We all know that nervous feeling we get when we’re about to take a test. It’s normal to feel some anxiety. And a little stress can actually help you focus and do better. But don’t let it stop you from registering and sitting for your CISSP exam.
CISSP certification is a smart investment in your future. It’s the most-requested security certification by employers on LinkedIn because they know the expertise it represents. When you’re CISSP-certified, the future is bright. As cybersecurity’s premier credential, it consistently ranks among the top-earning certifications.
Another reason to sit for the exam now: On April 15, 2024, the CISSP domains will be refreshed as part of our rigorous process to ensure relevancy. Save your spot to test on the content in the current domains.
In the meantime, here are 10 top stress-busting study tips and tricks recommended by exam prep experts and certified CISSPs:
- Create a study schedule. Block out 15 minutes a day and a couple of hours over the weekend. Try to avoid studying more than five hours in one weekend because crammed knowledge could be difficult to retain.
- Review the exam outline. Get to know the topics you’ll be tested on with this free resource. Then consider registering for structured exam prep. ISC2 offers flexible CISSP training options, including Adaptive Online Self-Paced, Online Instructor-Led and Classroom-Based options.
- Supplement your learning and reinforce concepts with CISSP self-study tools. Don’t rely solely on one study tool or textbook. You’ll walk away with a more comprehensive understanding of the domains using multiple resources.
- Look, listen and learn. Multimodal learning by seeing, hearing and taking notes helps cement learning.
- Use text-to-speech apps as you read along. They’ve been shown to not only make it easier to retain information but also increase confidence and motivation.
- Handwrite flash cards. The act of writing rather than typing notes is proven to help retain information.
- Use visual aids. Charts, graphs and mind maps will help you organize information and create visual associations between concepts for better recall.
- Connect with CISSP candidates online. Reach out to professionals in the virtual ISC2 Community and join ISC2 online study groups.
- Meet up with CISSP candidates in person. Attend a meeting at your ISC2 Chapter and form or join a local study group that gets together on a regular basis.
- Seek help when needed. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re struggling with certain topics. Reach out to your instructor to clarify doubts and gain a deeper understanding of challenging concepts.
Commit to your future. Don’t wait another day. Get your CISSP exam on the calendar now.
