How I (Praveen Kumar Karthikeyan) Cracked the Beast CISSP

For me, CISSP is not just a certification—it is sheer dedication, a dream, a passion, and an absolute emotion.

When you commit to something, dedicate yourself completely to it. Keep running toward your goal until you achieve it. CISSP has given me mental strength and resilience.

I can feel the difference before and after my CISSP triumph—my thinking and thought process have transformed.

Introduction

I finally passed the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam on May 12, 2025, after 100 days of intense preparation. The CISSP is recognized as the most prestigious information security certification and the gold standard for professionals in the field.

With over 15 years of experience, my expertise primarily lies in Threat and Vulnerability Management and Risk Management. My previous hands-on experience covers Endpoint Security, Network Security, Zero Trust, Data Security, and Internet Security.

Journey Initiation

My journey toward CISSP did not start recently—it began back in January 2018 when I purchased the Official Study Guide (OSG) 8th Edition. At that time, I had no prior certification experience, but I was eager to learn. However, due to various circumstances, my preparation was disrupted.

Certification streak

In 2020, just before the pandemic, I earned my first certification in Azure. Throughout the pandemic, I continued earnings multiple certifications, ending the year with five Azure certifications, which reignited my determination to pursue CISSP. However, my career took another turn in 2021, leading to another delay.

That year, I completed the CEH exam, but CISSP remained on hold. In 2022, my focus shifted to CCSP, and after achieving it, I planned to pursue CISSP again—but fate had other plans. To strengthen my cloud knowledge for CCSP, I pursued Microsoft SC Series certifications, completing six certifications in just 45 days. I then diversified my expertise by earning three AWS certifications within two months.

First taste of ISC2

After achieving nine cloud computing certifications, I pursued CCSP with confidence, studying diligently for 90 days and successfully earning the certification by the end of 2022. Without hesitation, I started preparing for CISSP again, attending late-night boot camps with Adam Gordon for 10 straight weeks. However, work commitments led to another break.

Other Priorities

By mid-2023, I attempted a virtual boot camp from FRSecure, but before resuming CISSP preparation, I needed to complete my ISO 27001:2022 certification due to an expiring coupon. Soon after, I devoted 120 days to SANS certification, completing it by February 2024.

Determined to complete CISSP within 75 days before my child’s birth, I resumed my studies. However, life had other plans—I had scheduled my exam, only for my child to be born on the same day! My CISSP pursuit was placed on hold until the end of the year.

Year 2025 – Do or Die

At the start of 2025, CISSP became my ultimate focus. With the mindset “if not now, then never,” I committed to completing it before my child’s first birthday. I started with OSG 10th Edition—dry and challenging—but persisted, finishing 21 chapters in 40 days. I meticulously took handwritten notes, completed 20 questions at the end of each chapter, and pinpointed my weak areas.

I subscribed to LearnzApp (ISC2’s official test bank), completed 25 domain-specific questions daily, and conducted a second review of OSG. I devoted two hours daily (5 AM–7 AM), completing my second OSG review along with LearnzApp—achieving 74% readiness within 65 days.

Understanding that no single resource is sufficient, I turned to Destination CISSP Concise Guide, utilizing mind maps and mobile app tests to complete 400 random questions. I then watched Peter Zerger’s videos, completing three rounds in five days.

Next, I tackled Ben Malisow’s WannaBePractise exams, answering 1,000 questions over a weekend. Afterward, I revisited OSG for one final review, completing it in just five days, as I had reached peak understanding.

With two weeks left before the exam, I realized I needed more practice questions. I subscribed to Thor Pederson’s challenging questions, completing 750 in a single day with a 57% average score. Then, I tackled Brendon Spencer’s practice exams, completing all seven exams in a single day with an 80% average score.

Ten days before the exam, I adopted an intensive review method—watching Peter Zerger’s domain-wise videos, then studying Destination CISSP mind maps and answering 25 domain-specific questions. I completed all eight domains in eight days.

During the final weekend, I took three diverse practice exams and reviewed OSG Exam Essentials. I also went through Andrew Ramdayal’s 50 hard questions, CertMike’s last-minute review and flashcards. I officially closed my preparation 18 hours before the exam.

Euphoric Triumph

On the day of the exam, I arrived an hour early. After check-in, I was seated before my scheduled time. With a confident mindset, I began the test. I took my time answering the initial round of questions, but after that, I sped through like a Formula 1 car. Upon completing the 100th question, I expected more—but the exam abruptly ended with survey questions.

