Achieving the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification was a long and challenging journey for me. After an initial false start in 2021, I finally passed the exam in March 2025 on my first attempt, with the exam stopping at 100 questions.
If you’re considering CISSP or currently on your study path, I hope my experience helps you navigate your own journey!
Starting and Stopping: A Lesson in Commitment
I first set my sights on CISSP in 2021 but quickly realized that I wasn’t consistent enough in my preparation. The combination of a demanding job, personal commitments, and a lack of structured discipline led me to put CISSP on hold.
Fast forward to November 2024, I decided it was time to fully commit. This time, I knew I needed a structured plan, a strong routine, and the right mindset.
My Study Plan: Discipline and Consistency
After enrolling in a 5-day CISSP training course, I designed a study plan that worked for my schedule:
📅 Daily Study Routine
- 1.5 hours of study each day (best time for me: 5:30 AM)
- Additional review sessions on weekends
⏳ Total Study Time
- ~3600 minutes (60 hours) of focused, structured study
How I Structured My Study Time
To make the most of my study sessions, I followed a strategic approach:
🔹 Weekdays (1.5 hours per day):
- 30 minutes: Reviewing notes & mind maps
- 30 minutes: Watching video lessons or reading the Official Study Guide
- 30 minutes: Practice questions & analyzing incorrect answers
🔹 Weekends (4-6 hours total):
- Deep dives into weak areas identified through practice questions
- Full-length practice exams every other weekend
- Reviewing and reinforcing key concepts
💡 Best Study Strategy I Used:
- Teaching what I learned – Explaining concepts to myself or others helped solidify my understanding.
- Active recall & spaced repetition – I regularly revisited topics to strengthen retention.
- Practice with scenario-based questions – CISSP is not about memorization; applying concepts is key.
Study Materials That Helped Me Pass CISSP
I used multiple resources, each contributing differently to my learning:
✅ 5-day training course – Gave me a structured plan to start with.
✅ Mike Chapple’s LinkedIn Learning course – Solid foundational explanations.
✅ CISSP Exam Cram Full Course (All 8 Domains) – Pete Zerger – Highly recommended
✅ Destination CISSP book: A Concise Guide – A to-the-point resource.
✅ Destination Certification Mind Maps – Helped with quick reviews.
✅ Official Study Guide – Used for deeper dives into complex topics.
✅ Learnzapp – Excellent for practice questions and reinforcement.
✅ 50 CISSP Practice Questions – Master the CISSP Mindset – Took this twice for mindset training.
✅ Why You Will Pass the CISSP – Kelly Handerhan – Helped with confidence and key concepts.
🔹 No single resource is enough – A mix of materials is key to getting different perspectives on the concepts.
Key Takeaways & Exam Strategy
Throughout my preparation, I picked up important lessons that helped me pass:
🔹 “Think like a manager” – but not always. While CISSP is about security leadership, sometimes the correct answer requires a technical understanding as well.
🔹 Understand the “why, how, and what” behind each concept. Don’t just memorize definitions—know how security principles are applied in real-world scenarios.
🔹 Practice applying knowledge, not just recalling facts. CISSP isn’t a memory test; it challenges your ability to think critically.
🔹 Mindset matters. Approaching the exam with a problem-solving mindset helped me eliminate wrong answers and choose the best option.
Final Thoughts: Advice for CISSP Aspirants
🎯 Discipline is key – A structured routine helps you stay on track.
🎯 Choose your study materials wisely – Don’t overwhelm yourself; focus on resources that help you understand concepts.
🎯 Practice, practice, practice – Take mock tests to develop the right approach for answering questions.
🎯 Stay confident! CISSP is tough, but with the right strategy, you can pass.
If you’re on your CISSP journey, keep pushing forward! Feel free to share your study strategies or ask questions in the comments.
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Thank you / Merci / شكرًا