Customer Reviews

CISSP Exam Cram

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

If you are already a skilled systems engineer that is familiar with the concepts of TCP/IP and account logon policy, then this book will cover the additional areas that ISC(2) require. The ~100 practice questions in this book were very VERY helpful, similar to the Transcender format where it explains why the correct choice, and the reasons the incorrect answers are false.

I reviewed just the practice questions and passed my test on the first try. Just because the test is $500, don't try to "out think" the questions, pick the logical answer and the practice questions in this book will verify you are picking the answers that ISC(2) agree are logical.

For many skilled SE's and SA's, the CISSP study materials are a cure for insomnia and tedious to read, almost like reading your local state DMV drivers license instruction book, almost as bad as a life insurance policy terms and conditions.

For those who are already technically skilled, this book is a great choice.

I found the "Exam Cram" books work great for one hour tests (such as the CompTIA ones), but the CISSP exam covers so much material in so much detail, something this limited is not of much help in studying. I used this as my first study guide for the exam, and was able to breeze through it in a couple hours and score a 49/50 on the practice test at the end of the book (well technically 48/50, but there's an obvious error in the answer key!). The sample questions from other books and websites were much more detailed and tricky, and you'll need plenty of time reviewing those in order to have a shot at passing the exam. While I did find this well organized, nicely written, and technically correct, it ultimately is not worth the time spent reading. I found Mike Meyer's CISSP Passport offered a much better level of detail, and proved much more helpful in my studying.

The content and especially the questions are very low level. I refuse to believe this is representative of the actual exam. After reading it I can say I've learned a couple new acronyms but that's about it. This is my 1st book on the subject, hope the others are better.

I purchased this book with 2 other CISSP books. This book a absolutly a waste of time. Use the summarys in the Shon Harris book instead

As other review have stated, this book does little more than simply state the basic facets of the CBK. IT does not go into good detail and the practice questions are horribly simplistic. So much so that they add nothing and provide no measure of your preparedness, which is supposed to be the whole point of practice questions. Typically, the EXAM CRAM books have been good (at least for the MCSE they were), but this one was dissapointing at best. Buy the all-in-one study guide instead.

I consider this book a synopsis of the courses you will need to fully understand.
The CISSP exam is so incredibly hard that after I took it, before I even knew result one, I was planning on going to a boot camp to take it. Fortunatly I passed, and didn't have to but this book had a very small part in my passing. The CISSP exam is all about experience and developed skills. PLEASE don't try to fudge it. $[money] down the drain? I reccomend this book to use as an index of topics to study.

In a previous post, the author indicated she would post corrections to the numerous errors in her book. That link is dead and her site does not offer additional information.

I gave this a one star due to the errors, the insults to a person's intelligence in the practice tests and poor coverage (even at an ExamCram level) of essential material. This person has cobbled together much freely available information to make a buck.

As for actual CISSP study, the other mentioned books are not perfect either but are a better source of information. Join a study group, take the time to read-read-read and use the free/low-cost practice tests. Most of those provide ExamCram level material that far exceeds this book.

A recent review of this book in a major security magazine piqued my interest, as the reviewer basically said that Mandy Andress is a plagiarist in writing CISSP Exam Cram. I didnï¿t find that to be the case; even though Andress could have done a better job with references.

Overall, Richard Bejtlichï¿s review is pretty accurate. The book is basically Cliff Notes for the exam. If you have done a lot of reading preparing for the CISSP Exam, this book will serve you well. It is a quick and dirty reference that is to the point. It is perfect to take on a bus or plane to review as it does not weigh nearly 10 pounds like the CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide.

If you want breadth, this book is fine.
If you want depth, then donï¿t use an Exam Cram title.

For those that want hearty references for the exam and wanting exhaustive tomes, they would be better served with books such as:

CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide
...

CISSP exam cram? Not by a mile. I was very disappointed at how it glossed over most topics and how simple the practice questions are in comparison with those on the exam. The book is a decent intro to ISS (the only reason I gave it two stars) but doesn't come close to preparing you for the exam. The sad thing is that it gives the reader a false sense of preparedness. Don't think that by correctly answering all of the practice exam questions you're ready for the real thing. If so you'll realize your out money thirty minutes into the test.

In a word...disappointing. I purchased Exam Cram--CISSP after having been through a review of the ten domains and after reading three other books in preparartion for the CISSP test. I found the material to be fairly shallow (as compared to the level of knowledge required to take the CISSP test) and the review questions were extremely simple. This book is best suited for someone that is considering a CISSP certification and would like to learn a little more about what's required. As a study tool, this book is a bust.