Failed CISSP Certification Exam? Expert Tips for Your Next Attempt

Failing the CISSP exam on your first try can be discouraging but it’s important to remember that many professionals have been in your shoes. After guiding countless professionals through their CISSP certification journey, we’ve seen how each setback can become a powerful stepping stone toward success.

Whether you’ve failed the exam or are looking to get a better understanding on how to pass CISSP, this article is packed with actionable CISSP exam tips to help you overcome the challenges behind failures. We’ll also introduce the best CISSP training options to help you build on your experience and achieve that desired CISSP passing score.

Although the actual figures aren’t publicly released, the CISSP pass rate is often estimated at around 50%, which shows just how tough passing CISSP can be. But what separates those who ace the CISSP on their first try from others who struggle? In many cases, it comes down to real-world experience and study approach.

The CISSP exam tests your ability to apply real-world security concepts, not just your memory. It’s about analyzing each question and choosing the best answer that demonstrates practical competence.

Successful candidates often have a better understanding of how to approach the exam in a way that blends their practical knowledge in the field with structured CISSP training and focused study. They understand not only the best answers that the test demands but the logic behind them, which is key for passing CISSP.

No two CISSP exams are identical. CISSP certification is designed to hone in on your competency across all domains. The system adapts to your real-time performance, selecting questions that best evaluate your true knowledge level.

It starts off with a medium-difficulty question, then adapts based on your responses. Get a question right, and the following one might challenge you further; answer incorrectly, and you might see an easier question next.

The CISSP passing score is at least 700 out of 1000 points. Many test-takers find this adaptive format of the CISSP exam to be unpredictable, especially if you’re used to traditional academic-style exams. The challenge also lies in the fact that many questions offer several technically correct answers, but only one is the “best” choice.

Imagine a scenario where a question presents four potential strategies to mitigate a network vulnerability. Each option might technically reduce risk, but only one aligns best with industry best practices. Your task isn’t simply to select a viable solution; you need to think like a company’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and choose the approach that best addresses the specific threat scenario.

Now, let’s dive into more essential tips to help you pass the CISSP certification exam on your next try.

The adaptive nature of the exam can make it hard to gauge your performance in real time, but it’s usually a positive sign if you found a balanced mix of challenging and straightforward questions and felt confident on the core topics.

While you won’t get a detailed score report for your CISSP exam, the feedback provided by ISC2 after a failed attempt offers valuable insights for your retake strategy. You’ll get a ranking of your performance across the eight domains, grouped into three categories: below proficiency, near proficiency, and above proficiency.

Here’s how to make the most out of that breakdown to help you focus your CISSP training more strategically:

• Focus on your weakest domains: Start by targeting the domains where you’re below proficiency. Improving in these areas can significantly lift your overall performance.
• Consider domain weight: Prioritize domains where you’re near proficiency, especially if they hold more weight on your CISSP passing score. Strengthening these sections can help balance out your weaker spots.
• Combine with self-analysis: Consider how you managed stress during the exam, how you handled the varying question difficulties, and your overall confidence in each domain. Ask yourself if the challenge was with complex technical concepts, decision-making in real-world scenarios, or even deciphering the exam language.

Remember, the exam isn’t about averaging your scores. You might excel in one domain while just meeting the minimum in another and still pass. However, the best strategy for passing CISSP is to aim for above-proficiency performance across all domains.

Before you start preparing for your next CISSP exam, it’s important to understand the specific challenges behind your knowledge gaps so you can create a smarter and more successful approach for your retake.

Have you considered that your current job role might have influenced how you approached the exam? For instance, security analysts may need more focus on management concepts, while security managers might benefit from extra preparation in technical areas.

A common pitfall for many CISSP candidates is a combination of overconfidence from specialized experience and limited exposure to all security domains. Your industry expertise may also create a false sense of readiness for the entire exam. While having years of deep security know-how could give you a strong foundation in one area, it can leave you with blind spots in other key topics.

Here are some CISSP training tips to help overcome your knowledge gaps:

• Take comprehensive practice tests across all domains to objectively identify your weak areas. The CISSP covers eight diverse domains, and proficiency in one doesn’t guarantee competence in all.
• Understand the “why” behind some choices to uncover hidden gaps. The goal isn’t necessarily to become an expert in every subtopic overnight, but to know enough in each area to keep the CAT engine from targeting your weaknesses.
• Master core concepts across all eight CISSP domains. The CISSP exam often tests fundamental principles in unexpected ways.
• Focus on understanding how different security domains interconnect, not just individual topics.

By aligning your preparation with specific knowledge gaps, it will help you achieve consistent performance across every security domain and get you closer to that CISSP passing score.

The best approach to passing your next CISSP certification exam is to create a retake strategy that fits your unique learning style while addressing your weaker areas.

Here are some expert tips to help you create a CISSP training plan that works for you:

Understanding your learning preferences allows you to tailor your study plan in a way that truly resonates with you, making the learning process both effective and engaging.

