On July 26th, 2019 I passed the SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) exam. I extended to spend a month studying an well work got in the way and my month turned into two weeks. Here is how I studied for two weeks and passed the SSCP exam.
I started relatively close to the weekend. I think it was a Saturday. I took a hard look at the book and thought about what chapters I would need to read and what chapters I could pick up after I finished the book. Most of them I had to read but I realized that I could skip two of the chapters because they had to do with something I’m already proficient in, networking. So I had about twelve chapters to read in roughly fourteen days. I work during the week. It was going to be hard, I knew that. Here is what I did:
- July 13 2019 – Chapter 1 and 2
- July 14 2019 – Chapter 5 and 6
- July 15 – 16 – Chapter 7
- July 18 – 19 – Chapter 8
- July 20 2019 – Chapter 8, 9, 10
- July 21 2019 – Chapter 11, 12, 13
- July 22 – 24 – Chapter 13 and 14
- July 25 2019 – Rest
While I was reading at night I was also listening to http://www.ITPro.tv in the car on the way to work. This helped cement the terminology and some of the more abstract concepts in my head. It also helped because during the week I was definitely burnt out with reading. On Friday July 26th I went into the testing Center at 7:30 AM and around two hours later came out with a passing score. I totally thought I blew it, but hey I didn’t so that counts for something right?
If you are looking to get your SSCP and are looking for some tips let me throw mine at you:
- If you’ve studied for and past the Security+ and the ITIL it’s very similar to those and there’s a lot of overlap
- When you are reading the chapters take notes…on paper. It helps you retain information longer. If you want them on the computer type them after you get through writing them
- Get plenty of rest
- Start reading before two weeks before your deadline. So, you don’t rush through the material
- Take. The. End. Of. Chapter. Quizzes. They help… a lot
- If you are a visual or auditory learner invest in ITPro.tv. It’s ~$20 per month and it’s a lifesaver when you can’t read but can listen.
- Sleep before the exam. Don’t Cram
If you follow these steps and either have field experience or can have a understanding of what organizations want you should do well. If you need help Let me know. I’m here to help you learn. 🙂
Resources:
Later Peeps