Tips to Crack the CISSP Exam Without Coaching
Understand the CISSP Exam
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam, administered by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium or (ISC)², is a globally recognized certification in the field of information security. This exam tests the candidate’s understanding and practical application across eight domains of IT security. To crack this exam without coaching, you need to understand these domains deeply and how they work together to provide holistic security solutions. You will be expected to understand and apply concepts of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) as well as identify, assess, and mitigate risks in a given scenario.
Preparing for the CISSP exam requires a significant commitment of time and effort, but the rewards can be highly beneficial. It’s not just about passing an exam – it’s about gaining a deep understanding of information security’s diverse aspects to protect businesses from the growing threats in the digital world. This journey will test and enhance your knowledge and practical skills, setting you apart in the rapidly evolving field of information security.
The CISSP exam spans eight domains, collectively known as the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK), which covers a wide range of critical topics in the field of information security. These include
- Security and Risk Management
- Asset Security
- Security Architecture and Engineering
- Communication and Network Security
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Security Assessment and Testing
- Security Operations
- Software Development Security.
Build an effective CISSP Exam Study Plan
A structured study plan is a critical element of your preparation strategy. You should divide your study schedule according to the weightage of each domain in the exam. Give more time to topics that you find difficult. Building an effective CISSP study plan involves more than just scheduling study times. It requires an understanding of the CISSP domains, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and tracking your progress. Here’s a step-by-step approach to creating a weekly study plan:
Building an effective CISSP study plan involves more than just scheduling study times. It requires an understanding of the CISSP domains, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and tracking your progress.
Here’s a step-by-step approach to creating a CISSP weekly study plan:
Week 1-2: Understanding the CISSP Domains and Self-Evaluation
In the first two weeks, your focus should be on understanding what the CISSP exam entails. You should:
- Familiarize yourself with the eight CISSP domains: Spend time each day going over each domain’s overview to understand what it covers and its importance within the CISSP CBK. The domains are: Security and Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Architecture and Engineering, Communication and Network Security, Identity and Access Management, Security Assessment and Testing, Security Operations, and Software Development Security.
- Conduct a self-assessment: Next, evaluate your knowledge and experience in each domain. Identify the domains in which you feel confident and those you consider challenging.
Week 3-10: In-depth Study
The next eight weeks will be the core of your CISSP study plan, where you dive deep into each domain. Considering the eight domains and your self-assessment, you can dedicate one week to each domain. However, you may need to adjust this based on your personal strengths and weaknesses.
During these weeks, follow a three-step approach for each domain:
- Study: Spend the first few days of the week studying the domain in detail. Use the (ISC)² CISSP Study Guide, CISSP CBK, and other resources. Be sure to understand the concepts rather than just memorizing facts.
- Practice: Spend the next couple of days solving practice questions related to the domain you’re studying. This will help reinforce your understanding and identify areas where you might be struggling.
- Review: Spend the last day of the week reviewing what you’ve studied and going over any difficult areas again.
Week 11-12: Practice Tests and Review
During these weeks, take full-length practice tests to gauge your understanding of all the domains combined.
- Take Practice Exams: Take at least one practice test at the beginning of the eleventh week. This will give you a feel for the actual exam and help identify areas you might have overlooked.
- Review and Revise: Spend the rest of the time reviewing the domains where you scored low. Go back to the study materials and understand the concepts better.
- Repeat: Take another practice test at the start of the twelfth week and repeat the process.
Week 13: Final Review and Exam Preparation
In the final week before your exam:
- Revise: Spend the first few days revising all eight domains. Make sure to go over the key concepts and anything you found particularly challenging.
- Take Final Practice Exams: Take one or two more practice exams. This will not only test your understanding but also get you comfortable with the exam format.
- Relax: A day or two before the exam, relax and avoid any strenuous studying. You want to make sure you’re well-rested for the exam day.
Remember, this is a generic plan and might need to be tailored according to your personal needs and circumstances. Adjust as necessary but ensure you cover all domains comprehensively and give yourself enough time to review and practice.
