How Many Questions is the CISSP Exam Made Up Of?
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is one of the most prestigious and highly regarded IT security certifications in the industry. It is offered by (ISC)², a global leader in information security education and certification. The CISSP exam is known for its rigorous content and challenging questions. One common question among aspiring CISSP candidates is: how many questions is the CISSP exam made up of? In this article, we will explore the number of questions on the CISSP exam, along with other important details about the exam format.
The CISSP exam consists of a total of 250 questions. Out of these, 125 questions are scored, while the remaining 125 are unscored. The unscored questions are used to evaluate the difficulty level of the exam and to ensure that future exams are fair and consistent. It is important to note that the unscored questions are not included in the final score calculation.
The scored questions are divided into two types: multiple-choice and advanced innovative questions. The multiple-choice questions are typical of the CISSP exam format and consist of four options, with only one correct answer. These questions test the candidate’s knowledge of the various domains covered in the CISSP curriculum.
The advanced innovative questions are designed to assess the candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. These questions are more complex and may require critical thinking and analysis. While they are worth the same number of points as the multiple-choice questions, they can be more challenging to answer correctly.
The CISSP exam covers eight domains, which are:
1. Security and Risk Management
2. Asset Security
3. Security Architecture and Engineering
4. Communication and Network Security
5. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
6. Security Assessment and Testing
7. Security Operations
8. Software Development Security
Each domain is represented by a certain number of questions on the exam. Candidates are expected to have a deep understanding of each domain to pass the exam.
The time limit for the CISSP exam is six hours. This gives candidates enough time to answer all 250 questions, but it is essential to manage their time effectively to ensure they can complete the exam within the allotted time.
In conclusion, the CISSP exam consists of 250 questions, with 125 scored and 125 unscored. The exam format includes both multiple-choice and advanced innovative questions, and candidates are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of the eight domains covered in the CISSP curriculum. Proper preparation and time management are key to passing this challenging exam and achieving the prestigious CISSP certification.