues, here: the recent implementation
of an online version of the exam, and the exam itself ...

>   I provisionally passed the CISSP
> "Online Proctored" 6 hour exam in February.  10 weeks later, I am now notified
> that all the results are invalid, and I will have to retest.

Ooh, harsh. Major bummer. Hopefully, ISC2 offered a free retest?

>   Now I will have to retest before the end of July.

Fortunately, since you passed it once, you are likely to pass it again, even if it's a
pain to have to re-write.

>  Additionally, the
> email indicates that failure to retest or pass will result in a 5 year ban from
> ISC2.

Say what? *This* is something that sounds entirely new: I've never heard
anybody threatened that way before.

>   To be honest, the exam was terrible.  I studied hard and I know the
> material.  The questions had double negatives and were
> deliberately misleading.

OK, I've heard this before. Most candidates find the exam hard: I generally tell
people that it's the hardest one they are ever likely to face. Worthwhile things
tend to be hard.

Check out the discussion at
https://community.isc2.org/t5/Exams/Practice-Questions/m-p/18626

>   I am struggling to find
> the rationale to retest and pay dues to an organization that launched a pilot
> with no ability to process the results, with an exam that is so unnecessarily
> harrowing, and obtuse towards its patrons.

OK, that I can't help you with ...

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[mtheo]

The specific exam to schedule will not be found online. As stated within the letter, you will need to contact Pearson VUE by phone to schedule your exam. You can find their country specific contact information at: http://www.pearsonvue.com/isc2/contact/.

[jeg208]

@mtheo 

The testing center is closed for COVID.  This is why my original in person was canceled.

[AndreaMoore]

Hi @jeg208,

Can you please email memberservices3@isc2.org and include your Candidate ID, your best contact information and the test center you are referring to? 

Thank you,

Andrea

[jeg208]

@AndreaMoore 

Thank you Andrea, I have submitted that information via email as well as by phone call.

Respectfully, there is a very real flaw in the evaluation of exams if my result was invalidated.

[Johnmatt008]

Yeah right! Stupid crap they tell people after investing time and money into ya all silly exams!