Getting Ready for Your ISC2 Exam

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Start Your Journey to Certification

Get ready for your assessment by ensuring you know what to expect before exam day. Exam outlines help you understand what cybersecurity skill domains you need to master, and make sure you are familiar with how exams are scored and formatted, including the CISSP CAT exam. Be sure to review the ISC2 Candidate Information Bulletin (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) for additional information on the exam process.

Have you been contacted by a proxy test service? Please report exam fraud or cheating in our Exam Fraud Form.

ISC2 Exam Outlines

Exam outlines are available for all ISC2 certifications, and they provide details on the domains covered by each exam. Visit our Certification Overview page and select the certification you are preparing for to access the exam outline.

Exam Format and Scoring

For answers to frequently asked questions about exam scoring, click here.

Exam Time Allotted Items Examination Availability
Certified in Cybersecurity 2 hours 100 multiple choice, 4 choices English, Chinese, German, Spanish
Effective 15 April 2024, the CC exam will only be delivered in the listed languages:
English, Chinese, German, Japanese
CISSP (CAT) 4 hours 125 – 175 multiple choice and advanced innovative items English
Effective February 12, 2024, the CISSP exam will be available in the Chinese language in the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format.
Effective April 15, 2024, the CISSP (CAT) will have a time limit of 3 hours and contain 100-150 items
Effective April 15, 2024, the CISSP exam will only be available via CAT and in the following languages:
English, Chinese, German, Japanese, Spanish. There will be no CISSP linear exams effective April 15, 2024.
SSCP 4 hours 150 multiple choice, 4 choices English, Chinese, Korean, German, Japanese, Spanish
Effective 15 April 2024, the SSCP exam will only be delivered in the listed languages:
English, Japanese, Spanish
CCSP 4 hours 150 multiple choice, 4 choices English, Chinese, Korean, German, Japanese, Spanish
Effective 15 April 2024, the CCSP exam will only be delivered in the listed languages:
English, Chinese, German, Japanese, Spanish
CGRC 3 hours 125 multiple choice, 4 choices English
CSSLP 3 hours 125 multiple choice, 4 choices English
ISSAP 3 hours 125 multiple choice, 4 choices English
ISSEP 3 hours 125 multiple choice, 4 choices English
ISSMP 3 hours 125 multiple choice, 4 choices English

There may be scenario-based items with more than one multiple-choice item.

You need a scale score of at least 700 out of a possible 1,000 points to pass your cybersecurity exam.

Familiarize Yourself with CISSP Computerized Adaptive Test

ISC2 uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) for all English CISSP exams worldwide. Based on the same exam content outline as the linear, fixed-form exam, CISSP CAT is a more precise and efficient evaluation of your competency. Learn what to expect when taking your CISSP CAT exam here.

Rescheduling or Cancelling an Exam

Once you schedule your exam, you have up to 365 days to reschedule and sit for your exam.

To reschedule or cancel your exam appointment, you must contact Pearson VUE:

  • Online at least 48 hours prior to your exam or
  • By phone at least 24 hours before your exam

Pearson VUE charges a reschedule fee of U.S. $50 and a cancellation fee of U.S. $100. If you do not sit for your exam within 365 days of your initial scheduled exam date, your exam fee will NOT be refunded.

Requesting Special Accommodations

ISC2 provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations for its exams with people who have demonstrated a need for test accommodations. If you wish to request an accommodation, complete the Accommodation Form and return it to ISC2 prior to registering for your exam with the following information to examadministration@isc2.org:

  • An explanation of the accommodations you need
  • Documentation supporting the accommodation
  • The exam you want to take
  • The exam location

Test accommodations are individualized and considered on a case-by-case basis. Once an accommodation is approved by ISC2, we’ll send it to Pearson VUE Accommodations. Please allow two to three business days for Pearson VUE to get this information. Then, call Pearson VUE at +1.800.466.0450, so you can schedule your exam. Please contact ISC2 first. Do not start by scheduling through Pearson VUE’s website or through their main registration phone line.

Please note, that the purpose of test accommodations is to provide examinees with full access to the test. However, they are not a guarantee of improved performance or test completion.

Exam Updates

ISC2 has an obligation to its membership to maintain the relevancy of its credentials. These enhancements are the result of a rigorous, methodical process that ISC2 follows to routinely update its credential exams. This process ensures the examinations and subsequent continuing professional education requirements encompass the topic areas relevant to the roles and responsibilities of today's practicing professionals.

Updates have been announced for the following exams:

  • CISSP content and exam length effective April 15, 2024
  • CGRC content effective June 15, 2024
  • SSCP content effective September 15, 2024