I was 99.99% certain I had passed. The sheer effort I invested made success inevitable. When the exam center front desk handed me the result sheet and said, “Congratulations!”—tears welled up in my eyes. I was speechless, overwhelmed by pure joy. Though I wanted to shout, I maintained composure out of respect for the exam centre’s etiquette.

The first thing I did was call my closest friends and family to share the incredible news.

This certification is not just a title—it is a dream, a passion, and an emotion. CISSP was meant to be my first certification when I started in 2018, but instead, it became my 20th. Regardless, I hold CISSP above all others, as the sacrifices and relentless dedication it demanded will stay with me for life

CISSP Strategy – How to dethrone the beast

Resources selection

CISSP—the name itself says that no matter what you choose to study and prepare, you’ll still feel unprepared until exam day.

There is no single source for all the required information and knowledge. Be diverse in your resources, but don’t overwhelm yourself with too many, as there’s a risk of losing focus during preparation.

Textbooks

Remember to choose atleast 2 resources for your study effort

1. ISC2 – Official Study Guide (10th Edition) – Whether you like it or not, you’ll need to read it at least twice, cover to cover, to fully understand the contents.
2. Destination CISSP: A Concise Guide (2nd Edition) – A well-structured, 1,250+ page condensed version of the Official Study Guide, featuring colorful concept representations. Once you start studying, you won’t want to stop.
3. CISSP: The Last Mile – A 480-page condensed version of the Official Study Guide, ideal for final review.
4. 11th Hour CISSP – Another valuable resource to go through.
5. Luke Ahmed’s Study Notes and Theory – Available with quarterly, half-yearly, and annual subscriptions.

Notes

1. The best notes are the ones you write while reading the books—no alternative is necessary. Everyone has their own unique style of preparation.
2. Col. Subhajeet Naga’s Cornell Notes – A well-written, 600-page resource for a quick walkthrough.

Visual Aids

1. Peter Zerger’s Exam Crams on YouTube – An 8-hour video, plus a 2.5-hour addendum for additional insights.
2. Destination CISSP – Mind Maps – I completely fell in love with this! The introductory video features mesmerizing music that enhances the experience.
3. Thor Pederson’s CISSP Course on Udemy – A comprehensive course designed for CISSP exam preparation.
4. Brandon Spencer’s CISSP Course on Udemy – Another valuable CISSP study resource available on Udemy.

Test Banks – CISSP aspirant should at least solve 5000-6000 Questions in Realtime

1. ISC2 – Official Test Guide (4th Edition) – A valuable resource for strengthening your understanding of key concepts. The questions are direct, and the answers are straightforward.
2. LearnzApp ($10/month) and Pocket Prep ($35/month) – Available on iStore and Play Store – Convenient apps that allow you to review concepts on the go. Taking 25- or 50-question practice sessions can be beneficial.
3. WannaBePractise CISSP by Ben Malisow ($40/year) – Features scenario-based questions that help reinforce your understanding of concepts.
4. Andrew Ramdayal’s 50 Hard CISSP Questions on YouTube – A must-have free resource. These questions ease you into the CISSP mindset, blending multiple domains through realistic scenarios.
5. Quantum Exams ($139/year) – A rigorous exam simulator that closely mimics the real test. If the price feels steep, you may want to consider alternatives. A score of 50-60% is considered decent.
6. BOSON Exams ($99/year) – A good simulation option, though it leans heavily toward technical aspects.
7. Thor Pederson’s Hard CISSP Exams on Udemy – An alternative to Quantum and BOSON. Scoring 55-60% is a solid performance.
8. Brandon Spencer’s CISSP Exams on Udemy – Another strong resource. Achieving a score of 70-80% is a good indicator of preparedness.
9. Gwen Betwy’s CISSP Exams on Udemy – A valuable resource for final review. A score of 65-70% is considered a good result.

