How Hard is CISSP? Overcoming the Challenge!

How Hard is CISSP?

CISSP CBK (Common Body of Knowledge) ensures that only highly competent candidates clear the CISSP exam. It is considered a hard exam to crack due to the wide range of syllabus. CISSP CBK was designed to check the candidates' overall knowledge and expertise. It is a time-bound test; candidates need to complete the exam within a fixed timeframe, which many candidates find hard to achieve. It checks the efficiency of candidates' troubleshooting ability for the highly demanding, time-oriented cyber security world. By regular practice, completing the exam within the fixed time frame is an achievable task, but without practice, it is a hard nut to crack. The difficulty level of the CISSP exam varies from person to person. If someone has a strong command of all the cybersecurity dimensions and also possesses applied knowledge of cybersecurity concepts, it is not a challenging task to achieve.

Overview of the CISSP Exam

CISSP is an eligibility test designed to check the expertise of cybersecurity experts. After passing the exam, the CISSP certificate reflects the candidate's skills in the cyber industry. The CISSP exam is designed to thoroughly evaluate candidates' skills through multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and advanced innovative questions based on predefined dimensions by the CBK. It encompasses all eight significant cybersecurity domains, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of knowledge and expertise.

• Asset security
• Security and risk management
• Security architecture and engineering
• Communication and network security
• IAM (Identity and Access Management)
• Security operations
• Security assessment and testing
• Software development security

It is required from the candidate to have theoretical and applied knowledge of all the above domains. Another factor that makes CISSP a difficult exam is its dynamic nature; you cannot predict the question pattern of the exam. It is an MCQ (multiple-choice questions) based on a question pattern. MCQs test your deep knowledge not only by asking you to choose one correct answer but also by asking you to choose all the correct answers. Through this method of questioning, they ensure that candidates have an overall complete knowledge of the subject. All these factors make CISSP a challenging exam, but passing this exam is a highly achievable task with the right approach, guidance, and hard work.

What makes the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Exam Difficult?

Obtaining the CISSP certificate successfully not only showcases the candidate's skills and knowledge of the cybersecurity world but also demonstrates the candidate's ability to use that knowledge in the field. It is an exam to check that candidates know how to apply that conceptual knowledge in the field.

These are the factors that make the CISSP exam difficult:

• Wide range of topics - CISSP exam covers all possible dimensions of cybersecurity and requires detailed knowledge of those dimensions.

• Conceptual clarity—The CISSP is not a factual exam that anyone can pass by making up the facts. On the contrary, it is a fact-based exam that requires conceptual clarity and the application of knowledge of those concepts.

• Dynamic nature - Cybersecurity is a dynamic field, so the CISSP exam also requires updated knowledge of the cybersecurity domain.

• Pattern of the Exam—It is a time-bound MCQ-based exam. Only through regular practice of MCQs can one attempt the whole paper within the given timeframe. The MCQ pattern made this exam more difficult. There are multiple correct answers; candidates need to choose the most appropriate answer according to the question's demand. This pattern makes it extra complicated and confusing for the candidates.

• Difficulty Levels - Patterns show that the difficulty level of questions in the CISSP exam increases yearly.

• Ethical understanding—The CISSP exam checks whether a candidate adheres to the (ISC)² Code of Ethics. Understanding the code of ethics increases the difficulty level of the exam.

Tips to Pass the CISSP Exam

CISSP is undoubtedly a difficult exam, but it is not impossible to crack. Every year, cybersecurity professionals pass this exam, which shows that with the right approach, it is possible to pass.

These are a few tips to pass the CISSP exam:

Build a Strong Foundation

Follow the domain provided by the CBK because CBK (Common Body of Knowledge) serves as a foundation of this exam. Try to understand the basic principles of each dimension of every topic under the eight major domains provided by the CBK. Through this process, firstly, build a strong foundation and a clear understanding of each dimension.

Comprehensive Reading

After understanding the basics of each Domain. Try to understand the core topics and eight major dimensions by extensive reading, and get the help of experts to understand the complex topics. Candidates should pick a topic and try to understand all dimensions of that topic in a detailed manner. It will be beneficial. By this method of reading in exams, candidates will be able to solve the questions asked in depth.

Use Multiple Sources

After comprehensive reading, complement your preparation with additional information because the CISSP is not an exam one can clear by reading a single book. Candidates must combine online and offline study materials and books to holistically understand the subject.

Conceptual Clarity

During this process, keep in mind that candidates must have conceptual clarity to crack CISSP. For conceptual clarity, candidates can take the digital marketing course by Simplilearn.

Gain Experience

The CISSP exam has some situation-based questions that can only be solved if you have experience solving these kinds of situations. To perform well, try to gain maximum practical experience in the cybersecurity field.

Analyze the Question Pattern

Try to understand the pattern and level of the questions by thoroughly analyzing the previously asked questions.

MCQ Practice

Try to attempt maximum mock tests to gain command of solving multiple-choice questions. Practice is a key, so make it a prominent part of CISSP preparation. It is necessary to pass the CISSP exam MCQs.Try to practice MCQs in a defined timeframe. It will help you solve the MCQs within the given timeframe in the exam.

Identify the weak areas - By MCQs practice and after analyzing the three questions, you have answered incorrectly. You can understand the weak areas. After identifying weak areas, work on them by multiple revisions of study material, taking expert advice, and reattempting the weak areas' MCQs to analyze the progress.

Conclusion 

CISSP can undoubtedly be challenging, but the rewards are substantial. The breadth and depth of knowledge required for the exam encompass a wide range of cybersecurity topics, demanding a significant investment of time and effort. However, with dedicated study, practical experience, and the right preparation strategies, and a CISSP®- Certified Information Systems Security Professional Certification Training Course, achieving CISSP certification is attainable. The rigorous process not only validates your expertise but also opens doors to advanced career opportunities and professional growth in the field of information security. Ultimately, while CISSP is hard, the commitment to mastering it underscores your dedication to protecting and securing the digital world, marking you as a leader in the cybersecurity landscape.

FAQs

1. What is the CISSP pass rate?

No official data is available from the authority of CISSP pass rates; the authorities do not publicly disclose it. CISSP pass rates also vary from year to year; there are some fluctuations in the pass rates because of changes in the question pattern and difficulty level of questions in that respective exam. However, after analyzing the pattern over the years, it can be assumed that the pass rate of the CISSP exam is 60% to 70%.

2. Is CISSP harder than security+?

There is a difference in the worth of both exams. The CISSP certificate demonstrates higher skills, whereas Security+ is considered an entry-level exam. For the CISSP, experience is compulsory, which is not the case for Security+. Apart from that, there is a vast difference between the complexity and difficulty level of the questions asked in both exams. The CISSP asks more complex and deeper questions compared to Security+. That's why the CISSP is considered more complicated than Security+.

3. Is CISSP still worth it?

The CISSP certificate holds global recognition, which opens doors to many golden opportunities after passing the CISSP exam. The CISSP exam sharpens candidates' skills and benefits them in the future. The CISSP certificate also plays a crucial role in professional advancement. Efforts during the CISSP preparation resulted in a better salary, better job opportunities, and better placement after obtaining the certificate. Because of all these reasons, the CISSP is still worth it.