Boom Totally DIDN'T expect it. Even filled in the survey saying the exam is nothing like the course outline. Was convinced I'd failed so an absolute result to find out I hadn't. Thanks to @Vincent Primiani and the whole community for your help

Hi Everyone! I received the following message from ISC2 three days after writing the CISSP exam, but I haven’t been able to update the platform until now due to urgent family matters. The message read: "Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that you have passed the Certified Information Systems Security Professional examination. You have successfully completed the first step toward earning your certification and becoming an ISC2 member..." From my experience, I’ve learned that the key to passing is understanding the core concepts and how they apply in real-world cybersecurity scenarios. Practice tests help, but not as much as truly grasping the principles. Thank you.

I’m excited to share that I passed my CISSP exam at 100 questions on August 16th. Here’s exactly what worked for me — I hope it helps you on your journey. Note: 5 Years Work Experience in IT & Cyber Security. Certs I earned prior to studying: CompTIA Security+, Google Cybersecurity Professional, ITIL v4 📺 Video Series Kelly Henderhan – CISSP Cybrary Course (10/10) → A must-watch. Pete Zerger – CISSP Exam Cram 2025 (10/10) → Download the free slides and use them as your notes. Destination Certification – CISSP Mind Map Videos (8/10) → Great overview; they also provide free downloadable notes. 📖 Practice Exams Official Study Guide + Official Practice Tests (9/10) → Use chapter questions, domain quizzes, and full tests. Great coverage, but remember: they test knowledge + a little mindset, so don’t just memorize — focus on understanding and thinking like a CISSP. Quantum Exams (10/10) Non-CAT: Humbled me (scored 55–60%). Quantum CAT (closest to the real exam): My scores were 868.82, 861.38, 854.86, 937.26, 969.74. Strategy: I did a CAT every Saturday, spent the week reviewing weak areas, and repeated this for 5 weeks. 📱 Mobile Apps (On-the-go study) Best when you only have time for short study sessions: LearnZapp (Official CISSP app) → Great for theory and technical knowledge. Destination Certification App → Great for risk-based mindset training. → Used together, they’re a powerful combo (10/10). Also great when I wanted to switch up my study routine. 🧠 Final Phase: The Information Security Manager Mindset Once I covered all domains, I shifted to reinforcing the “Think Like A Cyber Security manager/CISO” Mindset. Helpful resources: Andrew Ramdayal – 50 CISSP Questions (YouTube) Prabh Nair – Think Like a Manager (YouTube) Kelly Handerhan – Why You WILL Pass the CISSP → Combining videos, slides, handwritten notes, flashcards, and practice exams — and constantly switching them up — kept it fun, engaging, and highly effective. 📝 Exam Day Tips

12/3 Another great session with May Brooks coming up stay tuned for the details! May is one of the most respected CISSP instructors worldwide. She’s a ISC2 Board Member, co-author of the Official CISSP Study Guide, TEDx speaker, bestselling author (Scams, Hacking, and Cybersecurity), and a recognized leader in the global infosec community. Here’s what this means for you: 📚 Saturday Study Group Takeover - This is a chance to learn directly from one of the best and show her what Study Group is all about. 💡 CPE Credit – You can self-submit for 2 CPE credits for attending any Study Group session. 🎤 Pop-In Q&A – Keep joining Study Groups, because you never know when May might drop in for a quick Q&A. 🤝 Exciting Collaboration – This is just the beginning. May is supporting our community as the go-to place for those just starting, self-studying, or looking for a group to prepare for the CISSP with peers. Let’s pack Study Group and bring our best energy to show May the strength of our community. Show May your appreciation in the comments!

Big news! ​I'm thrilled to share that I've passed the CISSP exam on my first attempt, finishing at the 100-question mark. ​This was an intense but rewarding challenge, and my success was powered by a fantastic study stack. A huge thank you to the creators of: ​*Sybex Official Guide: The Audible version was a game-changer for constant learning. ​*Destination Certification: Their mind maps and app were crucial for visualizing and practicing concepts. ​*Cissp.app: An essential tool for drilling questions. ​*Pete Zerger's exam prep: For providing that critical strategic insight. ​Leveraging AI tools like Gemini and ChatGPT for dynamic Q&A sessions was also invaluable. ​Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who shares their knowledge and experiences so openly. I am eager to pay it forward and contribute to the community.