Choose CISSP Exam Study Materials
Choosing the right study materials is crucial for preparing for the CISSP exam. Not all resources are created equal, and some will be better suited to your learning style and background than others. Here’s how you can navigate the myriad of available resources and choose the ones that are right for you. The study materials you choose should comprehensively cover all eight domains of the CISSP CBK (Common Body of Knowledge).
1. Identify your Learning Style: Some people learn best by reading, others by listening or watching, and yet others by doing. Identify your preferred learning style. If you learn best by reading, then books and written study guides will be your best resources. If you learn best by watching or listening, then video tutorials or podcasts will be beneficial. If you learn best by doing, then practice tests and interactive online courses will be helpful.
2. Start with the Official Resources: The official (ISC)² CISSP Study Guide and CISSP CBK should be your starting points. They are written by the same organization that administers the exam and will align closely with the exam content.
- (ISC)² CISSP Study Guide: This guide breaks down each of the eight domains, making it easy to understand the key concepts. It’s written in a clear, straightforward style, making it accessible for all levels of experience.
- (ISC)² CISSP CBK: The CBK is more detailed and in-depth compared to the study guide. It’s a great resource if you want to delve deeper into a topic.
3. Supplement with Other Resources: While the official resources are a must-have, they may not be enough on their own. Here are some other resources you can consider:
- Books: “CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide” by Shon Harris is a highly recommended book for CISSP aspirants. “CISSP For Dummies” by Lawrence C. Miller and Peter H. Gregory provides an accessible and easy-to-understand overview of the topics.
- Online Courses: Online platforms like Cybrary, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer CISSP preparation courses. These are especially good if you prefer a more structured learning format or if you learn better through video.
- Practice Tests: Practice tests are crucial for preparing for the CISSP exam. They help you familiarize yourself with the exam format, test your knowledge, and identify areas where you need further study. You can find practice tests in study guides, online platforms, and CISSP mobile apps.
4. Join a Study Group or Forum: Study groups or online forums such as Reddit’s CISSP subreddit, the CISSP Study Group on LinkedIn, or the (ISC)² Community can be invaluable. They provide a platform where you can ask questions, share resources, and get advice from people who are also preparing for the exam or have already passed it.
Remember, the key to success in the CISSP exam is understanding and applying concepts, not just memorization. Choose materials that will help you achieve that, and don’t hesitate to use multiple resources to reinforce your learning.
Practice with CISSP Exam Questions
The CISSP exam questions are designed to test your understanding and application of concepts rather than rote learning. Therefore, practicing with as many different types of questions as possible will prepare you better for the exam. There are plenty of practice tests and question banks available online. Practicing with CISSP exam questions is a critical part of your preparation process. It helps you gauge your understanding of the topics, familiarize yourself with the exam format, and identify areas of weakness that you need to work on.
Here’s how you can make the most of your practice with CISSP exam questions:
Understand the CISSP Exam Question Format
The CISSP exam uses a combination of multiple-choice and innovative questions. Innovative questions could involve selecting areas on an image, dragging and dropping answers, or putting items in the right order. Understand these formats and get used to them by solving a variety of question types in your practice tests.
2. Use the Right Practice Resources
Ensure that you use reliable and up-to-date practice questions that accurately reflect the CISSP exam content. Good sources of practice questions include:
- Official (ISC)² Practice Tests: These are designed by the same organization that administers the CISSP exam, ensuring their relevance and accuracy.
- Books: “CISSP Official (ISC)² Practice Tests” and “CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide” by Shon Harris contain numerous practice questions and detailed explanations of the answers.
- Online Platforms: Websites like Boson, Kaplan IT Training, and CCCure provide a large pool of practice questions. Make sure to check reviews before purchasing.
3. Practice Under Exam Conditions
Take some practice tests under conditions that simulate the actual exam. This means answering the questions in a quiet, uninterrupted environment, within the given time limit. This will help you get used to the exam format and pace yourself appropriately.
4. Review Your Answers
After each practice test, review your answers carefully. Understand why your incorrect answers were wrong, and why the correct answers were right. Don’t just focus on memorizing the correct answers; try to grasp the underlying concept.
5. Focus on Application of Knowledge
CISSP exam questions are designed to test your ability to apply your knowledge, not just recall facts. As you practice, try to understand how the concepts are applied in different scenarios.
