CISSP Certification Training Classes

CISSP Exam Prep Training Syllabus

Our curriculum is based on the PMBOK Guide 6th edition and uses a problem-based and collaborative approach to learning. We emphasize more equality and connection between the instructor and learner. We blend these approaches with simple memorization techniques in order to keep the vast amount of information organized and memorable. The entire design of the course is focused on ensuring your readiness to pass the CISSP Certification Exam.

The CISSP certification exam has 200 multiple choice questions. The questions are randomly presented from a possible pool of over 10,000. In order to be successful, you will need to do more than simply memorize terms. The questions focus on the learning domains identified in Bloom’s Taxonomy and test your ability to remember, comprehend, apply critical thinking and analyze how different components relate to one another.

Remembering involves recognizing or remembering facts, terms, basic concepts, or answers.

Comprehending involves demonstrating an understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, interpreting, giving descriptions, and stating the main ideas.

Applying involves using acquired knowledge—solving problems in new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques, and rules.

Analyzing involves examining and breaking information into component parts, determining how the parts relate to one another, identifying motives or causes, making inferences, and finding evidence to support generalizations.

The exam tests your understanding of the 5 process groups which are:

• Initiating
• Planning
• Executing
• Monitoring and Controlling
• Closing

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Recall key inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs for each Project Management Body of Knowledge process
• Recall key project management formulas (earned value technique, forecasting, procurement, and communications lines)
• Create and interpret a schedule network diagram
• Articulate the fundamental principles of the PMBOK knowledge areas
• Navigate scenario based questions, and given a list of alternatives, determine the appropriate input, tool, and technique, or output that applicable in the situation
• Determine and apply the appropriate project management formula in situational based scenarios.
• Choose the best answer based on an understanding of the PMBOK knowledge areas and code of conduct.

Here is more information relating to what you will learn in the CISSP Training Class:

Day 1 includes introductions, an overview of the process for the test, Professional and Social Responsibility as defined by the PMI Code of Conduct, Project Framework, the 49 processes, and Project Selection and Project Integration Management. There is homework required at the end of day one.

Day 2 will cover Project Stakeholder Management followed by Project Scope Management and Project Time Management. Project Cost Management begins on day two but does not include covering Earned Value Management. There is homework required at the end of day two.

Day 3 covers Earned Value Management and Project Quality Management, Project Human Resources Management, and Project Communications Management. The first two process steps of Project Risk Management may also be covered.

Day 4 covers the remaining Project Risk Management processes and Project Procurement Management. After a lunch break, we administer a final 2-hour, 100 question practice test. The final test score, as well as the 13 section scores, are used to conduct a final Stoplight Assessment with each student. This assessment reviews in class performance and provides an honest feedback about individual readiness to take the real exam. The Project Roadmap, provided to each student in a Pre-Class Advance Reading document gives each student a guide of what their next steps should be based on the Stoplight Assessment.

CISSP Certification Frequently Asked Questions

• How can do I apply to sit for the exam?
  • Candidates must complete an online application with the Project Management Institute (PMI). The application asks you to detail some of your work history and education. Once started, you have 90 days to complete it. It has an auto-save function so you can come back to it if you take a break from working on it. Once submitted, an employee of the Project Management Institute will review it.
  • Typically, it takes about 3-5 five business days to review your application. Once approved, you will receive an e-mail from PMI. In the email will be an eligibility code. You will need this code to pay for and schedule the second part of the CISSP certification process: the exam.
• How do I schedule a time to sit for the exam?
  • Once you are eligible to take the exam, the scheduling instructions received from PMI will instruct you to contact Pearson VUE, to select a date and location for taking the exam. The CISSP exam is a computer-based exam and may be scheduled by applicants at any time available at any of the testing sites.
  • Scheduling the Exam
    • Once you have been approved by PMI and paid to the CISSP certification exam fee, you can schedule your exam with Pearson VUE. You will have one year from the time your application is approved to take the exam. You may take the exam up to 3 times during this eligibility period. You can find a complete list of testing locations on the Pearson VUE PMI page.
  • Take the CISSP Exam
    • The CISSP Exam is taken at your nearest Pearson VUE test center and is 200 questions with a 4 hour time limit. The questions are broken down into 5 process groups; Initiation (13%), Planning (24%), Executing (30%), Monitoring and Controlling (25%), Closing (8%). Because of the computer based exam, you will receive your score immediately.

• How much does it cost to sit for the CISSP exam?
  • The exam costs $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. The annual fee for PMI membership is $139, so you save a few dollars if you become a member and then schedule your exam.

• What if I have to cancel my test date after scheduling the exam?
  • You may reschedule or cancel your exam if done at least two full days prior to your exam date. However, canceling or rescheduling the exam within 30 days of a scheduled exam date will incur a rescheduling fee of $70. Be sure to confirm the cancellation/rescheduling guidelines with Pearson VUE when scheduling the exam.

• How is the CISSP exam administered?
  • The CISSP exam is a psycho-metrically based, computer exam of 200 multiple choice questions. The exam is offered by an independent testing company, Pearson VUE, and each exam question has one correct answer. You have four hours to complete the exam. Many test-takers finish the exam with little time to spare. Each question has a level of difficulty assigned to it by PMI. The “mix” of difficult and easy questions determines how many questions you need to answer correctly. At the end of the four hours, your exam will be graded immediately and you will receive your results.
  • The scores are the following:
    • Below Proficient
    • Moderately Proficient
    • Proficient
  • It is possible to receive a below proficient score in one area and still pass. However, you will need to offset that below proficient score with higher scores in all other areas.
  • **UPDATED** PMI recently released an Online Proctored Exam to help keep everyone on track to reach their goals. For. More information, please click here

• How many hours of study time are necessary to pass the exam?
  • The exact amount of time varies depending on individual learning styles and comfort level. Generally, students should expect to spend around 20-40 hours studying in addition to the time spent in the CISSP Certification Exam Prep Boot Camp class.
  • A successful study plan would be the following:
    • Begin to Read the PMBOK® Guide
    • Read the Pre-Class Advance Reading Guide we provide when you register
    • Attend our CISSP Certification Boot Camp Class
    • Use our exam simulator to take a practice exams
    • If you consistently score above 80% on our practice exams, or when your instructor gives you the Green Light, you are ready to take the exam

• What study materials are needed to prepare for the exam?
  • We provide complete course materials to our CISSP Certification Preparation students. Besides hundreds of pages of useful information, study aids, and references, students in our classes also receive a 90-day subscription to our online simulation of the CISSP exam with over 500 practice test questions.
  • It is estimated that approximately 70% of exam questions come directly from the PMBOK® Guide.  Students are encouraged to purchase the current edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge®, available at the PMI Bookstore or other retailers. PMI Members have access to a free e-copy of the PMBOK® Guide online that may be downloaded.
  • All the questions on the examination have been written and extensively reviewed by qualified CISSP credential holders and tracked to at least two academic references. These questions are mapped against the CISSP Examination Content Outline to ensure that an appropriate number of questions are in place for a valid examination.
  • Sample exam questions and suggested reading are also available on the (ISC)2 website.