CISSP Study Plan – Day 50 of 55 | The Final Review — Confidence Before the Exam
- Luke Ahmed
- 42 minutes ago
- 3 min read
“I’d be nervous for you on this day… but I already know the result :)” – Luke Ahmed
Today is Day 50 of Yihenew’s CISSP study plan — the last-minute review day before the exam. At this point, you’ve gone through dozens of domains, hundreds of concepts, and probably thousands of questions. But today isn’t about cramming — it’s about calm control.
This is where everything you’ve studied over the past 49 days aligns into clarity. You’re not a student anymore — you’re a professional preparing to validate what you already know.
Key Areas Covered in the CISSP Study Plan
Shift from Memorization to Reasoning:The CISSP is not a recall exam — it’s an application and judgment exam.
Don’t chase keywords; chase intent.
When reading a question, ask: “What would management do?”
Review These Core Concepts One Last Time:
CIA Triad vs DAD Triad — The foundation of all security thinking.
Risk Management — Identify → Analyze → Respond → Monitor.
BCP/DRP Metrics — MTD, RTO, RPO, WRT.
Access Control Models — DAC, MAC, RBAC, ABAC.
Cryptography Basics — Hashing, Symmetric vs Asymmetric, Key Exchange.
Incident Response Phases — Preparation through Lessons Learned.
Control Types — Administrative, Technical, Physical; Preventive, Detective, Corrective.
Software Development Security — SDLC, threat modeling (STRIDE), secure coding.
Network Security — OSI model, defense in depth, firewall types, VPNs.
Frameworks & Governance — ISO 27001, Common Criteria, NIST SP 800-53.
Mindset Matters:
Go to bed early — CISSP tests endurance, not speed.
Don’t obsess over last-minute facts. The exam measures understanding, not memorization.
Remember: You already know this material — your focus is on clarity and composure.
CISSP Exam Tie-In
In the real exam, questions will push your patience more than your memory.The test expects you to act like a manager, not an engineer.When you see two technically correct answers, ask:
“Which option reduces risk with the least operational disruption?”
That’s the answer CISSP wants.
Quick CISSP Practice Question
What is the most effective final step to take before sitting for the CISSP exam?
A. Memorize every domain’s definitions again
B. Take a full-length timed practice test under exam conditions
C. Watch random CISSP videos for unfamiliar topics
D. Review technical command-line syntax and firewall rules
✅ Correct Answer: B. Take a full-length timed practice test under exam conditions
Explanation:Simulating real exam conditions helps build endurance, pacing, and confidence — the three key factors that determine your performance.
Think Like a Manager:CISSP isn’t about perfection — it’s about prepared decision-making. You’ve built the foundation; now execute calmly and confidently.
Check out Yani's TikTok or see Day 30 or Day 32.
👉 Can you take the Yani Challenge?
55 days of consistent CISSP prep, tackling one domain at a time, using only the resources below:
Course
Luke's CISSP Course (2 months access, $89.98)
One-to-one Zoom sessions with Luke Ahmed (2 weeks before exam)
Books, Notes, and Practice Questions
All-In-One Study Guide by Shon Harris (Around $45)
Sybex 10th Edition (Around $52.55)
Total Cost: approxiamately $250 depending on your geographic location. Yani is located in East Africa.
📚 Study Plan (55 Days of Dedication):
- Weekdays: 2–3 hours of focused study—late nights and early mornings (5 AM).
- Weekends: 5–6 hours of deep study sessions.
Pass CISSP in first attempt within 100 questions.
Yani's biggest expense was his time, committment, consistency, and dedication! It was worth it because he passed first attempt in 100 questions using the above resources only.
If Yihenew could do it, so can you.
All the best Future CISSP. You can feel free to contact me anytime as well.
Thank you.
Luke Ahmed
