Chapter 12

Ten Test-Day Tips

Well, your big day has finally arrived. After months of study and mind-numbing stress, you cram all night before the exam, skip breakfast because you’re running late, and then forget everything you know because you have a splitting headache for the next three hours (six hours if you’re taking the non-English, form-based exam) while sitting for your exam! That isn’t exactly a recipe for success — but the following ten test day tips can definitely get you on the right track.

Get a Good Night’s Rest

The night before the exam isn’t the time to do any last-minute cramming. Studies have proven that a good night’s rest is essential to doing well on an exam. Have a nice dinner (we recommend going for some carbohydrates and avoiding anything spicy), and then get to bed early. Save the all-night party for the day after the exam.

Dress Comfortably

You should dress in attire that’s comfortable — remember, this is a three-hour exam. It’s also a good idea to dress in layers — the exam room could be warmer or cooler than you’re used to.

Consider wearing loafers or other shoes that you can easily slip off (but please be considerate of others and wear clean socks!)

Eat a Good Meal

Try to get something down before sitting for the CISSP exam. Three hours can feel like an eternity on an empty stomach.

Arrive Early

Absolutely, under no circumstances, do you want to arrive late for this exam. Make sure that you know where the testing center is located, what the traffic is like at that time of the day, and where you can park. You may even want to do a dry run before the test day to be sure you know what delays you might encounter (particularly if you’re not familiar with the area where the exam is being administered).

Bring a Photo ID

The testing center will verify your identity when you arrive for your exam. You need to bring your driver’s license, government-issued ID, or passport — these are the only forms of ID that are accepted — and the name on your ID must exactly match the name you used to register for your exam.

Bring Snacks and Drinks

Check with your testing center (http://pearsonvue.com/isc2/) regarding their rules about consuming snacks and drinks in the testing area. If they are permitted, bring a small bag that holds enough food and drink to get you through the exam. A big bottle of water is essential. Also, consider bringing a soda and some snacks, a sandwich, energy bars — whatever you like to snack on that replenishes and renews you without making you too thirsty.

Bring Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications

Again, check with your testing center and notify the test administrator if you’re taking any prescription medication that must be taken during the exam. Nothing can ruin your chances of succeeding on the CISSP exam like a medical emergency! Also, if you’re taking any over-the-counter meds, such as acetaminophen, nasal spray, or antacids to eliminate any annoying inconveniences such as headaches, heartburn, or a gastrointestinal malady, be sure to take them before you start the exam. A box of tissues might also be appropriate — if you have a cold or you feel like crying when you see the exam!

Leave Your Mobile Devices Behind

This is the one day that your office and family members will have to do without you. Turn off your mobile phone and anything else that goes beep or buzz. Even better, leave it locked and hidden in your car or at home. Most test centers have lockers that you can use to store personal belongings, but you should confirm this is the case before your exam. You don’t want to rush through your exam worried that your mobile phone has left you for a new owner.

Take Frequent Breaks

Three hours is a long time. Be sure to get up and walk around during the exam, if permitted. If not, at least stretch your legs, curl your toes, crack your knuckles, rest your eyes (but don’t fall asleep!), and roll your neck — or whatever you need to do (within reason) to keep the blood flowing throughout your body. We recommend taking short, frequent breaks throughout the exam… and then getting back to the task at hand. You might even incorporate breaks into your test-taking strategy. For example, answer 30 or 40 questions and then take a short break. At the very least, close your eyes and take a big breath — just don’t fall asleep!

Also, if you find your mind wandering or you have trouble focusing, take a break. Burnout and fatigue can lead to careless mistakes or indifference. If you feel these symptoms coming on, take a break.

But be careful not to overdo your breaks. Stick to frequent but short breaks, and you’ll be fine.

Guess — as a Last Resort

Guessing is a desperate approach to test-taking, but it can be effective when all else fails. An unanswered question is definitely wrong, so don’t leave any questions unanswered. If you must guess, try to eliminate as many obviously wrong answers as possible. If you can eliminate two possible choices that are definitely wrong, you have a 50/50 chance of getting the answer right.

When all else fails, go with your gut feeling! Research has shown time and again that your first guess is often correct. So unless you find that you misread a question — for example you missed a key word like NOT or ALL in the question — avoid the temptation to change an answer without a compelling reason.