> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.h4ck3rz.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.h4ck3rz.com/certification-tips/how-i-passed-the-cissp-exam-using-completely-free-resources.md). # How I Passed the CISSP Exam Using Completely Free Resources ### Summary In this article, I will share the resources I used to pass the [CISSP](https://www.isc2.org/certifications/cissp) (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) exam from ISC2. Before you read any further, please know that each person is different and will need to use the resources that work best for them. If you already have experience and certifications, you may already be off to a great start for the exam. Before I even considered the CISSP, I already had four years of experience working in cybersecurity-focused roles, a cybersecurity focused college degree, and multiple cybersecurity certifications including ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity, CompTIA Security+, and various vendor-specific certifications. ### My Methodology #### Schedule the Exam Before I even began studying, I scheduled the exam — three months in advance. I highly recommend scheduling your exam before you start studying because this forces you to actually set aside time to study. And if you do study but don't quite feel prepared for the exam, you can always reschedule it! At the time of writing this, ISC2 allowed exam-takers to reschedule up to 24 hours before the exam. Before you schedule the exam, you should check the terms and policies from ISC2 to ensure you can reschedule it. #### Study, Study, Study You've probably heard that the CISSP exam is "a mile wide and an inch deep." While that makes it sound like you just need to know a lot of basic concepts, that's not entirely true. There are definitely technical questions on the exam, and if you don't prepare accordingly, you can easily fail. Coming from a largely technical background, I was actually surprised at the number of technical questions on my exam. What should you study? I used completely free resources. Scroll down to the [#study-resources](#study-resources "mention") section below for more details. #### Prepare for Exam Day On exam day, it doesn't really help to stuff your brain full of YouTube videos or practice questions. The exam can take up to three hours, so you really need to eat a good meal, be well-rested, and have a clear mind. Here's what I recommend doing on exam day: 1. Prepare your two forms of identification (see [ISC2's official guidance](https://www.isc2.org/exams/exam-day)). 2. Plan to arrive at least 30-45 minutes early for the exam to prepare for the unexpected. 3. Check out the testing facility on Google Maps and check any special instructions. 4. Don't study too much, I suggest only reviewing concepts you struggled with the most. 5. Eat a meal you know will sustain you for three hours and won't make you feel sick. 6. When you arrive at the testing center, use the bathroom before entering. Once you check-in, you have to complete the process again if you leave. As well, once the exam starts, the clock doesn't stop. 7. At the testing center, if they offer you earplugs, take them (even if you don't use them). The person a couple desks from me asked the proctor for assistance multiple times, which was actually very distracting in what was otherwise a very quiet room. 8. When the proctor starts the exam, you MUST agree to the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) within a couple minutes. If you fail to do so, your exam is forfeited and you will NOT be refunded. It is imperative that you agree to the NDA. ### Study Resources For the CISSP exam, I used entirely free resources to study. However, if I had to do it again, I would definitely pay for [Quantum Exams](https://quantumexams.com/). The Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) from Quantum Exams are the closest thing to the CISSP exam and actually adapts as you go along, just like the real thing! Here are the other resources I used for free to study for the CISSP: #### Primary learning * **ISC2 Code of Ethics**: It is imperative that you know and understand the [ISC2 Code of Ethics](https://www.isc2.org/ethics). Not only will you be required to agree to them to become a ISC2 member, but it is entirely possible for a question on the exam to reference them. * **CISSP Exam Cram 2026**: I used the free [CISSP Exam Cram 2026 YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7XJSuT7Dq_XPK_qmYMqfiBjbtHJRWigD) playlist by Pete Zerger as a primary study resource, writing down key topics I had no knowledge on. * **DestCert MindMaps:** Use the free [DestCert MindMaps YouTube videos](https://destcert.com/cissp-mindmaps/) for process-heavy topics, including SDLC and TCSEC. * **Stank Industries Practice Questions**: Join the free [Certification Station Discord](https://discord.gg/certstation) to review over 60 free CISSP style questions. Be aware that these questions are frequently harder than the questions on the actual exam. You can also ask questions and get detailed answers from others who are studying for already passed the CISSP exam. * **DON'T PANIC book**: If you want more Stank Industries questions, there is also a complete book called [DON'T PANIC: A Security Practitioner's Guide to Passing the CISSP®](https://a.co/d/02Xi3JzU) by James Mann which does cost $35 on Amazon. Personally, I did not purchase the book because I learned about it the day before my exam. However, I would definitely use it if I needed to take the CISSP exam again. * **LinkedIn Learning**: If you want an additional perspective, Mike Chapple (one of the author's of the ISC2 CISSP Official Study Guide) has a [21-hour LinkedIn Learning course](https://www.linkedin.com/learning/isc2-certified-information-systems-security-professional-cissp-2024-cert-prep). While not technically free, you can usually get a free trial for LinkedIn Learning. * **ISC2 CISSP Official Study Guide**: Because it has over 1,000 pages of content, I would recommend this mostly be used to review weak topics. However, others have reported great success with the [ISC2 CISSP Official Study Guide](https://a.co/d/0aIRCjNz). #### Practice questions * **Stank Industries Practice Questions**: Join the free [Certification Station Discord](https://discord.gg/certstation) to review over 60 free CISSP style questions. Be aware that these questions are frequently harder than the questions on the actual exam. You can also ask questions and get detailed answers from others who are studying for already passed the CISSP exam. * **DON'T PANIC book**: If you want more Stank Industries questions, there is also a complete book called [DON'T PANIC: A Security Practitioner's Guide to Passing the CISSP®](https://a.co/d/02Xi3JzU) by James Mann which currently costs $35 on Amazon. * **CISSP Practice Quiz**: Pete Zerger's created this [CISSP Practice Quiz](https://insidethemicrosoftcloud.com/cissp-practice-quiz/) on his Inside Cloud and Security website. * **CISSP Knowledge Check**: I suggest this only because it is free and available. It is by no means a good indicator of your readiness to take the exam. That said, ISC2 has this [CISSP Knowledge Check](https://cloud.connect.isc2.org/cissp-quiz) on their website with only 10 questions. At least it's free! #### Memorization * **DestCert Mobile App:** While DestCert has a reputation for using AI to create their question and answers, the [DestCert mobile app](https://destcert.com/destcert-app/) is actually a good resource you can use for free to memorize key terms and definitions. * **AI (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.)**: While you can use AI to create practice questions, the answers are usually obvious and don't come close to the real exam. As well, they are oftentimes completely wrong. However, as you're preparing for the exam, I highly suggest writing down the subjects you don't understand and utilize AI to guide you through it. For example, if you need help understanding how to calculate Single Loss Expectancy (SLE), ask AI. ### Other Tips * Read each question carefully. There are a maximum of 150 questions and you have 180 minutes total. You can only spend about one minute on each question, so follow the advice from Pete Zerger's free [CISSP Exam Cram 2026 YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7XJSuT7Dq_XPK_qmYMqfiBjbtHJRWigD) playlist. I used his strategies countless times during the exam. * If you need help studying, join the free [Certification Station Discord](https://discord.gg/certstation) and hop on the CISSP channel. There are numerous people willing to offer their advice to those seeking it! --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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