Study Groups

1. Make your study group in and around like minded people who are also the aspirants of CISSP
2. Join the Discord Group CISSP Station
3. Join the Reddit Community

Other Aids

1. Prab Nair’s Coffee Shots on YouTube – A helpful resource for quick, insightful CISSP preparation.
2. CertiMike – Last-Minute Review – Ideal for consolidating key concepts before the exam.
3. Luke Ahmed’s “Think Like a Manager” – A resource designed to help you approach CISSP questions with a managerial mindset.
4. Kelly Handerhan’s “Think Like a Manager” – Another valuable guide to mastering the CISSP perspective.
5. Prasant Mohan’s Sunflower Notes – A great tool for a quick review of essential topics.
6. Bootcamps – Recommended for experienced professionals who need a crash course before the exam, but not ideal for beginners.

Exam Preparation guide

Once you commit to CISSP, your mindset must fully align with it—think CISSP, talk CISSP, sleep CISSP, eat CISSP, hear CISSP. When you’re happy, learn and revise CISSP. When you’re feeling down, learn and revise CISSP. Make it an inseparable part of your daily routine. I’ve lived the 100 days with CISSP.

1. Start your preparation with the mindset that you will pass CISSP and set a mandatory timeline for your study plan. Don’t have any false starts
2. Book the exam ($750) at the beginning of your journey. This will give you a clear end goal, push you harder, and provide momentum during preparation. Consider availing “Peace of Mind” for $200 to ensure an additional attempt if needed.
3. Schedule your exam in the early part of the day (first half). This will help keep your mind peaceful, as booking it later in the day may lead to stress or even sickness.
4. Set a 90–100-day preparation goal—study for at least 2 hours daily without fail and dedicate 4-5 hours on weekends.
5. Manage between family and work and preparation. You can’t leave any of this
6. If using the Official Study Guide (OSG), answer the review questions after each chapter, identify weak areas, and revisit them.
7. Understand the learning curve: the first round of preparation will take around 40-45 days to cover all eight domains and create notes. The second round will take approximately 15-20 days, and the final review around 5-8 days.
8. By the end of the third revision, you will remember most concepts, and they will continue to evolve in your subconscious—even in your sleep.
9. Use a combination of the provided resources to strengthen your foundational understanding. No single resource will make you feel completely prepared—this is the nature of the CISSP exam.
10. Create your own mental mind maps to track strengths and weaknesses. If something isn’t clear, use AI tools like ChatGPT as a study companion.
11. Don’t memorize, it will not be going to work 200% for sure. Wherever applicable, create your own Mnemonics like below
    • OSI layer (PDNTSPA),
    • Incidence response (DRMRRRL),
    • NIST RMF (PCSIAAM),
    • eDiscovery (IPCPRAPP),
    • CMM level (IRDMO),
    • SDLC Phases (RDITE),
    • Change management (RRATID)
    • Fagan Inspection (POPIRF)
    • ISC2 Canon (PAPA)
12. The day before the exam, avoid stress and excessive studying. Wake up normally, have breakfast, and spend time with family. Go for a long ride, play games, watch movies, or engage in activities that make you happy and relaxed.
13. Get good rest the night before and approach the exam with a positive mindset—”If I can’t do it, no one can!” Stay confident and go for it.
14. Don’t watch the timer in the screen, focus on only the questions and the process.
15. Don’t hesitate—CISSP preparation can be intense. It may make you feel like crying, shouting, or screaming, as balancing studies with family and work commitments is tough. Stay resilient and push  through.
16. Keep calm, stay composed, and remain determined. Your ultimate goal is to conquer the beast!

READ Strategy while preparation

1. Reading – Completed my chosen primary resource, cover to cover, multiple times.
2. Explaining – Took notes and reinforced my understanding with concept solidification and mnemonics.
3. Applying – After detailed study, I took practice tests from diverse authors to strengthen my comprehension.
4. Doing – Attempted practice exams in a simulated format to maintain pace and readiness for the actual test.

READ Strategy while attempting exams

1. Review – Read the question carefully two or three times, word by word, to fully understand what is being asked. A single word can completely change the perspective. Once you’ve completed reading, then examine the provided answer choices one by one.
2. Eliminate – After understanding the question’s context, eliminate two irrelevant answer choices. If your concept understanding is strong, this step will be easier.
3. Analyze – With only two choices remaining, analyze which option is better, most applicable, or the first priority. The choice you select should adequately cover the one you are discarding.
4. Decide – Once you’ve confidently determined the best answer, select it and move forward. Keep in mind that CISSP is CAT-based, meaning you cannot revisit previous questions.

All the best for all the CISSP Aspirants !!!!. As always, i will be available for the help seekers.