The Ideal CISSP Candidate

The ideal CISSP candidate is likely to have a 4-year college education and have at least 57 years experience in one or more of the 10 CISSP domains. The most applicable degree is in computer science or perhaps a related field. A degree is not a prerequisite for taking the test. However, the 4 years of experience is a prerequisite. Don't be lulled into thinking that this is an easy test. Some words of caution might be in order:

• The CISSP exam requires the candidate to absorb a substantial amount of material. The test is 6 hours long and consists of 225 graded questions. Unlike Microsoft exams and most other IT vendor exams, it is not a computer-generated test.
• The pass mark is set high, at 700 points. The individual questions are weighted, which means that harder questions are worth more than easier ones.
• Most of the individuals attempting the exam are familiar with one to three of the domains. This means that studying for the exam can be overwhelming because there is so much material to cover. This book can help by guiding you to the areas in which you are weak or strong.
• To be eligible for the CISSP exam, students are required to have 4 years of experience, or 3 years of experience and a college degree.