Launch of CISSP Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)

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(ISC) ² has introduced Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) for all English CISSP exams worldwide beginning 19th Dec 2017.

Important Points:

1.The exam outline remains the same. You do not need to change any reading or study material.
2. The exam time has been halved. The exam is now 3 hours long and not 6 hours.
3. No of questions have been reduced to 125 from 250. [ 25 questions are for research purposes. They will not be explicitly marked. ]
4. The CAT is only for English CISSP takers. No change in other languages.
5. The exam cost (699 USD) and the retake policy remains the same.

How will it work?

Each candidate taking the CISSP exam will start with a question that is well below the passing standard. Based on your response, the scoring algorithm will present you with a more difficult question if you answered the previous question correctly or an easy questions if you answered the previous question incorrectly. The computer will try to judge your ability and knowledge based on your responses and thus present a more precise and clear picture to the ISC2.

What it means for you?
  • Candidates may focus on the previous question's response basis whether the next question is difficult or easy.This can lead to loss of focus during the exam.
  • Easy or Difficult? – Let me assure you that if you know your stuff and your concepts, there’s no stopping you irrespective of any format.
  • There will be NO option to flag, review or revisit any questions. It will be a do or die situation for you. Answer it and move on.
  • The pass percentage will not change. You need a score of 700 out of 1000 to pass the exam.
  • You will be able to take tea breaks, as usual, however, the timer will not stop for the break.
  • It will be really important for you to take an early lead in the exam. Since the test is adaptive, if you answer the first few questions incorrectly, it will become really difficult to score above 700.
  • The test time has been halved which will really help the candidate. 6 hours is an extremely long and toll-taking exam time which affects the brain and thinking capability.
  • The exam results will be declared immediately after the exam. No waiting!!!

In case you have given the CISSP exam in the new format, it would be great if you could share your experience in the comments section below.
For more updates and FAQs you may refer: https://www.isc2.org/certifications/CISSP/CISSP-CAT

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