When it comes to your CISSP exam, you may assume the more time you have to prepare, the better. But in some cases, a shorter prep period can actually promote higher success rates. That’s because accelerated exam prep can help keep you motivated and avoid procrastination.
Here are five reasons why you should consider taking your CISSP sooner than later.
1. You’ll Stay Motivated
Prolonging your exam prep means more time juggling your studies with work and personal commitments. The sooner you complete your exam, the less worrying about balancing your time so you can stay focused and motivated on exam success.
2. You’ll Experience the Benefits Sooner
Once you pass your exam, you’ll start accessing these key benefits and more:
Higher Salaries
The average CISSP-certified cybersecurity professional earns $119,577 a year, according to recent research.
More Job Opportunities
Earning the CISSP is a pathway to advanced cybersecurity roles. Organizations actively recruit cyber practitioners with vendor-neutral certifications. In fact, CISSP is the No. 1 security credential required by employers on LinkedIn. Javvad Malik, Security Awareness Advocate at KnowBe4, says CISSP certification “opened many doors” for him in landing job interviews.
Stand Out from the Crowd
Required by the world’s most security-conscious organizations, CISSP is the gold-standard information security certification. It demonstrates you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.
CISSP certification is a product of years of development and research. It was the first information security credential to meet the strict conditions of the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 standard. It also meets the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) 8570 IAM Level II/III, IAT Level III and IASAE Level I/II and serves as a prerequisite to the CISSP-ISSAP and CISSP-ISSEP concentrations, the only accredited DoD 8570 IASAE Level III certifications.
Professional Respect
Many CISSP holders find they receive more praise, admiration and respect within the cyber field, as Jerome Leach, a Cyber Officer at the U.S. Coast Guard, says he did upon passing the exam. In a field as competitive as cybersecurity, this respect goes a long way toward boosting your self-confidence and career success.
3. You’re Less Likely to Procrastinate
When your exam is right around the corner, procrastination isn’t an option. Scheduling your exam sooner creates a sense of urgency that motivates you to focus on your studies. It also helps you to prioritize exam prep over lower priority tasks, helps you build momentum and holds you accountable.
4. You’re More Likely to Retain Information
You’re much more likely to remember information you learned in the past few weeks than what you learned a year ago. What’s more, the urgency of an upcoming exam can enhance your memory and level of focus.
5. You’ll Feel Healthier
While short-term stress helps us effectively deal with challenges or opportunities, long-term or chronic stress can seriously impact your health. By keeping your study period short, your stress stays short-term, too.
Preparing for Your CISSP Exam
The first step to prepare for CISSP certification is to register for your exam. Remember, don’t set your exam date too far in the future or you’ll miss out on the benefits detailed in this article.
Next, sign up for CISSP training. Whether you opt for our adaptive Official ISC2 Online Self-Paced Training or Official ISC2 Online Bootcamp, you’ll get the structure and flexibility needed for exam success.
Also consider taking advantage of our CISSP study tools and resources. They will help you reinforce your knowledge and commit your learning to memory. Study tools include:
Take the time to familiarize yourself with the CISSP Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format. Be sure you understand how the exam is structured so you know what to expect on exam day. Use the outline below.
Shortening your CISSP journey will speed your success. Take your CISSP exam as early as possible to stay motivated, look after your health and enjoy the benefits of CISSP certification sooner.