Exam Tips and Tricks for the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) Exam

Preparing for the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) exam can be a challenging endeavor, but with the right strategies and mindset, you can maximize your chances of success. Here are some essential tips and tricks to help you ace the exam.

Understanding the Exam Structure

1. Exam Format

• Number of Questions: Expect to face 100 questions.
• Time Limit: You will have 2 hours to complete the exam.

2. Navigation Rules

• You can move forward through the exam, meaning you can answer, guess, or skip questions.
• Important: You cannot go back to previous questions once you move forward.

3. Immediate Results

• At the end of the exam, you will receive a provisional pass or fail result in paper form. Keep this paper safe until you receive the official notice from ISC2.
• After passing, you must pay your Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) to receive your digital certificate.

Mastering the Content

4. Understand the CC Domains

The ISC2 CC exam covers five domains. It’s crucial to understand each domain and its sub-sets thoroughly. Here are the domains you need to focus on:

1. Security Principles
2. Business Continuity (BC), Disaster Recovery (DR), and Incident Response Concepts
3. Access Controls Concepts
4. Network Security
5. Software Development Security

5. Read Carefully

Each question on the exam requires careful reading and comprehension. Focus on two key aspects:

• Role in the Question: Identify what role you are being asked to assume (e.g., user, administrator).
• Context of the Question: Understand the context or scenario being presented.

Example 1:

Derrick logs on to a system in order to open and read a file. In this example, Derrick is the ______.
A. Subject
B. Object
C. Process
D. Predicate

Context: The question is asking about the role of the user (Derrick) in the scenario. Derrick is the “Subject”.

Example 2:

Which access control model is based on the classification of information and clearance levels of users?
A. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
B. Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
C. Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
D. Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)

Context: Identify key words like “classification” and “clearance”. The correct answer is “Mandatory Access Control (MAC)”.

Exam Strategy

6. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

• All questions are multiple choice with four options.
• Typically, one option is completely incorrect, one is a distracter, and two may seem correct. Your task is to compare and contrast the remaining two to identify the best answer.

7. Time Management

• With 2 hours for 100 questions, you have about 1.2 minutes per question. Keep an eye on the clock and pace yourself accordingly.
• If you encounter a difficult question, make an educated guess and move on. You cannot return to it later.

8. Practice Makes Perfect

• Use practice exams to familiarize yourself with the question format and to identify areas where you need more study.
• Review explanations for both correct and incorrect answers to deepen your understanding.

9. Exam Day Preparation

• Ensure you get a good night’s sleep before the exam.
• Arrive at the test center early with all necessary identification and documents.
• Stay calm and focused during the exam, and remember to breathe.

By understanding the exam structure, mastering the content, and employing effective strategies, you can increase your chances of passing the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) exam. Good luck!