Hey, I’m Terry, and Infosec Institute Took My Money and Wasted My Time.

After my rough boot camp with Infosec Institute, I had to go back to square one. I rethought my whole approach to this exam. What worked was simpler than I expected. I used a methodical study plan, one domain at a time, with the right resources.

My Study Strategy

One domain per week. That was the foundation of everything. The CISSP covers an overwhelming amount, and trying to study it all at once just doesn’t work. So I slowed down and gave each domain its own week. That made the material stick instead of blurring together.

The Resources I Used

Official ISC² CISSP Study Guide by Mike Chapple was my anchor. I won’t pretend it was a joy to read. It’s dense, dry and sometimes exhausting, but it’s thorough. If you can push through the slow sections, it covers what you need.

Eleventh Hour CISSP by Eric Conrad was something I picked up closer to exam day, and I’m glad I did. It’s slim and to the point. It’s perfect for a final review when you don’t have time to re-read hundreds of pages.

ITProTV CISSP Course gave me free access to their platform. I want to be upfront about that, but it didn’t change my honest take. I wanted to like it, and I really tried. The explanations felt meandering, and I often came away more confused than when I started. The production was decent, but the content delivery just didn’t work for me.

Destination Certification CISSP MindMap Videos were pretty helpful for seeing how concepts tie together. The textbooks don’t always make that obvious. My only complaint is that the delivery sometimes felt a bit self-congratulatory. That made it harder to stay focused.

Quantum Exams was the real surprise. I usually find practice questions tedious, but these were really good. They’re scenario-based and challenging. They’re built around the management mindset the exam actually tests. Easily my favorite resource.

Boson CISSP Practice Exams came through a coworker who gave me access for a couple of weeks. I was impressed. The questions are well-written. The explanations are detailed enough to actually teach you something, not just confirm you got it right.

Training Camp’s CISSP Mentoring Session was a late addition to my prep. It was one of the most valuable things I did, and it was completely free. It was a focused 8-hour session with about ten other people also working toward the exam. The real-world insight from the instructor and the group was something you can’t get from a book. Their flashcard tracker was also excellent for the final stretch. It gave me the rapid-fire review you need in the days right before you sit down to test.

LearnZapp Official App was my go-to for filling dead time, like commutes, lunch breaks and waiting rooms. The questions are on the easier side, but that’s fine. The app keeps the terminology fresh and the concepts top of mind without feeling like a grind.

Reddit r/cissp kept me going on the hard days. I read about other people’s experiences and picked up study tips. Just knowing others were grinding through the same material made a real difference.

A Note of Gratitude

I also want to thank Training Camp, ITProTV and Boson. They were truly supportive when I reached out about some earlier frustrations. It says a lot about a company when it listens and responds with care instead of brushing you off. That kind of support matters, especially when you’re deep in a stressful certification process.

What Actually Made It Click

The biggest mindset shift for me was accepting what the CISSP really tests. It checks whether you think like a security manager, and memorizing facts won’t get you there. At some point I stopped asking “what’s the right answer?” and started asking “what would be the best call for the organization?” After that, my practice scores improved. The material also started to make more intuitive sense.

I’d also say don’t obsess over your practice test percentages. They matter, but understanding the why behind each concept matters more. If you can explain something clearly without looking at your notes, you’ve got it. If you can’t, that’s where your time should go.

Your background will shape which domains feel natural and which feel brutal. That’s just how this exam works. Lean into the easy ones to build momentum, and be patient with the hard ones. It all comes together eventually.