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So I am going to break down these tips into three basic sections
1. Approach to the exam
2. Resources
3. Strategy for preparing
Approach to the exam:
I won't rant about the things which you all know about the exam, pre-requisites, process to register and certify etc as you already have known about it through many sources. And if you don’t then these all are publicly available information on the ISC2 website.
I sat for the exam in December 2011 and have gained the certification by February 2012. Since then the exam has undergone through quite significant changes. By far the biggest change in this exam is the Computerized Adaptive Testing.
I've been told by several aspirants that the CAT is a marked difference from the erstwhile testing methodology. It takes probably quite less than half the time, it even takes on the basic paper and pen or pencil based test. I recently took the CCSP exam and I can vouch for this from the personal experience, which I had.
In my view, if you book for the exam and schedule the date, you are much more likely to focus continuously and determined in your study plan. I'm sure that each and every CISSP certification you are going to meet would say this and I'll say this at the risk of sounding redundant - It is very important to think that the ISC2 way to be successful in the test. I won't say that leave all your professional experience outside the testing room; however, do take them inside with a pinch of salt. This is my way of preparation, which might not be always helping you to score a correct answer on the test.
Resources
In my opinion, this is probably the most critical part, the selection of which may lead you to success in the exam or put you away. Offline resources are going to include textbooks, practice questions, and answers database, flashcards, review sessions, boot camps, etc.
Online resources include e-books, simulated Q&A database, webinars, LinkedIn and other Cyber Security forums etc.
Strategy for preparing :
It cannot be stressed enough that the CISSP is a tremendously competitive exam and dynamics are changing quite habitually. Consequently, the strategy for preparing must keep the dynamics in mind.
Use flash cards for memory games etc., especially when you are going to study in a group. Try and listen to the audio seminar available online.
I personally found video seminars that are provided by Shon Harris a bit monotonous so I stayed away from them, but still, I have used the All in One CISSP as my primary source of a reference book. Take practice tests as much possible as you can.
So just try to demarcate time for using social media and stick to the schedule. If required, take help from friends and family so that you could steer yourself to stick to the schedule. The Internet in general and social media, in particular, is considered to be quite highly distractive.
Whilst it is important to find a way to stay focused during preparation, it is equally important to get yourself involved with friends and family after your study hours. The night before your exam, you need to ensure that you should have sufficient sleep. You would also need to stay hydrated. Bring a snack bar or fruit and water bottle to the testing center and keep it in the locker. You may need it, especially when you are going to a higher stress level.
Also, to ensure your success, you should join some good training centers, like the SPOTO club Services, so that you could gain the CISSP certification, that too with passing guarantee.