Ask yourself which aspects of your study routine were the most frustrating. Do you thrive on video tutorials, prefer focused reading, 1-on-1 coaching, or benefit most from interactive group sessions?

Stick to your preferred study method and give yourself the time you need to really learn the material. Many candidates find success by focusing on one study guide and method instead of juggling too many resources. It’s not just about absorbing as much information as possible—it’s about adopting the way ISC2 expects you to think.

Recent feedback from test-takers suggests that the exam has been increasingly focusing on applying security concepts to hypothetical scenarios that closely resemble real-world problems. Many candidates fail because they approach questions from a purely technical perspective, missing the broader business and risk management considerations that the CISSP certification emphasizes.

Changing your mindset to consider the broader implications of security decisions can make all the difference. Take, for instance, the Security and Risk Management domain, which carries a heavy weight of 16% on the exam. Many technical experts stumble here because they haven’t developed a strategic, management perspective.

Too often, candidates approach the exam with a narrow, technical perspective. In reality, it’s not about how many practice questions you can memorize, but your ability to analyze a situation and choose the best course of action.

By optimizing study material and resources to complement your retake strategy and learning style, you’ll save valuable time with exam preparation and study more effectively.

Additionally, ISC2 updates the CISSP exam approximately every three years to reflect the latest cybersecurity threats, tools, and practices. That means your study materials must also be current; outdated resources could leave you missing critical information on topics like cloud security or data privacy laws.

Consider these practical tips for optimizing your CISSP study material:

• Choose quality over quantity: Instead of stretching yourself thin with too many resources, choose a couple of key study materials that match your learning style. Give those resources your full attention rather than skimming through everything available.
• Master scenario-based learning: Practice with scenario-based questions and domain-specific tests. Studying real-world security incidents will help you develop the analytical skills needed to tackle exam questions that mimic real-life challenges.
• Engage actively with the material: Don’t just passively read—review different content on the same topic until it really clicks. The goal is to understand the material well enough that you could teach it to someone else.
• Analyze practice questions thoroughly: When working through practice exams, spend time breaking down why you chose a particular answer and why other options were wrong. Consider discussing your thought process with a study partner or mentor to gain additional insights.
• Pace your study sessions: Avoid cramming by setting a consistent study schedule. Progress one domain at a time, especially your weaker areas, to prevent burnout and build lasting comprehension.
• Prioritize the most heavily weighted domains: Focusing on these while reviewing the remaining domains with a “big picture” approach can save you time and improve your chances of hitting the CISSP passing score. Some high-yield areas are Security and Risk Management, Security Operations, and Asset Security.

High demand for CISSP certification can sometimes pressure candidates to take the exam before they’re fully prepared. This might also push you to rush your preparation, but the best approach to passing CISSP is by adopting a growth mindset.

It means understanding that learning is a journey—not a race. It’s the belief that your abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication, regardless of market pressure.

For instance, boot camps can be a great resource, but not all of them are designed the same. Some offer only intensive live sessions, while others provide extended access to study materials and online communities long after the program ends. That extended access is invaluable—it allows you to review and reinforce what you’ve learned and fill any gaps at your own pace to ensure you’re truly ready for the exam.

Embracing a growth mindset not only prepares you for CISSP certification but also builds the resilience and adaptability needed in your cybersecurity career.

If you’ve struggled with difficult topics or felt discouraged after a failed CISSP attempt, know that you’re not alone. Seek out training programs that prioritize community support—it could be the boost you need to rebuild your confidence and ace your next retake.

Many training providers now include study groups and mentorship as part of their programs, offering you both peer support and expert guidance. This combination helps you tackle complex topics from various angles and develops the management-level thinking the CISSP exam demands.

Failing the CISSP exam can feel like a major setback, but it’s just part of the learning curve. Remember, CISSP certification is about proving competence, not perfection. The key is understanding the concepts and knowing how to apply them in real time.

Before scheduling your retake, prioritize getting your head in the right space so you can truly absorb and apply what you know. Give your weak spots one last review with focused study sessions. Ask yourself if you can apply each domain’s principles to real-world scenarios: Can you explain security frameworks, spot network vulnerabilities, or handle a breach? If you’re mostly confident in these areas, you’re on the right track.

Trust your preparation, approach the exam with renewed confidence, and aim for that CISSP passing score.

If you’re ready to retake your CISSP exam, Training Camp’s CISSP Bootcamp is designed to keep you on the right track toward successful CISSP certification. The program offers flexible formats to fit your schedule and learning style, helping you customize your efforts on the domains that need the most attention.

Each module focuses on bridging knowledge gaps and reinforcing critical CISSP concepts—with access to master instructors after your course ends. Our approach has proven successful as proven by our first-time pass rate. Ready to turn your setback into a comeback?

Christopher Porter Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Christopher D. Porter is a dynamic marketing executive and visionary leader, celebrated as an early adopter of internet technologies for innovative lead generation strategies. Continuing his career as the CEO of one of the leading IT and Cybersecurity Certification Training companies, he has consistently harnessed digital innovation to drive business growth and market transformation.

See Full Bio