Monday, August 4, 2014

CISSP

Last Thursday I decided to take the plunge and take the CISSP exam.  I'd been contemplating it for a while, and finally decided to do it. 

The test is 250 questions, of which 225 are scored.  You must get 175 correct to pass and you're given 6 hours to complete the test.

I felt like I had thrown myself into a dryer.  The first few questions completely floored me.  I stuck to my strategy of making sure I answered every question first, then went back and re-read everything.  And a 3rd time. 

By then, three hours had elapsed.  I decided to take my first (and turned out to be only) break of the morning.  I had a list of about 20 questions that I wasn't really sure about.  Some of them I struggled with.  Others I read again and it became painfully obvious which was the correct answer.

At the four hour mark, I was getting mentally tired, had gone over the test 4 times, and changed my answers so many times that I was violating every test taking strategy out there.  I'd decided I had enough and hit submit.

Of course, the computer wouldn't tell me how I did, but to just go see the test coordinator in the room.  She escorted me out and went to get my results.

The first words floored me:  "Congratulations!  We are pleased to inform you that you have passed"

I couldn't celebrate.  I couldn't even think.  I was mentally exhausted.

I rewarded myself with a good pizza dinner and a movie.  The real reward will come in a few weeks when I get my official paperwork.

 

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