6. Schedule Regular Practice
Make practice an integral part of your study plan. Don’t leave it till the end of your preparation. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become with the type and format of the questions on the exam.
7. Don’t Overdo It
While practice is essential, it’s also important to avoid burnout. Don’t try to do too many practice questions in one go. Balance your time between studying new material, reviewing what you’ve studied, and practicing with questions.
Remember, the goal of practicing with CISSP exam questions is not just to answer as many questions as possible, but to deepen your understanding and application of the CISSP domains. So take the time to analyze and learn from each practice session.
How to Crack CISSP Exam in First Attempt without Coaching?
Understanding the CISSP Mindset
Understanding the CISSP mindset is crucial to passing the CISSP exam. The exam is not just a test of your knowledge; it’s a test of your ability to apply that knowledge in a specific context—the mindset of an Information Security Professional.
The CISSP mindset can be thought of as a lens through which you view security scenarios and make decisions. This perspective is different from that of a network engineer, a system administrator, or a software developer. It’s a high-level, strategic, and risk-focused viewpoint that prioritizes confidentiality, integrity, and availability (the CIA Triad) in all security decisions.
Simulating the Exam Conditions
The CISSP is a long exam – up to 3 hours for English language tests, which utilize a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) model, with 100-150 questions. It’s essential to get used to this format and build up your mental endurance. Full-length practice tests taken under exam conditions will be invaluable in preparing for this.
Regular Review
Due to the breadth of topics covered, regular revision is necessary to keep the information fresh in your mind. Creating a revision schedule along with your study plan can help ensure you regularly review each domain.
How to Prepare for CISSP Exam without Coaching?
CISSP is a certification where self-study can be just as effective as coaching, provided you’re disciplined and have the right resources.
Engage with Study Groups and Online Forums
Online study groups and forums can provide support and clear doubts. They can be found on websites like Reddit, TechExams, and the official (ISC)² Community. You can also find study partners to keep each other accountable.
Use Varied Resources
Don’t limit yourself to just books. Video tutorials, webinars, podcasts, and CISSP-focused blogs can provide diverse perspectives and make your learning more comprehensive.
Problems Faced By The CISSP Exam Aspirants
Vast Syllabus
CISSP covers a wide array of topics, making the syllabus seem overwhelming.
Time Management
Managing time during preparation and the exam can be a challenge. The sheer volume of content requires substantial time for study and revision.
Real-world Application
Many aspirants find it challenging to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, a key aspect of the CISSP exam. Practice and experience are crucial for this.
CISSP Exam Pattern
The CISSP exam is a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) for English exams, while other languages utilize linear, fixed-form tests. The English CAT exam contains 100-150 questions with a time limit of 3 hours, while non-English tests have up to 6 hours to answer 250 questions.
The questions are a mix of multiple-choice and advanced innovative questions, which may involve dragging and dropping answers or selecting areas on an image. The test is adaptive, meaning that the difficulty level of the questions changes based on your previous answers.
CISSP Exam Preparation Tips
Identify Weak Areas
It’s important to be aware of your weaknesses and strengths. This awareness can help you focus on areas where you need more improvement. Regular practice tests can help you identify these areas.
Maintain Physical Health and Sleep Habits
A healthy body aids a healthy mind. Regular physical activity and adequate sleep help maintain mental clarity, reduce stress, and improve learning and memory – all vital for successful exam preparation.
Don’t Cram
The CISSP exam tests understanding and application of knowledge, not memorization. Trying to cram information is not only inefficient but can also lead to burnout.
Download CISSP Exam Notes and Syllabus
You can download the official CISSP Exam Outline from the (ISC)² website. This document provides detailed information on what to expect from the exam, including a breakdown of the domains and their weightages.
In addition to this, there are various online platforms and forums where you can find study notes shared by other CISSP aspirants or certified professionals. However, when using such resources, ensure that they align with the current version of the CISSP CBK.
In conclusion, preparing for the CISSP exam without coaching is entirely feasible, provided you’re disciplined, organized, and resourceful. By understanding the exam’s nature, creating a solid study plan, using a mix of resources, and maintaining a focus on understanding and applying concepts rather than rote learning, you can confidently aim for success in the CISSP exam.