CISSP Boot Camp and Examination Thoughts

    Well, the CISSP boot camp was one heck of an experience.  For anyone thinking of taking the Boot camp I can't stress enough to make sure you prepare beforehand.  Read at least the Passport or Exam Cram book to get a feel for the material.  the course is good, but if you do not have an understanding of the material prior to entering the boot camp you have a huge mountain to climb.  This is not one of those MCSE Boot Camps where you can go in with a basic understanding and get your paper MCSE.  

    For the test, it is an exhaustive experience.  250 multiple choice questions in a 6 hour period.  I consider myself adept at taking tests.  I believe the last time I failed a test was probably in High School.  So through college and my professional examinations I have gone through unscathed.  Even with the good test taking ability I have the CISSP exam was a trying experience.  I had to leave the room twice because I got physically nervous and anxious during the examination.

    The bulk of the examination is of the choose the best answer variety.  The only problem is that many of the answers fit the situation provided in the questions very well.  Take into account the questions that gave 4 wrong answers and you had to choose the one which was the least wrong and you can understand how difficult it is.  There was a small percentage of questions which could be answered simply from memorization.  Encryption formulas, codes of ethics, etc make up the basic items that you can answer from simple memorization.

    In the class of 20 people, 5 were there to refresh because they had failed the examination once.  That left 75% of the class who were there for the first time.  It will be interesting to see how many of the class have passed the CISSP exam.  

    Talking with some of the others who took the exam, we realized that no one coming out had an indication if they did well.  The questions and answers were so obscure that we will all be waiting the 14 days to get the results to know if we passed.  Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!

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